Live Music, Performance & Gigging News & Stories

Liver Building in Liverpool against blue sky

Liverpool Philharmonic and British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM) Announce New Partnership

A new partnership between BAPAM and Liverpool Philharmonic is now providing free Performing Arts Medicine Clinics at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall.

Published: 13 May 2019

Arts Council England Announces £1.5 Million Budget to Support Grassroots Live Music

The Musicians’ Union (MU) welcomes Arts Council England’s (ACE) announcement of a new ring-fenced budget to support projects hosting and promoting live music in grassroots venues.

Published: 10 May 2019

Poster of different musicians playing under

Make Music Day to be Celebrated in the UK on 21 June

The Musicians’ Union (MU) is supporting Make Music Day – an event which aims to turn the country into a stage and offer a full spectrum of performers the opportunity to display their musical skills.

Published: 08 May 2019

Portrait photograph of band members Caroline Gilmour and Marissa Keltie, with text

Scottish Pop Duo "The Eves" on Why They Joined the MU

Scottish duo The Eves, Caroline Gilmour and Marissa Keltie , talk through their reasons for joining the Musicians’ Union (MU) and why it’s benefited them.

Published: 30 April 2019

TUC Black Workers Conference Supports Drill Music, Rejects Discrimination Against Black Artists

The Musicians’ Union is delighted that the TUC Black Workers Conference voted to support music education in schools and end discrimination against drill artists.

Published: 17 April 2019

Musicians’ Union (MU) launches Fair Engagement Guide for Performing and Touring with Featured Artists

New Musicians’ Union Live Advice

The MU launches Fair Engagement Guide for Performing and Touring with Featured Artists.

Published: 28 March 2019

A selection of percussion being used in a children's music lesson

Stand Up to Zero-Hours Contracts this HeartUnions Week

This HeartUnions Week, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) is calling on you to take a stand against zero-hours contracts.

Published: 11 February 2019

5 Tips for Booking Disabled Music Artists

Attitude Is Everything, the disability-led charity improving deaf and disabled people’s access to live music, shares its five tips for booking disabled artists.

Published: 19 November 2018

Music Industry Figures Reveal Surge in Exports, Recording Music and Jobs in Record £4.5 Billion Boost to UK Economy

UK Music’s 2018 Measuring Music report has revealed rises in UK music industry exports, recorded music and publishing revenues and music industry jobs.

Published: 01 November 2018

BBC Introducing Live Festival Includes Musicians’ Union Takeover Panel

BBC Introducing Live at Tobacco Docks is a new three-day music festival, hosting over 100 masterclasses, workshops and panel discussions – and featuring over 250 speakers from across the music industry, including representatives from the MU.

Published: 29 October 2018

Musicians’ Union National Organiser Orchestras to Retire

After 29 years Musicians’ Union (MU) National Organiser Orchestras Bill Kerr will be retiring from the MU on 8 February 2019.

Published: 22 October 2018

Musicians’ Union Responds To Geronimo Festival Liquidation Proceedings

The Musicians’ Union (MU) has expressed its concerns about liquidation proceedings being commenced for 'Geronimo Festival UK Ltd’ which owes MU members several thousand pounds.

Published: 15 August 2018

Islington Venue ‘The Garage’ Launches Campaign to Safeguard Its Future Ahead of 25th Anniversary

North London music venue The Garage has launched a campaign to safeguard its future, in the face of an increasingly tough environment that has seen more than 40 percent of grassroots venues close in the capital over the last decade.

Published: 03 August 2018

Agent of Change Victory as Property Developers in England Must Allow for Existing Music Venues to Operate and Co-Exist

Yesterday, 24 July, the Agent of Change Principle was introduced into the Government’s National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) for England – a victory for grassroots venues, musicians and audiences.

Published: 25 July 2018

Musicians’ Union Expresses Disappointment at MEPs' Decision to Reject the Copyright Directive

The fight goes on to ensure fair payments for use of musicians’ and creators’ work online.

Published: 05 July 2018

The MU Calls on Council to Save Legendary Bucks Music Venue

The Stables, the iconic live music venue established in 1970 by Dame Cleo Laine and Sir John Dankworth in Wavendon, is under threat due to plans for a new housing development nearby.

