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

Silhouette of crowd in front of a small venue stage where a band is performing.

LIVE Trust Awards £125,000 for New UK Artists’ Touring Fund

The Musicians’ Union has partnered with the FAC and MMF on the UK Artists Touring Fund as the LIVE Trust distributes £500,000 in the first phase of wider grassroots funding.

Published: 30 January 2026

MU Head of ED&I John Shortell, and activists and musicians Maddie Morris, Stu and Keith Xander at the 2025 panel event.

Liverpool Sound City to Implement Access Riders Following MU-Led Accessibility Panel

Liverpool Sound City has announced it will introduce Access Riders for all artists and speakers at its 2026 festival, following an MU-led disability access panel and ongoing collaboration with the Union.

Published: 27 January 2026

Afternoon shot of Liverpool's Cavern Quarter with bars and music venues lit up.

MU Welcomes Major Regional Creative Industries Funding Boost

The MU welcomes a new £27 million government funding package, with regions across the UK invited to bid for investment aimed at strengthening creative industry clusters and building on Liverpool City Region’s success in music innovation and growth.

Published: 26 January 2026

Inside a small dark venue with vibrant rainbow lights, the crowd and band on stage are in silhouette.

Government Announces 5% Funding Uplift for Arts Organisations – Part of a £1.5bn Package to Protect Cultural Venues

New funding for cultural organisations aims to save and protect 1,000 local arts and culture venues across England, with a focus on pride in place and national renewal.

Published: 22 January 2026

The American flag on a flagpole in the sky.

US Suspends Immigrant Visa Applications for 75 Countries

The Trump administration has suspended immigrant visa processing from 75 countries, affecting artists planning to work in the US.

Published: 20 January 2026

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