Naomi Pohl Discusses Fix Streaming Campaign on Drowned in Sound Podcast The MU’s General Secretary appeared on this weeks Drowned in Sound Podcast, which can be accessed on various major streaming platforms about how music streaming needs to be fixed. Published: 03 February 2023 Read more about Naomi Pohl Discusses Fix Streaming Campaign on Drowned in Sound Podcast
Musicians Iona Fyfe and Lady Nade Share Why They Back the Musicians’ Census 2023 Two musicians backing the survey explain why the Musicians’ Census 2023 is so important. Published: 02 February 2023 Read more about Musicians Iona Fyfe and Lady Nade Share Why They Back the Musicians’ Census 2023
MU Partners With Come Play With Me for LGBTQ+ History Month The new partnership will see a new series of LGBTQ+ Inclusion workshops and the two organisations working together to create more resources for LGBTQ+ musicians and artists. Published: 31 January 2023 Read more about MU Partners With Come Play With Me for LGBTQ+ History Month
What Expenses Can Musicians Claim on Tax? Keeping a record of what you have spent and what you can claim can be arduous, but it can save you money in the long run. Published: 31 January 2023 Read more about What Expenses Can Musicians Claim on Tax?
MU Supports TUC Right to Strike Day of Action Take part in marches and events on 1 February to protest against the Government’s anti-strike laws. Published: 27 January 2023 Read more about MU Supports TUC Right to Strike Day of Action
Why Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is a Trade Union Issue What is our collective role in building equality, diversity and inclusion and why is it a trade union issue? The MU’s John Shortell explains. Published: 25 January 2023 Read more about Why Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is a Trade Union Issue
Nevis Ensemble Cease Trading Due to Severe Funding Challenges Members engaged with the Nevis Ensemble either as freelancers or ‘Fellows’ are encouraged to contact the MU’s Orchestras Department for advice and support. Published: 24 January 2023 Read more about Nevis Ensemble Cease Trading Due to Severe Funding Challenges
Take the Musicians’ Census 2023 The Musicians’ Census is a joint project by the Musicians’ Union and Help Musicians to get a deeper understanding of what it’s like to be a musician in 2023. Published: 23 January 2023 Read more about Take the Musicians’ Census 2023
PRS for Music and PRS Foundation Announce New Multi-year Funding Agreement With £2.5m in funding already committed for this year, the new agreement will see an increase in year-on-year funding allocated to PRS Foundations work to support new music and talent development. Published: 18 January 2023 Read more about PRS for Music and PRS Foundation Announce New Multi-year Funding Agreement
MU Secures New Agreement With The Bridge Theatre The MU have secured a new agreement with the Bridge Theatre, and are happy to welcome another new opportunity for members under an MU-negotiated agreement. Published: 17 January 2023 Read more about MU Secures New Agreement With The Bridge Theatre
The Musicians’ Guide to the Birmingham Music Scene Birmingham has a rich musical legacy and a wide range of resources for musicians of all genres. Here, West Midlands musicians give their personal recommendations. Published: 14 January 2023 Read more about The Musicians’ Guide to the Birmingham Music Scene
New TUC General Secretary Launches Campaign to Protect the Right to Strike The Trades Union Congress will fight new anti-strike legislation every step of the way supported by member unions including the Musicians’ Union. Published: 13 January 2023 Read more about New TUC General Secretary Launches Campaign to Protect the Right to Strike
Government Post-Brexit Bill Threatens Musicians’ Rights – Write to your MP and Ask Them to Vote Against A Bill coming back to Parliament next week puts legislation on workers’ rights and copyright at risk. Published: 13 January 2023 Read more about Government Post-Brexit Bill Threatens Musicians’ Rights – Write to your MP and Ask Them to Vote Against
MU Welcomes DCMS Select Committee's Report Pushing for Fair Remuneration for Artists From Streaming The new report by the Department for Culture, Digital, Media and Sport (DCMS) Select Committee is recommending more of a focus on fair remuneration in the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) process examining music streaming. Published: 13 January 2023 Read more about MU Welcomes DCMS Select Committee's Report Pushing for Fair Remuneration for Artists From Streaming
MU Signs Letter to Cabinet Secretary Over Music Cuts at BBC Radio Scotland The MU has signed a joint letter to intervene over BBC Radio Scotland’s plans to axe some key music programmes. Published: 12 January 2023 Read more about MU Signs Letter to Cabinet Secretary Over Music Cuts at BBC Radio Scotland
Highlights From Mayor Tracy Brabin Keynote Speech at MU Members’ Conference Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin spoke about her priorities for the region in her keynote speech at the second ever Musicians’ Union Members’ Conference. Published: 05 January 2023 Read more about Highlights From Mayor Tracy Brabin Keynote Speech at MU Members’ Conference
How Function Bands are Faring Three Years after Covid Struck With parties, weddings and corporate events cancelled during Covid, work for function bands vanished overnight. Three years on, four leading acts reveal how they have been faring. Published: 05 January 2023 Read more about How Function Bands are Faring Three Years after Covid Struck
MU Concerned Over Cuts to the Arts in Scotland The MU has reacted to last week’s Scottish Budget 2023-24, where announcements saw cuts to arts funding. Published: 23 December 2022 Read more about MU Concerned Over Cuts to the Arts in Scotland
Ticket Bank Increases Access to Culture During a Difficult Festive Period The MU has praised the London Ticket Bank scheme for providing unsold theatre tickets to those who cannot afford access to culture. Published: 23 December 2022 Read more about Ticket Bank Increases Access to Culture During a Difficult Festive Period
Remembering Joe Strummer Professor Gregor Gall remembers British singer, musician and songwriter Joe Strummer on the twentieth anniversary of his death. Published: 22 December 2022 Read more about Remembering Joe Strummer
