Music Writing & Composer News & Stories

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Scotland’s First Hip-Hop and Grime Conference HANG Puts Out Call for Live Showcase Artists

Scotland’s first hip hop and grime conference – Hip-Hop Aimed Networking with Grime (HANG) – unveils its full programme for Saturday 31 July, and opens a call for artists to perform at its live showcase.

Published: 17 June 2021

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New Joint Guidance for Session Musicians and Featured Artists Launched in Partnership With the FAC

Together with the Featured Artists Coalition (FAC) – the UK artist trade body – we are delighted to share a new piece of joint guidance for session musicians and featured artists.

Published: 16 June 2021

A Fair Deal from Streaming: Equitable Remuneration for Performers

The MU's #FixStreaming campaign in partnership with the Ivors Academy has been successful in terms of raising awareness with musicians, creators and the public, and with decision makers too.

Published: 16 June 2021

Photograph of a person at a mixing desk, we're looking at the from behind so just see the back of their head, and the two screens stacked up in front of them.

Call to Fix Streaming Campaign Receives Extensive Press Coverage

Over 75 artists including The Rolling Stones, Yoko Ono, Pet Shop Boys, Barry Gibb, Emeli Sandé, Sir Tom Jones, and the estates of John Lennon and Joe Strummer have added their voices to the Fix Streaming call.

Published: 16 June 2021

Black and white photograph of someone's home recording studio set up, two computers and a keyboard are on a desk and the walls are sound proofed.

Government Responds to Parliamentary Questions on the Fix Streaming Campaign

Minister Caroline Dinenage MP has responded to parliamentary questions on Fix Streaming, saying the Government “recognises that it is important that artists are fairly remunerated for their work.”

Published: 16 June 2021

Photograph of a trumpet resting on the sill of a closed window, with light shining through.

Shielding Musicians Encouraged to Complete Brief Survey to Help Us Support You

The MU and the Ivor’s Academy in collaboration with ConnectsMusic.com and with the support of HMUK are surveying musicians and creators to find out about those who are still, and will need to keep, shielding once Covid-19 restrictions are lifted – and ways to support them.

Published: 14 June 2021

Amateur Choirs: “It’s In Our Bones to Use Our Voices”

As the Government continues to restrict the meeting and rehearsing of amateur choirs in England, jazz vocalist, musician and teacher Andi Hopgood discusses why amateur choirs are so essential – from their benefits to wellbeing to the employment they provide.

Published: 10 June 2021

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Delia Derbyshire Day 2021 to Go Ahead Online

A new programme of activities has been announced for Delia Derbyshire Day (DD Day), including five, free, online masterclasses which will be running monthly from July to November, online electronic music courses, and an expansion of DD Day’s education work.

Published: 08 June 2021

Photograph of a beautiful, swirling red and pattern skirt - part of a dress being worn at a traditional Roma dance.

GRT History Month: In the Blood

To mark Gypsy Roma Traveller (GRT) History Month, MU member Jani Lang takes us through the history of GRT music, and the key role that nurturing and showcasing this heritage plays in the flourishing of GRT communities.

Published: 01 June 2021

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Second WITCiH Digital Festival Celebrates Women in Tech

The Women in Technology Creative Industries Hub (WITCiH) – a platform which aims to elevate women and non-binary creatives in technology – will be running its second festival 9-11 June, with online performances, panels and presentations.

Published: 28 May 2021

Photograph of a collection of instruments, a microphone, acoustic guitar, keyboard and various percussion.

Representing the Interests of Members Globally Through the International Federation of Musicians (FIM)

A report from the 2021 FIM Congress from MU Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl, discussing issues from the climate crisis to diversity and inclusion in orchestras.

Published: 28 May 2021

A person is playing on a drum kit, the photograph just shows us a close up of the kit, one well used stick, and the arm and shoulder of the person who is wearing a leopard print vest.

Feedback Service Available for Those Applying to Next Round of ACE’s DYCP Fund

With the deadline for ACE’s tenth round of Developing Your Creative Practice funding approaching on 27 May – we’d like to take a moment to remind members about our guidance and feedback service for applications.

Published: 14 May 2021

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Live Streamed Concerts are Here to Stay Concludes Middlesex University London-led Report

The MU were one of the project partners in the research that led to this report, and it now offers musicians an insight into fans’ experiences and expectations of live streamed gigs and concerts.

