Live Music, Performance & Gigging News & Stories

A Reflection on Make Music Day 2020

Looking back on this year's Make Music Day – a global celebration of music which took place last month – we examine how it still succeeded during a global pandemic, and where you can go to catch the highlights you may have missed.

Published: 04 August 2020

Prime Minister Announces Delay to Return of Indoor Live Music

The Prime Minister has announced that the easing of coronavirus restrictions in England will be delayed due to a rise in Covid-19 cases.

Published: 31 July 2020

Photo of a concert happening indoors at a grassroots music venue, with the band silhouetted against yellow stage lights.

£2.25M to be Distributed to Grassroots Venues in England

The Government have announced that £2.25M of the £1.57BN emergency arts fund will be made available to grassroots music venues in England.

Published: 27 July 2020

Photograph of three different musicians, with the text

Join for £1 Scheme Extended to Former MU Members

Former members who left the MU five or more years ago can now join again and pay just £1 for their first six months of MU membership.

Published: 22 July 2020

Two people sitting in the car moving to live music facing the sun

Scottish Government Gives Green Light For Live Drive-in Events

The Scottish government have given the go ahead for live events to be held as drive-in entertainment from Wednesday 22 July.

Published: 21 July 2020

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Special Covid-19 Episodes of Elevate Podcast Released

Elevate Music and Help Musicians have teamed up to create three special episodes of the Elevate Music Podcast, exploring life for musicians during the pandemic.

Published: 21 July 2020

Photograph of a couple of guitars set back stage in an indoor venue

Indoor Performances May Return in England From 1 August

On Friday 17 July, the Prime Minister announced that indoor live performances (with social distancing) should be able to resume in England from Saturday 1 August.

Published: 20 July 2020

Photograph of the Manchester skyline at sunset

Deep Sadness as Key Manchester Venues Close Doors

Key Manchester venues Deaf Institute and Gorilla have announced their permanent closure, due to financial difficulties caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Published: 17 July 2020

The Government Endorses Industry-Led Guidance for Music Production

Music production guidance is now available to enable professional music production to restart with confidence and clarity.

Published: 10 July 2020

MU Member's Response to the Guidance on Playing Wind and Brass Instruments

Richard Steggall has written to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, in response to the recent announcements regarding the guidance on playing wind and brass instruments.

Published: 10 July 2020

Musician is playing a guitar on stage outdoors

Live Performance Update Following New Government Guidance for England

Outdoor live performance in front of audiences permitted in England under new Government performing arts guidance.

Published: 10 July 2020

The Great (Livestreamed) Gig in the Sky: Part-Two

In part-two of Sam’s blog on monetising livestreamed performances, he talks with Artistic Director Kenneth Killeen about what the future may look like for venues, performers, and monetized livestreamed performances.

Published: 09 July 2020

Female violinist playing at a garden wedding

Playing at Weddings: Hold the Macerena

MU National Organiser for Live Performance, Dave Webster, discusses how it does now seem possible for some live music to take place at weddings in England only – however it’s unlikely that anyone will be doing The Macerena any time soon.

Published: 09 July 2020

Stands for music note standing in the church

Advice for Organists in Places of Worship

New guidance from the Government means that organists can now practice in places of workship, as long as the right measures are in place.

Published: 09 July 2020

Government Announces that in England Live Performances can Take Place Outside

From the weekend of 11 July, live performances can take place outside in England.

Published: 09 July 2020

The Great (Livestreamed) Gig in the Sky: Part-One

In part-one of musician and lecturer Sam Leak’s blog on monetising live performances he discusses paywalls, ticketing and how to keep your audience engaged.

Published: 07 July 2020

Summer of Live Festival in Aid of Our Coronavirus Hardship Fund for Musicians

We’re joining forces with the British Underground to present a Summer of Live Online event on Saturday 18 July, hosted by the award-winning Greg Russell and featuring the talents of John Smith, Lady Nade and Chloe Foy.

Published: 07 July 2020

The Usher Hall, a concert hall in Edinburgh

Vital Performing Arts Venue Funding Announced for Scotland

A £10 million fund to support Scotland’s performing arts venues has been announced by Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop.

