Music Industry News, Features and Articles for Musicians

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12-Week Music Business Programme for Women and Marginalised Genders Opens to Applications For Free Spaces

Brighter Sound and Digital Advantage are running a free 12-week development programme for women and marginalised genders looking to launch and grow their own businesses within the music industry!

Young child wearing a mask is sat at a piano, turning round to face the camera he raises one thumb in a positive gesture.

We’ve Updated Our Advice for Teaching During Coronavirus

Following updated advice and further clarification from the devolved governments of the UK, we have updated our advice for musicians who teach in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England.

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Brexit Guidance Video Released Following Panel Event

We’ve released a recording of our panel event, “What’s the deal?” which focused on process, lobbying, sales/merchandise rules and more for musicians working in the EU.

White painted chairs set out with socially distanced amount of space between them, outdoors.

Government Confirms “Incidental” Live Music Permitted in England from Stage Two

The Government has now confirmed a number of changes and extra details for musicians in its previously published Spring Roadmap for England – and we have updated our guidance accordingly.

Photograph of an orchestra set out in a socially distanced way, we can see all the musicians sat out across the stage in distanced positions, whilst a conductor gestures from the front.

Life in Lockdown for UK Orchestras

In this longer-read feature, find out more about how UK orchestras have been faring through the pandemic – including taking on remote recording projects, working in creative new directions, and putting health and safety first in the move back to work.

Photograph of a young girl wearing ear protectors at a concert. The background is blurred but we can see multiple people and string lights.

5 Things to Help Include More Autistic People at Gigs

It’s World Autism Day on 2 April! To celebrate we asked Autism consultant and Heart N Soul creative associate Robyn Rocket to write a blog for us with a few pointers on how we can consider inclusion for Autistic musicians and listeners when the world opens again post-Covid.

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FEU Closes Live Training Programme But Digital Access to Training Continues

After more than a decade, the Federation of Entertainment Unions (FEU) has closed its live training programme – following the Government’s decision to pull all unionlearn funding. However, their digital learning online centre will remain online.

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We’ve Updated Our Brexit Flow Chart With More Information

We have updated the MU – 'Flowchart Guide to Working In Europe', created to give members a better understanding of the hoops they have to jump through when planning a tour or shows in the EU.

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Let us Know What Kind of Training Opportunities You Want From the MU

We’re planning to launch a comprehensive package of webinars for members preparing to return to their careers – but we want to hear from you first, so that we can provide the most appropriate support possible.

Photograph of an online teaching set up, a mobile phone camera and a laptop camera are recording a person playing on a keyboard.

How Music Teachers are Adapting to Work Online

A year since the pandemic struck, we assess how teaching music online became a “new normal” in this longer-read feature.

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MU Reconfirms Our Commitment Towards Trans Equality on Trans Day of Visibility

Wednesday 31 March is Trans Day of Visibility, and we are marking this by showing a round-up of previously published blogs – as well as upcoming events and petitions to support.

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LGBT+ History Month Panel: Activism and Allyship

The MU and Pride in Music partnered to mark this year’s LGBT+ History Month with a panel discussion about activism and allyship.

Photograph of Bishi Bhattachaya, she is wearing a brightly coloured top and gold head piece, and is looking directly into the camera with one arm raised.

What Happens Next? Women, Inclusivity and the UK Music Industry

For Women’s History Month, singer-songwriter Bishi Bhattachaya talks us through how the pandemic has exposed major issues of inequality within the music industry, and calls for concrete action and investment.

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Ask Your Metro Mayor Candidate to Sign the Creative Workforce Pledge

Join the call for candidates for England’s upcoming Metro Mayor elections in England to sign the Creative Workforce Pledge, and commit to making sure the creative and cultural life of our regions thrive well into the future.

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MU Releases New Recording and Home Studios Advice

We’ve released two workbooks on "How to Set Up Your Home Studio Session," and "How to Set Up Your Home Studio Space," for members only, following the workshops we partnered with The F-List to produce for Women’s History Month.

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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.

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New Statistics on Sexual Harassment Chime With Those in Music Industry

According to a survey for UN Women UK, four-fifths of young women in the UK have been subjected to sexual harassment, ringing true with our research showing how endemic harassment is in the music industry.

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Prime Minister Promises to Fix Brexit Crisis for Creative Industries

Yesterday, the Prime Minister gave evidence to MPs and said the Government was working “flat out” to find a solution to mobility issues around visas, work permits and moving goods between the UK and EU.

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Reconsideration of Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill Urged in Open Letter Signed by TUC

The Trades Union Congress (TUC), of which the MU is a member, has signed an open letter calling for reconsideration of the “policing bill”, co-ordinated by Liberty and Friends of the Earth and co-signed by 244 other organisations.

