Music Writing & Composer News & Stories

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

Esther McVey and a crowd of musicians with protest signs saying 'fix streaming' outside of parliament for the 2021 campaign demo.

MU Reacts to Competition and Markets Authority Report Published Today

The CMA has announced that it will not be proceeding with a full market investigation into music streaming.

Published: 26 July 2022

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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

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A Unique Opportunity: New General Secretary's Plans

Naomi Pohl, the new MU General Secretary, outlines plans for returning to work, improving our culture for staff and members and – given we’re all involved in music – listening more closely to each other.

Published: 21 July 2022

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NFTs For Musicians, its Opportunities and Pitfalls

Bored Apes, blockchains, HODLers and fungibility – the world of NFTs can seem indecipherable from the outside. Yet the technology behind the phenomenon has real potential to change the music industry.

Published: 20 July 2022

Side view of Manchester bar at the nighttime with red neon sign saying 'Going out is the new staying in' after lockdown restirctions were eased last year.

The Road To Recovery: Musicians and Covid

Almost one year after restrictions began to lift, how is the fallout from Covid affecting UK musicians on the ground? Here artists across a range of genres share their experiences and assess the need for a fairer music industry.

Published: 13 July 2022

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MU Attends TUC LGBT+ Conference

A motion on the need for specialist LGBT+ mental health services was passed at the conference last week.

Published: 05 July 2022

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MU Sponsors New Series of Classical Music Podcast Music Works

Music Works is a podcast that explores how the classical music industry works today and how it can work better in the future, with the first episode in the new series featuring MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl.

Published: 30 June 2022

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As a Romani Gypsy and LGBTQ+ Person, Musician Stephe Meloy Highlights the Importance of Being True to Yourself

In this informative and thought-provoking piece, MU member Stephe Meloy discusses what it means to celebrate both LGBTQ+ Pride and Gypsy Roma Traveller History months.

Published: 30 June 2022

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“The MU LGBT+ Network Meetings Offer a Comforting Camaraderie”: A Members’ Story

EDI Committee member Lynn Henderson shares her experience of attending the LGBT+ Network meetings, being on the EDI committee and seeing how change is made at the MU.

Published: 24 June 2022

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MU Member Receives PRS Foundation Composers’ Award

Helen Epega of The Venus Bushfires is one of seven composers to receive the 2022 award from the PRS Foundation.

Published: 23 June 2022

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Major UK Broadcasters Back Calls for an ISA to Tackle Bullying and Harassment

ITV, Sky, BBC, Channel 4, and Channel 5 become the first UK broadcasters to back the next stage of Creative UK and UK Time’s Up proposal for an Independent Standards Authority to strengthen efforts to tackle bullying and harassment.

Published: 22 June 2022

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Year 2 POWER UP Participants Announced

As the participants for the second year are announced, POWER UP also celebrates the victories and impact of the programme from Year 1.

Published: 22 June 2022

7 MU members of staff standing in the street for the rally, all holding large white MU flags.

MU Joins Trade Union Members From Across the UK to Demand Better

Tens of thousands of trade union members marched together with one clear message for the Government: we deserve and we demand better.

Published: 21 June 2022

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MU to Gather Members’ Experiences of Misogyny and Sexism in Music Industry

All eligible members will be asked to complete a short survey to help make the music industry a safer, more equitable place for women.

Published: 17 June 2022

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Channel 4 Ain’t Broke Initiative Launches with Call for Action

Campaigning organisation We Own It have launched a campaign to protect Channel 4 from privatisation, following Nadine Dorries’ recent announcement of plans to privatise the channel.

Published: 14 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

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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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

A white microphone is in near focus, where in the background a woman is preparing to put earphones on, a notebook and laptop on her desk.

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

a musician holding a guitar case walking on a street

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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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

Picture of Iona Fyfe sitting on a bench in a photography studio smiling looking into the camera. She has blonde hair, red lipstick and a suit style jacket on.

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

Stephanie Collingwood looks into the camera directly, she has earphones around her neck and is wearing a white shirt.

Stephanie Collingwood: Navigating the Musical Landscape as a Solo Female Musician

As part of Lesbian Visibility Week (25-29 April), singer-songwriter and producer Stephanie Collingwood reflects on her life and career as a musician, explaining how a solo pathway through the industry is an often eye-opening, but rewarding journey.

Published: 22 April 2022

Women with short dark hair, her eyes are closed and she is breathing deeply, an orange sunrise is subtly imposed over the head to symbolise mindfulness and new beginnings.

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

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

The hands of small children playing on a singular djembe drum

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

A snapshot from the film Mud featuring Matthew McConaughey

Beware the Buyout

Companies commissioning media composers are now more likely to ask for a buyout – but is that always the best option for music writers or musicians?

Published: 11 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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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

The trans flag, with its blue, pink, white, pink, blue horizontal stripes waves above a crowded but blurred background.

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

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

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

Girl in red checked shirt wearing over ear headphones, one hand to one ear, also looking down at a studio mixing desk

Concern Over Moonbug Entertainment's Performing Rights Royalties

MU and The Ivors Academy condemn demands by Moonbug Entertainment that composers hand over performing rights royalties.

Published: 15 March 2022

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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

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