MPs & Peers: Please Support Musicians Working in the EU The Musicians’ Union (MU) is calling on MPs to support musicians working in the EU – share the pledge! #WorkingInTheEU Published: 02 June 2017 Read more about MPs & Peers: Please Support Musicians Working in the EU
Save Womanby Street Campaign Victory Save Womanby Street campaigners in Wales have won a significant victory in their battle to protect live music venues, as the Welsh government is set to revise its planning policy in line with the Agent of Change principle. Published: 23 May 2017 Read more about Save Womanby Street Campaign Victory
Air Canada Wins International Federation of Musicians Award Air Canada wins the newly-created FIM Airline of Choice Award for their exemplary policies on musicians travelling with instruments. Published: 19 May 2017 Read more about Air Canada Wins International Federation of Musicians Award
The Musicians’ Union Attends Save Womanby Street March to City Hall Over 1000 people, including a delegation from the Musicians’ Union, attended the highly successful Save Womanby Street march to Cardiff City Hall on Saturday 29 April. Published: 05 May 2017 Read more about The Musicians’ Union Attends Save Womanby Street March to City Hall
Cardiff AMs call for Agent of Change to save city centre live music Two Cardiff AMs are calling on the Welsh Government to change planning laws in Wales to protect the future of live music venues in the centre of Cardiff. Published: 14 April 2017 Read more about Cardiff AMs call for Agent of Change to save city centre live music
Music industry lobby government over Ivory Ban An exemption for musical instruments has been proposed to the planned ivory ban, which will be under consultation in April. Published: 07 April 2017 Read more about Music industry lobby government over Ivory Ban
Management Agreement Launched for New Artists and Managers The MU has joined forces with FAC and the MMF to create an example management agreement for use by newer artists and managers entering the industry. Published: 31 March 2017 Read more about Management Agreement Launched for New Artists and Managers
MU Discusses Dirty Dancing’s ‘Dirty Dealing’ on BBC Radio Coventry & Warwickshire MU Midlands Organiser Stephen Brown discussed Dirty Dancing’s ‘dirty dealing’ on The Breakfast Show with Trish Adudu, BBC Radio Coventry & Warwickshire. Published: 30 January 2017 Read more about MU Discusses Dirty Dancing’s ‘Dirty Dealing’ on BBC Radio Coventry & Warwickshire
We Need to Talk About LGBT Venues! What Happened Next… In 2016, we hosted a panel examining recent closures of LGBT venues and what we could do to preserve them in the future. A year on, things are beginning to change. Published: 26 January 2017 Read more about We Need to Talk About LGBT Venues! What Happened Next…
Musicians’ Union Supports Independent Venue Week Independent Venue Week is a seven-day celebration of small music venues around the UK, and the Musicians’ Union is proud to be involved once again. Published: 17 January 2017 Read more about Musicians’ Union Supports Independent Venue Week
Sign the Petition Calling for a Law to Force Employers to Pay Freelancers on Time Sign this petition calling for a law to force employers to pay on time for freelance / contractual work. Published: 15 December 2016 Read more about Sign the Petition Calling for a Law to Force Employers to Pay Freelancers on Time
Positive developments for musicians travelling overseas with their instruments Music industry welcomes CITES update that makes it easier for musicians to travel with their instruments. Published: 05 December 2016 Read more about Positive developments for musicians travelling overseas with their instruments
International Showcase Fund Now Available for Scottish Artists PRS for Music Foundation and Creative Scotland partnership opens International Showcase Fund to Scottish bands for the first time. Published: 25 November 2016 Read more about International Showcase Fund Now Available for Scottish Artists
New £45million Edinburgh Live Music Venue Plans are underway to build a new £45million venue in the heart of Edinburgh New Town. Published: 25 November 2016 Read more about New £45million Edinburgh Live Music Venue
MU Welcomes London Night Czar Appointment The MU offers its congratulations to Amy Lamé on her new role as London’s Night Czar. Published: 25 November 2016 Read more about MU Welcomes London Night Czar Appointment
"Let's Be Voices For the Future and Make Change Happen" Diljeet Bhachu talks about the MU and welcomes young musicians in the MU to make change happen. Published: 16 November 2016 Read more about "Let's Be Voices For the Future and Make Change Happen"
Rebekah Ubuntu: “Without the MU, the Music Industry Would Be a Confusing Dispersed Abyss" Performance artist and musician Rebekah Ubuntu explains how she benefits from being a member of the MU. Published: 02 November 2016 Read more about Rebekah Ubuntu: “Without the MU, the Music Industry Would Be a Confusing Dispersed Abyss"
Sherika Sherard: "Joining the MU Made Me Feel Protected" Singer-songwriter Sherika Sherard shares why she joined the Union, and how it feels to be an MU member. Published: 26 October 2016 Read more about Sherika Sherard: "Joining the MU Made Me Feel Protected"
Upcoming Dirty Dancing Protests in the Midlands Join MU members demonstrating in support of live music prior to performances of Dirty Dancing in Northampton, Stoke-on-Trent and Wolverhampton. Keep music live! Published: 24 October 2016 Read more about Upcoming Dirty Dancing Protests in the Midlands
Singer-songwriter Nadine Wild-Palmer: "If you are serious enough to invest in your career, The MU is a great place to start!" Nadine Wild-Palmer shares how she found her voice, and how the Musicians' Union has supported her and her career. Published: 20 October 2016 Read more about Singer-songwriter Nadine Wild-Palmer: "If you are serious enough to invest in your career, The MU is a great place to start!"