Published: 02 July 2018

Changes to PRS's Tariff LP are approved by the Copyright Tribunal

The Copyright Tribunal has approved a revision to PRS’s Tariff LP following three years of discussions between PRS and representatives of the live sector.

Published: 05 June 2018

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl's #MUMoment

Musicians’ Union Assistant General Secretary Naomi Pohl shares her #MUmoment on BBC Radio Ulster’s Classical Connections with John Toal.

Published: 21 May 2018

MU Highlights Black Music Programming at TUC Black Workers’ Conference

The Musicians’ Union (MU) was delighted to attend the Trades Union Congress (TUC) Black Workers’ Conference

Published: 23 April 2018

Plans Unveiled to Boost Music in the Liverpool City Region

UK Music – of which the Musicians’ Union (MU) is a member – and Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, today unveiled plans to introduce a Music Board for the Liverpool City Region.

Published: 07 March 2018

MU Highlights Sexual Harassment and Gender Equality at TUC Women’s Conference

The Musicians’ Union (MU) is delighted to be attending TUC Women’s Conference once again. The MU is taking two motions to TUC Women’s Conference focusing on festival line-ups, and sexual harassment in the music industry.

Published: 07 March 2018

Help keep the Stratford ArtsHouse open

It was announced on Thursday that the Stratford ArtsHouse – home to the Orchestra of the Swan – is due to close on 5 May. Act now to help secure the future of this essential community space.

Published: 26 February 2018

UK’s First Live Music Census Reveals Ongoing Threats to Small Venues

Small venues continue to face threats that could affect their long-term future, warns UK’s first Live Music Census.

Published: 16 February 2018

MU Celebrates Campaign Victory as Agent of Change to be Made Law in Scotland

The MU is celebrating the incorporation of the Agent of Change principle into Scottish Planning Policy.

Published: 16 February 2018

MU Update on British Airways Instrument Policy (January 2018)

The Musicians’ Union (MU) has been having fruitful discussions with British Airways, who are actively seeking workable solutions for guitars and larger instruments.

Published: 26 January 2018

Agent of Change event Westminster 10 January 2018

Music legends and industry in fight to save venues

UK Music has brought together leading figures from the music industry to launch a parliamentary battle entitled ‘Agent of Change’ to save music venues from closure.

Published: 10 January 2018

Agent of Change Principle on the Agenda in the Scottish Parliament

A ministerial statement on Planning was made at Holyrood on the Tuesday 5 December by Lewis MacDonald MSP in regards to the implementation of the Agent of Change principle in Scotland.

Published: 06 December 2017

Cross-Party Support Grows for Agent of Change Law to Protect Music Venues

Support at Westminster is mounting for a new law to protect music venues – something the Musicians’ Union (MU) has been lobbying for individually and as part of music industry umbrella group UK Music.

Published: 24 November 2017

What To Do When Asked to Work For Free

Surprise, surprise – a trade union talking about fair pay for Young Workers’ Month. But it is a truth (probably) universally acknowledged that musicians will be asked to work for nothing. So what should you do when asked to work for free?

Published: 23 November 2017

Celebrating 90 years with BBC National Orchestra of Wales

In the spring of 2018 BBC National Orchestra of Wales celebrates its 90th birthday, and to mark this milestone the orchestra is inviting people to share their stories and experiences.

Published: 21 November 2017

Met Police Scraps Form 696

The Musicians’ Union (MU) is delighted that concerns raised by the MU, British Underground, UK Music and other industry bodies as well as countless musicians to the Metropolitan Police have been listened to and form 696 has been scrapped.

Published: 10 November 2017

Bristol Live Music Venue Thekla Under Threat From Nearby Development

The Musicians’ Union (MU) is disheartened to hear of yet another small venue under threat from adjacent development – this time Bristol’s Thekla. #SaveThekla #KeepMusicLive

Published: 09 November 2017

The MU is Here to Support You If You Face Inappropriate Behaviour at Work

We are here to offer support and guidance if you face sexual harassment, exploitation or abuse at work. If you are an employed or self-employed musician, regardless of which part of the industry you work in, you can talk to us. We will listen.

Published: 19 October 2017

Musical Instrument Exemption Included in Government Consultation on Ivory Ban

The Musicians’ Union (MU) has been working closely with industry partners and the International Federation for Animal Welfare to ensure a musical instrument exemption is in place.

