News & Stories for Musicians

An orchestra rehearsal with young people playing various instruments, two have adaptive instruments.

New Adaptive Instruments Guide Supports Disabled Musicians Across the UK

The free, groundbreaking resource helps disabled musicians discover accessible equipment and funding options to support their practice.

Published: 07 November 2025

An orchestra player from behind, in the pit, playing an instrument. They are wearing a white M U campaign t-shirt that says ‘Protect WNO’ in Welsh.

MU Orchestra Section Reaches 5,000 Members

The MU is delighted to share that our Orchestra Section now includes over 5,000 members, a powerful reflection of the dedication and collective effort of our members, stewards and representatives across the UK.

Published: 07 November 2025

Northern Ballet: Update for Members

An update regarding information circulating online about the BBC Concert Orchestra and Northern Ballet.

Published: 07 November 2025

Exterior shot of the research building at Nottingham University.

University of Nottingham to Suspend Music Courses

A consultation to close music at Nottingham is the latest in a string of proposed university music closures.

Published: 06 November 2025

Curriculum and Assessment Review: Final Report Published

The Review has made several positive recommendations relating to music, which the Government has broadly supported.

Published: 06 November 2025

Lisa and Naomi on the MU's stand at Labour Party Conference in 2024, they are against a black and yellow backdrop that says 'We are the MU' and 'We are Union strong'.

MU General Secretary Meets Culture Secretary to Discuss Arts Funding and AI

Naomi Pohl discussed the challenges facing musicians, including the impact of AI, funding shortfalls, and industry standards.

Published: 06 November 2025

A group of young workers raising their fists in solidarity on a march and holding signs for fair work.

Take Part in Young Workers’ Month this November

Celebrate the impact of young members and build trade union representation where you are this TUC Young Workers’ Month.

Published: 06 November 2025

Swansea Council Launches Music Friendly City Audit to Support Live Music

Help shape the future of live music in Swansea by taking part in the Music Friendly City Audit. Three surveys are available – for the public, musicians, and those working in the music sector.

Published: 06 November 2025

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

Luke Silva Posts Video in Support of Westminster Busking Campaign

Busker Luke Silva backs the campaign for new viable and accessible busking pitches in Westminster in his latest video.

Published: 05 November 2025

Join Scotland’s St Andrew’s Day March Against Racism and Fascism

March with the STUC in Glasgow on Saturday 29 November to show your solidarity and stand united against racism and fascism in Scotland.

Published: 05 November 2025

Empowering the Young Music Worker: Lessons from Trade Union Patrols

Musician, interdisciplinary artist and music educator from North East England Marianne Sice shares what she learned on a Summer Patrol with the TUC and LO-Norway.

Published: 05 November 2025

Out of focus interior of a venue, lights over an empty stage set for a panel, in front of a crowd.

The MU at Resonate Music Conference Glasgow

Returning on 13 November, the MU will host a panel discussion on the state of fair work in the creative industries, as well as one-to-one advice sessions for members attending.

Published: 04 November 2025

A young child and their parent/guardian smiling as they are handed popcorn across the cinema counter from a staff member working at Vue.

Love Movies? MU Announces New Member Offer on Cinema Tickets at Vue

The Musicians’ Union has teamed up with Vue to get you up to 30% off standard tickets in time for the holiday season.

Published: 01 November 2025

Five wooden blocks with the outline of people apart from one which is a weighing scales, representing fair work.

Scotland’s Creative Sector Backs New Fair Work for Freelancers Checklist

29 organisations across Scotland have become the first to endorse a new Fair Work for Freelancers checklist, developed by trade unions representing the creative sector alongside the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC).

Published: 31 October 2025

A guitarist performing on stage and singing into a microphone.

Ireland’s Basic Income for the Arts Scheme to Become Permanent from 2026

The Basic Income for the Arts scheme follows a successful pilot set up in 2022 to help Ireland’s arts and culture sector to recover from Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns.

Published: 30 October 2025

Panel at this year's Classically Black event.

Celebrating Five Years of Black Lives in Music

This Black History Month we’re shining a spotlight on our partners, Black Lives in Music (BLiM), as they celebrate five years of championing equity and representation in the music industry.

Published: 29 October 2025

Dike Okoh, Lily Beau who is holding the award, and Andy Warnock, on stage.

Winners of the First Welsh Black Music Awards Announced

The MU congratulates Lily Beau, winner of our sponsored Best New Artist Award, and applauds all nominees and participants who helped showcase the diversity, creativity, and talent of Wales’ music scene at this landmark event.

