skip to main content

We Will be Participating in #TheShowMustBePaused in Solidarity With our Black Members

The MU stands with our Black members and all Black communities against all forms of racism, violence and discrimination. When we say “behind every musician”, we mean it.

Published: 01 June 2020 | 12:00 AM Updated: 20 July 2021 | 6:59 PM
Text reading
#TheShowMustBePaused is being observed across the music industry

We are joining the #TheShowMustBePaused tomorrow, to stand in solidarity with Black communities and be part of an action that we hope affects real change and starts an honest conversation about racism and its deadly consequences.

The #TheShowMustBePaused is an initiative created by two Black women in the music industry – Jamila Thomas and Brianna Agyemang. In their own words, it is “in response to the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and countless other Black citizens at the hands of the police.”

You can read their full statement on #TheShowMustBePaused’s website.

How we’ll be participating in #TheShowMustBePaused

As part of #TheShowMustBePaused, the MU will not be participating in events, responding to emails, or posting on social media for 24 hours – from 12:00 am on Tuesday 2 June to 12:00 am on Wednesday 3 June.

If you have any urgent issues during this time, you should contact your Regional Office by phone.

We’ll also be educating ourselves on how to be better allies. Here’s a useful list of resources for white people and parents to deepen their anti-racism work, and a further list of resources from shesaid.so.

We’ll be publishing a response from our own staff on our anti-racism learnings on Wednesday, and we’d love to include your views too. You can get in contact by emailing equalities@themu.org

We’ve posted a longer explanation of our stance on #TheShowMustBePaused, and related resources, on our twitter channel. Read the full thread here.

Black Members’ Network

Black members are also invited to join our Black Members’ Network for regular opportunities to get involved, have your say on what we do, contribute to consultation responses, and help make policy that reflects the truth.

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

Brighton pier at sunrise.

Meet the MU at The Great Escape Festival 2025

The MU will once again be present at The Great Escape Festival, supporting members and engaging with key industry topics between Wednesday 14 and Friday 16 May in Brighton.

Published: 08 May 2025

Read more about Meet the MU at The Great Escape Festival 2025
Exterior long shot of Caird Hall, Dundee., where Congress takes place.

MU Represents Scottish Musicians at STUC Congress 2025

Last week we attended the annual Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) with MU Delegates Ronnie MacNiven, Ben Lunn and Calum Baird, who discussed the value of music education, fair work for musicians, the need for stability of the arts, and more. All of our motions were passed unanimously.

Published: 06 May 2025

Read more about MU Represents Scottish Musicians at STUC Congress 2025