Union Hotel Brunswick

23/12/2022

UHB live music enablement crew knocking off with a good Christmas laugh after a massive year.
Stay tuned for 2023 🔊

18/12/2022

Thank you to all the musicians, the sound crew Alison & Clay, Peter for the poster designs, bar / kitchen crew, music goers, and last but not least Dave for being a band booking wizard.

Keep the good times rollin'. Have a wonderful Chrissy break. See you next year for more quality live music.
- UHB

16/12/2022

The Silversound (Single Launch) Sunday 18 Dec 🎼 from 3.30PM
***TO WRAP UP A GREAT YEAR OF MUSIC***
… come out from the cave of your heart, slip on your go-go swamp boot… go deeper… let go… an unspooling magic carpet of swooping vocals, dancing bass, spin-tumbling drums and guitars of many colours invite you to surrender to an ecstatic new day…
With pop maverick Marcel Borrack & the dynamic sorcerer & apprentice duo Mark Ferrie’s Instant Noodles
Noodles 3:30 / Marcell 4:30 / Silversound 6:00

16/12/2022

Country Christmas Hootenanny!!
Sat 5PM 17 Dec
A very special event! For the first time this year we have 3 acts - 5 hours of live music dedicated to country vibes with No Sleep Till Texas, Katie Bates and The Pourshots...this one will be very special!!

11/12/2022

Congratulations to this great fella on a successful launch of his new album RIGHT!

It’s a massive achievement to create an album…lots of work. Thanks again for launching with us mate. Wishing you all the best playing it across our great southern land and beyond

UHBC

Rich Webb Music

10/12/2022

Phil Para Sunday 11th Dec 5PM
Phil Para is a guitarist/ singer/ songwriter and undoubtedly one of the most exciting performers in Australia.

10/12/2022

Nigel Wearne Sunday 11th Dec 3.30PM
Saunters after dark in the music of the night, blending blues, folk and Americana-noir. Hailing from Gunditjmara country in South-West Victoria, he’s a guitarist and multi-instrumentalist with diverse influence from Nick Cave, Tom Waits and Gillian Welch. A deep thinker and truth speaker with a penchant for all things peculiar, he sings of human frailty, grace and the cosmos; songwriting that cuts to the bone.

09/12/2022

Rich Webb Sat 10th Dec 5PM
Making a welcome return to the stage to launch new album RIGHT! Described as a wild and lucid bundle of smooth alt-country swoon, early singles from the record, Love Someone and Blue Wildflowers, have already seen plenty of action on local radio. Rolling Stone described the record as “Evocative of singer-songwriter legends such as Bob Dylan or Bruce Springsteen.” Come and see for yourself. Rich will be joined by Matt Dixon on lead guitar, Alics Gate-Eastley on bass, Jim Carden on drums plus some special guests. They come packing some form – Rich’s previous long player ‘Le Rayon Vert’ was the 2019 Alt-Country album of the Year in the IMA awards, and there will be plenty of that in there too.

09/12/2022

SPOONFUL XMAS Sat 10th Dec w/special guests: Jonnie-Goes-To-Church (Celia Church & Jon Von Goes - Triple R) 8pm & J.V.G as BAD SANTA

T'is the silly season, and Melbourne's fave party band Spoonful continues the X-mas Party tradition at the Union Hotel, Brunswick. If you know these shows, then you know! Bad Santa will be there to join the band and will probably chastise everyone for taking themselves and X-mas shopping so seriously. Do yourself a festive favour, and join us for a very merry Spoonful X-mas Party show - ho, ho, ho!

04/12/2022

On soon

A very special evening of music as High Ace, the new musical project of Jeff Lang and Alison Ferrier, showcase their debut album 'Snowcap Menace'. The album is of contemporary musical storytelling, empowered by a foundation of guitar-led folk and stringed global ethno-influences, exploring the collective musical powers of Alison and Jeff, yet still offering their individual flairs to flourish. As an added bonus, Amy Valent Curlis will be on marimba and percussion. A MUST SEE SHOW!

02/12/2022

OOH LA LA, by GYPSY COLLECTOR

HEY! Another amazing UHB act drops a new release...OH...and they're real good...

GypsyCollector is the brainchild of Jimmy Phoenix and Stacey Gray, two pioneers in their own right within Melbourne’s music scene.

Oohlala/Paddle Steamer also features guest vocals from Baxter Avalon, the synth-pop alter ego of Lilith Lane.

Have a listen folks! They'll be back on our stage in 2023!!

