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
The MU at 2022’s Political Party Conferences Read our highlights from this Autumn’s Labour and Conservative Party Conferences. Published: 06 October 2022 Read more about The MU at 2022’s Political Party Conferences
Catch DJ Paulette’s Set at MU Members’ Conference DJ Paulette will be closing day one of the MU Members’ Conference 2022 in Leeds with an exclusive set for delegates. Published: 23 September 2022 Read more about Catch DJ Paulette’s Set at MU Members’ Conference
Members' Conference Preview: How Can the Music Industry Support Musicians’ Mental Health? Musician and MU Executive Committee Vice Chair Andi Hopgood explores common mental health challenges facing musicians ahead of a Members’ Conference panel on how the music industry is supporting musicians to stay mentally healthy. Published: 15 September 2022 Read more about Members' Conference Preview: How Can the Music Industry Support Musicians’ Mental Health?
POWER UP Announce New Partnership With Arts Council of Wales The partnership will offer digital masterclasses to Black music creators based in Wales and industry professionals based outside of London. It will also begin the process of setting up a Welsh Black Music Action Group. Published: 08 September 2022 Read more about POWER UP Announce New Partnership With Arts Council of Wales
Reminder Information on MU Insurance Benefits Important updates and reminders regarding the MU’s insurance schemes. Published: 05 September 2022 Read more about Reminder Information on MU Insurance Benefits
MU Launches Members’ Conference 2022: Registration Now Open What does it mean to be an inclusive trade union and music industry? Join the MU's General Secretary, the Union’s Executive Committee and other members in creative discussion at October’s two day event in Leeds. Published: 01 September 2022 Read more about MU Launches Members’ Conference 2022: Registration Now Open
Musicians, Yoga and its Unexpected Benefit Creator of the Musicians’ Yoga Essentials course and MU member Veronika KlÃrová shares her yoga journey and how its helped her career as a musician. Published: 25 August 2022 Read more about Musicians, Yoga and its Unexpected Benefit
The Power Of Musical Healing Music plays a vital role in wellbeing and there is a wide range of help out there for music teachers and musicians. Published: 24 August 2022 Read more about The Power Of Musical Healing
Pedal Power: The Story of CJ Hillman CJ Hillman is one of the finest session players in his field, valued by artists for his tasteful playing and for always serving the song. Published: 17 August 2022 Read more about Pedal Power: The Story of CJ Hillman
MU Backs Buskers in Birmingham Noise Ban The Union fiercely opposes a new ‘noise ban’ in Birmingham which will see buskers face a £1,000 fine for performing in key city center areas. Published: 12 August 2022 Read more about MU Backs Buskers in Birmingham Noise Ban
France Lifts All Covid Restrictions This latest update received by the MU sets out the new Covid provisions in France. Published: 11 August 2022 Read more about France Lifts All Covid Restrictions
Climate and Environment: Sustainable Practices and Challenges for Touring Musicians As Covid-19 restrictions dissipate but the environmental crisis grows, we’ve been looking at the artists engaging in sustainable practices and the challenges they face as they return to touring. Published: 10 August 2022 Read more about Climate and Environment: Sustainable Practices and Challenges for Touring Musicians
The MU Deal for RCO Members The organ is alive and well in the 2020s. And if you play it, MU membership is cheaper than ever. Published: 03 August 2022 Read more about The MU Deal for RCO Members
Gal-dem and Vice Join Forces to Publish ‘Open Secrets’ Series Open Secrets is a collaboration between Gal-dem and VICE that explores abusive behaviour in the music industry – and how it has been left unchecked for too long. Published: 28 July 2022 Read more about Gal-dem and Vice Join Forces to Publish ‘Open Secrets’ Series
Unleash The Fury: A Metal Five-Piece Smashing Genre Cliches With fourth album Born To Sin, West Midlands metallers Fury are back after the pandemic with a renewed love for making music. Here’s the story behind their rise. Published: 27 July 2022 Read more about Unleash The Fury: A Metal Five-Piece Smashing Genre Cliches
Looking at Anxiety: The Feldenkrais Method for Musicians Feldenkrais teacher Emma Alter looks at the neurophysiology of anxiety and how the Feldenkrais method can help performers. Published: 26 July 2022 Read more about Looking at Anxiety: The Feldenkrais Method for Musicians