Music Industry News, Features and Articles for Musicians

Make a Noise This Wednesday 13 January #InvestInMusicians

Call on the Government to invest in musicians, so that you can continue to make music during the pandemic and bounce back as the industry gets on its feet.

Working overseas

Photograph of the sun setting over the houses of Parliament and Big Ben.

Major role for MU in Urgent Parliamentary Debate on EU Touring

We received vital coverage on the need for a Musicians' Passport in today’s parliamentary debate. Find out what happened, what our next actions will be, and how you can get involved.

Photograph of the Palace of Westminster under a cold blue January sky.

Lobbying Update: A Busy Week on the Brexit Front

In our latest lobbying update, we discuss Brexit – from a lack of clarity over who is responsible for there not being a work permit exemption, to the PM being quizzed on touring in the EU during PMQs.

Golden euphonium lies on a brown wooden stage in the light of a spotlight

We Demand Support from the PM for British Musicians Planning to Tour the EU

Our General Secretary, Horace Trubridge, has today written to the Prime Minister highlighting the barriers facing British musicians seeking to tour the EU in the post-lockdown era.

Photograph of a musician walking, whilst carrying a guitar in a hard case. We can only see the musicians arms and torso, the guitar case is well worn looking.

No ATA Carnet Needed for Touring Between NI and rest of UK

We’ve had confirmation that members based in England, Scotland and Wales do not currently require an ATA Carnet to gig in Northern Ireland, and vice versa.

Photograph of Big Ben from across Westminister bridge, traffic is rushing past leaving blurred lights behind.

PM Agrees to MPs Meeting to Discuss Agreement for Touring Musicians

Kevin Brennan MP asked the Prime Minister on behalf of our members, if there would be a meeting for senior MPs to discuss an agreement with the EU for touring musicians – to which he agreed.

Music Teaching

Photograph of a flute left resting on a duet score, left lying open.

New Summer School Scholarship for Young Composers and Music Creators

Faber Music will be supporting ten young composers and music creators, who face socioeconomic barriers, with bursaries to attend Sound and Music Summer School in 2021.

Photograph of an empty school classroom, the sun is rising through the windows with a red and orange glow

Question Mark Over Schools Reopening

Advice for members around school reopenings, following the NEU's position on schools not currently being a safe working environment.

Photograph of assorted instrument lining up to be played in a classroom.

Change to Coronavirus Tiers and Update on Schools

How the Government’s announcement about tiers in England and school openings may affect musicians.

Kuljit Bhamra: Bhangra Pioneer with a Mission to Introduce Tabla to the Next Generation of Musicians

How instrumentalist, composer and educator Kuljit Bhamra overcame disability to create a rich and diverse music career.

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.

See all education news

Coronavirus news

A young musician singing into a microphone behind a protective screen.

MU and The Ivors Academy Respond to Record Label Heads Contributions to Government Streaming Inquiry

The MU and The Ivors Academy have today responded with incredulity to the testimonies of the UK heads of the three major labels during questioning by the Select Committee inquiry into the Economics of Streaming.

Black and white photograph from backstage at a festival. We can see a number of musicians playing on stage from behind, and a large outdoor audience facing inwards.

Government Insurance for Music Festivals a Possibility

In welcome news, Minister for Culture Caroline Dineage confirmed that she is “looking into” possible insurance for music festivals, which would allow them to plan for summer 2021.

Major role for MU in Urgent Parliamentary Debate on EU Touring

We received vital coverage on the need for a Musicians' Passport in today’s parliamentary debate. Find out what happened, what our next actions will be, and how you can get involved.

Lobbying Update: A Busy Week on the Brexit Front

In our latest lobbying update, we discuss Brexit – from a lack of clarity over who is responsible for there not being a work permit exemption, to the PM being quizzed on touring in the EU during PMQs.

We Demand Support from the PM for British Musicians Planning to Tour the EU

Our General Secretary, Horace Trubridge, has today written to the Prime Minister highlighting the barriers facing British musicians seeking to tour the EU in the post-lockdown era.

Musician's career

MU and The Ivors Academy Respond to Record Label Heads Contributions to Government Streaming Inquiry

The MU and The Ivors Academy have today responded with incredulity to the testimonies of the UK heads of the three major labels during questioning by the Select Committee inquiry into the Economics of Streaming.

Government Insurance for Music Festivals a Possibility

In welcome news, Minister for Culture Caroline Dineage confirmed that she is “looking into” possible insurance for music festivals, which would allow them to plan for summer 2021.

Major role for MU in Urgent Parliamentary Debate on EU Touring

We received vital coverage on the need for a Musicians' Passport in today’s parliamentary debate. Find out what happened, what our next actions will be, and how you can get involved.

Photograph of an accessible entrance sign attached to a brick wall outside a building.

Creating Your Own Access Rider

We recently held an event on “creating your own access rider,” in this article we set out the key learnings for the event – both from artists with personal experience of using access riders, and organisations who work on improving access.