UHBC

2 track album

30/11/2022

What a year!!! HAPPY...a little WACKY...but still happy...

DECEMBER!! Three weeks of musical bliss on the cards and we made sure to give you four weeks worth to make up for the short month (blame the skinny bearded man or the fat red man...or other). Then we mute the stage to eat, drink, chat, hug family, friends, sunbake (hopefully), rainbake, until the stage fires back up with more beloved Melbournetown gold in early Jan. It's been a JOY. THANKYOU ALL!!

Come celebrate 2022 with us In December before it's gone...it'd be great to see your lovely faces to cap off the year which has been a BLAST!! (mostly)
- UHBC

26/11/2022

SUNDAY 6PM NOV 27
Hana & Jessie-Lee’s Bad Habits meld brassy twang with country and soul inflections, fronted by the smoky impassioned vocals of Hana Brenecki and the blistering lead guitar of Jessie-Lee Zubkevych, along with their band of Bad Habits reinforcing the eclectic sound they’ve established as their own.

SUNDAY 5PM NOV 27
Lichti’s lyrics put you squarely in the shoes of strange characters while the band walk or waltz you through their tales, ever dark and brooding as they carry the tunes - even on the upbeat numbers.

SUNDAY 3:30PM NOV 27
Fuelled by reverence, integrity and a deep spiritual connection to the human experience, Australian-NZ songwriter Kerryn Fields paints timeless musical portraits that do what others rarely can: bring us home to ourselves.

25/11/2022

Thank you Hana and Jessie-Lee for taking residency at the Union this last month. The last few weeks have been Spring Sundays to cherish. Excited for your final show of residency! 🦌

25/11/2022

SATURDAY 8:30PM 26 NOV
Melbourne's own original country western, tex mex, trucker and western swing band play only the best dancing & drinking songs. They deliver the prime cuts and take no detours performing with their incredibly tight sound, three part harmonies, classic 7" singles arrangements and big-hearted honesty. They'll be playing in full 5 piece band mode for this special show

SATURDAY 5PM 26 NOV
Get back to live, local music and join Riflebirds for rock'n'roll good times at The Union! Featured on Double J, RRR and PBS, acclaim for the band's new album 'Keep It Together' continues... "The band have broken open this new chapter with confidence and catapulted right back into our music-loving hearts with Keep It Together. "An album stuffed with anthemic rock ’n’ roll – the kind that would evoke a sway out of even the least rhythmically inclined. "Riflebirds are a band at the peak of their creative and musical prowess." Beat.

24/11/2022

Our good mates The Silversound just dropped their first single…check it out below!!

Also…they’ll officially launch it on our stage next month!! Stay tuned….

19/11/2022

SUNDAY (3 OF 4 NOV RESIDENCY)
Hana and Jessie-Lee's Bad Habits 6PM
Hana & Jessie-Lee’s Bad Habits meld brassy twang with country and soul inflections, fronted by the smoky impassioned vocals of Hana Brenecki and the blistering lead guitar of Jessie-Lee Zubkevych, along with their band of Bad Habits reinforcing the eclectic sound they’ve established as their own.

Little John and the Confessions 5PM
Featuring old friends from Redfish and Little John, The Confessions will be singing bluegrass standards along with some original numbers in three part harmony style. Sit back and let a tear drop into your martini.

Hannah Blackburn 3:30PM
Located somewhere between Victoria’s bush and beach based folk-pop purveyor Hannah Blackburn uses songwriting to weave beautiful storytelling, melodies and honesty together to deliver a unique blend of songwriting that is deeply her own. Already establishing herself as a renowned performer, appearing at BIGSOUND 2019 as well as support slots with Archie Roach, Angie McMahon and Emily Wurramara, Hannah Blackburn is putting the finishing touches on her highly anticipated debut album.

18/11/2022

THE PRAYERBABIES SAT 19/11/22 8:30PM
What’s in the magic bag? Country & Preston, erm, Contrary & Whistern mebbe? Fosho hits & repressed memories, slathered in 4-part lemonbutter harmonies, cos oo, that’s our bag, man…

18/11/2022

BACKBEAT! SAT 19/11/22 5PM
"Rock 'n' Roll Music” – an early Beatles & 60’s Mersey beat show at The Union Hotel in Brunswick. BackBeat will take you through the influence Chuck Berry and other artists had on the early Beatles career that created that Mersey Beat sound. There will be well known numbers, obscure album tracks, B sides & rarities. The 2 sets of thumping, heart palpitating numbers will be as BackBeat performed them at The Cavern Club in Liverpool, UK. So get ya dancing shoes on, don the black leathers (aka Hamburg days) or chuck on your Chuck flares and we’ll see you for a loralora fun!