Published: 13 May 2021

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Music For Youth to Hold Mentoring Workshops for MU Members

Music For Youth will be holding three mentoring workshops for MU members based in London, the North of England, and East & South East England who are interested in finding out more about mentoring roles.

Published: 12 May 2021

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Wales Update: Lobbying and The Freelancer Fund

An update on the recent election results in Wales, the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions, the next round of the Freelancer Fund and the joint Q&A session that we will be hosting for applicants.

Published: 11 May 2021

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Changes to PRS for Music’s Online Live Concert Licence

A summary of changes to PRS for Music’s Online Live Concert Licence following their consultation with PRS members and the wider industry.

Published: 07 May 2021

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Social Media Blackout in Response to Sustained Racist Abuse Online

The MU will be standing in solidarity with this weekend’s social media boycott, to highlight social media company inaction on eradicating online hate and racism.

Published: 29 April 2021

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Call-Out for Experienced Mentors in the Music Industry

Following the success of their 2020 mentoring program, we.grow, shesaid.so and keychange have launched a call-out for senior music industry professionals and artists to volunteer as mentors for the Keychange participants.

Published: 27 April 2021

A musician sits at a mixing desk, with different pieces of equipment, including multiple speakers and monitors facing them.

Over 5000 Musicians and Songwriters Back Fix Streaming Petition

Over 5,000 musicians, songwriters and fans have signed the Fix Streaming petition, after 150 artists including Annie Lennox, Paul McCartney and Kate Bush made headlines calling on the Government to act.

Published: 27 April 2021

A young musician is working on a keyboard with a microphone, speakers and computer set up in front of them. There is warm but dark lighting.

The Copyright Directive

In this feature Mark Sutherland discusses the European Copyright Directive in detail, and looks at the vital actions that must take place to protect UK music industry in the post-Brexit environment.

Published: 26 April 2021

UK Music Survey Reveals 1 in 5 Disabled People Face Discrimination At Work

UK Music is calling on music industry leaders to ensure disabled people and people with long term health conditions can realise their dreams by removing potential barriers to job opportunities.

Published: 22 April 2021

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Buying and Selling Used Musical Instruments

For professional musicians, buying and selling musical instruments can be a challenging and time-consuming process. Neil Crossley examines the options and assesses how to ensure you get the best outcome with the minimum hassle.

Published: 20 April 2021

Black and white photo of a guitarist holding an electric guitar standing in front of a large amplifier

Calling On The PM to Put The Value of Music Back “In The Hands of Music Makers”

An extraordinary roll call of music’s great and good call on the Prime Minister to reform the music industry by fixing streaming.

Published: 19 April 2021

A woman working at home is leaning over her laptop, she is concentrating but smiling slightly with a large pair of earphones around her neck.

Composers Against Buyouts Campaign Launches to Protect Media Writers’ Earnings and Rights

The Ivors Academy and the MU have launched a new campaign, Composers Against Buyouts, to oppose unethical business practices that damage media composers’ rights, earnings and careers.

Published: 29 March 2021

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Free Expert Industry Advice Session to be Run by the Featured Artists Coalition

The webinars will be part of the Music Explosion Spring Special 2021 presented by Midi Music, and will take place online on the evening of Wednesday 24 March.

Published: 22 March 2021

Photograph of earphones and a microphone lieing on a sun soaked wooden desk.

Assessing Aggregators for Digital Music Distribution

All music creators need digital aggregators to get their music online – but which one to choose? An invaluable new MU resource is helping members to decide.

Published: 19 March 2021

Stack of travel cases used to transport musical equipment.

MU Secures ATA Carnet Discounts for Touring Musicians

Whilst the MU lobbied hard against Brexit, the agreement reached with the EU means that currently ATA Carnets (a travel document needed for instruments and equipment) are a reality for musicians working in the EU.

Published: 11 February 2021

Photograph of an airplace from inside, facing the front of the plane the image looks up the aisle between seats, we can see the backs of peoples arms as heads.

EasyJet’s New Baggage Policy Continues to be a Bitter Blow to Musicians

Despite our correspondence with airline EasyJet, we have been unable to persuade them to amend their new baggage policy, which will come into play from 10 February 2021.

