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
Music For Youth Proms Returning for 2022 The Music For Youth Proms will return again on 15 and 16 November this year. The MU is a major sponsor of Music For Youth, who do incredible work supporting the next generation to make music. Published: 11 November 2022 Read more about Music For Youth Proms Returning for 2022
MU Meets with Arts Council England Following Arts Funding Cuts MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl has met with Arts Council England (ACE) as the union campaigns to reverse damaging funding cuts to English National Opera and others. Published: 11 November 2022 Read more about MU Meets with Arts Council England Following Arts Funding Cuts
Resources for National Stress Awareness Week Work related stress is a trade union issue. For National Stress Awareness Week running 7-11 November we’ve put together a reminder on the resources available to members. Published: 11 November 2022 Read more about Resources for National Stress Awareness Week
What is a Motion and How Do You Write One For MU Delegate Conference? Trade unions are full of jargon. One of our favourites is the word ‘motion’. But, like most bits of jargon, it’s not as complicated as it sounds. Published: 10 November 2022 Read more about What is a Motion and How Do You Write One For MU Delegate Conference?
Letter to Prime Minister Calls for Universal Basic Income The Musicians’ Union joins politicians, academics and civil society organisations calling on the Prime Minister to introduce a universal basic income. Published: 09 November 2022 Read more about Letter to Prime Minister Calls for Universal Basic Income
TUC Announces New Leadership Schools for LGBT+ and Disabled Workers The TUC is launching brand new leadership schools for LGBT+ and Disabled Workers. Published: 03 November 2022 Read more about TUC Announces New Leadership Schools for LGBT+ and Disabled Workers
MU Congratulates DJ Paulette on DJ Mag Lifetime Achievement Win DJ Paulette recently performed at the MU Members’ Conference 2022, closing day one with an exclusive set for delegates, and has now won a Lifetime Achievement award in DJ magazine’s top 100 DJs. Published: 03 November 2022 Read more about MU Congratulates DJ Paulette on DJ Mag Lifetime Achievement Win
Young Workers’ Month 2022: Using Your Power as a Musicians’ Union Member One of the most powerful things you can do as an MU member is get involved in the MU Delegate Conference. Published: 02 November 2022 Read more about Young Workers’ Month 2022: Using Your Power as a Musicians’ Union Member
Trade Union Movement Backs MU Position on Touring in the EU at TUC Musicians’ Union member Robert Scott moved a motion on touring in the EU at the TUC’s annual Congress. Published: 31 October 2022 Read more about Trade Union Movement Backs MU Position on Touring in the EU at TUC
Musicians’ Yoga Essentials Course Launched For MU Members MU members now have free access to the uniquely designed course tailored for musicians created by MU member and yoga teacher Veronika KlÃrová. Published: 24 October 2022 Read more about Musicians’ Yoga Essentials Course Launched For MU Members
MU General Secretary Joins Calls For Urgent General Election MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl talks about our presence at this year's party conferences and what’s going on in music education, touring in Europe and orchestras, theatre and arts funding. Published: 20 October 2022 Read more about MU General Secretary Joins Calls For Urgent General Election
Findings Show Classical Music Industry at Risk of Losing Talent and Decreasing in Diversity The MU was one of many organisations to help fund groundbreaking research into a report which finds that the Classical Music sector is failing its parent and carer workforce. Published: 20 October 2022 Read more about Findings Show Classical Music Industry at Risk of Losing Talent and Decreasing in Diversity
Taking Action - Our Update on Brexit for Musicians The MU has been closely involved in the compiling of two comprehensive reports outlining the difficulties musicians and the creative industries as a whole are having in the post Brexit age. Published: 19 October 2022 Read more about Taking Action - Our Update on Brexit for Musicians