Live Music, Performance & Gigging News & Stories

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Right to Work Changes and Deputies: MU Seeking Urgent Legal Clarification

Concerns have been raised about how new Right to Work requirements could affect musicians who arrange deputies or substitutes to perform on their behalf. The MU is urgently investigating the implications and will provide further guidance as soon as possible.

Published: 18 September 2026

A suitcase with an EU and UK flag sticker on, covered in red tape.

New Report Highlights £208 Million Cost of Brexit Touring Barriers

Research commissioned by the Government estimates that Brexit-related touring barriers cost the UK touring sector £208 million and nearly 2,500 jobs between 2022 and 2024, prompting renewed calls for practical solutions to make EU touring more viable.

Published: 11 September 2026

A rock musician performing with a microphone on an orange-lit stage with smoke in the air.

Arts Council England Launches New Music Creators Growth Fund

Experienced artists and music creators can apply for grants of £10,000 to £20,000 to support career development, touring and international opportunities. Applications open on 1 October 2026, with guidance webinars available to attend throughout September and October.

Published: 11 September 2026

Belfast Ulster Hall and Waterfront Hall to End Merchandise Commission for Artists

The MU welcomes the decision made by Belfast's Ulster Hall and Waterfront Hall to remove merchandise commission for artists, allowing them to keep all of their merchandise income from 1 October 2026.

Published: 11 September 2026

A wooden gavel on a desk in front of the European Union flag. Image credit: Shutterstock.

New EU Packaging Rules for UK Musicians Selling Merchandise

Musicians in the UK shipping merchandise to EU fans may need to reconsider how their products are packaged, following the new EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).

Published: 10 September 2026

Small, dark, empty stage at a grassroots basement style venue. Instruments are ready and fairy lights line the back wall of the stage.

Second Phase of UK Artist Touring Fund Opens with £300,000 Boost

The UK Artist Touring Fund (UKAT), backed by the MU and funded by the LIVE Trust, has expanded its support for UK artists, with an additional £300,000 added to the fund and successful applicants now able to apply for up to £8,000. Applications for this round close on 11 September.

Published: 03 September 2026

Merch tent at a festival with a crowd lined up in front of it.

Get Paid for Merch on EU Tours: ZAZZpay Opens Trial to MU Members

UK artists touring Europe are losing vital merch revenue to post-Brexit payment gaps. Now, a new service streamlines the acceptance of payments at the merch table.

Published: 03 September 2026

Photo of a warmly-lit recording studio with a drum kit and piano.

Old City Studio Offers MU Members 10% Discount

The MU has partnered with Old City Studio in Bristol to offer members discounted recording time. Find out about the studio space and how to book a session.

Published: 01 September 2026

Silhouette of crowd with their hands in the air, watching a small outdoor stage, lit by blue lights. Confetti falls from the sky.

MU Welcomes Launch of Northern Music Export Office and UKAT Fund Boost

The MU has welcomed the launch of the Northern Music Export Office (NMEO), calling it a significant step towards creating more opportunities for musicians across the North and helping artists build sustainable careers at home while reaching audiences worldwide.

Published: 25 August 2026

A fiddle player playing with an accordion player as part of a folk music performance.

Take Part in European Folk Day 2026

Folk musicians are encouraged to take part in the 4th annual European Folk Day taking place on Wednesday 23 September 2026.

Published: 20 August 2026

Close up of a Germany visa stamp on a passport.

New Guidance for Musicians Working in Germany

New MU guidance outlines the rules for musicians working in Germany, including work permit exemptions, visa requirements and key considerations for performers accepting engagements in the country.

Published: 20 August 2026

Blurry silhouette of a woman singing into a microphone.

BLACMEX Launches Music Mapping Platform to Build Visibility for Black Music Creators

BLACMEX has soft-launched a new platform for music creators working in Black music genres. Designed to help creators document professional activity and strengthen funding applications, the platform will also support a better understanding of Black music's impact across the UK.

