Live Music, Performance & Gigging News & Stories

MU Supports Music Venue Trust’s Save Our Venues Campaign

This week the Music Venue Trust (MVT) launched its Save Our Venues campaign. Due to the COVID-19 lockdown, venues are facing real hardship with many threatened with closure as Government measures start to run out.

Published: 01 May 2020

Advice on Public Charge Designations for Musicians in the USA on Visas

Our friends at Tamizdat are offering Pro-Bono advice for musicians, who at the time of lockdown may have been working in the United States of America (USA) under a visa, and are concerned about whether a public charge designation could affect them.

Published: 01 May 2020

AIM to Hold Free Virtual Conference on Independent Music

Following the success of its first virtual conference, AIM Sync, trade body The Association of Independent Music (AIM) has announced the transition of its Great Escape Conference programme, ‘AIM House’, to a full-day virtual event.

Published: 01 May 2020

Make Music Day people playing music instruments and dancing

Make Music Day Goes Digital

Make Music Day is an annual set of music events that takes place around the world on the longest day of the year – 21 June. This year participants are being encouraged to host and engage with events online.

Published: 29 April 2020

The Government’s Self-Employment Support Extended to Musicians on Work Visas

Last week, the Home Office confirmed that the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) is available to migrants who are self-employed and have no recourse to public funds.

Published: 27 April 2020

Live Rates Released for Members Planning Gigs Later in the Year

We’ve published new live rates for 2020-2021 which may be useful to members when planning for work past the disruption caused by COVID-19.

Published: 24 April 2020

Crew Nation Fund Opens to Support Live Music Crews

Live Nation have opened a fund to protect those who work behind the scenes to make live music happen. Applications are open to anyone who have been financially impacted from shows originally scheduled to take place in March or April 2020.

Published: 22 April 2020

12 Social Media Tips For Musicians and Bands During Lockdown

Sean Adams, founder of Drowned in Sound and Social Media Producer for BBC Radio 6 Music, talks us through how to use lockdown to work on your social media.

Published: 17 April 2020

8 Tips on Using Radio to Boost Your Music Career from Isolation

Shell Zenner, a radio presenter, producer, and new-music obsessive talks us through how you can best use radio to your advantage during the coronavirus outbreak, generating income, reaching new audiences and building your presence.

Published: 17 April 2020

10 Tips on Recording and Streaming Your Live Show From Home

Bass player Steve Lawson is no stranger to streaming shows from his home. Here is his advice from setting up your equipment, to choosing the right streaming platform.

Published: 17 April 2020

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Millicent Stephenson with a saxophone and mic

Develop Your Music Business from Home with ‘Success Beyond the Score’ Podcast

This podcast series from saxophonist, musician, teacher, songwriter and entrepreneur Millicent Stephenson looks at ways that musicians can move ahead in the music business.

Published: 16 April 2020

Planning for Recovery: How We Will Get Music Up, Running and Excelling Again

MU General Secretary Horace Trubridge address how, “Whilst the immediate concern has to be doing everything we can to stay safe and well and cope with the seismic financial loss, it’s also important to plan for a recovery.”

Published: 16 April 2020

Donations to MU Coronavirus Hardship Fund Soar Thanks to Bank Holiday Fundraisers

Jazz FM promoted the crowdfunder for our hardship fund over Easter Monday, as well as musicians holding their own fundraising gigs over the weekend, pushing our total raised so far up to £27K.

Published: 14 April 2020

Call for Information from Members Who Have Received Online Performance Requests

We would like to hear from any members who have recently been asked to stream their performances to private audiences, so we can develop how we meet your needs during disruption from the coronavirus.

Published: 08 April 2020

Setting Up to Perform Online

Facing the cancellation of shows and other Covid-19 disruptions, artist and composer Robin Rimbaud tells us how he, “felt it was important to immediately embrace the tools at hand, and like many creatives use the power of technology to respond positively.”

Published: 08 April 2020

Musicians transporting music instruments while travelling

New Guidance from Thompsons Solicitors on Employee Rights

These two new documents may be of use to employed members looking to know more about going on furlough under the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), and for employed members who are currently outside of the UK.

Published: 06 April 2020

No Musician Should Be Left Behind, A Lobbying Update

MU Head of Communications & Government Relations Isabelle Gutierrez: “Our focus at the moment is on lobbying for members who are currently ineligible for either of the Government’s assistance schemes for employed and self-employed workers.”

