*
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    


Norwegian Championships

Final musical touches being put in their Bergen place

February 4 • 80 will be putting their own-choice and set-work pieces under final scrutiny ahead of the Norwegian National Championships this weekend.


Jamie Smith

Smith looking forward to Japanese tour

February 4 • Grimethorpe Colliery Band principal cornet Jamie Smith will head to Japan for a performance tour this Easter.


East Midlands

New march and hymn contest to fill gap in East Midlands

February 4 • A brand new event will take on 13th June at the Braybrooke Brewery and Taproom, North Northamptonshire.


gLYN AND hLEN

Busy January enjoyment for Williams duo

February 4 • Glyn and Helen Williams have enjoyed a busy start to 2026.


Dobcross Silver Band - Whitburn Band

Sunday 1 February • c/o Dobcross Band Club. Platt Lane. Dobcross Saddleworth OL3 5AD


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Friday 6 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Contest: Norwegian National Brass Band Championships

Saturday 7 February • Grieghallen, Bergen, N-5015 N-5015


Regent Hall Concerts - Royal Greenwich Brass Band

Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Regent Hall Concerts - Oompah Brass XXL

Friday 27 February • Regent Hall. (The Salvation Army). 275 Oxford Street. London W1C2DJ


Welwyn Garden City Band

February 5 • We are a friendly & sociable Second Section Band. We have vacancies for a FRONT ROW CORNET player and PERCUSSIONISTS. Our MD is Will Douglas and we rehearse in Welwyn Garden City on Sunday evenings from 7.00-9.00pm.


Waltham St. Lawrence Silver Band

February 4 • Our inclusive non-contesting community band, based near Maidenhead, Bracknell and Reading, has vacancies for: . . Solo Cornet. Soprano Cornet. 2/3 Cornet.


Waltham St. Lawrence Silver Band

February 4 • Our non-contesting community band, based near Maidenhead, Bracknell and Reading, seeks:. . Solo Euphonium . 1st Horn . 2nd Baritone .


Rob Nesbitt

BSc, PG Cert. Ed.
Cartoonist , illustrator, writer


               

 © 2026 4barsrest.com Ltd