Published: 12 August 2026

Closeup of a piece of recording equipment against a dark background.

Discount for MU Members at Studio Forty Two in Edinburgh

The MU has partnered with Studio Forty Two, a boutique recording facility in Edinburgh, to offer members discounted studio time.

Published: 01 August 2026

Three wooden blocks with red icons painted on them.

MU Concerned by New EU Customs Fees for Artists Selling Merchandise

A new EU customs charge on low-value parcels is creating additional costs and administrative challenges for musicians selling merchandise directly to fans in Europe. The MU will work to ensure musicians affected by the new legislation are represented at a stakeholder consultation later this year.

Published: 31 July 2026

New Agreement with Northern Ballet Covered by BBC Radio 4's Front Row

Musicians' Union General Secretary Naomi Pohl spoke to BBC Radio 4's Front Row about the Union's new collective agreement with Northern Ballet.

Published: 23 July 2026

View of a stage lit up in white light, from the perspective of a crowd looking up.

MU Welcomes Business Rates Cuts But Urges Government Not to Forget Artists

Today the government has announced a 20% cut to business rates bills for pubs, clubs and live music venues from April next year.

Published: 23 July 2026

A birds eye view of a round table surrounded by chairs on a wooden floor.

UK Music Invites Northern Ireland Composers, Songwriters and Performers to Manifesto Roundtable

Composers, songwriters and performers in Northern Ireland are invited to join a UK Music online roundtable to help inform their manifesto asks ahead of the Northern Ireland Assembly elections.

Published: 17 July 2026

Silhouetted crowd at an outdoor gig at night, the stage is lit with blue light and confetti falls.

Music Tourism Hit Record £11.2bn in 2025 Says UK Music

A record 24.7 million music tourists attended UK concerts and festivals in 2025, spending £11.2 billion and supporting 74,000 jobs, according to new figures from UK Music. However despite the record year, challenges remain for grassroots music and touring.

Published: 13 July 2026

The outside of the Houses of Parliament, London.

MU Highlights Challenges Facing Freelance Musicians in Parliament

Musicians’ Union General Secretary Naomi Pohl tells MPs that, despite improvements in workers’ rights, freelance musicians are still facing significant challenges.

Published: 01 July 2026

A photo of a coastal town elevated about a big lake.

Discounted Travel, Hotel and Holiday Bookings for MU Members With utc.travel

Members can now access 12 months of discounted rates for travel, hotel and holiday bookings with private travel platform utc.travel.

Published: 01 July 2026

Several flight cases for musical instruments lined up in a row.

MU Welcomes Provisional EU Agreement for Musical Instruments on Planes

The European Parliament and the Council have provisionally agreed on revised air passenger rights rules to improve air travel for musicians, offering clearer rules for instruments on planes after years of campaigning.

Published: 23 June 2026

MU members and street performers sranding on the pitch together in front of a microphone.

Westminster Buskers Say Goodbye for the Summer With a ‘Big Busk’

This Monday saw the buskers of Westminster come together for a community ‘Big Busk’ to say goodbye to the last viable amplified busking pitch before it closes for summer events in Trafalgar Square.

Published: 17 June 2026

The inside of Kempston Street Studios in Liverpool.

New Member Discount at Kempston Street Studios in Liverpool

The Musicians’ Union has teamed up with Kempston Street Studios in Liverpool, to offer members discounted studio time.

Published: 01 June 2026

Outer Waves Festival Returns to Liverpool with MU Member Discount

Outer Waves Festival, the North West's newest celebration of underground arts returns to Liverpool 23-24 May 2026. MU North of England Regional Officer Philip Morris will join a panel on gentrification, and MU members can access discounted weekend tickets.

Published: 13 May 2026

Member only Read more about Outer Waves Festival Returns to Liverpool with MU Member Discount

A young Black musician playing the violin.