Published: 17 October 2017

Victory for Womanby Street Campaigners

Plans to build flats on Cardiff’s Womanby Street, that would have put local venues including Clwb Ifor Back under threat, have been withdrawn.

Published: 17 October 2017

MU Welcomes New UK Recording for UK Tour of War Horse

The recorded music used in the current UK tour of War Horse will be re-recorded using UK musicians.

Published: 17 October 2017

Kevin Brennan MP supports free movement for musicians working in the EU

Sign the Petition for Free Movement for Musicians post-Brexit #WorkingInTheEU

Sign the #WorkingInTheEU petition to call on Government and Parliament to back free movement for musicians post-Brexit. It only takes a couple of minutes, and can make a really big difference to our campaign.

Published: 22 September 2017

Sign the Petition to Reverse Ban on Musicians at St. Sepulchre's

The Musicians' Union (MU) added its voice to calls to reverse the recently imposed ban on musicians at St Sepulchre's, known as the National Musicians' Church. Please sign the petition and support music at this historic venue.

Published: 30 August 2017

musician on stage playing electric guitar

MU Fair Play Venue Scheme Signs Up 100th Grassroots Venue

Sixty Million Postcards, a grassroots music venue based in Bournemouth, has become the 100th venue to join the MU’s Fair Play Venue scheme.

Published: 20 July 2017

MU Publishes Terrorism Advice For Gigging Musicians

A brief guidance sheet for musicians who gig and tour regarding what to do in the case of a terrorist incident at a gig or performance.

Published: 05 July 2017

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Live Performance News

Liverpool Philharmonic and British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM) Announce New Partnership

Arts Council England Announces £1.5 Million Budget to Support Grassroots Live Music

Make Music Day to be Celebrated in the UK on 21 June

Scottish Pop Duo "The Eves" on Why They Joined the MU

TUC Black Workers Conference Supports Drill Music, Rejects Discrimination Against Black Artists

New Musicians’ Union Live Advice

Stand Up to Zero-Hours Contracts this HeartUnions Week

5 Tips for Booking Disabled Music Artists

Music Industry Figures Reveal Surge in Exports, Recording Music and Jobs in Record £4.5 Billion Boost to UK Economy

BBC Introducing Live Festival Includes Musicians’ Union Takeover Panel

Musicians’ Union National Organiser Orchestras to Retire

Musicians’ Union Responds To Geronimo Festival Liquidation Proceedings

Islington Venue ‘The Garage’ Launches Campaign to Safeguard Its Future Ahead of 25th Anniversary

Agent of Change Victory as Property Developers in England Must Allow for Existing Music Venues to Operate and Co-Exist

Musicians’ Union Expresses Disappointment at MEPs' Decision to Reject the Copyright Directive

The MU Calls on Council to Save Legendary Bucks Music Venue

Changes to PRS's Tariff LP are approved by the Copyright Tribunal

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl's #MUMoment

MU Highlights Black Music Programming at TUC Black Workers’ Conference

Plans Unveiled to Boost Music in the Liverpool City Region

MU Highlights Sexual Harassment and Gender Equality at TUC Women’s Conference

Help keep the Stratford ArtsHouse open

UK’s First Live Music Census Reveals Ongoing Threats to Small Venues

MU Celebrates Campaign Victory as Agent of Change to be Made Law in Scotland

MU Update on British Airways Instrument Policy (January 2018)

Music legends and industry in fight to save venues

Agent of Change Principle on the Agenda in the Scottish Parliament

Cross-Party Support Grows for Agent of Change Law to Protect Music Venues

What To Do When Asked to Work For Free

Celebrating 90 years with BBC National Orchestra of Wales

Met Police Scraps Form 696

Bristol Live Music Venue Thekla Under Threat From Nearby Development

The MU is Here to Support You If You Face Inappropriate Behaviour at Work​

Musical Instrument Exemption Included in Government Consultation on Ivory Ban

Victory for Womanby Street Campaigners

MU Welcomes New UK Recording for UK Tour of War Horse

Sign the Petition for Free Movement for Musicians post-Brexit #WorkingInTheEU

Sign the Petition to Reverse Ban on Musicians at St. Sepulchre's

MU Fair Play Venue Scheme Signs Up 100th Grassroots Venue

MU Publishes Terrorism Advice For Gigging Musicians

The MU is Here to Support You If You Face Inappropriate Behaviour at Work