Published: 03 April 2020

Arts Council England Opens £20M Fund for Individuals Working in the Cultural Sector

Arts Council England (ACE) will be opening round one of applications for the fund on 9 April 2020, providing creative practitioners affected by the coronavirus outbreak with grants of up to £2,500.

Published: 03 April 2020

Empty stage with music instruments and lights on

Limited Company Directors Can Furlough Themselves

A reminder that limited company directors can receive assistance through the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS). This may assist some members who would otherwise fall through the cracks of the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme.

Published: 02 April 2020

Government Announcement on Measures to Protect the Self-Employed Anticipated

The prime minister announced last night (Wednesday 25 March) that Government is preparing to announce measures that should put the self-employed on “parity” with employees.

Published: 26 March 2020

The Government Announces a Welcome Plan for the Self-Employed

After weeks of lobbying MPs and Ministers, the MU has welcomed the package of help that the Government has announced for the self-employed.

Published: 26 March 2020

A woman looking at a vinyl in the record store

Support Your Favourite Independent Record Shop With #LoveRecordStores

On Thursday 26 March, musicians, artists, actors and celebrity music fans around the world showing their love for their favourite independent record store over the hashtag #LoveRecordStores.

Published: 25 March 2020

Music Industry Issues Call to Chancellor for Help During Coronavirus Outbreak

Music industry and charity leaders – including the MU General Secretary Horace Trubridge – have signed a joint open letter to the Chancellor, asking for a package of urgent measures to help the crisis-hit sector fight the impact of the coronavirus.

Published: 20 March 2020

Photo of sun shining on a bunch of spring flowers.

Chancellor Offers Financial Support to Music Venues

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has acknowledged that grassroots music venues across the UK are facing unprecedented challenges to remain in business, as they fight to continue promoting live music in the long-term.

Published: 18 March 2020

Photograph of crowd in a small music venue dancing to the music.

Government Announces Welcome Rates Relief for Music Venues in 2020

We’re delighted at the news that grassroots music venues with a rateable value of below £51,000 will not have to pay business rates this year.

Published: 11 March 2020

Advice for LGBT+ Musicians Working in Poland

Nearly a third of Poland has been declared an LGBT+ free zone, as 100 local authorities have said they will not promote LGBT+ tolerance or acceptance. This includes funding NGOs working to promote equality.

Published: 10 March 2020

Photograph of buildings across the skyline in Austin, Texas

Advice to Members Following the Cancellation of SXSW Festival

Following the cancellation of this years’ SXSW festival in Austin Texas, members invited to the Showcase are advised that unless they are in possession of a valid ‘O’ or ‘P’ work visa they should not attend.

Published: 09 March 2020

Photograph of Henry singing and playing a nord piano keyboard at the Pride In London contest

LGBT History Month: My Experiences Making a Career as a Professional Musician

MU member and session pianist and vocalist Henry Newbury (winner of Pride’s Got Talent) talks about his personal experience in establishing a career as a professional musician.

Published: 20 February 2020

Photograph from the back of the MU Orchestral Conference, looking across members' heads to the panel discussion. Photo credit: Shutterstock

MU Orchestral Conference Focuses on Support Needed for Sustainable Careers

The fifth annual MU Orchestral Conference was held in Manchester last week. It focused on sustainable careers – from supporting musicians’ mental and physical health to reaffirming Orchestras’ fundamental place in society.

Published: 07 February 2020

Photograph of musician playing electric guitar on stage with smokey background and lights of various colours.

Business Rates for Grassroots Music Venues Have Been Slashed

Following intensive lobbying from across the UK music industry, the Government have announced details of a 50% reduction in business rates for small and medium sized grassroots music venues.

Published: 27 January 2020

6 MPs on Working in the EU post-Brexit and the Musicians’ Passport

The MU is fighting for a Musicians’ Passport so that you can keep working in the EU post-Brexit. And it looks like the message is getting through.

Published: 27 January 2020

Photograph of violin on its side, in shadow

ENO Opens Applications for BAME Orchestra Fellowship to Better Reflect Under Represented Musicians

English National Opera (ENO) are recruiting five new string players from a Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) background in a positive effort to ensure their Orchestra more fairly reflects our society.

Published: 20 January 2020

US/Canada Border, Peace Arch, Washington state, USA

Possible Delays Entering the US for Iranian Nationals

Performing artists who are Iranian nationals or individuals of Iranian descent should anticipate delays entering the US.

