Music Recording, Broadcasting & Streaming News

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How Musicians Can Help Tackle the E-Waste Mountain

E-waste is now a major environmental issue, and one that musicians can no longer ignore. Can using recycled electronics and vintage kit help change things?

Published: 22 January 2021

Man engrossed in singing into a microphone in a recording studio, he is dressed casually in a hooded jumper and has his arms raised and eyes closed in concentration.

FAC Open Free Series of Events for Music-Artist Entrepreneurs

The Featured Artist Coalition (FAC) is holding a series of “Yeah, but…” free to attend, online, panel events, covering topics from using streaming services to creating a buzz around your work.

Published: 14 January 2021

Photograph a vintage looking recording studio.

Member Petitions for Glasgow Recording Studios to be in Covid Business Rates Relief Scheme

Members in Glasgow and surrounding areas are encouraged to sign this petition calling on Glasgow City Council to include music studios in the 100% Covid council tax relief awarded to retail, leisure and hospitality.

Published: 04 January 2021

The Philharmonia Orchestra performing to a crowd

Why More Game Soundtracks Should be Recorded in the UK

Despite the popularity of game soundtracks, few are recorded in the UK. MU Assistant Secretary General Phil Kear looks at the MU's efforts to change that.

Published: 03 January 2021

How Artificial Intelligence Affects Musicians, Music and Copyright

Artificial Intelligence tools have become increasingly prevalent in the creation of recorded and live music in recent years. Will Simpson assesses whether AI is the musician's friend or foe.

Published: 03 January 2021

Kuljit Bhamra: Bhangra Pioneer with a Mission to Introduce Tabla to the Next Generation of Musicians

How instrumentalist, composer and educator Kuljit Bhamra overcame disability to create a rich and diverse music career.

Published: 24 December 2020

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BBC Studios / MU joint statement: It Takes Two

We’ve released a joint statement with the BBC, following the recent unfortunate situation that resulted in Amaraterra not appearing on It Takes Two.

Published: 15 December 2020

Graphic image includes three brightly coloured squares, one with the text

Poll Reveals Shockingly Inadequate Earnings From Streaming

8 out of 10 music creators earn less than £200 a year from streaming, finds survey ahead of songwriters and artists giving evidence to a Select Committee of MPs.

Published: 07 December 2020

More Creators and Musicians Called to Give Evidence in Person at Music Streaming Inquiry

Fiona Bevan, Soweto Kinch, and Nile Rodgers will be giving evidence to the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee inquiry into the economics of music streaming.

Published: 04 December 2020

Fix Streaming Now: Equitable Remuneration and Transparency

Artists, creators, and industry experts including Tom Gray and Guy Garvey back Equitable Remuneration in the first music streaming inquiry session.

Published: 30 November 2020

Kojo Samuel in his studio, smiling, sitting next to a guitar and a Korg MS2000 synth

How Becoming a Music Director Took Kojo Samuel to Glasto

From the Sugababes to Stormzy... Music director Kojo Samuel gives us an insight into what the MD job actually entails and how he started working with the stars.

Published: 29 November 2020

Drill rappers Skengdo x AM (Terrell Doyley and Joshua Malinga)

Why Are Drill Rappers Criminalised for Making Music?

Drill music has been demonised in the press, but silencing young, predominantly black musicians is discriminatory and won't stop gang violence.

Published: 27 November 2020

The Winter Covid-19 Plan and its Impact on Musicians

On Monday 23 November the Prime Minister confirmed that national restrictions in England will come to an end on Wednesday 2 December.

Published: 24 November 2020

Photograph of a number of coloured blocks placed around a black and white photograph of a young girl playing guitar in what appears to be her bedroom. Text reads

Artists Called to Give Evidence in Person at Streaming Inquiry

Musicians Tom Gray, Nadine Shah, Guy Garvey and Ed O’Brien will be giving evidence to the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee inquiry into the economics of music streaming.

Published: 20 November 2020

Photograph of an empty stage, looking out from the back towards where the audience would be, with bright lights shining down.

Figures Reveal UK Music Industry’s Pre-Covid £5.8bn Boost to Economy

UK Music’s annual Music By Numbers report reveals the £5.8bn boost to the economy before Covid-19’s catastrophic blow – and renewed calls for Government action to protect the industry.

Published: 18 November 2020

Calling All Songwriters, Composers and Performers: A #FixStreaming Update

Have your say in the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee inquiry into music streaming – you now have until Friday 11 December to submit your thoughts.