Published: 03 July 2020

We’re Calling on Local Authorities to Support Open Air Music Performance

We’re calling on the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities & Local Government and local authorities to encourage the generation of local culture through live music, whilst respecting safe distancing in keeping with the latest government guidelines.

Published: 03 July 2020

Photo of music audience crowd, hands raised towards off-shot performer

Let The Music Play Campaign Calls for Vital Financial Support from the Government

Today UK Music, an umbrella organisation of which the MU is a part, has launched a campaign highlighting the huge challenges the music industry is currently facing and possible solutions.

Published: 02 July 2020

Photograph of musician performing on stage.

Take Action and Call for Vital Financial Support

Ask your MP to support a sector specific financial support package to protect our vital cultural assets – and the musicians who work in them.

Published: 01 July 2020

Orchestras Begin Tentative Start on the Comeback Trail

Following the Culture Secretary’s vague lockdown easement plan, we discuss how important it is that every attempt must be made to mitigate risk, the tentative first steps that some Orchestras have been taking, and the collective determination of musicians to be heard.

Published: 30 June 2020

Frustration as Pubs Reopen with No Live Entertainment, a Lobbying Update

Our Head of Communications & Government Relations Isabelle Gutierrez discusses the actions the MU are taking to lobby government and make sure that no musician is left behind.

Published: 30 June 2020

Jazz bar with a stage with black piano and cello

The MU Reacts to Government Guidance for Restaurants, Pubs and Bars Reopening

The MU's Live Performance Department look at the latest Government guidance for restaurants, pubs and bars - and the bitter blow it delivers for live music.

Published: 29 June 2020

Watch the MU Summer of Live on IGTV

Catch up with live music and chat from Eliza Shaddad, Jack Curley, Prima and Kinkai as part of the MU Summer of Live.

Published: 26 June 2020

Empty seats in the The Shakespeare's Globe theatre

The MU Cautiously Welcomes Government Road Map for Live Sector

While the five-step road map for getting theatres open is welcome, without sector specific financial support, many theatres will struggle to reopen their doors and much of the talent will be forced out of the profession.

Published: 26 June 2020

Photograph of person sat at a computer with their guitar set up to play.

Music Making Online in Real-Time

Musician and educator Alastair Penman discusses web platforms that can make playing together over the internet a possibility, and how to optimise your own system to get the best results.

Published: 25 June 2020

Photo of man on sofa, writing on sheet of music, an acoustic guitar propped nearby

Composers and Songwriters Face Growing Concerns for the Future

MU Live and Music Writers Official, Kelly Wood, discusses the “real fear that writers and composers will be suffering from the effects of this lockdown far beyond the reopening of other sectors across the industry”.

Published: 15 June 2020

a mother holding her daughter on her shoulders

Legal Action Against the Chancellor for Indirect Sex Discrimination Supported by MU

Pregnancy rights charity, Pregnant then Screwed, with support from Doughty Street Chambers and law firm Leigh Day, is threatening legal proceedings against the Chancellor for discriminating against women in the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS).

Published: 12 June 2020

Photo of a young student practicing the violin.

UK Classical Music Sector Highlighted in Letter to Secretary of State

The MU, Association of British Orchestras, BPI, Ivors Academy, Music Publishers Association and PRS for Music have written an open letter to Oliver Dowden, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport today, to highlight the importance of the UK's classical music sector.

Published: 12 June 2020

Live Performance Risk Assessment Advice for Freelancers Released

We’ve put together new guidance for freelance musicians, to help musicians prepare themselves for when venues to begin reopening.

Published: 12 June 2020

Fair Remuneration for Performers Streaming Survey

Campaign organisation PayPerformers is running a survey to better understand how current revenue distribution in the music industry is affecting performers.

Published: 10 June 2020

Working to Re-Open the West End

The Stage have published details of a confidential letter received by the Union from the Society of London Theatre several weeks ago.

