Music Recording, Broadcasting & Streaming News

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Musicians’ Union Cautious on Government AI Consultation

The MU was invited to respond to a government consultation on a proposed exception to UK copyright law which will allow AI developers to use creative works to train their systems without breaching copyright.

Published: 17 December 2024

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Have Your Say on the Value of Black British Music

Artists, creators and industry professionals working with Black British music are encouraged to take part in the survey to understand the value that the artform brings to the UK music industry.

Published: 04 December 2024

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Register to Attend Free Launchpad Conference 2025 in Leeds

Taking place on March 28 2025, Launchpad Conference in Leeds offers a day of panels, workshops and networking for music industry professionals and those interested in working in the industry.

Published: 29 November 2024

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Take the Creative Wales Industry Survey 2024

Businesses, employers, employees and freelancers in the creative sector in Wales are invited to take part in a short survey to help Creative Wales strengthen their support of the creative industries.

Published: 21 November 2024

MU Appoints First-Ever Permanent Officer for Northern Ireland

The Musicians’ Union has appointed its first-ever Regional Officer for Northern Ireland, marking an important point of progress for our members in the region.

Published: 21 November 2024

This is Music Report Reveals UK Music Industry Contributed Record £7.6 Billion to UK Economy

UK Music’s annual economic report shows a record year for the music industry, while musicians affected by Brexit continue to see their earnings fall.

Published: 20 November 2024

Naomi Pohl and Alex Sobel MP holding black Musicians’ Union t-shirts that say ‘It’s time to fix streaming’.

Government Gives View on Measures to Fix Music Streaming

Government has responded to further recommendations from the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee on music streaming and how to fix it.

Published: 07 November 2024

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Exclusive Member Discount for Un-Convention Conference in Manchester

Un-Convention 112th music conference and showcase returns to Manchester on November 21 and 22, for which MU members are able to get discounted tickets.

Published: 30 October 2024

Member only Read more about Exclusive Member Discount for Un-Convention Conference in Manchester

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Creatives Sign Statement Calling for Consent and Fair Payment Where Works are Used to Train Generative AI

Over 10,500 creatives have signed a statement to artificial intelligence (AI) companies, calling for explicit creator consent and fair remuneration when training generative AI systems. Umbrella body UK Music, of which the MU is a founding member, has also signed.

Published: 23 October 2024

Naomi Pohl speaking at Labour Party Conference 2024.

MU Calls on Labour Government to Back Fair Remuneration From AI

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl outlines three measures that Government must take to protect the UK music industry.

Published: 26 September 2024

Dark blue background with stars, with a banner reading #keepstrictlylive.

Sign the Petition to Bring Back the Full Strictly Come Dancing Live Band

The Musicians’ Union is calling on musicians and Strictly Come Dancing fans to sign the Keep Strictly Live petition.

Published: 13 September 2024

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Take Part in European Folk Day on 23 September

Folk musicians are encouraged to take part in the 2nd annual European Folk Day taking place on 23 September 2024.

Published: 22 August 2024

MU Gravely Concerned by Closure of Scotland’s Vital Arts Fund

We are deeply concerned to learn that Creative Scotland has closed the Open Fund for Individuals due to the Scottish Government budget cuts.

Published: 21 August 2024

MU Takes on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing to Fight Against Cuts to Popular Live Band

We are calling on musicians and Strictly fans to share their support for a fully live Strictly band using the hashtag #KeepStrictlyLive.

Published: 15 August 2024

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MU Signs Letter from Creators’ Rights Alliance to AI Tech Companies

Along with 20 other organisations, the MU has signed a letter from the Creators’ Rights Alliance (CRA) to AI tech companies about the use of creators’ work to develop AI systems.

Published: 07 August 2024

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Wider Than The Sky: Janie Price on First Time Scriptwriting and Composing for Short Film

Musician Janie Price aka Bird has just released her first short film soundtrack ‘Wider Than The Sky’, she’s also been a member of the MU for 24 years. In this guest blog, she shares her journey and advice for other members intrigued by the world of score design and DIY projects.

Published: 15 July 2024

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MU Launch Brand New Member Benefit for Discounted Hotel Rooms in London

Our new partnership with Imperial Hotels means that we are now able to offer our members discounted rooms in selected hotels across London. Over time, we hope to expand this benefit to other locations throughout the UK.

Published: 01 June 2024

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MU Calls for Major Changes to Fix Streaming at Second Creator Remuneration Group Meeting

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl represented musicians and music creators at the second meeting of the Creator Remuneration Group. The meeting focused on getting a better deal from music streaming for featured artists.

Published: 30 May 2024

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Why Music Creators Won't Support a Major Label Led Campaign on AI

Record labels and publishers (rights holders) are planning a campaign on AI and they want composers and musicians to back them. MU Assistant General Secretary, Phil Kear, explains why that is such a challenging ask.

Published: 20 May 2024

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Applications for FAC Step Up Fund 2024 Now Open

UK-based artists can now apply for up to £8,000 in funding to support recording, releasing, content creation, touring or any career-related projects.

Published: 17 May 2024

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MU Responds to Recommendations Made in APPG's Inquiry on AI in Music Report

We thank the APPG for undertaking this important inquiry and while we are hopeful Government will accept its recommendations, we suggest it also introduce some additional measures to truly protect the future careers and rights of our members.

Published: 01 May 2024

Young male musician sat in front of home studio with guitar.