Published: 08 February 2021

Photograph of a sandy coloured electric guitar laid out on a wood table with a loop of amplifier cable and earphones also displayed.

Free PRS Licences for Small Online Performances of Own Works Announced

PRS for Music have announced that PRS members performing their own works in a small online ticketed concert can now obtain a free licence.

Published: 02 February 2021

Photograph of a person watching a live streamed gig on a mobile phone in their house.

Guidance on the PRS Online Event Licensing Tariff

PRS for Music has announced a new tariff for online ticketed events, so we’ve published an explainer on what’s going on and what musicians need to know.

Published: 28 January 2021

©QUIQUE GARCIA / Stringer / Getty Images

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

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

Working to Protect the Rights and Royalties of Composers

Composers need to be aware of rights grabs. MU Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl reflects on how the Musicians’ Union and its members can fight back.

Published: 26 December 2020

Photograph of a singer, who we can not clearly see, silhouetted against bright stage lights on a smokey stage.

Songwriting Virtuosos Launch Masterclass for Creatives Impacted by the Pandemic

Songwriting virtuosos Boo Hewerdine and Findlay Napier have announced the launch of a series of songwriting workshops aimed at creative people in Scotland whose livelihoods have been negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Published: 23 December 2020

How Disabled Musicians Dealt with the Challenges of the Covid Crisis

From heightened isolation to deeply-held prejudices, disabled musicians have experienced profound challenges during the pandemic. But ingenuity, strong mutual support and online access have helped many to prevail, as Neil Churchman explains.

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

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

Emily Barker with a guitar standing against a bigtree

Emily Barker: a Singer-Songwriter Who Spans Country, Folk and Blues

From haunting theme tunes to groove-smitten Americana, Aussie-born Emily Barker is a prolific singer-songwriter.

Published: 26 November 2020

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Songwriting and Composer News

Scotland’s First Hip-Hop and Grime Conference HANG Puts Out Call for Live Showcase Artists

New Joint Guidance for Session Musicians and Featured Artists Launched in Partnership With the FAC

A Fair Deal from Streaming: Equitable Remuneration for Performers

Call to Fix Streaming Campaign Receives Extensive Press Coverage

Government Responds to Parliamentary Questions on the Fix Streaming Campaign

Shielding Musicians Encouraged to Complete Brief Survey to Help Us Support You

Amateur Choirs: “It’s In Our Bones to Use Our Voices”

Delia Derbyshire Day 2021 to Go Ahead Online

GRT History Month: In the Blood

Second WITCiH Digital Festival Celebrates Women in Tech

Representing the Interests of Members Globally Through the International Federation of Musicians (FIM)

Feedback Service Available for Those Applying to Next Round of ACE’s DYCP Fund

Live Streamed Concerts are Here to Stay Concludes Middlesex University London-led Report

Music For Youth to Hold Mentoring Workshops for MU Members

Wales Update: Lobbying and The Freelancer Fund

Changes to PRS for Music’s Online Live Concert Licence

Social Media Blackout in Response to Sustained Racist Abuse Online

Call-Out for Experienced Mentors in the Music Industry

Over 5000 Musicians and Songwriters Back Fix Streaming Petition

The Copyright Directive

UK Music Survey Reveals 1 in 5 Disabled People Face Discrimination At Work

Buying and Selling Used Musical Instruments

Calling On The PM to Put The Value of Music Back “In The Hands of Music Makers”

Composers Against Buyouts Campaign Launches to Protect Media Writers’ Earnings and Rights

Free Expert Industry Advice Session to be Run by the Featured Artists Coalition

Assessing Aggregators for Digital Music Distribution

MU Secures ATA Carnet Discounts for Touring Musicians

EasyJet’s New Baggage Policy Continues to be a Bitter Blow to Musicians

Free PRS Licences for Small Online Performances of Own Works Announced

Guidance on the PRS Online Event Licensing Tariff

How Musicians Can Help Tackle the E-Waste Mountain

How Artificial Intelligence Affects Musicians, Music and Copyright

Working to Protect the Rights and Royalties of Composers

Songwriting Virtuosos Launch Masterclass for Creatives Impacted by the Pandemic

How Disabled Musicians Dealt with the Challenges of the Covid Crisis

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

Why Are Drill Rappers Criminalised for Making Music?

Emily Barker: a Singer-Songwriter Who Spans Country, Folk and Blues