WEE COUNTY musicians are back in full swing after their first full concert after lockdown.

The Clackmannan District Brass Band performed their first organised concert with a full band line-up since the country entered its first coronavirus lockdown.

The band were invited by St Andrew's Community Council to perform on Sunday, July 28, at their community bandstand.

The concert saw the band performing for a live audience for the first time in almost 18 months as crowds gathered to enjoy the music in the nice weather.

The band's President, Debbie Ross, told the Advertiser: "It was so surreal to be sitting in formation again and it was really good to see people out enjoying the music again."

Debbie told how the band's first concert since the first lockdown has impacted the morale of the band and how they kept together over lockdown.

She continued: "Over lockdown we met up every Friday on Zoom for a catch up and met each other in small groups when the restrictions allowed, to help us keep morale going.

"The band is a wee family that looks out for each other.

"Home practice is OK, but it is hard work.

"People have missed the band. For a lot of our members the band is a big part of their life, being able to hear the chords and sounds gives them a bit of purpose and keeps them going."

The Clacks band has a bright future in store as they returned to in-person practices at their brand new Covid-compliant band room last week.

The band have several concerts planned for the future, including a September concert alongside the Strathcarron Singers at Stirling's Albert Halls and their Christmas Carol concert in December, which Debbie says they are looking to turn into a memorial concert for members the band lost through the pandemic.

Debbie added: "We are continuing to monitor the restrictions to see if we can do the concerts and what sort of audience we can have."

Debbie concluded the band's return to performing, live practices and bright future is how they will "keep banding going in Clacks".