Published: 27 October 2025

Dumfries and Galloway Council Consults to Close Music Service

Take part in the consultation protesting the proposed closure of Dumfries and Galloway’s instrumental music service. Share your views by 23 November 2025.

Published: 27 October 2025

A group of people marching at Manchester Pride.

MU Statement on Manchester Pride Entering Liquidation

The organisation in charge of Manchester Pride recently confirmed it has gone into voluntary liquidation. The MU will be supporting members affected by cancelled performances, and those affected are urged to get in touch with the regional office.

Published: 27 October 2025

Close up on a map of South West England, a red pin is marking Plymouth.

Have Your Say: Help Shape the Future of Plymouth’s Creative and Cultural Sector

Musicians and other creative professionals in Plymouth are being urged to take part in a new survey that will help shape the future of the city’s creative and cultural industries.

Published: 23 October 2025

The five panellists stood together in front of the MaMA stage before the event.

Sustainable Careers for Artists in an Evolving Industry: Insights from the MU’s Panel at MaMA Festival

The MU panel at MaMA festival in Paris this year brought together a diverse group of musicians and activists to explore how artists can build lasting careers beyond traditional recording and touring models. Catch up on the highlights.

Published: 23 October 2025

Professional photo of London Mayor Sadiq Khan in front of the Thames waterfront.

Mayor Sadiq Khan Backs Access to Viable and High Profile Busking Pitches Across London

Mayor Sadiq Khan called buskers "integral to the city's vibrant culture" and backed "all efforts" to ensure access to viable busking pitches.

Published: 23 October 2025

Xidus Pain: Empowering Communities Through Music and Movement

Rap artist, educator, and MU member Xidus Pain marks Black History Month 2025 by reflecting on a year of musical growth, community impact, and an evolving journey within the Union.

Published: 23 October 2025

WNO members taking Action Short of Strike in Cardiff.

How Collective Action can Strengthen Connections with Colleagues - and Management

Welsh National Opera’s Llinos Owen shares her experiences campaigning to protect the orchestra – and how it’s strengthened her connection to both the company and the MU.

Published: 22 October 2025

Instruments and mics in a recording booth with sound proofed walls.

Help Protect UK Recording Studios – Sign the Petition for Fair Business Rates

The MU backs calls for studios to be included in the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure business rates relief scheme and urges members to sign the petition to support reclassification.

Published: 20 October 2025

Crowd with hands raised in a small venue watching a band on stage, the image is cast in a pale yellow glow from the stage lights.

Culture, Media and Sport Committee Launches Fan-Led Review of Live Music

As part of the MP-led review, fans are invited to complete a survey about their live music experiences to help shape policy, support touring artists and grassroots venues, and secure the future of UK music.

Published: 16 October 2025

Dawn Butler MP Backs London Buskers Campaign

Dawn Butler MP shared her support for Musicians’ Union members campaigning for new viable and accessible pitches after a court ruling banned busking in Leicester Square.

Published: 15 October 2025

A close up of a woman sitting at a laptop with a passport on the table.

Big Mobility and Touring Survey: Help Remove Barriers for Touring Artists

Members who have experienced touring in the EU are encouraged to fill out PEARLE*’s Big Mobility and Touring Survey. The survey closes on 31 October 2025.

Published: 15 October 2025

Six people standing in a horizontal row on a hilltop, each person holding a letter sign to spell out the word 'Better'.

Scotland Demands Better: Join the Anti-Poverty March in Edinburgh

Join over 5,000 people in Edinburgh for the Scotland Demands Better march and rally against poverty on Saturday 25 October 2025.

Published: 14 October 2025

An elderly woman smiling and playing the acoustic guitar.

Wales’ Creative Sector Launches New Initiative to Tackle Poor Mental Health

CULT Cymru has launched Promoting Mental Health & Wellbeing 4 Creatives, a new initiative aiming to tackle the root causes of poor mental health across the creative industries in Wales.

Published: 14 October 2025

Coloured wooden blocks representing people and community.

New Resource Hub for Local Councillors and Constituency Labour Party Members

Support musicians in your community with dedicated resources for local councillors and political party members.

Published: 13 October 2025

Sign saying 'French customs' at an airport.

New French Customs Regulation Affects Musicians Taking Merchandise to France

A new French customs regulation means more hoops to jump through if you are taking merchandise to France in a van as part of your music work.

Published: 13 October 2025

A pair of hands playing a piano with a sheet of music paper to compose.

MU and Ivors Academy Launch Fair Score Survey for Composers

Take part in our Fair Score survey for composers and help us build a clear picture of commissioning practices - and be in with a chance of winning a £100 gift voucher.

Published: 09 October 2025

Wooden blocks representing people voting in an election.

Members to Receive Ballot Papers for Executive Committee and Regional Committee Elections

Executive Committee (EC) and Regional Committee (RC) ballots are due to take place, asking MU members to elect representatives from the membership to represent them at Regional and Executive level.

Published: 09 October 2025

A collection of bright tealight flames against a dark background.

MU Condemns Manchester Synagogue Attack

The MU stands in solidarity with Jewish communities, and reaffirms its commitment to opposing discrimination, prejudice and hatred in all their forms.

Published: 02 October 2025

Person walking into a venue with a cello case on their back.

Government Proposes New Charges for Musical Instrument Certificates

The MU warns proposed fees of up to £200 could place an unfair burden on musicians travelling with instruments containing endangered materials.

Published: 02 October 2025

A Democratic Republic of the Congo flag on a map.

MU Supports Congo Week

Following a motion to Delegate Conference 2025, the MU shares its support for Congo Week.

Published: 02 October 2025

Improved Parking Discount for MU Members

Our updated parking discount with Q-Park includes bigger discounts, more flexibility and increased locations for MU members.

Published: 01 October 2025

Bridget Phillipson visits the MU stand at Labour Party Conference 2025

The Musicians’ Union at Labour Party Conference

The MU has been at Labour Party Conference this week asking the Government to ensure that musicians are fairly paid in relation to artificial intelligence (AI) and music streaming.

Published: 30 September 2025

Naomi Pohl speaking on stage at a Labour Party Conference 2025.

MU General Secretary Addresses Artificial Intelligence and Music Streaming at Labour Party Conference

There’s money in music but it doesn’t go to musicians, Musicians’ Union General Secretary Naomi Pohl tells Labour Party Conference 2025.

Published: 30 September 2025

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New Adaptive Instruments Guide Supports Disabled Musicians Across the UK

MU Orchestra Section Reaches 5,000 Members

Northern Ballet: Update for Members

University of Nottingham to Suspend Music Courses

Curriculum and Assessment Review: Final Report Published

MU General Secretary Meets Culture Secretary to Discuss Arts Funding and AI

Take Part in Young Workers’ Month this November

Swansea Council Launches Music Friendly City Audit to Support Live Music

Luke Silva Posts Video in Support of Westminster Busking Campaign

Join Scotland’s St Andrew’s Day March Against Racism and Fascism

Empowering the Young Music Worker: Lessons from Trade Union Patrols

The MU at Resonate Music Conference Glasgow

Love Movies? MU Announces New Member Offer on Cinema Tickets at Vue

Scotland’s Creative Sector Backs New Fair Work for Freelancers Checklist

Ireland’s Basic Income for the Arts Scheme to Become Permanent from 2026

Celebrating Five Years of Black Lives in Music

Winners of the First Welsh Black Music Awards Announced

Dumfries and Galloway Council Consults to Close Music Service

MU Statement on Manchester Pride Entering Liquidation

Have Your Say: Help Shape the Future of Plymouth’s Creative and Cultural Sector

Sustainable Careers for Artists in an Evolving Industry: Insights from the MU’s Panel at MaMA Festival

Mayor Sadiq Khan Backs Access to Viable and High Profile Busking Pitches Across London

Xidus Pain: Empowering Communities Through Music and Movement

How Collective Action can Strengthen Connections with Colleagues - and Management

Help Protect UK Recording Studios – Sign the Petition for Fair Business Rates

Culture, Media and Sport Committee Launches Fan-Led Review of Live Music

Dawn Butler MP Backs London Buskers Campaign

Big Mobility and Touring Survey: Help Remove Barriers for Touring Artists

Scotland Demands Better: Join the Anti-Poverty March in Edinburgh

Wales’ Creative Sector Launches New Initiative to Tackle Poor Mental Health

New Resource Hub for Local Councillors and Constituency Labour Party Members

New French Customs Regulation Affects Musicians Taking Merchandise to France

MU and Ivors Academy Launch Fair Score Survey for Composers

Members to Receive Ballot Papers for Executive Committee and Regional Committee Elections

MU Condemns Manchester Synagogue Attack

Government Proposes New Charges for Musical Instrument Certificates

MU Supports Congo Week

Improved Parking Discount for MU Members

The Musicians’ Union at Labour Party Conference

MU General Secretary Addresses Artificial Intelligence and Music Streaming at Labour Party Conference