Doune the Rabbit Hole Festival Liquidation Developments Spark Concern The MU have been made aware of a large number of artists and suppliers who have still not been paid, and encourage affected members to get in contact with the MU’s Glasgow office. Published: 20 December 2022 Read more about Doune the Rabbit Hole Festival Liquidation Developments Spark Concern
Executive Committee Chair Commits to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at MU Members’ Conference Chair of the Musicians’ Union Executive Committee Alex Gascoine opened Members’ Conference with a clear commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. Published: 16 December 2022 Read more about Executive Committee Chair Commits to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at MU Members’ Conference
Problems on French Trains for Musicians with Large Instruments A recent meeting of the International Federation of Musicians Europe group has revealed that musicians with large instruments such as double basses are being stopped from travelling on some French trains. Published: 16 December 2022 Read more about Problems on French Trains for Musicians with Large Instruments
Home Made Agreements: Key Information Bookings and an increase in ‘home made’ agreements were on the agenda at the latest MU’s Wales and South West England Regional Committee meeting. What does that mean for you? Published: 16 December 2022 Read more about Home Made Agreements: Key Information
Celebrating Culturally Diverse Organisations in the Arts Council England National Portfolio We need more arts funding, not less, to make sure that a career as a musician is available and accessible to everyone. Published: 14 December 2022 Read more about Celebrating Culturally Diverse Organisations in the Arts Council England National Portfolio
Bursary Available For a Disabled Woman MU Member to Access Leadership Development Programme A full bursary will be available for the transformational leadership development programme, the Music Leaders Network, and we will be running an online drop in information session on Wednesday 11 January. Published: 12 December 2022 Read more about Bursary Available For a Disabled Woman MU Member to Access Leadership Development Programme
Stage Patter: How to Talk to Your Audience Talking to an audience between songs is a much-overlooked skill and one that most musicians have to work at, but it can bring a whole new dimension to your set. Published: 08 December 2022 Read more about Stage Patter: How to Talk to Your Audience
DHM: As My World Changed, Music Remained a Constant emzae, one of the Attitude is Everything’s Next Stages artists, shares her story of being a chronically ill full-time musician, and the platform that being a musician has provided for her. Published: 08 December 2022 Read more about DHM: As My World Changed, Music Remained a Constant
Subsidised Rates Increase for MU/UK Theatre New Subsidised rates have now been agreed for members for the MU/UK theatre agreement, and will be backdated to May 2022. Published: 02 December 2022 Read more about Subsidised Rates Increase for MU/UK Theatre
Busking and Street Entertainment Policy Review Survey Members who are currently licensed under, or have been licensed under Westminster City Council’s busking and street entertainment policy are encouraged to take their survey, to help the council understand its key themes and issues. Published: 01 December 2022 Read more about Busking and Street Entertainment Policy Review Survey
CITES CoP19 Agrees to Keep Pernambuco on Appendix II Commercial and non-commercial movement of Pernambuco bows can continue to take place. Published: 29 November 2022 Read more about CITES CoP19 Agrees to Keep Pernambuco on Appendix II
Tribute to Brian Blain A tireless advocate for UK jazz and its musicians, the union official, promoter, writer, and activist Brian Blain has died aged 92. Published: 24 November 2022 Read more about Tribute to Brian Blain
MU to Present Award at 2022 Scottish Trad Music Awards ​The MU are delighted to support the 2022 Scots Trad Music Awards and present the award for ‘Venue of the Year’ at the events 20th anniversary in December. Published: 24 November 2022 Read more about MU to Present Award at 2022 Scottish Trad Music Awards
UK Music Unveils 2022 Workforce Diversity Survey Results and Action Plan UK Music has launched its Diversity Report 2022, including the findings of its Workforce Diversity Survey 2022 and an action plan for long-term change. Published: 24 November 2022 Read more about UK Music Unveils 2022 Workforce Diversity Survey Results and Action Plan
Disability History Month: Being a Deaf Musician is not Easy In our first special feature from Disabled History Month, Professional Musician and member of the MU Executive Committee and ED&I Committee, Nigel Braithwaite talks about his experiences of being a disabled musician. Published: 21 November 2022 Read more about Disability History Month: Being a Deaf Musician is not Easy
Fix Streaming: MU General Secretary at DCMS Select Committee MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl appeared at the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Select Committee on Tuesday to answer questions on music streaming and fair remuneration for musicians. Published: 18 November 2022 Read more about Fix Streaming: MU General Secretary at DCMS Select Committee
Black Lives in Music Celebrate Their Second Year Anniversary The MU is proud to be an official partner organisation of Black Lives in Music, who are celebrating two incredible years of advocating for Black representation in the music industry. Published: 18 November 2022 Read more about Black Lives in Music Celebrate Their Second Year Anniversary
Protecting Yourself Online Following Recent Changes at Twitter Recent events at Twitter have led to changes that may leave users more exposed to harm on the platform. Published: 17 November 2022 Read more about Protecting Yourself Online Following Recent Changes at Twitter
Tribute to Rab Noakes Rab Noakes was a singer, songwriter and guitarist whose long-term involvement and commitment to the Musicians’ Union began in the 1970s. He was a great musician, a committed union activist and a champion of diversity. Published: 16 November 2022 Read more about Tribute to Rab Noakes
The Scottish Alternative Music Awards Are Set to Return to Glasgow The key music event will be returning on 8 December 2022 to Saint Luke’s in Glasgow, featuring acts such as VLURE, The Honey Farm and Becky Sikasa. Published: 14 November 2022 Read more about The Scottish Alternative Music Awards Are Set to Return to Glasgow