Published: 17 November 2020

Got Five Minutes? Take Action to Fix Streaming Now

This is a defining moment in our industry. Whether you’ve got five minutes or thirty minutes, take action now to fix streaming and keep music alive.

Published: 13 November 2020

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CITES Survey: Does your Instrument Contain Endangered Species

Help DEFRA check what additional efforts may be required as the end of the transition period approaches, by completing this short survey.

Published: 12 November 2020

Photograph of an empty recording studio.

New Guidance Document on Music Production During English Lockdown

Umbrella organisation UK Music – of which the MU is a part – has launched a new guide on working safely during Covid-19 in workplaces for music and music video production.

Published: 12 November 2020

Photograph of a variety of microphones, each one a different style of vintage, set out in a row on a table. The background is a shiny blue.

Defining Your Own Vocal Identity

This article briefly examines the issues giving rise to gender identity in a voice, and headlines the approaches open to trans*+ musicians in defining their own vocal identity.

Published: 11 November 2020

Photograph of CN Lester, they are sat at a piano singing and playing.

Dos and Don’ts of Working with Trans Colleagues

“You don’t need any special skills to support trans colleagues – we’re looking for the same basic level of respect, empathy, and tact that you would (hopefully) show to any fellow musician.”

Published: 11 November 2020

Photograph of an outdoor music performance taking place at night. We can only see the neck of a guitar and the shoulder of the musician, in the background there is bunting and bright lights.

What the End of the Welsh Firebreak Could Mean for Musicians

The Welsh Government’s Firebreak response to Covid-19 is due to end on Monday 9 November, here’s our summary of the new measures and how they’re likely to affect musicians.

Published: 06 November 2020

Photograph close up to a microphone set up in a recording studio.

Advice for Members on Covid-19 Testing Requests

Our advice to members who are asked to participate in Covid-19 testing, in order to attend recording session engagements.

Published: 04 November 2020

Your Guide to Giving Evidence to the Music Streaming Inquiry

The idea of giving evidence to a Select Committee can be daunting – especially when it’s about something as important and complex as streaming. But it doesn’t have to be.

Published: 30 October 2020

Streaming Inquiry Frequently Asked Questions

Have you got a question about the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee inquiry into the economics of music streaming? Take a look at these FAQs.

Published: 30 October 2020

Have Your Say in Select Committee Inquiry on Music Streaming

MPs on the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee want to know how the economics of music streaming are affecting you.

Published: 30 October 2020

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UK Music Unveils “Game-Changing” Plan to Boost Diversity

Campaigning and lobbying group UK Music – of which the MU is a part – has released the results of its 2020 Workforce Diversity Survey, alongside a clear road map for change.

Published: 29 October 2020

Photograph of a woman performing on a small stage, the lighting around her is blue with streaks of yellow - we can't see the audience.

Application Feedback and Guidance for the ‘Developing Your Creative Practice’ fund

We've extended our grant application advice to now cover Developing Your Creative Practice applications, as well as continuing to offer advice on ACE National Lottery Project Grants.

Published: 26 October 2020

Photograph of pink stage lights beaming down into the darkness. The picture focuses upwards, so we can just see the lights and rigging and not the stage.

Welsh Government Announces Two-Week Firebreak Lockdown

On Monday 19 October, the Welsh Government announced that it will be introducing a two-week firebreak lockdown to try and bring Coronavirus under control in Wales.

Published: 20 October 2020

Photograph of a number of CDs threaded together and hung up as a beautiful decoration.

The MU and The Ivors Academy Welcome Government Inquiry into Music Streaming

The MU and The Ivors Academy have warmly welcomed today’s announcement of a Government inquiry into streaming in the music industry and, in particular, the economic impact music streaming is having on artists and the sustainability of the wider music industry.

Published: 15 October 2020

Photograph showing a collection of bows for instruments hanging from a wall.

CITES: End of Transition Update

If your instrument contains endangered species and you don't yet have Musical Instrument Certificate (MIC), you can apply for one for free.

Published: 14 October 2020

Members Discount on Rehearsal and Recording Studios in London

London based online music studio directory, MusicWise, are offering members a 10% discount on their first studio booking – quoting our exclusive discount code.

Published: 01 October 2020

A white man in a wheelchair is indoors, performing in what appears to be his home on a keyboard, while leaning over to type something into his laptop.

Top Tips for Keeping Your Music Career Ticking Over During Covid-19

Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl spoke to BBC Music Introducing on Saturday night about the impact of the Covid-19 crisis, and ways that musicians can keep creating and working.

Published: 29 September 2020

Q&A From #AskTheMU Streaming Special Now Available to Read Online

We hosted a special Q&A with MU Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl and Ivors Academy CEO Graham Davies on Wednesday 16 September, and it’s now available to read online.

