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 an acoustic guitar in a meadow at sunset.

LGBT+ History Month: Navigating Top Surgery as a Freelance Trans Musician

To mark LGBT+ History Month 2026, folk musician, activist and MU member Maddie Morris reflects on getting top surgery while freelancing — from fundraising and touring to recovery, music-making, and mental health.

Published: 05 February 2026

Group of seven people, named in the caption, standing together in a regal Parliament building.

MU Gives Evidence on EU Touring to MPs on Select Committee

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl spoke to MPs on the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee about touring in the EU, alongside musician Kate Nash and Hanna Madalska-Gayer at the Association of British Musicians (ABO).

Published: 03 February 2026

Young woman playing Mandolin at home while writing music.

2026 Funding Applications Open for Young Folk and Traditional Music Performers

The Alan Surtees Trust has opened its 2026 round of funding for folk and traditional music performers aged 16 to 30. The Trust will make four awards of up to £2,000 per person and applications close 30 April.

Published: 03 February 2026

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

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