Classically Black 2026 Returns to London

Classically Black 2026 returns to Kings Place, London on Saturday 10 October for a full day of music, discussion and celebration.

Published: 11 May 2026

Marcelo and another busker in yellow M U campaign t-shirts holding pink cut out guitars at a demo last August.

Protecting Amplification in Busking

One year on from the Leicester Square busking ban, MU member Marcelo Cervone reflects on how amplification shapes public space, challenges misconceptions on busking volume and makes the case for protecting performers’ pitches.

Published: 08 May 2026

Charlene, Sinead and three members who attended the meeting.

MU Belfast Meeting Highlights Impact of City Parking Costs on Musicians

MU members met this week for an open discussion on working life in Belfast, highlighting how rising parking costs, limited access to venues and late-night working conditions are placing increasing pressure on musicians and undermining its UNESCO City of Music status.

Published: 23 April 2026

Shot of a large crowd at a small, grassroots music concert. The band on stage are in silhouette against purple, blue and orange lights.

UK Artist Touring Fund Announces First Phase Artists

The UK Artist Touring Fund (UKAT), supported by the MU and funded by the LIVE Trust, has awarded its first wave of grants to 26 artists across 211 gigs, helping deliver fair pay and access in the grassroots live sector.

Published: 23 April 2026

Blue sign at an airport saying 'Douanes francaises, French customs'.

France Confirms ELO Requirement from April 2026 But Uncertainty Remains for Musicians

France’s new Obligatory Logistics Envelope (ELO) — a digital customs system for declaring goods — will become mandatory from 20 April 2026. However, it remains unclear whether the rules apply to musicians taking merchandise into the country.

Published: 16 April 2026

Buskers and supporters, some wearing M U t-shirts, gathered around a singer, holding placards saying “Street Music is Not a Crime’. ‘Keep Music Live’, and ‘Westminster, Stop Killing Culture”.

Buskers Mark One Year Anniversary of the Leicester Square Busking Ban

Buskers are continuing their high-profile campaign, calling on Westminster Council to find new viable and accessible busking pitches in the borough to replace what was lost.

Published: 15 April 2026

Close up of women singing into a microphone on stage, with someone playing acoustic guitar to her right.

Council of Music Makers Statement on the Role of Collective Licensing

All parts of the UK’s live sector must recognise and uphold the value of songs and songwriters, says a new statement from the Council of Music Makers.

Published: 15 April 2026

Commercial Court in the Cathedral Quarter of Belfast, Northern Ireland. Pictured are historic pubs down a cobbled street, and a set of murals and decorated dangling umbrellas.

MU Backs Free The Night Campaign for Licensing Reform in Northern Ireland

MU members are being urged to sign an open letter supporting the Free The Night campaign, which is calling for reform of Northern Ireland’s restrictive licensing system.

Published: 01 April 2026

People walking on a busy street in Austin, Texas near the Austin Convention Center.

New Video Guidance on US Entry Requirements for SXSW 2026

A new video guide explains how international artists can enter the US for SXSW 2026 under ESTA, what documents to bring, and how to prepare for border checks.

Published: 06 March 2026

A crowd with their hands raised at a music festival.

MU to Attend FOCUS Wales 2026 in Wrexham

Taking place from 7-9 May, FOCUS Wales is an international showcase spotlighting over 250 artists and featuring industry sessions, arts events, film screenings and more. The MU will be hosting a series of coffee morning drop-in sessions, as well as an afternoon mixer event.

Published: 24 February 2026

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Call for Research Participants: Disabled Musicians’ Access to Glasgow Venues

A new PhD study is seeking participants to help explore disabled musicians’ access to live music venues in UNESCO City of Music Glasgow.

Published: 04 February 2026

The inside of Third Floor Recording studio.

New Member Discount at Third Floor Recording Studio

The Musicians’ Union has teamed up with Third Floor Recording, a full-service recording studio in South London, to offer members discounted studio time.

