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 accident cover, health schemes, travel insurance and car insurance add-ons through the Musicians’ Union.

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

Young female Black musician, wearing headphones sat in front of a keyboard in a recording studio.

Black Lives in Music Launch YourSafetyYourSay Survey on Bullying and Harassment in the Music Industry

The survey will inform government legislation, the work of the new Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority and the wider music industry. It will also be used to support BLiM’s forthcoming Anti Racist Code of Conduct. Members are encouraged to share their experiences.

Published: 19 April 2024

Read more about Black Lives in Music Launch YourSafetyYourSay Survey on Bullying and Harassment in the Music Industry
Exterior of Caird Hall in the city centre of Dundee, Scotland.

Representing Our Scottish Members at STUC Congress 2024

This week we attended the annual Scottish Trades Union Congress with MU Delegates Christine Cooper and Ben Lunn, who discussed the importance of music education, community arts in Scotland and establishing a Music Expo Office for the country. All three of our motions were passed unanimously.

Published: 18 April 2024

Read more about Representing Our Scottish Members at STUC Congress 2024