12/11/2022

SUN 6PM 13 NOV Hana & Jessie-Lee’s Bad Habits
Hana & Jessie-Lee’s Bad Habits meld brassy twang with country and soul inflections, fronted by the smoky impassioned vocals of Hana Brenecki and the blistering lead guitar of Jessie-Lee Zubkevych, along with their band of Bad Habits reinforcing the eclectic sound they’ve established as their own.

SUN 5PM 13 NOV Small Town Romance
Partners in music and life, Flora Smith and Jim Arneman are Small Town Romance. Pairing water tight harmonies with an understated poeticism, Small Town Romance blend country, folk, Australiana, tex-mex and roots influences to create a sound that is uniquely their own.

SUN 3.30PM 13 NOV Charlotte Le Lievre Duo
With her heart wrenching lyrics and lilting voice, alt-country songstress Charlotte Le Lievre will transport you to a place beside the river, or late at night by the fire, in the pleasant company of lost loved ones.

11/11/2022

www.youtube.com

THIS is happening tomorrow night. Check out the link to their recent live recording below…if you do, you’ll be here tomorrow…if you don’t, you’ll be here tomorrow…it’s that good

Trust us
UHBC

11/11/2022

SAT 12 NOV 8.30PM The Meltdown
Having built their sound off the back of mesmerising live performances, they were signed to Melbourne label Hopestreet Recordings in 2015 and released ‘Better Days’ as a 45 soon after. Making the song the focus, The Meltdown stay true to the story and keep your attention on the soaring voice of Simon Burke. It’s soul, but it’s something else indefinable; like you’ve heard him before but don’t know where. The rhythm section create a hypnotic spacious groove to lean upon and the horns gracefully tie it all together. This stellar band bring a blend of Stax and Motown with a healthy dose of the Nashville songwriting tradition. Songs to move your heart and your feet as echoes of Memphis soul resonate. Their debut self-titled record was released in 2017 to great critical acclaim, followed by a run of sold out shows and festival appearances. Now in 2022 , the Meltdown release their second record ‘It’s a long road’ . The Meltdown continue the tradition of world class soul bands to emerge from Melbourne, Australia and they’ll wrap you in their warm embrace. With a new album and some new shows, the soul from the south will be carried far and wide. Great vibe, great sound, but it’s the song that’s king here.

SAT 12 NOV 5PM The Special
Roots Rock Country and Reggae. It's all here! The Special are a tight knit 3 piece with Damian Fitzgerald on Drums and Nathan Farrelly on Bass. Experience the warmth, wit and tenderness of one of Melbourne's most underrated songwriters. Stories of high fun and romance, of relationship ups and downs, songs about his musical heroes, McCarthy creates his own unique mythology which demands repeated listening. At their best live!

07/11/2022

THE GREASE MONKEYS!!

AHEM....the good times keep on rollin!

SPECIAL SHOW this Thursday at 8:30PM!!!

I guess this would now be called a ‘pop-up show’. Nothing contemporary about the Grease Monkeys, just dirty, greasy ‘50s rockabilly and rock’n’roll. But boy, it sounds so fresh!

These shows will be rare, those who caught the last one are still taking about it, you need to be here!

FREE ENTRY!!!

See ya'll there! (you don't wanna miss this one)
- UHBC (with thanks to Mary M)

05/11/2022

SUNDAY 🎵
HANA AND JESSIE-LEE'S BAD HABITS 6PM
Hana & Jessie-Lee’s Bad Habits meld brassy twang with country and soul inflections, fronted by the smoky impassioned vocals of Hana Brenecki and the blistering lead guitar of Jessie-Lee Zubkevych, along with their band of Bad Habits reinforcing the eclectic sound they’ve established as their own.

SMITH AND WESTERN JURY 5PM
The Smith & Western Jury are an alt-country-pop band from Naarm (Melbourne). Creating music with a tip of the hat to classic country and western nostalgia and offer a polite bow and curtsey to contemporary pop.

Katie Bates 3.30PM
Katie’s songs brim with honesty and more than a hint of grunge and grit. She brings an attitude to the table that is seldom seen in the Americana/roots scene - a fire in the belly that simmers beneath a sweet surface of a gifted storyteller.

04/11/2022

SATURDAY 🎵

THE DANDY JONESTOWN MASSACRE 8.30PM
A celebration of the music of The Dandy Warhols and The Brian Jonestown Massacre recreating the psychedelic ear candy of these two seminal bands drawing upon a rich selection of both bands’ decades long musical offerings.

