*
banner

Big Melt screen debut for Unite

Unite the Union Band make their big screen debut in critically acclaimed film and music partnership with pop star Jarvis Cocker.

Unite The Big Melt
 

Unite the Union (City of Sheffield) Band has continued its partnership with pop star Jarvis Cocker with the big screen debut of his film ‘The Big Melt’ in Sheffield.

Soundtrack

The film featured the live soundtrack from the critically acclaimed sell out concert at the Crucible Theatre in June this year.

Commissioned by BBC Storyville and BBC North in Association with the BFI using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, ‘The Big Melt’ takes a century of film from the BFI archives, under film director Martin Wallace and combines it with the talents of Jarvis Cocker and his friends in the Sheffield music scene to forge a new musical experience.

Soul of a nation

A spokesperson told 4BR: "It aims to bring a music and film journey into the soul of a nation, bringing to life the ghosts of our past, taking us into the belly of the furnaces and showing how our souls have been stamped from the mighty presses of our industrial heritage.

It's a new kind of heavy metal music with pictures. You will never look at a fork in the same way again."

The brass band, split into two, enter from both side doors of the theatre, bleeding from stereo into thundering mono as they meet on stage floorDaniel Dylan Wray, The Independent newspaper

Applause

Unite the Union Brass Band was one of the highlights of the show, receiving thunderous applause as they finished their set.

Daniel Dylan Wray writing for ‘The Independent’ newspaper commented: "The brass band, split into two, enter from both side doors of the theatre, bleeding from stereo into thundering mono as they meet on stage floor."

He went on to say: "This was a remarkable marriage of music, film and British history."

BBC release

The film will be shown on the BBC in January 2014, and there are hopes to perform the live show again in other parts of the country in the summer.

Become a supporter and help make our future secure.

4barsrest continues to be a proudly independent voice. There are no paywalls to overcome to be able to enjoy what we do to keep our journalism at the heart of the brass banding world. Support us with a one-off donation or subscribe from just £2.50 per month.

Support us    


Louis Dowdeswell

Dowdeswell ready for final print run

October 15 • The new album from trumpet star Louis Dowdeswell is set to bring high intensity brass to the classics .


Rochdale Contest

Bands ready for Rochdale own-choice challenges

October 15 • There are plenty of bands and plenty of musical choice to enjoy at the Rochdale Contest this weekend.


Wychavon

Wychavon Festival of Brass line-ups confirmed

October 15 • There will be a full day of entertainment at The De Montfort School in Evesham later this month.


Boscombe

Boscombe to welcome Black Dyke Band for 140th anniversary

October 15 • Boscombe Band of the Salvation Army will welcome Black Dyke Band for a joint concert to celebrate 140 years of music making and worship.


Regent Hall Concerts - Trafalgar Brass

Thursday 15 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Queentet

Friday 16 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Funny Bones Symphonic Brass

Friday 16 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Fulham Brass Band

Friday 16 October • Regent Hall (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Dobcross Silver Band -

Friday 16 October • Playhouse 2 . 2 Newtown street. Shaw. Oldham OL2 8NX


Crewe Brass

October 16 • Crewe Brass are looking for a Front Row Cornet player to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Crewe Brass

October 16 • Crewe Brass are looking for a Eb Bass player to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Crewe Brass

October 16 • Crewe Brass are looking for a BBb Bass player to join our highly motivated 4th section band. We are a very welcoming and sociable band, with a positive outlook and a reasonably busy calendar of engagements. Other enquiries are welcome.


Andy Wareham

BMus (Hons), MMus (Hons)
Conductor, Composer, Brass Tutor, Musicologist


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd