skip to main content

Announcing the #BrokenRecord Appeal and Festival

The Broken Record Appeal aims to support every kind of music creator in need as a result of Coronavirus. MU Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl discusses the Broken Record Appeal and the associated Festival planned for 24th May.

Published: 11 May 2020 | 12:00 AM Updated: 06 July 2021 | 4:34 PM
an illustration for Broken Record appeal featuring a person at their home full of music records
Tim’s regular twitter listening parties celebrate the joy of listening to albums.

The campaign we launched today with the Ivors Academy to #KeepMusicAlive and #FixStreaming was in part inspired by artists taking to Twitter and using the #BrokenRecord hashtag to highlight problems with the distribution of streaming revenue.  

The Covid-19 crisis has exposed the fact that many artists and songwriters cannot survive on royalties from the streaming of music online, despite the fact that it brings in billions of pounds of revenue for platforms and major labels. 

On Twitter, Tim Burgess has been hosting Twitter listening parties which celebrate the joy of listening to albums – see #TimsTwitterListeningParty. During the weeks of lockdown, with the involvement of many bands and artists, 120 listening parties have now been held with tens of thousands of music fans.

Launch of the Broken Record Appeal

On Monday 11 May, #TimsTwitterListeningParty and the #BrokenRecord campaign have come together to launch ‘The Broken Record Appeal’ to support every kind of music creator in need as a result of the Coronavirus. 

Donations received via this appeal will be split equally between the MU Coronavirus Hardship Fund and the PRS Emergency Relief Fund. 

Join the Broken Record Festival

In order to amplify the #BrokenRecord campaign and raise money via the appeal, #TimsTwitterListeningParty will present “The Broken Record Festival” on Sunday 24 May.  

The online festival will feature:

  • Boy George with Culture Club’s ‘Colour By Numbers’ (w/ producer Steve Levine) 
  • The Shins with ‘Oh, Inverted World’ 
  • KT Tunstall with ‘Eye To The Telescope’ 
  • John Grant with “Pale Green Ghosts’ 
  • PINS with “Wild Nights

Make a donation to the Broken Record Appeal

Get MU membership today

From gig players to part-time teachers and professional instrumentalists, MU members can access specialist insurance for musicians. This includes Public Liability, Instrument and Equipment Insurance, Accident Insurance, Tax Investigation Insurance, and Professional Indemnity Insurance for music teachers.

Explore our member services

  • Get public liability insurance for musicians
  • Access expert legal support
  • Be represented in your profession
  • Access expert career advice, resources, and training events
  • Connect, network, and get to know the community of musicians

Learn about all membership benefits

Get MU membership today

Continue reading

David playing oboe at a rehearsal.

Tribute to David Presly

David Presly was an MU member for 54 years, and his distinguished orchestral career, adventurous spirit and enduring sense of humour made him a much-loved figure within the profession. This tribute has been written by David's colleague and friend, Alan.

Published: 25 September 2026

Read more about Tribute to David Presly
Selfie of Harry wearing headphones and smiling next to his friend and colleague, trumpeter Matt Roberts.

Tribute to Harry Brown

Friends and colleagues pay tribute to Harry Brown, an acclaimed trombonist, educator and mentor whose extraordinary musical career was matched by his generosity, encouragement and unwavering support for others.

Published: 25 September 2026

Read more about Tribute to Harry Brown
Exterior of the music building. It is a beige square building with a large sign on it that says

Support Staff and Music Education at Goldsmiths

Staff at Goldsmiths, University of London, including colleagues in the Music Department, are taking sustained strike action over proposed cuts and redundancies, amid wider pressures facing music provision in UK higher education.

Published: 24 September 2026

Read more about Support Staff and Music Education at Goldsmiths