THE HOUNDLINGS 5PM
Melbourne-based, female-fronted band with a setlist full of tasty soulful blues. Their line-up includes Anthony Shortte on drums, Michelle Brisbane on Guitar, Kate Clarke on bass and Georgie Ross on vocals.

31/10/2022

See you next week!

31/10/2022

NOVEMBER marks the 1 YEAR anniversary of live music’s return to our stage!! We’ve had so many great artists make their return and also a whole heap of awesome new ones!! THANK YOU ALL!! Also thanks to our many friends who fill the room each week to watch and listen...it just keeps getting bigger and better!! YOU...the lovers and supporters of live music make it all possible!!

HUGE LINEUP THIS MONTH! Far out check it out!

See you soon folks!
- UHBC

29/10/2022

SUNDAY 30 OCT 5PM

King Canoe is a new collaboration featuring eight stalwarts of the Melbourne soul and reggae music scene. The band members have played with the world's biggest names in this genre from The Congos to Mavis Staples, Prince Alla to Maceo Parker and Syl Johnson. Individually they perform across many Melbourne ensembles including The Putbacks, The Meltdown and Quarter Street.

29/10/2022

Mijo Biscan Sunday 30 OCT 22 3:30PM

Empowering, introspective, and at times, epic. After living and touring around Europe with the likes of Gotye, Missy Higgins, Tommy Emmanuel and Clare Bowditch, Mijo is back in town to share his original music as well as select cover songs that people know and love.

28/10/2022

SNEAKY!! We held off announcing this one out of respect for these legends launching their brilliant new album with our much beloved sister StKilda last night...

WELL..here’s an intimate NORTHSIDE follow up show...this is gonna be real, REAL good...

See you all on the 12th!! 8pm FREE ENTRY
- UHBC
The Meltdown

28/10/2022

SATURDAY 29 OCT 22 5PM

Out of Sunbury and Bendigo, Rattlin' Bones Blackwood's HIGHWAY 79 weave together open tuned 5-string guitars, and rollicking jungle drums. It's Hypnotic Rock & Roll Blues...Masters in the art of voodoo-driven sonic medicine, their live shows are a true vibrational excorcism. They believe in the healing properties of juke joint rock & roll; the possession of the spirit; cranked valve amps, and the eternal mission to transcend time and space...

26/10/2022

The Meltdown - Side By Side (live at Elwood Records)

DAMN!!! This song...goodbumps...

Keep Saturday 12th November free...

To coincide with the release of their new record ‘Its A Long Road’, The Meltdown headed north of Melbourne to the foot of the Strathbogie ranges and into Elw...

24/10/2022

HEY!! We have a PUB LIC HOLIDAY (CUP) EVE SPECIAL SHOW!!!

Gabriella Cohen + Little Wise

YEP! We never do shows outside of the weekend but we have two very special artists here...so it’s on!

Nothin really compares to a front bar stage...oh and Alison Ferrier will be on the sound desk making it all sound sweet...far out!!

7pm FREE ENTRY (get in early tho)

Seeya next Monday eve folks!
- UHBC

Don't miss Gabriella Cohen play a one off, intimate solo show at The Union before she departs for sundrenched skies.

Blue No More was picked up by Rolling Stone as Album of the Week, tipping Gabriella to be ‘a household name in no time’. Three of the songs taken off Blue No More were co-produced by Ballpark Music’s Sam Cromack. NME said she ‘reflects the truth of humanity and the Guardian spoke of her live performance as ‘Seductive, broody and occasionally sinister.’ Cohen is a force to be reckoned with. Over the past 6 years has self-recorded, co-produced and released three internationally critically acclaimed LP’s, Full Closure and No Details (2016) Pink Is The Colour Of Unconditional Love (2018) and Blue No More (2022) attracting high praise from Pitchfork, Rolling Stone and NME. Cohen was a finalist for the Melbourne Music Prize and the Australian Music Prize. She has toured the world with Allah-Lah’s, Foxygen, King Khan, Devendra Banhart and Rodrigo Amarante. In Australia she’s duetted with Paul Kelly and played with heavyweights, Icehouse, Albert Hammond Jr, Marlon Williams, Big Thief, Julia Jacklin and Brian Jonestown Massacre.

You’ll just have to see it to believe it.

Little Wise makes music for the drifters and the dreamers. Brimming with melodic hooks and a piercing, heart-on-sleeve lyricism, she conjures a magnetic collision of vintage Americana and modern folk-rock.