Hot Piece of Brass have never been a band to do things quietly. With a full brass section, powerhouse vocals and a rhythm section honed by more than 100 shows a year, they’ve built a reputation for high-energy live sets that sit somewhere between a disco-fuelled party and a full-scale stage show.
Since joining Après Ski Bands, the Bristol-based band have become firm favourites on the Alpine circuit, returning for their fourth ski season this winter and regularly taking on packed terraces, snowy stages and the kind of après crowds that are ready to party before the first note has even landed.
Away from the mountains, 2026 has been another huge year for the band, with a packed calendar of weddings, private events and public shows across the UK and beyond…. their diary is already filling well into summer 2027.
We caught up with Hot Piece of Brass to talk about blizzards in Tignes, the art of building the perfect après set, chaotic wedding crowds, how the band first came together and what’s next for one of the most distinctive acts on the Après Ski Bands roster.
You’ve been on the Alps circuit for a while now … what do you love most about mountain crowds?
Answer this – how can you NOT have a wildly fun time while at après-ski in the Alps? Exactly. Everyone slides off the mountain with a tantalising buzz after a day on the slopes, and instantly start mimicking our infectious dance moves with a drink-in-hand on the snowy tabletops. The BEST atmosphere for a classic Hot Piece set!
What’s your best tour anecdote?
Driving up the windy roads to Tignes we’re on the blower with Callum, the VM at Cocorico, deliberating whether our outdoor set is to go ahead with a heavy snowstorm looming on the radar. Naturally, we take the risk! Kicking off our iconic mid-set disco medley with Daddy Cool we’re buzzing with our decision, then two transitions later as Liv belts the lyrics to Hot Stuff – WHACK! The blizzard hits. Conscious of upholding our visual aura we venture on, playing our hearts out in sleeveless tops and exposed legs, belting out our final note with at least an inch of snow blanketing the stage before the crowd begins the anticipated roar of ‘ONE MORE SONG’. So we go again.
What is the one thing you want guests to remember after seeing Hot Piece of Brass live?
From our dynamite lead vocals boosted by the dazzlingly choreographed horn section, to the unrivalled tightness of the rhythm section, our most popular comment is: “your energy is infectious”! That’s what we want crowds to remember, that feeling of being captivated by every aspect of our show and carrying that feeling forwards for the next time they see our name on a poster.
For anyone who hasn’t seen Hot Piece of Brass before, how would you describe the band?
The infectious energy of Hot Piece of Brass will catch you sprinting to the dancefloor, grabbing all your friends along the way. Performing a mixture of disco classics, funk bangers, and eclectic modern music with their diverse line-up of musicians, we have rocked stages across the world.
Starting with the powerful rhythm section, performing over 100 shows together per year, they have reached an unimaginably high level of tightness. They provide the strong foundations that allows the frontline to really have the space for their abundance of energy and flair.
Next, the frontline. Consisting of trumpet, sax, and trombone in the brass section, and one hell of a lead vocalist. With all horns singing backing vocals, together the four of them will leave your eyes and ears wide open. Expect dancing, soaring brass lines, and dynamite vocals.
Together, Hot Piece of Brass is a serious force to be reckoned with.
What is next for Hot Piece of Brass?
Hot Piece of Brass has always taken pride in performing across a variety of settings in a diverse range of countries.
Officially 6 years after its formation, Hot Piece of Brass is now 95% booked for the remainder of 2026 and Summer 2027. We have our biggest Bristol public show to date coming over the Autumnal horizon as we host a Late Night Funk Club event at the Old Market Assembly on 2nd October. In the New Year, we travel to the Alps for our 4th Ski Season, with each season our popularity rising at a greater rate. In the Spring, we hope to host our largest show in London, as we continue to push the boundaries of our success as a High Energy, Premium Party Band.
We take pride in being different to other bands in our market by putting on public shows across the world. It’s how we started, and it’s a marker for us to show how we can really bring the atmosphere to a crowd that is not necessarily expecting it.
Paint us the picture: it’s 4pm, the sun is dropping behind the mountains, the terrace is packed… what song kicks things off?
Now this is a tough one. We take the art of set curation very seriously here in the HPOB ranks, as we like to adapt and change our set regularly to keep things fresh and to adapt to the right crowd / setting.
You really cannot beat the back to back hits of Love Shack (B-52s) followed by Its Raining Men (The Weather Girls) for real dancefloor pandemonium.
How did Hot Piece of Brass first come together?
1967 birthed the ‘summer of love’, the summer of 2021 birthed Hot Piece of Brass. Following the immense enjoyment and success of the Bristol University big band, Hornstars, George and Clara wanted to take an extracurricular to the next level and have a crack at running a band alongside their studies and jobs. After a few years building our repertoire, client base, and relationships with each other, a very nice sound tech at one of our gigs suggested we audition for après ski bands (thank you Alex Jones – we owe you one!) Three months later we excitedly set sail on our first Après Ski winter tour. The experience was so amazing that we started nervously asking ourselves whether we should jump in feet first, turning our side project into our
main priority. Since then, countless hours of rehearsing, travelling, and playing on some of the most unique and incredible stages to fantastic crowds from around the world has become our new ‘normal’, we still pinch ourselves every day.
You are no strangers to weddings (22 this summer??) What’s the best reaction you’ve ever had from a wedding crowd?
Standing at the front, looking out at a wedding crowd is one of our favourite parts of being in this band. You get to witness a sea of love, not just from the bride and groom but from friends and family who are all there for one reason. This is made even better when our horns run out to join the party and we get to see some of our best friends doing what they do best.
Lovey-dovey to one side, you can also spy some insane and fantastic things – often when people don’t know they’re being watched!
One of our recent favourite reactions from a wedding crowd was watching George being carried away, bedazzled disco helmet and trumpet intact. He was lifted overhead by a team of American groomsmen, all limbs flailing – a perfect summation of the party vibes.
Finally, describe Hot Piece of Brass in three words( not using hot, piece or brass).
Thrilling, dedicated, family.
Want Hot Piece of Brass bringing that same energy to your event? Whether it’s a packed après-ski terrace, a destination wedding or a party that needs something a little less ordinary, they know exactly how to get a crowd moving.
Get in touch with Après Ski Bands to check availability and book Hot Piece of Brass for your next event. But as you read… be quick, their diary is nearly full!!
