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

MU Urges Government to Back Musicians on AI

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Member benefit

New Cinema Ticket Discount for MU Members

Jacob Collier performing at the launch event.

BBC Launches Get Singing — a New Nationwide Music Education Initiative

MU members who lead singing with 11–14-year-olds are encouraged to investigate a new range of resources on the BBC Bitesize website, with more content to be added over the next three years.

Published: 27 January 2026

Tribute to Derek Kimber

Derek Kimber, a cornet and trumpet player whose talent spanned jazz bands, big bands and community events across the West Country, passed away on 30 November 2025. He was a dedicated member of the Musicians’ Union, having joined in 1968.

Published: 27 January 2026

Liverpool Sound City to Implement Access Riders Following MU-Led Accessibility Panel

Liverpool Sound City has announced it will introduce Access Riders for all artists and speakers at its 2026 festival, following an MU-led disability access panel and ongoing collaboration with the Union.

Published: 27 January 2026

Afternoon shot of Liverpool's Cavern Quarter with bars and music venues lit up.

MU Welcomes Major Regional Creative Industries Funding Boost

The MU welcomes a new £27 million government funding package, with regions across the UK invited to bid for investment aimed at strengthening creative industry clusters and building on Liverpool City Region’s success in music innovation and growth.

Published: 26 January 2026

MU Responds to New Report on Women’s Experiences of Sexual Violence and Harassment in Scottish Folk Music

A new report has been published by researchers at the Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research at the University of Glasgow, representing the largest evidence base on harassment within Scottish Folk Music.

Published: 22 January 2026

Government Announces 5% Funding Uplift for Arts Organisations – Part of a £1.5bn Package to Protect Cultural Venues

New funding for cultural organisations aims to save and protect 1,000 local arts and culture venues across England, with a focus on pride in place and national renewal.

Published: 22 January 2026

Tribute to Alfred 'Honky' Hall

Alfred 'Honky' Hall, beloved musician, jazz drummer, and percussionist, passed away on 17 August 2024 at his home in Jersey, Channel Islands, aged 102. Alfred was a dedicated member of the MU for 47 years, having joined in 1955.

Published: 20 January 2026

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Upcoming events

Last chance to book

30 Jan 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

A row of miniature wooden blocks on a table.

30 Jan 2026

CULT Cymru: Mental Health & Stress Risk Assessments

An online training course for creative industry workers who are responsible for creating and/or implementing industry-specific Mental Health and Stress Risk Assessments (MHRSAs). Available for members in Wales.

Online

Last chance to book

Stacked rocks on the shore against a clear blue sky.

02 Feb 2026

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

Upcoming

06 Feb 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

Upcoming

09 Feb 2026

CULT Cymru: Let's Talk Artificial Intelligence

A live panel discussion and networking event for creative union members in Wales.

Cardiff

Upcoming

09 Feb 2026

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

Upcoming

11 Feb 2026

Legal Webinar – Branding and Music

A practical legal webinar on choosing and protecting a stage or band name, and maximising its value through branding, marketing and compliant promotion, delivered by Scottish law firm Harper Macleod. Available to members in Scotland.

Online (Zoom)

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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?

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This is not a hobby - it's our profession

We Are Behind Every Musician

Change the Law to Fix Music Streaming

MU Urges Government to Back Musicians on AI

New Cinema Ticket Discount for MU Members

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