Photograph of a woman out on the street, listening to music on her mobile phone.

Members Encouraged to Complete Survey on Live Streaming

Middlesex University are exploring the experiences and expectations of performing musicians regarding live streaming music in the wake of Covid-19 with this short survey.

Member stories

MU and The Ivors Academy Respond to Record Label Heads Contributions to Government Streaming Inquiry

The MU and The Ivors Academy have today responded with incredulity to the testimonies of the UK heads of the three major labels during questioning by the Select Committee inquiry into the Economics of Streaming.

Government Insurance for Music Festivals a Possibility

In welcome news, Minister for Culture Caroline Dineage confirmed that she is “looking into” possible insurance for music festivals, which would allow them to plan for summer 2021.

Major role for MU in Urgent Parliamentary Debate on EU Touring

We received vital coverage on the need for a Musicians' Passport in today’s parliamentary debate. Find out what happened, what our next actions will be, and how you can get involved.

Creating Your Own Access Rider

We recently held an event on “creating your own access rider,” in this article we set out the key learnings for the event – both from artists with personal experience of using access riders, and organisations who work on improving access.

Members Encouraged to Complete Survey on Live Streaming

Middlesex University are exploring the experiences and expectations of performing musicians regarding live streaming music in the wake of Covid-19 with this short survey.

Latest News and Features

Make a Noise This Wednesday 13 January #InvestInMusicians

Working overseas

Major role for MU in Urgent Parliamentary Debate on EU Touring

Lobbying Update: A Busy Week on the Brexit Front

We Demand Support from the PM for British Musicians Planning to Tour the EU

No ATA Carnet Needed for Touring Between NI and rest of UK

PM Agrees to MPs Meeting to Discuss Agreement for Touring Musicians

Music Teaching

New Summer School Scholarship for Young Composers and Music Creators

Question Mark Over Schools Reopening

Change to Coronavirus Tiers and Update on Schools

Kuljit Bhamra: Bhangra Pioneer with a Mission to Introduce Tabla to the Next Generation of Musicians

How Disabled Musicians Dealt with the Challenges of the Covid Crisis

Coronavirus news

MU and The Ivors Academy Respond to Record Label Heads Contributions to Government Streaming Inquiry

Government Insurance for Music Festivals a Possibility

Major role for MU in Urgent Parliamentary Debate on EU Touring

Lobbying Update: A Busy Week on the Brexit Front

We Demand Support from the PM for British Musicians Planning to Tour the EU

It's Time to Fix Music Streaming

Musician's career

MU and The Ivors Academy Respond to Record Label Heads Contributions to Government Streaming Inquiry

Government Insurance for Music Festivals a Possibility

Major role for MU in Urgent Parliamentary Debate on EU Touring

Creating Your Own Access Rider

Members Encouraged to Complete Survey on Live Streaming

Member stories

MU and The Ivors Academy Respond to Record Label Heads Contributions to Government Streaming Inquiry

Government Insurance for Music Festivals a Possibility

Major role for MU in Urgent Parliamentary Debate on EU Touring

Creating Your Own Access Rider

Members Encouraged to Complete Survey on Live Streaming

Find your Local MU Office Contact

Have your voice

Latest News and Features

Make a Noise This Wednesday 13 January #InvestInMusicians

Working overseas

Major role for MU in Urgent Parliamentary Debate on EU Touring

Lobbying Update: A Busy Week on the Brexit Front

We Demand Support from the PM for British Musicians Planning to Tour the EU

No ATA Carnet Needed for Touring Between NI and rest of UK

PM Agrees to MPs Meeting to Discuss Agreement for Touring Musicians

Music Teaching

New Summer School Scholarship for Young Composers and Music Creators

Question Mark Over Schools Reopening

Change to Coronavirus Tiers and Update on Schools

Kuljit Bhamra: Bhangra Pioneer with a Mission to Introduce Tabla to the Next Generation of Musicians

How Disabled Musicians Dealt with the Challenges of the Covid Crisis

Coronavirus news

MU and The Ivors Academy Respond to Record Label Heads Contributions to Government Streaming Inquiry

Government Insurance for Music Festivals a Possibility

Major role for MU in Urgent Parliamentary Debate on EU Touring

Lobbying Update: A Busy Week on the Brexit Front

We Demand Support from the PM for British Musicians Planning to Tour the EU

It's Time to Fix Music Streaming

Musician's career

MU and The Ivors Academy Respond to Record Label Heads Contributions to Government Streaming Inquiry

Government Insurance for Music Festivals a Possibility

Major role for MU in Urgent Parliamentary Debate on EU Touring

Creating Your Own Access Rider

Members Encouraged to Complete Survey on Live Streaming

Member stories

MU and The Ivors Academy Respond to Record Label Heads Contributions to Government Streaming Inquiry

Government Insurance for Music Festivals a Possibility

Major role for MU in Urgent Parliamentary Debate on EU Touring

Creating Your Own Access Rider

Members Encouraged to Complete Survey on Live Streaming