New Specimen Agreement Launched for Composers Working in TV

A new agreement and reference notes have been created by the MU and the Ivors Academy as part of the Fair Score campaign, to help composers understand fair commissioning.

Published: 30 April 2024

Naomi Pohl standing outside of Westminster with three other members of the Council of Music Makers.

Fix Streaming Campaign in Westminster for First Creator Remuneration Group Meeting

The Musicians’ Union and Council of Music Makers called for a better deal for musicians and music creators at the first meeting of the Creator Remuneration Group.

Published: 18 April 2024

Tom Plater speaking into a microphone at last year’s MU Delegate Conference.

MU Motion on AI and Music Copyright Passes Unanimously at TUC Young Workers’ Conference

Our delegate Tom Plater spoke at Conference where he discussed the importance of protecting creator rights in relation to Artificial Intelligence (AI). He was also nominated for the TUC Young Workers' Forum, where he will represent the MU for a second term.

Published: 03 April 2024

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MU Experts Delve into Labour’s New ‘Access to Arts’ Plan

In this special feature, some of the key departments at the Musicians’ Union respond to Labour’s new report on supporting the creative industries, explaining how these plans may affect our members and their careers.

Published: 19 March 2024

Black and white image of a session musician in the studio, looking at a screen and mixing desk.

MU Responds to BPI’s Latest Offer for Session Musicians

The BPI’s latest offer for session musicians is not worth the paper it’s written on. In this blog, MU Assistant General Secretary Phil Kear explains why and what the union is doing about it.

Published: 12 March 2024

Musicians On Tinnitus: “Hearing Health Isn’t Something We Should Take for Granted”

Music artists and producers affected by tinnitus share their stories. Learn more about what preventative steps can be taken and how other musicians manage this hearing condition.

Published: 20 February 2024

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Hyperacusis: How Pro Musicians Cope With This Hearing Condition

Professional musicians are four times more likely to incur hearing damage in the workplace and one of the most distressing noise-induced conditions is hyperacusis. Here, two MU members speak of their experiences of coping with this condition.

Published: 12 February 2024

A pair of headphones and mobile phone streaming music on a wooden table.

Music Streaming Transparency Code Announced by Government

The Musicians' Union is one of 12 signatories to the Code of Good Practice on Transparency in Music Streaming. 

Published: 31 January 2024

Close up of the track listing of SGT. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by the Beatles on a gold LP.

Industry Insights: How to Sequence a Music Album

Deciding which tracks should go where in the running order of an album can be pivotal. Two artists and one producer tell what works for them.

Published: 26 January 2024

Steve Pearce smiling holding up a red bass guitar.

It’s About Playing For the Song: A Look Into the Career of Session Bassist Steve Pearce

Find out how bassist, studio musician and MU member Steve Pearce balances his love of session recording with gigging, and why he continues to sustain a highly successful career, which already spans four decades.

Published: 05 January 2024

General Secretary Naomi Pohl stands in discussion outside of the Royal Opera House

2023 End of Year Round Up

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl reports back on the work that the Union has done through 2023, as well as setting out some of MU’s intentions for 2024, and more general food for thought about the music industry.

Published: 30 December 2023

Learning to Negotiate as a Matter of Give and Take

For most freelance musicians, negotiating doesn’t come naturally. But with gig fees, contracts and more to consider, knowing how to do so is crucial to your success within the music industry.

Published: 22 December 2023

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MU Royalties Team Announce Record Distribution to Members

Geoff Ellerby, National Organiser for Recording & Broadcasting has reported back that 2023 saw a record £1.57m being distributed to members, and thanks the R&B team for their unrelenting dedication to the task.

Published: 20 December 2023

Naomi Pohl and Thangam Debbonaire at this year's Labour Party Conference.

MU Political Fund Ballot: Please Vote Yes

The MU is legally required to ballot its members every ten years on whether it should continue to have a political fund. Papers will be sent out this week so please look out for yours and return it as soon as you can.

Published: 13 December 2023

Person using a computer to create content from home with music software.

MU Responds to Government Consultation on Beijing Treaty Regarding Audiovisual Performances

The Beijing Treaty will bring additional rights for audiovisual performances and is now set to become UK law, with the MU advising government that musicians would be best served by Equitable Remuneration.

Published: 23 November 2023

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Funding Round Opens for Music Export Growth Scheme

Round 22 of funding for small to medium sized music companies looking to build the profile of their artists overseas will close on 4 December 2023. The Music Export Growth Scheme will also be running an explanatory webinar on 27 November.

Published: 15 November 2023

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This Is Music Report Confirms Significance of Music Industry’s Contribution to UK Economy in 2022

UK Music’s annual economic report, This Is Music 2023, states that the music industry’s contribution to the UK economy was £6.7 billion (GVA) in 2022.

Published: 07 November 2023

Members to Receive Ballot Papers Imminently

Executive Committee (EC) and Regional Committee (RC) Ballots are currently underway, asking MU members to elect representatives from the membership to represent then at Regional and Executive level. Ballots have been posted out and should be arriving shortly.

Published: 20 October 2023

Musicians Approached to Record For Ballet Accompaniment or Opera Backing Track Asked to Contact MU

We have recently reported on how Northern Ballet are being forced to consider using recorded music instead of live orchestra. Our Recording and Broadcasting department are keen to hear from any musicians approached for recording backing tracks.

Published: 17 October 2023

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