We Are Behind Every Musician

We are a community of over 36,000 musicians working to protect our members' rights and campaign for a fairer music industry.

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Campaigns

#FixStreaming

Musicians and music creators need a better deal from music streaming. It’s time to put the value of music back where it belongs – in the hands of music makers.

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News

MU Celebrates Musicians’ Mental Health Month 2025

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Member benefit

Members Get Discounted Hotel Rooms in Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow and London

A Welsh National Opera orchestra member holding a campaign placard at a demo in Cardiff.

Welsh National Opera Orchestra Musicians Vote to Accept New Agreement

Musicians in the Welsh National Opera (WNO) orchestra vote to accept a new agreement, following a year of tough negotiations and months of high-profile campaigning to protect Wales’ largest arts organisation.

Published: 22 April 2025

Exterior of the Middlesex Guildhall in London, location of the UK Supreme Court.

UK Supreme Court Rules on Legal Definition of Woman in the Equality Act

The Court has ruled that 'woman' in the Equality Act refers to biological women, excluding trans women with gender recognition certificates. The MU is urgently seeking information on what this means for trans members, and encourages anyone facing discrimination to contact their regional office.

Published: 17 April 2025

A photo of musicians at a protest in Leicester Square, holding up banner and signs.

MU Protests Against Potential Busking Ban in Leicester Square

The MU and buskers gathered in Leicester Square to mark what could be the last day of busking in the area, following a noise abatement notice from the City of London Magistrates' Court.

Published: 17 April 2025

A bright orange sunrise bursting through clouds over a calm sea.

MU Reiterates Call for Immediate and Permanent Ceasefire in Gaza

The MU supports TUC’s recent statement on the conflict in Gaza and calls again for an immediate and permanent ceasefire. Members who may have suffered harassment, discrimination or lost work are also reminded to contact their regional office for advice and support.

Published: 15 April 2025

Member’s Voice: Kayla Painter on the Rewards of Self-Releasing Music

In this blog, MU member, educator, producer, and electronic musician Kayla Painter shares her experience of self-releasing music. Following the success of her album launch last year, she explores the ups and downs of the DIY route, offering invaluable firsthand advice to other members.

Published: 15 April 2025

New Workshops and Forums for Jazz Musicians in the North of England

Jazz North has announced a series of free, online workshops and forums exclusively for artists based in the North of England.

Published: 14 April 2025

Northern Ballet Management is Now Using Non-Union Contracts

Northern Ballet management continues to use non-union contracts for some performances.

Published: 11 April 2025

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Upcoming events

Last chance to book

25 Apr 2025

Feldenkrais: Move Better, Feel Better, Perform Better

Free up your playing and singing using the Feldenkrais method, a sensory-motor learning system which looks at our mind and body holistically.

Online Member only

Last chance to book

A tiny guitar amp sits on sand with the sun setting behind it.

26 Apr 2025

Free Portable Appliance Testing (PAT), Saltash

This is an opportunity to ensure that your equipment is safe, and that you are able to provide assurances for your insurance, venues and bookers. Available for all MU members based in Wales and South West England.

Saltash Member only

Last chance to book

26 Apr 2025

WSWE Local Members' Day: Saltash

This free Members' Day in Saltash includes workshop sessions, portable appliance testing (PAT) and one-to-one advice sessions with MU Officials.

Saltash

Last chance to book

28 Apr 2025

Empowering Orchestral Musicians: The WNO Story, a Campaign for Survival

In the first of a new series of online orchestral events, we explore how empowering orchestral musicians in the workplace can effect change, with an opportunity for wider discussion about some of your own workplace challenges, building on the experience of campaigning experts.

Online, Zoom

Last chance to book

28 Apr 2025

RSM Social Networking

Meet colleagues from across the music profession for an informal gathering over Zoom.

Online

Last chance to book

28 Apr 2025

MU Music Educators' CPD Day

Musicians who teach are invited to our one-day, in-person conference in Glasgow, for professional development (CPD), networking and live music performances. Both members and non-members are welcome to attend.

Glasgow

Last chance to book

28 Apr 2025

Guided Meditation

An extremely efficient and powerful meditation practice, based on Ascension meditation techniques that are tailored to help musicians both in their professional and personal lives.

Online Member only

Join an MU Member Network

Your opinions on equality and diversity issues are vital to the way the MU shapes its services, policies and campaigns. Sign up to our Member Networks to be better represented as a musician.

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#WorkNotPlayMU

This is not a hobby - it's our profession

No-one should feel guilty about turning down unpaid “opportunities". Have you been asked to work for no fee?

Tell us about it See all Campaigns

This is not a hobby - it's our profession

We Are Behind Every Musician

#FixStreaming

MU Celebrates Musicians’ Mental Health Month 2025

Members Get Discounted Hotel Rooms in Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow and London

Members also viewed

News and features

Welsh National Opera Orchestra Musicians Vote to Accept New Agreement

UK Supreme Court Rules on Legal Definition of Woman in the Equality Act

MU Protests Against Potential Busking Ban in Leicester Square

MU Reiterates Call for Immediate and Permanent Ceasefire in Gaza

Member’s Voice: Kayla Painter on the Rewards of Self-Releasing Music

New Workshops and Forums for Jazz Musicians in the North of England

Northern Ballet Management is Now Using Non-Union Contracts

Upcoming events

Last chance to book

Feldenkrais: Move Better, Feel Better, Perform Better

Last chance to book

Free Portable Appliance Testing (PAT), Saltash

Last chance to book

WSWE Local Members' Day: Saltash

Last chance to book

Empowering Orchestral Musicians: The WNO Story, a Campaign for Survival

Last chance to book

RSM Social Networking

Last chance to book

MU Music Educators' CPD Day

Last chance to book

Guided Meditation

Join an MU Member Network

Find musicians:

This is not a hobby - it's our profession

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Use your voice

Popular searches

We Are Behind Every Musician

#FixStreaming

MU Celebrates Musicians’ Mental Health Month 2025

Members Get Discounted Hotel Rooms in Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow and London

Members also viewed

News and features

Welsh National Opera Orchestra Musicians Vote to Accept New Agreement

UK Supreme Court Rules on Legal Definition of Woman in the Equality Act

MU Protests Against Potential Busking Ban in Leicester Square

MU Reiterates Call for Immediate and Permanent Ceasefire in Gaza

Member’s Voice: Kayla Painter on the Rewards of Self-Releasing Music

New Workshops and Forums for Jazz Musicians in the North of England

Northern Ballet Management is Now Using Non-Union Contracts

Upcoming events

Last chance to book

Feldenkrais: Move Better, Feel Better, Perform Better

Last chance to book

Free Portable Appliance Testing (PAT), Saltash

Last chance to book

WSWE Local Members' Day: Saltash

Last chance to book

Empowering Orchestral Musicians: The WNO Story, a Campaign for Survival

Last chance to book

RSM Social Networking

Last chance to book

MU Music Educators' CPD Day

Last chance to book

Guided Meditation

Join an MU Member Network

Find musicians:

This is not a hobby - it's our profession