Music Recording, Broadcasting & Streaming News

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Jaxsta Pro Is Now Free for Musicians in 2020

This comprehensive resource for official music credits is offering its services to musicians for free for the rest of 2020.

Published: 17 June 2020

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Catch up With the Special #FixStreaming Edition of Music & Coffee

Music & Coffee hosted a special edition live-steam focusing on the #FixSteaming campaign, and it’s now available to watch on YouTube.

Published: 17 June 2020

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Composers and Songwriters Face Growing Concerns for the Future

MU Live and Music Writers Official, Kelly Wood, discusses the “real fear that writers and composers will be suffering from the effects of this lockdown far beyond the reopening of other sectors across the industry”.

Published: 15 June 2020

BBC of Exceptional Value to Public During Crisis

We responded to a Select Committee inquiry into the future of public broadcasting, explaining why the BBC is essential to making sure that arts and culture and available to everyone.

Published: 12 June 2020

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Legal Action Against the Chancellor for Indirect Sex Discrimination Supported by MU

Pregnancy rights charity, Pregnant then Screwed, with support from Doughty Street Chambers and law firm Leigh Day, is threatening legal proceedings against the Chancellor for discriminating against women in the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS).

Published: 12 June 2020

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Recording Session Agreement Variations Released in Reaction to Covid-19

We’ve published a few variations to our regular recording session agreement, taking into account the safety measures that need to be put in place during the Covid-19.

Published: 10 June 2020

We Will be Participating in #TheShowMustBePaused in Solidarity With our Black Members

The MU stands with our Black members and all Black communities against all forms of racism, violence and discrimination. When we say “behind every musician”, we mean it.

Published: 01 June 2020

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Self Employed Income Support Scheme Extended

We welcome the Government’s announcement that the Self Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) will now open for a second round of applications in August.

Published: 29 May 2020

Recording Sessions: A First Step Back on the Road to Recovery

Our Assistant General Secretary, Phil Kear, describes how the “Recording studios in England are on the threshold of welcoming back session musicians to fulfil a programme of recordings for film, TV, video games and commercial audio recordings.”

Published: 29 May 2020

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Safety Advice for Musicians Taking Part in Recording Sessions

We’ve published some studio safety advice for recording session musicians taking part in recording sessions during Covid-19.

Published: 26 May 2020

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Our Keep Music Alive Campaign Has Over 10,000 Signatures

In May we joined forces with the Ivors Academy to launch a campaign to Keep Music Alive, starting with a petition to #FixStreaming. And we’re overjoyed to report that it’s already reached over 10,000 signatures!

Published: 22 May 2020

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Keep Music Alive Petition to Fix Streaming Gains Extensive Media Coverage

On Monday 11 May we joined forces with the Ivors Academy to launch a campaign to Keep Music Alive, starting with a petition calling on the Government to fix streaming now. And now it’s gaining traction across the media.

Published: 13 May 2020

Photograph of a person working at a recording studio deck.

Getting Recording Session Musicians Back to Work

To start developing proposals to get UK recording session musicians back to work the MU is meeting with representatives from the major recording studios and media ensemble contractors.

Published: 12 May 2020

We’re Launching a Campaign to Fix Streaming Now With The Ivors Academy

We’ve joined forces with the The Ivors Academy at a time of crisis for tens of thousands of music creators, to form a new alliance that will campaign to Keep Music Alive.

Published: 11 May 2020

an illustration for Broken Record appeal featuring a person at their home full of music records

Announcing the #BrokenRecord Appeal and Festival

The Broken Record Appeal aims to support every kind of music creator in need as a result of Coronavirus. MU Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl discusses the Broken Record Appeal and the associated Festival planned for 24th May.

Published: 11 May 2020

Keep Music Alive poster featuring a female singer performing on stage

Show Your Support for the Campaign to Fix Streaming and Keep Music Alive

The MU is working in partnership with the Ivors Academy to keep music alive, starting with fixing streaming.

Published: 11 May 2020

headphones and a microphone for recording

Recording from Home: Working as a Session Musician Remotely

Trumpet player, contractor, and executive director of Music Creation Paul Spong talks about remote sessions in the time of Covid-19, what you need for your home setup, and lessons he’s learned along the way.

