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

Change the Law to Fix Music Streaming

2026's AI Bill is a chance to fix copyright law so musicians get a fair deal. Help us urge MPs to act now and change the law to make streaming work for everyone.

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News

Over £3 Million Returned to Musicians Through MU Support in 2025

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Member benefit

New MU Partnership Gives Members Access to Specialist Car and Home Insurance Cover

Prime Minister Keir Starmer Has Announced His Resignation

The MU would like to thank Prime Minister Keir Starmer for his commitments to improving workers’ rights and improving the lives of musicians.

Published: 22 June 2026

Members and staff marching in the parade waving M U flags, the large bright yellow banner, and wearing t-shirts. Many others are behind them marching in the road.

Celebrate Union Pride with the MU at Tolpuddle 2026

Join us at this year’s Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival, 17–19 July in Dorset. Celebrate trade unionism with thousands of members and supporters, enjoy panels, workshops and live music, and take part in the famous banner march through the village.

Published: 19 June 2026

Four people, including MU Assistant General Secretary Matt Wanstall and Andy Burnham, holding signs saying

MU Congratulates Andy Burnham on Makerfield By-Election Success

The MU joined fellow affiliated trade unions in backing Andy Burnham's successful Makerfield by-election campaign, reflecting a longstanding working relationship.

Published: 19 June 2026

A record being played with a graphic of blue computer code placed over the image.

MU Shares Solidarity with American Federation of Musicians in Artificial Intelligence Court Case

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl has written to the American Federation of Musicians (AfM) – our US counterpart – in solidarity as they take Warner Music Group and Universal Music Group to court.

Published: 18 June 2026

Westminster Buskers Say Goodbye for the Summer With a ‘Big Busk’

This Monday saw the buskers of Westminster come together for a community ‘Big Busk’ to say goodbye to the last viable amplified busking pitch before it closes for summer events in Trafalgar Square.

Published: 17 June 2026

What Could New V Levels Mean for Music Education?

MU National Organiser for Education, Health and Wellbeing Chris Walters explores what the government's reform of level 3 technical qualifications could mean for music education, including its impact on access, progression and existing courses.

Published: 16 June 2026

Mentoring 4 Creatives: Applications Now Open for MU Members in Wales

Cult Cymru’s ‘Mentoring 4 Creatives’ programme is open to freelance or casual creative workers who are MU members living in Wales. The deadline for applications is 17 September.

Published: 15 June 2026

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Upcoming events

Last chance to book

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23 Jun 2026

CULT Cymru: Creative Industries Safety Passport

This online, accredited full-day course, is aimed at creative workers to promote a personal responsibility for safety. Discount is available for MU members based in Wales.

Online

Last chance to book

25 Jun 2026

CULT Cymru: Finance for Freelancers

An online training day for creatives in Wales who are either currently freelance or are going freelance for the first time.

Online

Last chance to book

Person sat in front of a laptop next to a pair of glasses, they are typing into a calculator whilst holding a pencil.

25 Jun 2026

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTDfIT): What Software Should I Use?

Preparing for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTDfIT)? Join Sinéad Pratschke from Musicians' Tax Adviser for a practical one-hour webinar exploring accounting software options and how to choose the right system for your needs.

Online, Zoom Member only

Last chance to book

26 Jun 2026

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

29 Jun 2026

Jewish Members’ Meeting: Tackling Antisemitism in the Music Industry

A dedicated space for Jewish MU members to discuss experiences of antisemitism in the music industry, identify areas where further support is needed and inform the Union’s future work.

Online via Zoom Member only

Upcoming

02 Jul 2026

Understanding Reasonable Adjustments Workshop

Join CULT Cymru for a free, online Zoom session featuring thoughtful presentations followed by an open, interactive Q&A exploring reasonable adjustments in the creative industries. Available for members in Wales.

Online, Zoom

Upcoming

03 Jul 2026

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

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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.

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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

Change the Law to Fix Music Streaming

Over £3 Million Returned to Musicians Through MU Support in 2025

New MU Partnership Gives Members Access to Specialist Car and Home Insurance Cover

Members also viewed

News and features

Prime Minister Keir Starmer Has Announced His Resignation

Celebrate Union Pride with the MU at Tolpuddle 2026

MU Congratulates Andy Burnham on Makerfield By-Election Success

MU Shares Solidarity with American Federation of Musicians in Artificial Intelligence Court Case

Westminster Buskers Say Goodbye for the Summer With a ‘Big Busk’

What Could New V Levels Mean for Music Education?

Mentoring 4 Creatives: Applications Now Open for MU Members in Wales

Upcoming events

Last chance to book

CULT Cymru: Creative Industries Safety Passport

Last chance to book

CULT Cymru: Finance for Freelancers

Last chance to book

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTDfIT): What Software Should I Use?

Last chance to book

Feldenkrais: Move Better, Feel Better, Perform Better

Last chance to book

Jewish Members’ Meeting: Tackling Antisemitism in the Music Industry

Upcoming

Understanding Reasonable Adjustments Workshop

Upcoming

Feldenkrais: Move Better, Feel Better, Perform Better

Join an MU Member Network

Find musicians:

This is not a hobby - it's our profession

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We Are Behind Every Musician

Change the Law to Fix Music Streaming

Over £3 Million Returned to Musicians Through MU Support in 2025

New MU Partnership Gives Members Access to Specialist Car and Home Insurance Cover

Members also viewed

News and features

Prime Minister Keir Starmer Has Announced His Resignation

Celebrate Union Pride with the MU at Tolpuddle 2026

MU Congratulates Andy Burnham on Makerfield By-Election Success

MU Shares Solidarity with American Federation of Musicians in Artificial Intelligence Court Case

Westminster Buskers Say Goodbye for the Summer With a ‘Big Busk’

What Could New V Levels Mean for Music Education?

Mentoring 4 Creatives: Applications Now Open for MU Members in Wales

Upcoming events

Last chance to book

CULT Cymru: Creative Industries Safety Passport

Last chance to book

CULT Cymru: Finance for Freelancers

Last chance to book

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTDfIT): What Software Should I Use?

Last chance to book

Feldenkrais: Move Better, Feel Better, Perform Better

Last chance to book

Jewish Members’ Meeting: Tackling Antisemitism in the Music Industry

Upcoming

Understanding Reasonable Adjustments Workshop

Upcoming

Feldenkrais: Move Better, Feel Better, Perform Better

Join an MU Member Network

Find musicians:

This is not a hobby - it's our profession