The Cultural Recovery Fund: A Lifeline for The Music Industry The MU is delighted to see that the first round of funding for the arts sector has kept 1385 English arts organisations afloat. Published: 13 October 2020 Read more about The Cultural Recovery Fund: A Lifeline for The Music Industry
Guide to Creating Your Own Access Rider Released Arts commissioning program, We Are Unlimited, have released a valuable document on creating a rider to communicate all of your access needs in one place. Published: 01 October 2020 Read more about Guide to Creating Your Own Access Rider Released
Members Discount on Rehearsal and Recording Studios in London London based online music studio directory, MusicWise, are offering members a 10% discount on their first studio booking – quoting our exclusive discount code. Published: 01 October 2020 Read more about Members Discount on Rehearsal and Recording Studios in London
Music in Crisis in Northern Ireland We’re publishing an open letter in response to the recent announcement from the Northern Irish Executive that effectively bans live music in Northern Ireland. Published: 29 September 2020 Read more about Music in Crisis in Northern Ireland
Ask Your MLAs to Support Musicians During the Covid-19 Pandemic Music is a crucial part of the creative economy in Northern Ireland. Live music is worth £70m in GVA and generates £8m in music tourism. But all this is on hold because of the Covid-19 pandemic, with real consequences for musicians. Published: 29 September 2020 Read more about Ask Your MLAs to Support Musicians During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Top Tips for Keeping Your Music Career Ticking Over During Covid-19 Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl spoke to BBC Music Introducing on Saturday night about the impact of the Covid-19 crisis, and ways that musicians can keep creating and working. Published: 29 September 2020 Read more about Top Tips for Keeping Your Music Career Ticking Over During Covid-19
Mask Wearing and Performances: What Are the Rules Updated – mask wearing indoors is now a requirement in many situations across the UK. For musicians in England this no longer includes when performing. Published: 28 September 2020 Read more about Mask Wearing and Performances: What Are the Rules
Singing, Brass and Woodwind Restrictions Relaxed in Scotland New guidance from the Scottish Government means that singers, and brass and woodwind players, can rehearse in groups, provided certain conditions are met. Published: 18 September 2020 Read more about Singing, Brass and Woodwind Restrictions Relaxed in Scotland
Brexit – where are we now? Brexit is back on the agenda in Parliament this week as the Government brought in new legislation, in the form of the Internal Market Bill. What does this mean for you? MU Head of Communications and Government Relations Isabelle Gutierrez takes a look. Published: 18 September 2020 Read more about Brexit – where are we now?
ATG Confirms That Any Staff Called to Work Will Now be Paid In an update to our story on ATG calling for singers, musicians and other performers to work for free at their venue – the theatre organisation has now confirmed that musicians will be paid for their performances. Published: 17 September 2020 Read more about ATG Confirms That Any Staff Called to Work Will Now be Paid
A Guide to Applying for an ACE Project Grant Jess Partridge, founder and editor of new music group In Stereo, provides invaluable advice for musicians applying for Arts Council England (ACE) Project Grant. Published: 14 September 2020 Read more about A Guide to Applying for an ACE Project Grant
Misconceptions on Wind Players Have Been Corrected, But the Damage is Done Member and orchestral, theatre and chamber musician Louise Braithwaite discusses the effect of coronavirus and misinformation on wind players, and the wider industry. Published: 10 September 2020 Read more about Misconceptions on Wind Players Have Been Corrected, But the Damage is Done
Indoor Performances in England Can Continue Under New Restrictions The MU has been seeking to clarify the new rules for England in the past 24 hours. We’ve had confirmation that indoor performances in Covid-19 secure venues will be able to continue, but are awaiting further information. Published: 10 September 2020 Read more about Indoor Performances in England Can Continue Under New Restrictions
Updated: Visa Holders in the US at Risk as Public Charge Rules in Limbo What artists need to know about the suspension of the new public charge rules and maintenance of visa status. Published: 10 September 2020 Read more about Updated: Visa Holders in the US at Risk as Public Charge Rules in Limbo
Take This Survey on Developing a Railcard for Musicians Complete this brief survey to help campaign group Music Declares Emergency in their campaign to create a musician's railcard and encourage sustainable touring. Published: 09 September 2020 Read more about Take This Survey on Developing a Railcard for Musicians
Member Discount for Covid-19 'Gig Screens' MU members can now get a 10% discount on 'gig screens' designed for live events. Published: 02 September 2020 Read more about Member Discount for Covid-19 'Gig Screens'
Funding For the Arts Sector Announced for Scotland The Scottish Government have announced a £59m funding package for the culture and heritage sector to protect jobs and support the industry in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis. Published: 02 September 2020 Read more about Funding For the Arts Sector Announced for Scotland
US Visa Fee Increase as of October New ruling from US Department of Homeland Security imposes steep increase to O and P visa filing fees. Published: 02 September 2020 Read more about US Visa Fee Increase as of October