Published: 20 April 2020

8 Tips on Using Radio to Boost Your Music Career from Isolation

Shell Zenner, a radio presenter, producer, and new-music obsessive talks us through how you can best use radio to your advantage during the coronavirus outbreak, generating income, reaching new audiences and building your presence.

Published: 17 April 2020

10 Tips on Recording and Streaming Your Live Show From Home

Bass player Steve Lawson is no stranger to streaming shows from his home. Here is his advice from setting up your equipment, to choosing the right streaming platform.

Published: 17 April 2020

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Develop Your Music Business from Home with ‘Success Beyond the Score’ Podcast

This podcast series from saxophonist, musician, teacher, songwriter and entrepreneur Millicent Stephenson looks at ways that musicians can move ahead in the music business.

Published: 16 April 2020

Planning for Recovery: How We Will Get Music Up, Running and Excelling Again

MU General Secretary Horace Trubridge address how, “Whilst the immediate concern has to be doing everything we can to stay safe and well and cope with the seismic financial loss, it’s also important to plan for a recovery.”

Published: 16 April 2020

No Musician Should Be Left Behind, A Lobbying Update

MU Head of Communications & Government Relations Isabelle Gutierrez: “Our focus at the moment is on lobbying for members who are currently ineligible for either of the Government’s assistance schemes for employed and self-employed workers.”

Published: 03 April 2020

Arts Council England Opens £20M Fund for Individuals Working in the Cultural Sector

Arts Council England (ACE) will be opening round one of applications for the fund on 9 April 2020, providing creative practitioners affected by the coronavirus outbreak with grants of up to £2,500.

Published: 03 April 2020

Empty stage with music instruments and lights on

Limited Company Directors Can Furlough Themselves

A reminder that limited company directors can receive assistance through the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS). This may assist some members who would otherwise fall through the cracks of the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme.

Published: 02 April 2020

Government Announcement on Measures to Protect the Self-Employed Anticipated

The prime minister announced last night (Wednesday 25 March) that Government is preparing to announce measures that should put the self-employed on “parity” with employees.

Published: 26 March 2020

The Government Announces a Welcome Plan for the Self-Employed

After weeks of lobbying MPs and Ministers, the MU has welcomed the package of help that the Government has announced for the self-employed.

Published: 26 March 2020

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Support Your Favourite Independent Record Shop With #LoveRecordStores

On Thursday 26 March, musicians, artists, actors and celebrity music fans around the world showing their love for their favourite independent record store over the hashtag #LoveRecordStores.

Published: 25 March 2020

PRS for Music Launches Membership Emergency Relief Fund

The new fund, which will open for applications at 9:00 am on Thursday 26 March, offers money to support songwriters and composers during unprecedented times of hardship.

Published: 25 March 2020

Music Industry Issues Call to Chancellor for Help During Coronavirus Outbreak

Music industry and charity leaders – including the MU General Secretary Horace Trubridge – have signed a joint open letter to the Chancellor, asking for a package of urgent measures to help the crisis-hit sector fight the impact of the coronavirus.

Published: 20 March 2020

Bandcamp to Waive Own Revenue Shares This Friday

The music sharing platform will not be taking a share of profits from midnight to midnight (Pacific Time) on 20 March, in a 24-hour drive to put money directly into artists’ pockets.

Published: 20 March 2020

Advice for LGBT+ Musicians Working in Poland

Nearly a third of Poland has been declared an LGBT+ free zone, as 100 local authorities have said they will not promote LGBT+ tolerance or acceptance. This includes funding NGOs working to promote equality.

Published: 10 March 2020

New PACT Agreement

We are delighted to have reached a three-year agreement with the Producers Alliance for Cinema & Television (PACT) which went live 1 March 2020.

Published: 05 March 2020

Concern Over Threat to Future of BBC Funding

The MU is concerned by the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Nicky Morgan’s confirmation that the government is considering the removal of the BBC licence fee over the long-term yesterday morning.

Published: 06 February 2020

6 MPs on Working in the EU post-Brexit and the Musicians’ Passport

The MU is fighting for a Musicians’ Passport so that you can keep working in the EU post-Brexit. And it looks like the message is getting through.

