Live Music, Performance & Gigging News & Stories

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Open Letter Questioning Funding Cut to PRS Foundation Published

Following PRS for Music’s decision to cut funding for the PRS Foundation from 2024, a petition has been launched. Now an open letter from 50 grassroots music organisations has been published.

Published: 06 June 2022

5 people holding instruments up against a grey background, only the hands on display. Left to right, acoustic guitar, drum symbol, maracas, vinyl disks and drum sticks.

We Make Music Libraries Launch Crowdfunder

The new initiative aims to get musical instruments into public libraries across Scotland so people will be able to borrow them for free, just like taking out a book.

Published: 01 June 2022

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Accessibility Information for the 18 June ‘Demand Better’ March and Rally

Join trade union members from across the UK in London on 18 June to demand better. There is information available about public toilets, wheelchair accessible stations, shortened march routes and more.

Published: 30 May 2022

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MU Legal Team Helps Several Members Achieve Substantial Settlement

The MU has recently assisted several members in achieving a substantial settlement in a long running dispute.

Published: 26 May 2022

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Working in the EU Post Brexit: Performing in Marbella

In this helpful case study, freelance musician and MU member Martin Ledger talks us through the steps he took along with his band when transporting equipment to perform at a corporate event in Marbella.

Published: 24 May 2022

Man performing on stage with guitar under a brick arch/tunnel way, the crowd are sat watching.

Seed Sessions: Creating Roots For Better Mental Health in Male-identifying Musicians

Artist Nederveen shares his experience of working with Seed Sessions, the community interest company (CIC) combining music-making with counselling sessions for young male-identifying musicians in Bristol.

Published: 18 May 2022

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‘We Demand Better’ National March and Rally on 18 June

The MU will be joining the trade union movement in London to tell this government: we demand better! Members are invited to join us, assembling from 10:30 am at Portland Place in Central London.

Published: 17 May 2022

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Hundreds of Festivals Sign Up to AIF Safer Spaces Campaign

The UK's Association Of Independent Festivals has relaunched its Safer Spaces campaign today, with more than a hundred festivals on board. The aim is to tackle and combat sexual violence at festivals and large-scale music events.

Published: 17 May 2022

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Celebrating IDAHOBIT in the music industry

Today, Tuesday 17 May, the MU celebrates the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT).

Published: 17 May 2022

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Acas Updates its Disability Guidance

Public body Acas has updated its disability guidance to provide clear advice on how to support disabled people at work.

Published: 16 May 2022

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New London Venue Signs up to MU Fair Play Venue Scheme

London-based venue Loop have signed up to the MU Fair Play Venue Scheme, a national network of Venues that support fair terms and conditions for musicians.

Published: 10 May 2022

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Motion on Being Black in the UK Music Industry Passes at TUC Black Workers Conference

A motion responding to the ‘Being Black in the UK Music Industry’ report has been raised and passed at the TUC Black Workers conference.

Published: 10 May 2022

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A Basic Income for Everybody: Why the Musicians' Union Backs UBI

The MU’s motion backing universal basic income was presented at TUC Young Workers Conference in April. We assess the concept, the history, and the feasibility of UBI.

Published: 10 May 2022

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Further Guidance Provided for Musicians using Eurotunnel

Following concerns raised by the MU on passenger limits, DCMS have provided further clarification around their advice for musicians travelling via Eurotunnel – and confirmed that the passenger limit does not necessarily need to be three-people.

Published: 10 May 2022

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More Work to be Done Following Positive News on International Music Tour Travel Limits

The Government has announced that UK hauliers working on music concerts, sporting and cultural events will be able to make unlimited international trips. However, small haulage companies undertaking medium sized tours with only a small fleet are still bound by the cabotage rules.

Published: 09 May 2022

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MU Welcomes Proposal For Independent Standards Authority

Creative UK and UK Time’s Up proposal for a formal Independent Standards Authority will seek to strengthen efforts to tackle bullying and harassment, and drive greater accountability across the UK’s creative industries.

Published: 05 May 2022

Rab Noakes, Caroline Sewell, Iona Fyfe and Neil Patterson at STUC Congress

MU Member Success at STUC Congress in Aberdeen

It was a successful week for MU members at the Scottish TUC Congress in Aberdeen.

