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.

Explore membership benefits Join the MU

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.

Get involved

News

MU Celebrates Musicians’ Mental Health Month 2025

See all news & features

Member benefit

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

Young Black musician in a wheelchair, working on his music with a keyboard and laptop in a studio.

MU to Host Panel and Workshop at Liverpool Sound City Conference

The annual Sound City Music Industry Conference is the UK’s leading independent conference for new music. Taking place in Liverpool on 2 May, the MU will host a panel on changing attitudes and perceptions to access requirements for touring artists. Ticket discount is also available to members.

Published: 24 April 2025

Sign inside an airport saying U.S. Customers and Border Protection.

Watch Arts Info Point’s Advice Webinar on Touring and Travelling in the USA

Members wishing to understand more about entering the US, following recent press reports and administrative changes, can now watch the recording of a recent webinar hosted by Arts Info Point.

Published: 24 April 2025

Leon Slater, sat smiling in an armchair.

Tribute to Leon Slater

Leon Slater was a highly accomplished saxophonist who was devoted to his music. He was a member of the MU for over fifty years and had a life-long passion for jazz. This tribute has been provided by Leon’s wife and family.

Published: 24 April 2025

Motion on Challenging the Rise of the Far Right Passes at TUC Black Workers’ Conference

A composite motion from the MU and fellow unions on anti-racism campaigning and challenging the rise of the far right was passed unanimously at the TUC Black Workers’ Conference 2025.

Published: 24 April 2025

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

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

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

Read all news

Upcoming events

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

Woman smiling while looking at a laptop screen.

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

Last chance to book

28 Apr 2025

North of England One-to-One Advice Sessions: Manchester

An in-person, one-to-one advice surgery, for members based in the North of England with MU Regional Officer Philip Morris.

Manchester

Browse all events

Be better represented

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.

young woman looking up against red spotlight

Search by name or keyword

Browse

#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

MU to Host Panel and Workshop at Liverpool Sound City Conference