Why I joined the MU: Abi Jenaé Abi Jenaé shares why she joined the Musicians’ Union, and how the Union has supported her career, in celebration of Black History Month. Published: 17 October 2016 Read more about Why I joined the MU: Abi Jenaé
London Drum Show, Olympia, discounted ticket offer The London Drum Show returns to London’s Olympia once more this year and MU members can benefit from a discounted advance ticket offer. Published: 12 October 2016 Read more about London Drum Show, Olympia, discounted ticket offer
MU fighting for musicians’ rights in the lead up to Brexit As the Government now works towards Brexit, we would like to reassure members that we are doing everything in our power to protect musicians’ rights. Published: 12 October 2016 Read more about MU fighting for musicians’ rights in the lead up to Brexit
Music is Audible in Edinburgh We are delighted to report that the City of Edinburgh Council Licensing Board has agreed to revise the wording of the notorious ‘inaudibility’ clause. Published: 10 October 2016 Read more about Music is Audible in Edinburgh
MU to Protest Dirty Dancing's ‘Dirty Dealing' - Aylesbury The Musicians’ Union (MU) is holding a demonstration in support of live music in theatres, in Aylesbury, on Monday 19 September at 6pm. Published: 16 September 2016 Read more about MU to Protest Dirty Dancing's ‘Dirty Dealing' - Aylesbury
March to Save Passing Clouds from Closure March with over 2000 people against the closure of Passing Clouds, a renowned multicultural live music venue in London. Published: 15 September 2016 Read more about March to Save Passing Clouds from Closure
The Musician as Fundraiser Shares Fundraising Best Practice New videos from The Musician as Fundraiser project share musicians’ experiences fundraising for four UK orchestras. Published: 24 June 2016 Read more about The Musician as Fundraiser Shares Fundraising Best Practice
Help stop ticket resale abuse The Musicians Union supports the work of the All Party Parliamentary Group on ticket abuse. Greater transparency and fairness is needed to avoid profiteering and exploitation of genuine music fans. Published: 10 May 2016 Read more about Help stop ticket resale abuse
MU position on Europe The MU has reaffirmed its support for Britain remaining part of the European Union. Published: 04 April 2016 Read more about MU position on Europe
MU statement on the situation at the ENO The MU expresses its dismay and disappointment regarding the news that Mark Wigglesworth has decided he is unable to continue as English National Opera Music Director. Published: 29 March 2016 Read more about MU statement on the situation at the ENO
Essential Guide to Music Funding 2016 The Unsigned Guide’s Essential Guide to Music Funding 2016 features contributions from the MU, PRS for Music, Help Musicians UK, Arts Council England and more. Published: 24 March 2016 Read more about Essential Guide to Music Funding 2016
Attitude is Everything State of Access Report 2016 Simple changes to online information provision could drastically improve the experiences of Deaf and disabled venue and festival goers, shows new report. Published: 17 March 2016 Read more about Attitude is Everything State of Access Report 2016
Music industry campaign prompts action from Government to help protect UK music venues UK Music, Music Venue Trust and Musicians’ Union welcome new Government legislation to protect music venues. Published: 14 March 2016 Read more about Music industry campaign prompts action from Government to help protect UK music venues
Bristol Live Music Census 2015 Live music generated £123 million for the local Bristol economy in 2015, but many venues are under threat. Published: 07 March 2016 Read more about Bristol Live Music Census 2015
We Need to Talk About LGBT Venues! Highlights from our LGBT History Month panel discussion on the future of LGBT venues. Published: 05 February 2016 Read more about We Need to Talk About LGBT Venues!
Live music venues under threat in Aberdeen Sign the petition to support Aberdeen venues and call on the City Council to adopt the Agent of Change principle. Published: 03 February 2016 Read more about Live music venues under threat in Aberdeen
Trade Union Bill in the House of Lords Over the next few weeks the House of Lords will be discussing the Trade Union Bill, which amongst other things threatens the basic right to strike. Published: 21 January 2016 Read more about Trade Union Bill in the House of Lords
FIM update: European regulation on air passengers’ rights FIM is calling for musicians’ unions worldwide to put pressure on governments to support musicians flying with instruments, and will be asking musicians to get involved. Published: 12 January 2016 Read more about FIM update: European regulation on air passengers’ rights
Hague Court of Appeal: CBA applicable to freelance musicians The Hague Court of Appeal this week struck down a ruling that would have put collective bargaining agreements covering freelance orchestral musicians across Europe under threat. Published: 17 September 2015 Read more about Hague Court of Appeal: CBA applicable to freelance musicians
John Smith announced as new Chairman of PPL John Smith, General Secretary of the Musicians’ Union (MU) and President of the International Federation of Musicians (FIM), will succeed Fran Nevrkla OBE as Chairman of PPL (which is a part-time position) on 1 January 2016. Published: 22 July 2015 Read more about John Smith announced as new Chairman of PPL