Published: 01 February 2026

Silhouette of crowd in front of a small venue stage where a band is performing.

LIVE Trust Awards £125,000 for New UK Artists’ Touring Fund

The Musicians’ Union has partnered with the FAC and MMF on the UK Artists Touring Fund as the LIVE Trust distributes £500,000 in the first phase of wider grassroots funding.

Published: 30 January 2026

The American flag on a flagpole in the sky.

US Suspends Immigrant Visa Applications for 75 Countries

The Trump administration has suspended immigrant visa processing from 75 countries, affecting artists planning to work in the US.

Published: 20 January 2026

A model airplane, a small French flag and a passport and stamp all lying on a copy of the world map.

An Update on the ELO for Musicians Taking Merchandise to France

The new customs regulation for musicians taking merchandise to France will now not become mandatory until a later date in early 2026. The MU is seeking further clarification on how musicians will be affected.

Published: 14 January 2026

The outside of the BBC Headquarters building.

BEAU Statement on BBC Charter Review Launch

The MU has joined sister unions in writing to Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy to reiterate the key principles that should underpin the BBC Charter Review process.

Published: 18 December 2025

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Live Performance News

Right to Work Changes and Deputies: MU Seeking Urgent Legal Clarification

New Report Highlights £208 Million Cost of Brexit Touring Barriers

Arts Council England Launches New Music Creators Growth Fund

Belfast Ulster Hall and Waterfront Hall to End Merchandise Commission for Artists

New EU Packaging Rules for UK Musicians Selling Merchandise

Second Phase of UK Artist Touring Fund Opens with £300,000 Boost

Get Paid for Merch on EU Tours: ZAZZpay Opens Trial to MU Members

Old City Studio Offers MU Members 10% Discount

MU Welcomes Launch of Northern Music Export Office and UKAT Fund Boost

Take Part in European Folk Day 2026

New Guidance for Musicians Working in Germany

BLACMEX Launches Music Mapping Platform to Build Visibility for Black Music Creators

Discount for MU Members at Studio Forty Two in Edinburgh

MU Concerned by New EU Customs Fees for Artists Selling Merchandise

New Agreement with Northern Ballet Covered by BBC Radio 4's Front Row

MU Welcomes Business Rates Cuts But Urges Government Not to Forget Artists

UK Music Invites Northern Ireland Composers, Songwriters and Performers to Manifesto Roundtable

Music Tourism Hit Record £11.2bn in 2025 Says UK Music

MU Highlights Challenges Facing Freelance Musicians in Parliament

Discounted Travel, Hotel and Holiday Bookings for MU Members With utc.travel

MU Welcomes Provisional EU Agreement for Musical Instruments on Planes

Westminster Buskers Say Goodbye for the Summer With a ‘Big Busk’

New Member Discount at Kempston Street Studios in Liverpool

Outer Waves Festival Returns to Liverpool with MU Member Discount

Classically Black 2026 Returns to London

Protecting Amplification in Busking

MU Belfast Meeting Highlights Impact of City Parking Costs on Musicians

UK Artist Touring Fund Announces First Phase Artists

France Confirms ELO Requirement from April 2026 But Uncertainty Remains for Musicians

Buskers Mark One Year Anniversary of the Leicester Square Busking Ban

Council of Music Makers Statement on the Role of Collective Licensing

MU Backs Free The Night Campaign for Licensing Reform in Northern Ireland

New Video Guidance on US Entry Requirements for SXSW 2026

MU to Attend FOCUS Wales 2026 in Wrexham

Call for Research Participants: Disabled Musicians’ Access to Glasgow Venues

New Member Discount at Third Floor Recording Studio

LIVE Trust Awards £125,000 for New UK Artists’ Touring Fund

US Suspends Immigrant Visa Applications for 75 Countries

An Update on the ELO for Musicians Taking Merchandise to France

BEAU Statement on BBC Charter Review Launch