Music Writing & Composer News & Stories

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Historic Governance Changes at PRS for Music

The MU is delighted that important changes to the governance of PRS for Music have been voted through by its members.

Published: 19 August 2020

A Great Day in London: The 1962 Terence Donovan Jazz Musicians Photograph

Journalist Peter Vacher discusses the history and context of Terence Donovan’s famous 1962 photograph of London’s jazz scene.

Published: 13 August 2020

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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

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Calling the Government Out on Its Failure to Help Musicians

Our Head of Communications & Government Relations, Isabelle Gutierrez describes the “woefully inadequate,” response from the Government to protect musicians – and how we are lobbying against it.

Published: 06 August 2020

A Reflection on Make Music Day 2020

Looking back on this year's Make Music Day – a global celebration of music which took place last month – we examine how it still succeeded during a global pandemic, and where you can go to catch the highlights you may have missed.

Published: 04 August 2020

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Proposed Changes to PRS for Music’s Governance

PRS for Music is proposing some significant governance changes which, in the opinion of the MU, could be beneficial to songwriters and composers.

Published: 24 July 2020

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Join for £1 Scheme Extended to Former MU Members

Former members who left the MU five or more years ago can now join again and pay just £1 for their first six months of MU membership.

Published: 22 July 2020

Third Round of PRS Foundation’s Sustaining Creativity Fund Opens to Support Black Musicians

This targeted round of funding recognises the Black music community is disproportionately impacted by Covid-19, and is open for applications from UK-based Black music creators from 16 July to 10 August.

Published: 21 July 2020

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Special Covid-19 Episodes of Elevate Podcast Released

Elevate Music and Help Musicians have teamed up to create three special episodes of the Elevate Music Podcast, exploring life for musicians during the pandemic.

Published: 21 July 2020

Photograph of a red MP3 player from the early '00s with headphones.

MP3 Turns 25 Years Old This Week

14 July marked 25 years since the file format was officially given its name. This week, music industry figures including our own Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl, reflect on the file that changed the music industry.

Published: 16 July 2020

The Government Endorses Industry-Led Guidance for Music Production

Music production guidance is now available to enable professional music production to restart with confidence and clarity.

Published: 10 July 2020

Photograph of musician performing on stage.

Take Action and Call for Vital Financial Support

Ask your MP to support a sector specific financial support package to protect our vital cultural assets – and the musicians who work in them.

Published: 01 July 2020

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User Centric Model Support by Labour Party

We’re delighted that the user centric model of paying out streaming royalties has Labour Party support.

Published: 24 June 2020

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An Update on the Fix Streaming Campaign

Our Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl, and Crispin Hunt, Chair of the Ivors Academy, outline the reasons behind the organisations’ joint campaign seeking a review of streaming royalties.

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

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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

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

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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

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

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

Millicent Stephenson with a saxophone and mic

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

Anna Neale dressed in green dress, standing on a beach with a guitar

Music as a Way of Getting Through

Singer-songwriter Anna Neale tells us how, "Music is one the greatest expressions of human identity. It's what's getting a lot of people through this crisis. Hold on to that, reach out, and ask."

Published: 14 April 2020

Making marks on a sheet music in front of a piano

New Sustaining Creativity Fund from PRS Foundation

PRS Foundation is offering grants to support artists, songwriters and composers in creating, developing and music making – however that looks in our current times.

Published: 06 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

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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

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

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

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Songwriting and Composer News

Historic Governance Changes at PRS for Music

A Great Day in London: The 1962 Terence Donovan Jazz Musicians Photograph

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

Calling the Government Out on Its Failure to Help Musicians

A Reflection on Make Music Day 2020

Proposed Changes to PRS for Music’s Governance

Join for £1 Scheme Extended to Former MU Members

Third Round of PRS Foundation’s Sustaining Creativity Fund Opens to Support Black Musicians

Special Covid-19 Episodes of Elevate Podcast Released

MP3 Turns 25 Years Old This Week

The Government Endorses Industry-Led Guidance for Music Production

Take Action and Call for Vital Financial Support

User Centric Model Support by Labour Party

An Update on the Fix Streaming Campaign

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

Composers and Songwriters Face Growing Concerns for the Future

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

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

Self Employed Income Support Scheme Extended

Keep Music Alive Petition to Fix Streaming Gains Extensive Media Coverage

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

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

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

Music as a Way of Getting Through

New Sustaining Creativity Fund from PRS Foundation

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

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

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