Freelance Musician Guide

Tips and guidance for self-employed musicians.

Last updated: 03 October 2023

Career tips

A Young Freelancer's Guide

Mental Health and the Music Industry

Find helpful insight and advice as you navigate the industry as a young freelance musician.

The basics

Starting Out as a Freelancer

Learn how to get work and build relationships with the people you want to work with

How to Prioritise Your Freelance Work

Tips on dealing with being provisionally booked for new work

Funding and Financing Your Music and Projects

Latest news and features

Close up of a hand writing in a diary, cross referencing dates from a phone.

2026 Dates Announced for Wales and South West England MU Members’ Day Events

Members in Wales and South West England will be able to attend local and regional Members’ Day events throughout 2026. While more information will be released in the new year, here are some key dates to help you plan ahead.

Published: 16 September 2025

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl on stage at TUC 2025, addressing delegates about the motion on AI and the creative industries.

MU Motions on AI and EU Touring Pass at Trade Union Congress 2025

This week, the MU attended the annual TUC Congress, where our motions on key issues including AI, copyright reform and post-Brexit EU touring all passed unanimously.

Published: 10 September 2025

Festival Diaries: Creative Ways to Approach Sustainability

As the climate crisis intensifies, Aayushi Jain explores the balance between affordability and sustainability on the festival circuit. Drawing on her summer tour last year as an independent artist, she shares practical and creative ways to reduce the environmental impact of touring.

Published: 29 August 2025

Large, modern, empty recording studio. The mixing desk is facing the booth.

Members Advised to Check PPL Performer Line-Ups on Recordings

PPL (the organisation that collects and distributes royalties for recorded music when it’s played in public or broadcast) is currently investigating reports of inaccurate performer line-ups. MU members are urged to report if they see individuals listed who did not perform on their recording.

Published: 26 August 2025

A hand holding the new blue British passport.

Launch Confirmed for Electronic Entry and Exit Systems for the EU and UK

The EES, an automated IT system that will modernise border control and replace passport stamping, is finally set to launch in October 2025. These changes will impact musicians crossing both UK and EU borders.