Published: 27 January 2020

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Flybe Amends Cabin Baggage to Allow for Small Instruments

Flybe has listened to the concerns of musicians, and following a letter sent by the MU late last year, has amended its cabin baggage terms and conditions to accommodate small instruments.

Published: 06 January 2020

Photo of baggage being loaded into a place

Change in Flybe’s Musical Instruments on Planes Policy

The MU was disappointed to learn that Flybe’s Musical Instrument Policy has recently been updated, to the detriment of musicians travelling with their instruments.

Published: 16 December 2019

Details for CITES Rosewood Exemption Announced

The MU has learnt today that the CITES rosewood exemptions – which were agreed on at the last CITES meeting in Geneva – will take effect from 14 December 2019.

Published: 06 December 2019

16 Days of Activism with UN Women: Protected Characteristics

Over 48% of Musicians’ Union members surveyed have experienced sexual harassment at work. Shockingly, a third of those people say their harassment was related to a protected characteristic, and another 21% said they were not sure.

Published: 03 December 2019

Why the Musicians' Union is Supporting #16Days and UN Women's Stand Against Rape Culture

Musicians’ Union Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl looks at how the MU is tackling sexual harassment in musicians’ workplaces, creating Safe Space for musicians to be heard and campaigning to ensure that everyone has an equal level of protection from sexual harassment.

Published: 25 November 2019

Photograph of guitar lying on its side with amp lead nearby

The London International Guitar Show Returns this Sunday

Now in its fourth year, The London International Guitar Show (LIGS) will be returning to Kempton Park Racecourse on Sunday 27 October 2019 from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Published: 25 October 2019

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Recording and Broadcasting News

Jaxsta Pro Is Now Free for Musicians in 2020

Catch up With the Special #FixStreaming Edition of Music & Coffee

Composers and Songwriters Face Growing Concerns for the Future

BBC of Exceptional Value to Public During Crisis

Legal Action Against the Chancellor for Indirect Sex Discrimination Supported by MU

Recording Session Agreement Variations Released in Reaction to Covid-19

We Will be Participating in #TheShowMustBePaused in Solidarity With our Black Members

Self Employed Income Support Scheme Extended

Recording Sessions: A First Step Back on the Road to Recovery

Safety Advice for Musicians Taking Part in Recording Sessions

Our Keep Music Alive Campaign Has Over 10,000 Signatures

Keep Music Alive Petition to Fix Streaming Gains Extensive Media Coverage

Getting Recording Session Musicians Back to Work

We’re Launching a Campaign to Fix Streaming Now With The Ivors Academy

Announcing the #BrokenRecord Appeal and Festival

Show Your Support for the Campaign to Fix Streaming and Keep Music Alive

Recording from Home: Working as a Session Musician Remotely

8 Tips on Using Radio to Boost Your Music Career from Isolation

10 Tips on Recording and Streaming Your Live Show From Home

Develop Your Music Business from Home with ‘Success Beyond the Score’ Podcast

Planning for Recovery: How We Will Get Music Up, Running and Excelling Again

No Musician Should Be Left Behind, A Lobbying Update

Arts Council England Opens £20M Fund for Individuals Working in the Cultural Sector

Limited Company Directors Can Furlough Themselves

Government Announcement on Measures to Protect the Self-Employed Anticipated

The Government Announces a Welcome Plan for the Self-Employed

Support Your Favourite Independent Record Shop With #LoveRecordStores

PRS for Music Launches Membership Emergency Relief Fund

Music Industry Issues Call to Chancellor for Help During Coronavirus Outbreak

Bandcamp to Waive Own Revenue Shares This Friday

Advice for LGBT+ Musicians Working in Poland

New PACT Agreement

Concern Over Threat to Future of BBC Funding

6 MPs on Working in the EU post-Brexit and the Musicians’ Passport

Flybe Amends Cabin Baggage to Allow for Small Instruments

Change in Flybe’s Musical Instruments on Planes Policy

Details for CITES Rosewood Exemption Announced

16 Days of Activism with UN Women: Protected Characteristics

Why the Musicians' Union is Supporting #16Days and UN Women's Stand Against Rape Culture

The London International Guitar Show Returns this Sunday