Published: 10 June 2020

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

Photograph of the Royal Albert Hall in the evening

BBC Proms Will Go Ahead in a New Format

The organisers behind the BBC Proms have stated that they are standing with music lovers everywhere, and musicians around the world affected by Covid-19, and that this year they plan to host the “Not the proms as we know them, the Proms as we need them.”

Published: 29 May 2020

Photo of a woman playing drums in isolation

Self Employed Income Support Scheme Extended

We welcome the Government’s announcement that the Self Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) will now open for a second round of applications in August.

Published: 29 May 2020

Empty garden with brightly coloured bunting strung up.

A Return to Work: Pop up Gigs, Car Parks and Afternoon Tea

As we lobby for pop up gigs and other ways for musicians to return to work safely, MU Executive Committee and the North of England Regional Committee member Vernon Fuller talks about his first pop up gig in a care home car park and the difference it made to staff and residents.

Published: 28 May 2020

Support Fair Play Venues Affected by the Coronavirus Pandemic

Many live music venues are having to fundraise to secure their futures, here is a list of crowdfunders that have been set up for venues which have signed up to our Fair Play scheme. If you are in a position to donate, or to share their crowdfunders on your social channels, please do.

Published: 15 May 2020

We’re Launching a Campaign to Fix Streaming Now With The Ivors Academy

We’ve joined forces with the The Ivors Academy at a time of crisis for tens of thousands of music creators, to form a new alliance that will campaign to Keep Music Alive.

Published: 11 May 2020

Leading Live Music Workshops Online: From Hysterical Disasters to Lifting Spirits

Mike Simpson, co-founder of Inspire-works, talks us through his own personal trial and error learning experience of setting up group lessons online, and the surprise benefits that he’s discovered.

Published: 04 May 2020

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Live Performance News

A Reflection on Make Music Day 2020

Prime Minister Announces Delay to Return of Indoor Live Music

£2.25M to be Distributed to Grassroots Venues in England

Join for £1 Scheme Extended to Former MU Members

Scottish Government Gives Green Light For Live Drive-in Events

Special Covid-19 Episodes of Elevate Podcast Released

Indoor Performances May Return in England From 1 August

Deep Sadness as Key Manchester Venues Close Doors

The Government Endorses Industry-Led Guidance for Music Production

MU Member's Response to the Guidance on Playing Wind and Brass Instruments

Live Performance Update Following New Government Guidance for England

The Great (Livestreamed) Gig in the Sky: Part-Two

Playing at Weddings: Hold the Macerena

Advice for Organists in Places of Worship

Government Announces that in England Live Performances can Take Place Outside

The Great (Livestreamed) Gig in the Sky: Part-One

Summer of Live Festival in Aid of Our Coronavirus Hardship Fund for Musicians

Vital Performing Arts Venue Funding Announced for Scotland

We’re Calling on Local Authorities to Support Open Air Music Performance

Let The Music Play Campaign Calls for Vital Financial Support from the Government

Take Action and Call for Vital Financial Support

Orchestras Begin Tentative Start on the Comeback Trail

Frustration as Pubs Reopen with No Live Entertainment, a Lobbying Update

The MU Reacts to Government Guidance for Restaurants, Pubs and Bars Reopening

Watch the MU Summer of Live on IGTV

The MU Cautiously Welcomes Government Road Map for Live Sector

Music Making Online in Real-Time

Composers and Songwriters Face Growing Concerns for the Future

Legal Action Against the Chancellor for Indirect Sex Discrimination Supported by MU

UK Classical Music Sector Highlighted in Letter to Secretary of State

Live Performance Risk Assessment Advice for Freelancers Released

Fair Remuneration for Performers Streaming Survey

Working to Re-Open the West End

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

BBC Proms Will Go Ahead in a New Format

Self Employed Income Support Scheme Extended

A Return to Work: Pop up Gigs, Car Parks and Afternoon Tea

Support Fair Play Venues Affected by the Coronavirus Pandemic

We’re Launching a Campaign to Fix Streaming Now With The Ivors Academy

Leading Live Music Workshops Online: From Hysterical Disasters to Lifting Spirits