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

Black and white image of a conductor in front of the orchestra pit in a theatre, cast members are on stage in the background out of focus.

MU Welcomes Arts Council England Review

We broadly welcome Baroness Margaret Hodge’s review of Arts Council England, which reflects many of the concerns raised by the MU and other creative unions. We will now press the government to respond positively to its recommendations.

Published: 18 December 2025

Pernambuco Bows to Remain on Appendix II

A proposal to move pernambuco to Appendix I, which would have effectively halted international trade in the wood used for professional string instrument bows, has been rejected after lobbying by the MU and partners, ensuring continued access for musicians and stronger species protections.

Published: 15 December 2025

View from the second floor of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre with a period costume in the foreground.

MU Backs Petition to Stop Closure of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Music Department

The MU is supporting members who have raised concerns and is currently involved in consultation with the RSC.

Published: 12 December 2025

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

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Equality, diversity & inclusion

Access All Areas: Liza and Keys Explore Your Accessibility Conundrums

In this guest blog for Disability History Month, MU members Keys and Liza Bec explore access and attitudes in music through a series of fictionalised advice column letters, inspired by real-life accessibility challenges.

Published: 09 December 2025

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

Careers news & opportunities

Two hands outstretched, each holding a jigsaw piece that will fit together.

Lessons from the MU’s Courageous Conversations Workshop

The music industry can be a difficult environment in which to have the conversations that you want and need in the workplace, but a one-day course hosted by the MU has offered a way forward.

Published: 18 December 2025

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

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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

Naomi Pohl at Labour Party Conference 2024 holding a placard that says 'Labour's New Deal for Working People'.

Landmark Employment Rights Bill Becomes Law

The MU welcomes passage of the Employment Rights Bill, which will now become law. Shaped by trade union input, the legislation represents an important step forward for workers’ rights, equality and protections, with further reforms for freelancers promised in a second phase.

Published: 16 December 2025

The Scottish flag, flying over an old stone building in Edinburgh.

Task Force Sets Out New Fair Work Recommendations for Scotland’s Creative Industries

The landmark Fair Work Task Force report outlines 16 recommendations to tackle precarious employment, strengthen workers’ rights and improve conditions across Scotland’s culture and creative industries.

Published: 11 December 2025

Access All Areas: Liza and Keys Explore Your Accessibility Conundrums

In this guest blog for Disability History Month, MU members Keys and Liza Bec explore access and attitudes in music through a series of fictionalised advice column letters, inspired by real-life accessibility challenges.

Published: 09 December 2025

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

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Latest News & Features

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

Campaigns

MU Welcomes Arts Council England Review

Pernambuco Bows to Remain on Appendix II

MU Backs Petition to Stop Closure of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Music Department

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

Equality, diversity & inclusion

Access All Areas: Liza and Keys Explore Your Accessibility Conundrums

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

Careers news & opportunities

Lessons from the MU’s Courageous Conversations Workshop

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

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

Landmark Employment Rights Bill Becomes Law

Task Force Sets Out New Fair Work Recommendations for Scotland’s Creative Industries

Access All Areas: Liza and Keys Explore Your Accessibility Conundrums

MU Marks Disability History Month 2025

Orchestra Accessibility Study Seeking Participants