Further Clarification for Performances and Rehearsals of Non-Professional Musicians in England The Government has updated their Covid-19 guidance for those working in the performing arts, which clarifies that non-professional musicians can perform and rehearse in Covid-secure venues in England. Published: 28 August 2020 Read more about Further Clarification for Performances and Rehearsals of Non-Professional Musicians in England
Socially Distanced Theatre and Live Music Could Return to Scotland in September Some outdoor live events in Scotland will be able to return with physical distancing, enhanced hygiene measures and restricted numbers from Monday 24 August. Published: 20 August 2020 Read more about Socially Distanced Theatre and Live Music Could Return to Scotland in September
Musicians Reject Calls to Work for Free During Covid-19 Pandemic The Musicians’ Union has received new reports of venues and events asking musicians to work for free. This is not acceptable. Published: 19 August 2020 Read more about Musicians Reject Calls to Work for Free During Covid-19 Pandemic
Restrictions Around Singing, Wind and Brass Instruments Relaxed in England We welcome the news that restrictions around Singing, Wind and Brass Instruments in England will be relaxed. Published: 14 August 2020 Read more about Restrictions Around Singing, Wind and Brass Instruments Relaxed in England
A Great Day in London: The 1962 Terence Donovan Jazz Musicians Photograph Journalist Peter Vacher discusses the history and context of Terence Donovan’s famous 1962 photograph of London’s jazz scene. Published: 13 August 2020 Read more about A Great Day in London: The 1962 Terence Donovan Jazz Musicians Photograph
Growing Pressure on the Government, Platforms and Major Labels to Fix Streaming Now There have now been over 15,000 signatures on our petition – which we’re running with the Ivors Academy – calling on the Government to help us #FixStreaming and keep music alive. Published: 13 August 2020 Read more about Growing Pressure on the Government, Platforms and Major Labels to Fix Streaming Now
Online Festival to Raise Money for our Coronavirus Hardship Fund In a bid to support venues and performing artists, a group of musicians, dancers and entertainers have created The Fantastical Festival of Furlough to bring you live streamed entertainment in a spectacular fashion. Published: 11 August 2020 Read more about Online Festival to Raise Money for our Coronavirus Hardship Fund
Cara Dillon: How the Folk Singer and Musician has Emerged With a Concert Film of Real Emotional Power For Irish folk singer and musician Cara Dillon, the Covid-19 crisis has been a particularly worrying time. But the urge to create and perform has culminated in an online concert with real emotional resonance. Read her profile as written by Andy Fyfe. Published: 10 August 2020 Read more about Cara Dillon: How the Folk Singer and Musician has Emerged With a Concert Film of Real Emotional Power
Visa Holders in the US at Risk as Public Charge Rules in Limbo (Updated) What artists need to know about the suspension of the new public charge rules and maintenance of visa status. Published: 07 August 2020 Read more about Visa Holders in the US at Risk as Public Charge Rules in Limbo (Updated)
PRS for Music AGM Announced PRS for Music has shared information on its 2020 PRS Annual General Meeting (AGM), set to take place at 12:00 pm on Tuesday 18 August, and is encouraging eligible members to participate and have their say. Published: 07 August 2020 Read more about PRS for Music AGM Announced
£6M Monthly Losses Leaving British Orchestras Struggling to Survive We’ve joined forces with the Association of British Orchestras (ABO) to highlight the urgent need for extra funding for freelance musicians. Published: 06 August 2020 Read more about £6M Monthly Losses Leaving British Orchestras Struggling to Survive
Calling the Government Out on Its Failure to Help Musicians Our Head of Communications & Government Relations, Isabelle Gutierrez describes the “woefully inadequate,” response from the Government to protect musicians – and how we are lobbying against it. Published: 06 August 2020 Read more about Calling the Government Out on Its Failure to Help Musicians
Summer Of Live: MU Online Fundraiser #2 Showcases Best of British Folk Journalist Henry Yates describes how the “second charity livestream for the MU’s Coronavirus Hardship Fund featured homegrown talent performing in Sheffield, Devon, New Orleans and Montreal.” Published: 04 August 2020 Read more about Summer Of Live: MU Online Fundraiser #2 Showcases Best of British Folk
Let The Music Play Campaign Launches Second Phase UK Music’s Let The Music Play campaign has launched its second phase, calling for further support for the live sector during these difficult times. Published: 04 August 2020 Read more about Let The Music Play Campaign Launches Second Phase
A Reflection on Make Music Day 2020Â 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 Read more about A Reflection on Make Music Day 2020Â
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 Read more about Prime Minister Announces Delay to Return of Indoor Live Music
£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 Read more about £2.25M to be Distributed to Grassroots Venues in England
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 Read more about Join for £1 Scheme Extended to Former MU Members
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 Read more about Scottish Government Gives Green Light For Live Drive-in Events
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 Read more about Special Covid-19 Episodes of Elevate Podcast Released
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 Read more about Indoor Performances May Return in England From 1 August
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 Read more about Deep Sadness as Key Manchester Venues Close Doors