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Have Your Say in the UK Music Creators' Survey 2021 Survey

UK Music has launched its flagship annual UK Music Creators’ Survey – the survey gathers vital data on how the music industry contributes to the UK’s economy, something more essential than ever as we continue to state how the Government must invest in the music industry.

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Welsh Government Release Revised Version of Their Coronavirus Control Plan

We’ve updated our advice to reflect the Welsh Government’s revised version of the Coronavirus Control Plan, which contains further information about the four alert levels and gives a timeline for the planned relaxation of restrictions up to 22 April.

A photograph of both Rosie and Beth. Rosie is leaning on Beth's shoulder with her elbow and laughing in her direction, Beth is grinning broadly at the camera.

How I Met My Peer Hero: A ‘How to Hype’ Guide for Women in the Music Industry

In this blog, created in celebration of Women’s History Month, musicians Beth and Rosie discuss the value of their own friendship, and how women can continue to act as “Peer Heros” to each other.

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DCMS Minister Backs Music Streaming Referral to Competition and Markets Authority

In our summary of the latest Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) hearing into the economics of music streaming, read about the main conclusions drawn and our hopes for the future.

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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.

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Call for a Violence Against Women & Girls Stategy in Northern Ireland

Members are encouraged to sign Women's Aid Federation Northern Ireland’s petition calling for a Violence Against Women & Girls Strategy in Northern Ireland, which is quickly amassing signiaturies on Change dot org.

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MU Members Invited to TUC Young Workers’ Conference

Join young members across the trade union movement for two days of inspirational speakers, discussions, and workshops at TUC Young Workers’ Conference.

We’re Marking UN Anti-Racism Day 2021 With a Video on Anti-Racism

Saturday 20 March is UN Anti-Racism Day, and the TUC and Stand up to Racism’s national day of action. Find out more about what we’re doing to mark it.

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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.

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UK Music Makers Call on Government for Urgent European Touring Transition Fund

The call comes following concerns that Brexit border bureaucracy is killing the export of UK music through increased costs and processes, putting the world-class standing of UK music at risk.

Photograph of a man sat listening to music through headphones which are connected to his mobile phone, he is smiling and happy looking.

We Welcome Spotify’s Drive for Clarity in Streaming Finances

Together with The Ivors Academy, today we welcomed the launch of Spotify’s new website, Loud & Clear, which aims to introduce new transparency and data about the music streaming economy.

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MU Broadly Welcomes BBC Initiative While Highlighting Importance of Future Work for Musicians

The MU responded today to the announcement by the BBC that the corporation is set to move a selection of its key departments and staff away from London with the aim of making it more inclusive of the entire UK.

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Government Agrees to Back Treating Misogyny as a Hate Crime

The Government has agreed in the House of Lords to ask police forces to treat misogyny as a hate crime from the autumn.

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MU Makes Record Royalties Payment to Members in First Quarter of 2021

Session musicians continue to benefit from the use of background commercial recordings in tv programmes, and our total distribution of royalties for 2021 so far have exceeded £500k.

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Music Support Keen to Hear From Women in Music About Experiences of Isolation

Music Support, the charity that provides help and support to those in or employed by the UK music industry, is interested in hearing from any women in the industry about their experiences of isolation over the past year.

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MU Calls for Busking to Be Permitted

An update on our call for busking to be permitted again in England, following the Government’s Spring 2021 roadmap – plus further legal advice for buskers.

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A Lobbying Update for Wales

MU Regional Organiser for Wales, Andy Warnock, describes our main areas of focus in Wales, following the First Minister’s announcement of an outline for the first steps out of alert level 4 lockdown in Wales.

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Concerns over the Government’s Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill

The MU are concerned that the Government’s new Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill risks criminalising the right to peaceful protest, and will increase discrimination and undermine democracy.

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Reclaim the Streets

In the wake of news about the disappearance of Sarah Everard in London and the subsequent arrest of a police officer, many women are sharing their own experiences of walking alone at night and the steps they take to make themselves feel safe.

Brexit Update: Continued Pressure is Making an Impact

In our latest Brexit update, we discuss how the urgent challenges facing musicians can only be immediately solved if the UK Government negotiates a bespoke visa waiver agreement with the EU for the creative sector, and what is being done right now to put the pressure on them.

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Have Your Say on how Music Streaming Affects Music Creators’ Earnings

If you have ten minutes, take part in Music Creators’ Earnings in the Digital Age’s anonymous survey - and help their research into how streaming affects music creators’ earnings.

Have your voice

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