Music Industry News & Feature Stories

A young child and their parent/guardian smiling as they are handed popcorn across the cinema counter from a staff member working at Vue.

Love Movies? MU Announces New Member Offer on Cinema Tickets at Vue

The Musicians’ Union has teamed up with Vue to get you up to 30% off standard tickets in time for the holiday season.

Published: 01 November 2025

Campaigns

Flags of the United Kingdom and the European Union next to each other.

Organisations from Across UK and Europe Join Forces to Remove Barriers to Touring and Drive Growth

A new UK–EU Cultural Exchange Coalition has launched today, uniting the MU and major creative organisations to push for removing post-Brexit touring barriers. The alliance seeks to turn political promises on cultural exchange into action supporting artists and renewing collaboration.

Published: 03 December 2025

Boating Lake at Highfields Park - a public area in the grounds of the University of Nottingham.

MU Sends Open Letter to University of Nottingham on Music Course Cuts

Music courses are being suspended for new students at the University of Nottingham while the university’s council decides whether to terminate the courses permanently. Read our open letter to the University's Vice Chancellor.

Published: 25 November 2025

A group of buskers standing on the steps of Westminster Council holding campaign placards.

London Buskers Secure Campaign Support at Westminster Council Meeting

Buskers went to Westminster Council to speak to their representatives about new viable, accessible pitches for the festive season and beyond.

Published: 24 November 2025

Exterior shot of the research building at Nottingham University.

University of Nottingham to Suspend Music Courses

A consultation to close music at Nottingham is the latest in a string of proposed university music closures.

Published: 06 November 2025

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Equality, diversity & inclusion

An orchestra rehearsal with young people playing various instruments, two have adaptive instruments.

MU Marks Disability History Month 2025

Celebrate UK Disability History Month 2025 with this curated round-up of news and resources for disabled musicians and anyone seeking to strengthen their knowledge and allyship. Discover funding tips, networking opportunities, MU support and more.

Published: 05 December 2025

Charlie Baxter: Winner of The Youth Music Award for Inspirational Music Leader 2025

Congratulations to Charlie Baxter, winner of the MU-sponsored Inspirational Music Leader award at this year’s Youth Music Awards. In this guest blog, discover how Charlie’s career in education has focused on breaking down barriers and making music truly accessible and inclusive for young people.

Published: 26 November 2025

Orchestra Accessibility Study Seeking Participants

Take part in a study by the University of Glasgow on the physical demands of playing in a professional orchestra, and how support can be improved for both disabled and non-disabled musicians.

Published: 13 November 2025

Join Scotland’s St Andrew’s Day March Against Racism and Fascism

March with the STUC in Glasgow on Saturday 29 November to show your solidarity and stand united against racism and fascism in Scotland.

Published: 05 November 2025

Dike Okoh, Lily Beau who is holding the award, and Andy Warnock, on stage.

Winners of the First Welsh Black Music Awards Announced

The MU congratulates Lily Beau, winner of our sponsored Best New Artist Award, and applauds all nominees and participants who helped showcase the diversity, creativity, and talent of Wales’ music scene at this landmark event.

Published: 27 October 2025

Careers news & opportunities

A woman sat in a park closing her eyes and gently stretching her neck to the side.

Exploring Neck Pain Through the Feldenkrais Method with Emma Alter

Originally posted on her blog, professional classical musician and Feldenkrais teacher Emma Alter discusses how our neck and spine work together. The rest of this year’s Feldenkrais sessions will follow the theme of ‘Freeing Your Neck’, and are free for MU members.

Published: 18 November 2025

Man with his hand on his ear, listening carefully to music through his over ear headphones, in front of an open laptop.

How to Boost Your Chances of Getting Your Music Reviewed

The demise of print media and the rise of online magazines has prompted some MU members to question how best to submit your music for review. Here are some key tips on who to pitch to, how to find them and what to send.

Published: 11 June 2025

Four hands holding up signs of logos: YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

Digital Strategy for Musicians New to Social Media

Promoting music on social media can be a challenge for musicians who are not digital natives. But by following a few key steps, artists can create a dedicated community of fans.

Published: 30 May 2025

Black and grey image of two people, one holding a guitar case, walking up a hill together with a stormy sky above.

Exploring Your Self-Image Through Feldenkrais

'Self-image in movement' is the theme for January's MU Feldenkrais sessions, which are free and run exclusively for members. In this blog, professional musician and Feldenkrais teacher, Emma Alter, reflects on how the simple act of body scanning can help improve your self-image.

Published: 15 January 2025

Silencing the Inner Critic: How Self-Talk and Feldenkrais Can Help Tame Performance Anxiety

Anxiety is November's theme for the new term of MU Feldenkrais sessions, which are free and run exclusively for members. In this blog, professional musician and Feldenkrais teacher, Emma Alter, reflects on how she manages negative self-talk and why her practice helps foster self-compassion.