Published: 29 April 2022

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Scots’ Folk Singer and MU Member Iona Fyfe Wins STUC Equality Award

Iona Fyfe, one of Scotland’s leading folk singers and MU member, received the Equality Award at the Scottish TUC’s annual congress in Aberdeen.

Published: 29 April 2022

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Professional Development Opportunities in Yorkshire with PiPA

Parents in Performing Arts (PiPA) is offering a series of professional development placements and opportunities at renowned performing arts organisations for marginalised parents or carers based in Yorkshire.

Published: 25 April 2022

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Feldenkrais: Breathing and Anxiety

In this repost of her blog (The Moving Brain), professional classical musician and Feldenkrais teacher Emma Alter explains how your mood can affect how you breathe, and how you breathe can affect and influence your mood.

Published: 21 April 2022

Voice From the Heartland

Scottish folk singer Iona Fyfe is a strong advocate for her native language and music, and for fighting injustices within the industry.

Published: 18 April 2022

Singer, songwriter and rapper S1mba performing on stage

How Artists Can Make the Most Out of TikTok for Their Career

As TikTok becomes a vital promotional tool that can break a song internationally, we ask the musicians gaining traction on the app for their advice on going viral.

Published: 12 April 2022

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Free Events for Mental Health Month With Young Classical Artists Trust

The Young Classical Artists Trust (YCAT) are offering individual coaching, meditation classes and a workshop on managing your mind. This comes alongside a selection of events being produced over April by YCAT in partnership between the MU, Help Musicians, and BAPAM.

Published: 12 April 2022

How to Use Personal Injury Claim Service as Part of Your Membership Benefit

Examining how MU members and their families can make a free personal injury claim is John Morrison, partner at Morrish Solicitors LLP – a leading legal services provider.

Published: 10 April 2022

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Taking Care of a Drum Kit on Tour

Drummer and singer John Park has travelled the world in the army with his drums and says he’s lucky that the kit is as robust as he is.

Published: 09 April 2022

Member only Read more about Taking Care of a Drum Kit on Tour

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MU Responds to Leadmill Venue Management Change

Management of The Leadmill is calling on musicians and fans to share their memories of the iconic Sheffield venue, following the news that they will be evicted from the premises at the end of the year.

Published: 08 April 2022

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Attitude is Everything Launch Just Ask Campaign to Support Promoters to Welcome Disabled Artists

The MU welcomes the Just Ask campaign, and encourages conversations between promoters and disabled musicians to talk about their access needs and normalise the use of access riders.

Published: 07 April 2022

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BAPAM, Help Musicians, MU and YCAT Launch Mental Health Month for Early Career Musicians

The Young Classical Artists Trust (YCAT) are partnering with the MU, Help Musicians and British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM) to raise awareness of mental health resources available to early career musicians.

Published: 04 April 2022

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Trans Day of Visibility: The Joy of Learning to Love Ourselves

Thursday 31 March is Trans Day of Visibility. We commissioned trans, masc, non-binary DJ artist has S/HE to write this blog celebrating the resilience and inner strength of the trans community.

Published: 31 March 2022

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Concert For Ukraine

ITV and STV to stage Concert for Ukraine, with MU members heading up the music department.

Published: 23 March 2022

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl Adds Name to TUC’s Call for Employment Bill Following P&O Scandal

Following the pre-meditated firing of 800 workers by P&O Ferries, unions including the MU are calling on the Government for an employment bill to strengthen protections for workers, as well the immediate reinstatement of all sacked P&O staff with no loss of pay.

Published: 23 March 2022

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl stands in a crowd, chanting and cheering with placards that read

Naomi Pohl Formally Takes Up Role of MU General Secretary

Following her election to the role on Monday 7 March, today on Wednesday 23 March, Naomi Pohl formally takes up the role of MU General Secretary.

Published: 23 March 2022

MU at Labour’s National Women’s Conference

MU General Secretary Elect Naomi Pohl gave a historic video address at the conference, whilst MU Executive Committee member Sarah Williams gave a moving speech on supporting women through early pregnancy loss.

Published: 21 March 2022

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MU Reacts to Admission From Lord Frost

Frost has admitted his Brexit trade deal failed touring musicians.