Published: 17 September 2020

A Guide to Applying for an ACE Project Grant

Jess Partridge, founder and editor of new music group In Stereo, provides invaluable advice for musicians applying for Arts Council England (ACE) Project Grant.

Published: 14 September 2020

Join the MU and Ivors Academy for an #AskTheMU Fix Streaming Special

The MU is delighted to host a special #FixStreaming edition of its #AskTheMU Twitter Q&A with MU Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl and Ivors Academy CEO Graham Davies.

Published: 08 September 2020

Woman talking in a microphone, she appears to be recording something for a talk broadcast.

New Report Shows Women Underrepresented on UK Radio

Women are underrepresented in UK radio according to a new report that reveals 81% of songs in the Top 100 Radio Airplay chart feature men.

Published: 24 August 2020

A woman in a sunny field full of flowers raises her clarinet above her head, arm outstretched in a celebratory posture. She's wearing a red dress and has long curly hair.

Restrictions Around Singing, Wind and Brass Instruments Relaxed in England

We welcome the news that restrictions around Singing, Wind and Brass Instruments in England will be relaxed.

Published: 14 August 2020

Graphic image with a black and white photograph of a woman singing into a microphone, bisected by two coloured squares and the text

Growing Pressure on the Government, Platforms and Major Labels to Fix Streaming Now

There have now been over 15,000 signatures on our petition – which we’re running with the Ivors Academy – calling on the Government to help us #FixStreaming and keep music alive.

Published: 13 August 2020

Photograph of a number of instruments, including an acoustic guitar and percussion, propped around a recording studio with various microphones.

Petition to Fix Streaming Receives Over 15,000 Signatures

Over 15,000 people have signed the petition to fix streaming and keep music alive. Your support for the campaign, calling on Government to urgently undertake a review of streaming, is already having an impact.

Published: 11 August 2020

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Recording and Broadcasting News

How Musicians Can Help Tackle the E-Waste Mountain

FAC Open Free Series of Events for Music-Artist Entrepreneurs

Member Petitions for Glasgow Recording Studios to be in Covid Business Rates Relief Scheme

Why More Game Soundtracks Should be Recorded in the UK

How Artificial Intelligence Affects Musicians, Music and Copyright

Kuljit Bhamra: Bhangra Pioneer with a Mission to Introduce Tabla to the Next Generation of Musicians

BBC Studios / MU joint statement: It Takes Two

Poll Reveals Shockingly Inadequate Earnings From Streaming

More Creators and Musicians Called to Give Evidence in Person at Music Streaming Inquiry

Fix Streaming Now: Equitable Remuneration and Transparency

How Becoming a Music Director Took Kojo Samuel to Glasto

Why Are Drill Rappers Criminalised for Making Music?

The Winter Covid-19 Plan and its Impact on Musicians

Artists Called to Give Evidence in Person at Streaming Inquiry

Figures Reveal UK Music Industry’s Pre-Covid £5.8bn Boost to Economy

Calling All Songwriters, Composers and Performers: A #FixStreaming Update

Got Five Minutes? Take Action to Fix Streaming Now

CITES Survey: Does your Instrument Contain Endangered Species

New Guidance Document on Music Production During English Lockdown

Defining Your Own Vocal Identity

Dos and Don’ts of Working with Trans Colleagues

What the End of the Welsh Firebreak Could Mean for Musicians

Advice for Members on Covid-19 Testing Requests

Your Guide to Giving Evidence to the Music Streaming Inquiry

Streaming Inquiry Frequently Asked Questions

Have Your Say in Select Committee Inquiry on Music Streaming

UK Music Unveils “Game-Changing” Plan to Boost Diversity

Application Feedback and Guidance for the ‘Developing Your Creative Practice’ fund

Welsh Government Announces Two-Week Firebreak Lockdown

The MU and The Ivors Academy Welcome Government Inquiry into Music Streaming

CITES: End of Transition Update

Members Discount on Rehearsal and Recording Studios in London

Top Tips for Keeping Your Music Career Ticking Over During Covid-19

Q&A From #AskTheMU Streaming Special Now Available to Read Online

A Guide to Applying for an ACE Project Grant

Join the MU and Ivors Academy for an #AskTheMU Fix Streaming Special

New Report Shows Women Underrepresented on UK Radio

Restrictions Around Singing, Wind and Brass Instruments Relaxed in England

Growing Pressure on the Government, Platforms and Major Labels to Fix Streaming Now

Petition to Fix Streaming Receives Over 15,000 Signatures