Published: 22 October 2024

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Membership

Close up of legs running on a treadmill.

Discounted Gym Membership Now Part of MU Benefits

Following the success of our discounted hotel room benefit, we’re now offering MU members exclusive access to reduced-rate gym memberships with The Gym Group — one of the UK’s leading fitness providers.

Published: 01 August 2025

Four panel members sitting on stage with microphones in front of a live audience.

Fair Play on Tour: Protecting Your Health and Wellbeing as a Live Musician

The MU hosted a panel at The Exchange in Bristol to discuss health and wellbeing for live musicians.

Published: 17 May 2024

DJ Paulette on a stage behind some DJ decks.

MU Member DJ Paulette Named DJ of the Year at Northern Music Awards

Manchester based DJ Paulette is an MU North of England Regional Committee member, and has been named ‘DJ of the year’ at the inaugural Northern Music Awards.

Published: 29 April 2024

Jasdeep smiling holding his award in front of the purple RPS Awards backdrop.

MU Member Jasdeep Singh Degun Makes History at Royal Philharmonic Society Awards

Jasdeep is the first sitar player to win a Royal Philharmonic Society (RPS) Award in its 35 year history.

Published: 27 March 2024

School age kid learning guitar with private teacher

MU Education Section Reaches 10,000 Members

As of November, the number of members in the MU’s Education Section is now over 10,000 – approximately a one-third increase since 2020, demonstrating the importance of teaching and education to MU members.

Published: 24 November 2022

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Musicians' Health & Wellbeing

MU Marks Disability History Month 2025

Celebrate UK Disability History Month 2025 with this curated round-up of news and resources for disabled musicians and anyone seeking to strengthen their knowledge and allyship. Discover funding tips, networking opportunities, MU support and more.

Published: 05 December 2025

Orchestra Accessibility Study Seeking Participants

Take part in a study by the University of Glasgow on the physical demands of playing in a professional orchestra, and how support can be improved for both disabled and non-disabled musicians.

Published: 13 November 2025

An elderly woman smiling and playing the acoustic guitar.

Wales’ Creative Sector Launches New Initiative to Tackle Poor Mental Health

CULT Cymru has launched Promoting Mental Health & Wellbeing 4 Creatives, a new initiative aiming to tackle the root causes of poor mental health across the creative industries in Wales.

Published: 14 October 2025

Naomi Pohl on stage addressing Delegates at Conference.

“Collective Action Works”: MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl Addresses Delegate Conference 2025

Last week marked the Union’s 41st biennial Delegate Conference, and the largest attended in our history. We’ll be sharing videos and highlights soon, but in the meantime, you can catch up on MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl’s opening speech, outlining the Union’s work over the past two years.

Published: 31 July 2025

Image of the hearing protection kit you receive when joining the scheme. The text says “Protect your hearing” and “Audiological assessments and custom-made hearing protection for musicians”. The Help

New Clinics Added to the Musicians’ Hearing Health Scheme in Galashiels and Truro

New clinics in Scotland and South West England join a growing list of UK locations where musicians can access affordable, professional hearing support.

Published: 31 July 2025

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Latest News & Features

Love Movies? MU Announces New Member Offer on Cinema Tickets at Vue

Campaigns

Organisations from Across UK and Europe Join Forces to Remove Barriers to Touring and Drive Growth

MU Sends Open Letter to University of Nottingham on Music Course Cuts

London Buskers Secure Campaign Support at Westminster Council Meeting

University of Nottingham to Suspend Music Courses

Equality, diversity & inclusion

MU Marks Disability History Month 2025

Charlie Baxter: Winner of The Youth Music Award for Inspirational Music Leader 2025

Orchestra Accessibility Study Seeking Participants

Join Scotland’s St Andrew’s Day March Against Racism and Fascism

Winners of the First Welsh Black Music Awards Announced

Careers news & opportunities

Exploring Neck Pain Through the Feldenkrais Method with Emma Alter

How to Boost Your Chances of Getting Your Music Reviewed

Digital Strategy for Musicians New to Social Media

Exploring Your Self-Image Through Feldenkrais

Silencing the Inner Critic: How Self-Talk and Feldenkrais Can Help Tame Performance Anxiety

Membership

Discounted Gym Membership Now Part of MU Benefits

Fair Play on Tour: Protecting Your Health and Wellbeing as a Live Musician

MU Member DJ Paulette Named DJ of the Year at Northern Music Awards

MU Member Jasdeep Singh Degun Makes History at Royal Philharmonic Society Awards

MU Education Section Reaches 10,000 Members

Musicians' Health & Wellbeing

MU Marks Disability History Month 2025

Orchestra Accessibility Study Seeking Participants

Wales’ Creative Sector Launches New Initiative to Tackle Poor Mental Health

“Collective Action Works”: MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl Addresses Delegate Conference 2025

New Clinics Added to the Musicians’ Hearing Health Scheme in Galashiels and Truro