Published: 07 January 2020

Photograph of small suitcases in an aircraft cabin stowage

Flybe Amends Cabin Baggage to Allow for Small Instruments

Flybe has listened to the concerns of musicians, and following a letter sent by the MU late last year, has amended its cabin baggage terms and conditions to accommodate small instruments.

Published: 06 January 2020

Photo of baggage being loaded into a place

Change in Flybe’s Musical Instruments on Planes Policy

The MU was disappointed to learn that Flybe’s Musical Instrument Policy has recently been updated, to the detriment of musicians travelling with their instruments.

Published: 16 December 2019

Crowd raises their hand in a concert venue. Photo credit: Shutter stock

Members’ Discount for Association of Independent Music Conference 2020

The Association of Independent Music (AIM) have confirmed that MU members can claim a discount to their flagship conference in February, alongside their announcement that 2020’s conference will be going ‘panel-less’.

Published: 10 December 2019

Details for CITES Rosewood Exemption Announced

The MU has learnt today that the CITES rosewood exemptions – which were agreed on at the last CITES meeting in Geneva – will take effect from 14 December 2019.

Published: 06 December 2019

16 Days of Activism with UN Women: Protected Characteristics

Over 48% of Musicians’ Union members surveyed have experienced sexual harassment at work. Shockingly, a third of those people say their harassment was related to a protected characteristic, and another 21% said they were not sure.

Published: 03 December 2019

Why the Musicians' Union is Supporting #16Days and UN Women's Stand Against Rape Culture

Musicians’ Union Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl looks at how the MU is tackling sexual harassment in musicians’ workplaces, creating Safe Space for musicians to be heard and campaigning to ensure that everyone has an equal level of protection from sexual harassment.

Published: 25 November 2019

Advice for Touring Musicians on US Court Ruling Against Device Probe

Have you ever tried entered the United States and had your smartphone or laptop searched? If so that has now been disallowed.

Published: 18 November 2019

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Live Performance News

MU Supports Music Venue Trust’s Save Our Venues Campaign

Advice on Public Charge Designations for Musicians in the USA on Visas

AIM to Hold Free Virtual Conference on Independent Music

Make Music Day Goes Digital

The Government’s Self-Employment Support Extended to Musicians on Work Visas

Live Rates Released for Members Planning Gigs Later in the Year

Crew Nation Fund Opens to Support Live Music Crews

12 Social Media Tips For Musicians and Bands During Lockdown

8 Tips on Using Radio to Boost Your Music Career from Isolation

10 Tips on Recording and Streaming Your Live Show From Home

Develop Your Music Business from Home with ‘Success Beyond the Score’ Podcast

Planning for Recovery: How We Will Get Music Up, Running and Excelling Again

Donations to MU Coronavirus Hardship Fund Soar Thanks to Bank Holiday Fundraisers

Call for Information from Members Who Have Received Online Performance Requests

Setting Up to Perform Online

New Guidance from Thompsons Solicitors on Employee Rights

No Musician Should Be Left Behind, A Lobbying Update

Arts Council England Opens £20M Fund for Individuals Working in the Cultural Sector

Limited Company Directors Can Furlough Themselves

Government Announcement on Measures to Protect the Self-Employed Anticipated

The Government Announces a Welcome Plan for the Self-Employed

Support Your Favourite Independent Record Shop With #LoveRecordStores

Music Industry Issues Call to Chancellor for Help During Coronavirus Outbreak

Chancellor Offers Financial Support to Music Venues

Government Announces Welcome Rates Relief for Music Venues in 2020

Advice for LGBT+ Musicians Working in Poland

Advice to Members Following the Cancellation of SXSW Festival

LGBT History Month: My Experiences Making a Career as a Professional Musician

MU Orchestral Conference Focuses on Support Needed for Sustainable Careers

Business Rates for Grassroots Music Venues Have Been Slashed

6 MPs on Working in the EU post-Brexit and the Musicians’ Passport

ENO Opens Applications for BAME Orchestra Fellowship to Better Reflect Under Represented Musicians

Possible Delays Entering the US for Iranian Nationals

Flybe Amends Cabin Baggage to Allow for Small Instruments

Change in Flybe’s Musical Instruments on Planes Policy

Members’ Discount for Association of Independent Music Conference 2020

Details for CITES Rosewood Exemption Announced

16 Days of Activism with UN Women: Protected Characteristics

Why the Musicians' Union is Supporting #16Days and UN Women's Stand Against Rape Culture

Advice for Touring Musicians on US Court Ruling Against Device Probe