Published: 17 March 2022

Great Russell Street in West London near the TUC Congress house, in the bright sunshine.

MU Member Motions Passed at TUC Women’s Conference

Two motions were raised and passed by MU members at the TUC Women’s Conference – about Black women in music, mothers and parents in the music industry, and online attacks on women journalists.

Published: 17 March 2022

Collect of paper tickets in a pile, coloured orange, dark pink, light blue and red. Each one days ticket in large text on the front with a number for the stub.

UK Music Write to The Chancellor Ahead of VAT Increase For Live Tickets

The final day of VAT relief for venues selling live tickets is 31 March, from 1 April this will increase again to 20%.

Published: 17 March 2022

MU Advice on Increase in Fuel Prices

From April 2022, the MU will update its mileage rates to reflect the fuel and cost of living crisis.

Published: 16 March 2022

Three young musicians performing on a stage at BBC Introducing, synth, keyboard and microphones are present.

Defending the BBC

Musicians’ Union General Secretary Elect Naomi Pohl looks at the challenges facing the BBC, and why union members must come together to fight for our public broadcaster’s future once again.

Published: 14 March 2022

Help Musicians Launches New Bullying and Harassment Helpline for the UK Music Industry

A new helpline that supports those suffering bullying and harassment within the UK music industry has launched today, providing support, guidance and advice through specialist advisors.

Published: 10 March 2022

An adults two hands and arms are typing on a rose gold laptop, the screen content is not visible. They also have a cup of coffee and a phone on the table.

FIM and PEARLE Launch New Tool to Help Instruct Musicians With Instruments Containing Endangered Species

The MU’s European colleagues at FIM and PEARLE develop tool to assist musicians determine what they need to do if they have an instrument containing endangered species.

Published: 09 March 2022

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Live Performance News

Open Letter Questioning Funding Cut to PRS Foundation Published

We Make Music Libraries Launch Crowdfunder

Accessibility Information for the 18 June ‘Demand Better’ March and Rally

MU Legal Team Helps Several Members Achieve Substantial Settlement

Working in the EU Post Brexit: Performing in Marbella

Seed Sessions: Creating Roots For Better Mental Health in Male-identifying Musicians

‘We Demand Better’ National March and Rally on 18 June

Hundreds of Festivals Sign Up to AIF Safer Spaces Campaign

Celebrating IDAHOBIT in the music industry

Acas Updates its Disability Guidance

New London Venue Signs up to MU Fair Play Venue Scheme

Motion on Being Black in the UK Music Industry Passes at TUC Black Workers Conference

A Basic Income for Everybody: Why the Musicians' Union Backs UBI

Further Guidance Provided for Musicians using Eurotunnel

More Work to be Done Following Positive News on International Music Tour Travel Limits

MU Welcomes Proposal For Independent Standards Authority

MU Member Success at STUC Congress in Aberdeen

Scots’ Folk Singer and MU Member Iona Fyfe Wins STUC Equality Award

Professional Development Opportunities in Yorkshire with PiPA

Feldenkrais: Breathing and Anxiety

Voice From the Heartland

How Artists Can Make the Most Out of TikTok for Their Career

Free Events for Mental Health Month With Young Classical Artists Trust

How to Use Personal Injury Claim Service as Part of Your Membership Benefit

Taking Care of a Drum Kit on Tour

MU Responds to Leadmill Venue Management Change

Attitude is Everything Launch Just Ask Campaign to Support Promoters to Welcome Disabled Artists

BAPAM, Help Musicians, MU and YCAT Launch Mental Health Month for Early Career Musicians

Trans Day of Visibility: The Joy of Learning to Love Ourselves

Concert For Ukraine

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl Adds Name to TUC’s Call for Employment Bill Following P&O Scandal

Naomi Pohl Formally Takes Up Role of MU General Secretary

MU at Labour’s National Women’s Conference

MU Reacts to Admission From Lord Frost

MU Member Motions Passed at TUC Women’s Conference

UK Music Write to The Chancellor Ahead of VAT Increase For Live Tickets

MU Advice on Increase in Fuel Prices

Defending the BBC

Help Musicians Launches New Bullying and Harassment Helpline for the UK Music Industry

FIM and PEARLE Launch New Tool to Help Instruct Musicians With Instruments Containing Endangered Species