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 a confusing sign post, arrows indicating the same thing are pointing in different directions.

Lobbying Update: Another Week, Another Brexit Argument

In this week’s lobbying update, find out more about how issues for touring musicians were covered in yesterday’s debate in parliament and what the MU intends to focus on moving forward.

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.

Music Teaching

Photograph of a teacher working with a student in a classroom, the student is playing onto a keyboard and the teacher is smiling encouragingly.

Government Extends Consultation on T Levels to 31 January

The MU has registered concerns about the Government’s new T level qualifications not including music, and we encourage members to respond before the deadline on 31 January.

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.

See all education news

Coronavirus news

A baby is held by their mums, one holds her arms around the baby, while one reaches around the baby to hold the other mums arms

TUC Call For Furlough Scheme to Open for Working Parents

The TUC have released a report calling for a temporary legal right to access the furlough scheme for parents, those with caring responsibilities and people who cannot work because they are required to shield.

A woman out singing and playing guitar as part of a busking performance on a quiet street.

Government Confirms Busking Not Currently Allowed in England

The MU is disappointed to hear from the Government that Busking is, under the current conditions, not allowed.

Two guitars resting in the grass amongst various objects like blankets and colourful pillows which indicate a festival campsite.

Government Must Support Live Music Following Glastonbury Cancellation

Following the announcement that Glastonbury 2021 has been cancelled, we’re calling on the Government to clarify their current consideration on insurance schemes for festivals, to save further pre-emptive cancellations.

Lobbying Update: Another Week, Another Brexit Argument

In this week’s lobbying update, find out more about how issues for touring musicians were covered in yesterday’s debate in parliament and what the MU intends to focus on moving forward.

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.

Musician's career

Photograph of grubby beer bottles lying on their sides.

Music Support to Run Free Webinar on Addiction and Supporting Recovery

Music support are running a free webinar on addiction and supporting recovery in the music industry at 6:00 pm on Thursday 28 January.

Government Extends Consultation on T Levels to 31 January

The MU has registered concerns about the Government’s new T level qualifications not including music, and we encourage members to respond before the deadline on 31 January.

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?

A band perform outside as part of Make Music Day last year.

Make Music Day Plan Series of Online Meetups

The organisers of the annual, world-wide celebration of music, “Make Music Day,” are hosting a selection of online meetings across the UK to prepare for the next big event.

TUC Call For Furlough Scheme to Open for Working Parents

The TUC have released a report calling for a temporary legal right to access the furlough scheme for parents, those with caring responsibilities and people who cannot work because they are required to shield.

Member stories

Music Support to Run Free Webinar on Addiction and Supporting Recovery

Music support are running a free webinar on addiction and supporting recovery in the music industry at 6:00 pm on Thursday 28 January.

Government Extends Consultation on T Levels to 31 January

The MU has registered concerns about the Government’s new T level qualifications not including music, and we encourage members to respond before the deadline on 31 January.

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?

Make Music Day Plan Series of Online Meetups

The organisers of the annual, world-wide celebration of music, “Make Music Day,” are hosting a selection of online meetings across the UK to prepare for the next big event.

TUC Call For Furlough Scheme to Open for Working Parents

The TUC have released a report calling for a temporary legal right to access the furlough scheme for parents, those with caring responsibilities and people who cannot work because they are required to shield.

Latest News

Make a Noise This Wednesday 13 January #InvestInMusicians

Working overseas

Lobbying Update: Another Week, Another Brexit Argument

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

Music Teaching

Government Extends Consultation on T Levels to 31 January

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

Coronavirus news

TUC Call For Furlough Scheme to Open for Working Parents

Government Confirms Busking Not Currently Allowed in England

Government Must Support Live Music Following Glastonbury Cancellation

Lobbying Update: Another Week, Another Brexit Argument

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

It's Time to Fix Music Streaming

Musician's career

Music Support to Run Free Webinar on Addiction and Supporting Recovery

Government Extends Consultation on T Levels to 31 January

How Musicians Can Help Tackle the E-Waste Mountain

Make Music Day Plan Series of Online Meetups

TUC Call For Furlough Scheme to Open for Working Parents

Member stories

Music Support to Run Free Webinar on Addiction and Supporting Recovery

Government Extends Consultation on T Levels to 31 January

How Musicians Can Help Tackle the E-Waste Mountain

Make Music Day Plan Series of Online Meetups

TUC Call For Furlough Scheme to Open for Working Parents

Find your Local MU Office Contact

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Latest News

Make a Noise This Wednesday 13 January #InvestInMusicians

Working overseas

Lobbying Update: Another Week, Another Brexit Argument

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

Music Teaching

Government Extends Consultation on T Levels to 31 January

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

Coronavirus news

TUC Call For Furlough Scheme to Open for Working Parents

Government Confirms Busking Not Currently Allowed in England

Government Must Support Live Music Following Glastonbury Cancellation

Lobbying Update: Another Week, Another Brexit Argument

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

It's Time to Fix Music Streaming

Musician's career

Music Support to Run Free Webinar on Addiction and Supporting Recovery

Government Extends Consultation on T Levels to 31 January

How Musicians Can Help Tackle the E-Waste Mountain

Make Music Day Plan Series of Online Meetups

TUC Call For Furlough Scheme to Open for Working Parents

Member stories

Music Support to Run Free Webinar on Addiction and Supporting Recovery

Government Extends Consultation on T Levels to 31 January

How Musicians Can Help Tackle the E-Waste Mountain

Make Music Day Plan Series of Online Meetups

TUC Call For Furlough Scheme to Open for Working Parents