Gigs and Live Performances

Whether you are playing at festivals, performing for weddings or busking in the streets, are just starting out playing live, or you have been doing it all your life – we have advice for your career as a live musician.

Guidance and advice

Working as a Live Performer

Advice on major areas of career of a live musician.

Rates of Pay for Live Engagements

We recommended how much you should charge for your work as a minimum

Contracts for Live work

Use MU contract templates to ensure the terms of the gig are in writing

Fair Play Guide

Touring Abroad

Health and Safety at Work

Career as a live musician

6 Top Tips on Negotiating Your Gig Fee

Negotiating the right fee for your next gig can be a tricky business, but can also be an essential part of your career as a musician.

Getting the Most Out of Music Festivals

How to apply for and get the most out of music festivals.

Working with Agents and Managers

Learn about working with others in the music industry and what you need to look out for.

Starting Out Gigging

How to start playing live music, from rehearsals to your first gig.

Working in a Wedding Band

For good function bands, weddings can offer an abundant and decently paid source of work.

A Guide to Freelancing

Learn how to manage your work and navigate aspects of the music industry when working as a freelance musician.

How to Capitalise on Your Success

Some takeaways from a masterclass on how to do capitalise on your success with advice from Dave Murkage, Olly Ward The Agency Group and Kweku 'Que' Quakyi.

Supporting musicians who perform live

If you’re performing your own original music, working in covers bands, function bands, tribute bands or busking, the Musicians' Union can support you. Use our template standard contracts to protect your rights when you’re being engaged, and get advice on how much you should be paid.

Member services for live musicians

Access Expert Contract Advice

The MU can help you make sure the contract you sign is fair and includes all of the necessary clauses

Receive £10m in Public Liability Insurance

Protection against legal liability for damages following injury to a third party person or damage to property at work

Get Legal Advice for Bands

Protect yourself and your band mates with our Partnership Advisory Service.

Protect Your Hearing Health

Access musician-specialist audiologists and bespoke hearing protection at an affordable price

Recover Unpaid Fees

Advice on how to approach an engager, legal assistance and more

Get £3K Cover for Your Instruments or Equipment

MU members can protect their music instruments and equipment anywhere in the world

Latest news and features

The Welsh flag against a light blue sky.

Take the Creative Wales Industry Survey 2024

Businesses, employers, employees and freelancers in the creative sector in Wales are invited to take part in a short survey to help Creative Wales strengthen their support of the creative industries.

Published: 21 November 2024

MU Appoints First-Ever Permanent Officer for Northern Ireland

The Musicians’ Union has appointed its first-ever Regional Officer for Northern Ireland, marking an important point of progress for our members in the region.

Published: 21 November 2024

This is Music Report Reveals UK Music Industry Contributed Record £7.6 Billion to UK Economy

UK Music’s annual economic report shows a record year for the music industry, while musicians affected by Brexit continue to see their earnings fall.

Published: 20 November 2024

Representatives from the UK music industry at the Bristol Beacon cultural centre.

Bristol Nights Launches Proposals For New Fund Supporting Bristol’s Music Scene

Bristol Nights has launched a new feasibility study, A Ticket to the Future, outlining proposals for a new fund aimed at supporting Bristol’s music scene.

Published: 19 November 2024

A folk band playing at Band on the Wall in Manchester.

Exclusive Member Discount for Un-Convention Conference in Manchester

Un-Convention 112th music conference and showcase returns to Manchester on November 21 and 22, for which MU members are able to get discounted tickets.

Published: 30 October 2024

Member only Read more about Exclusive Member Discount for Un-Convention Conference in Manchester

Read all live news

I realised the MU would help me achieve my ambitions faster and better by providing connections, legal support, and access to insurance for my instrument.
Oscar YorkDrummer and a music scholar

There are times when my tap work is more musician-based than dance, and I hope to be able to pave the way for others to recognise the relationship of tap dance as a percussive instrument within a band.
Annette WalkerMultidisciplinary performer

A lot of the time when you play gigs you get dodgy deals, or they don’t want to pay you and it’s great to know that’s not right.
Amanda DalMulti-genre drummer

Contact the Musicians' Union today

The MU has a network of experienced teams available to help musicians in all areas of the industry. If you have any questions about our services, membership or how the MU could help you, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Contact the MU

Live guides

Last updated:
16 October 2020

Fair Play Guide

guide

Engagement Booking for Unsigned and Emerging Artists

guide

Last updated:
19 October 2020

Performing and Touring with Featured Artists

guide

Last updated:
19 October 2020

Emerging and Independent Artists’ Festival code of conduct

guide

Last updated:
19 October 2020

Performing and Touring with Featured Artists

guide

Cookies on Musicians' Union

Use your voice

Popular searches

Gigs and Live Performances

Guidance and advice

Working as a Live Performer

Rates of Pay for Live Engagements

Contracts for Live work

Fair Play Guide

Touring Abroad

Health and Safety at Work

Career as a live musician

6 Top Tips on Negotiating Your Gig Fee

Getting the Most Out of Music Festivals

Working with Agents and Managers

Starting Out Gigging

Working in a Wedding Band

A Guide to Freelancing

How to Capitalise on Your Success

Supporting musicians who perform live

Member services for live musicians

Access Expert Contract Advice

Receive £10m in Public Liability Insurance

Get Legal Advice for Bands

Protect Your Hearing Health

Recover Unpaid Fees

Get £3K Cover for Your Instruments or Equipment

Latest news and features

Take the Creative Wales Industry Survey 2024

MU Appoints First-Ever Permanent Officer for Northern Ireland

This is Music Report Reveals UK Music Industry Contributed Record £7.6 Billion to UK Economy

Bristol Nights Launches Proposals For New Fund Supporting Bristol’s Music Scene

Exclusive Member Discount for Un-Convention Conference in Manchester

Contact the Musicians' Union today

Live guides

Fair Play Guide

Engagement Booking for Unsigned and Emerging Artists

Performing and Touring with Featured Artists

Emerging and Independent Artists’ Festival code of conduct

Performing and Touring with Featured Artists