Live Music, Performance & Gigging News & Stories

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

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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

Two parents holding their new born baby at home.

Share Your Experience: PiPA Invites Parents and Carers to Touring Roundtables in Wales

Parents & Carers in Performing Arts (PiPA) is hosting two in-person roundtables in Wales this May and June, inviting freelancers and organisations to share their experiences of balancing touring with caring responsibilities and help develop practical solutions for a more inclusive sector.

Published: 10 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

A sign on a brick wall on the outside of a building that says

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

A outstretched hand holding a megaphone against a lilac background.

Important Update for Members: MU Sections and Committees Rebrand

From April 2026, MU Sections will be relaunched as ‘Sectors’, and their Committees as ‘Advisory Boards’. Elections will also take place in the new year for members to form the new Advisory Boards for the next two-year term.

Published: 11 December 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

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

A close-up of the BBC Scotland building in Glasgow.

BBC Radio Scotland Axes Four Longstanding Music Shows

Four of Scotland's best-known radio shows are due to be dropped by the end of the year and replaced with a new 'easy listening' programme for more mainstream appeal. Sign the petition to help reverse the decision and protect the future of music in Scotland.

Published: 17 November 2025

Lisa and Naomi on the MU's stand at Labour Party Conference in 2024, they are against a black and yellow backdrop that says 'We are the MU' and 'We are Union strong'.

MU General Secretary Meets Culture Secretary to Discuss Arts Funding and AI

Naomi Pohl discussed the challenges facing musicians, including the impact of AI, funding shortfalls, and industry standards.

Published: 06 November 2025

Swansea Council Launches Music Friendly City Audit to Support Live Music

Help shape the future of live music in Swansea by taking part in the Music Friendly City Audit. Three surveys are available – for the public, musicians, and those working in the music sector.

Published: 06 November 2025

A photo of musicians at a protest in Leicester Square, holding up banner and signs.

Luke Silva Posts Video in Support of Westminster Busking Campaign

Busker Luke Silva backs the campaign for new viable and accessible busking pitches in Westminster in his latest video.

Published: 05 November 2025

Crowd with hands raised in a small venue watching a band on stage, the image is cast in a pale yellow glow from the stage lights.

Culture, Media and Sport Committee Launches Fan-Led Review of Live Music

As part of the MP-led review, fans are invited to complete a survey about their live music experiences to help shape policy, support touring artists and grassroots venues, and secure the future of UK music.

Published: 16 October 2025

Dawn Butler MP Backs London Buskers Campaign

Dawn Butler MP shared her support for Musicians’ Union members campaigning for new viable and accessible pitches after a court ruling banned busking in Leicester Square.

Published: 15 October 2025

A close up of a woman sitting at a laptop with a passport on the table.

Big Mobility and Touring Survey: Help Remove Barriers for Touring Artists

Members who have experienced touring in the EU are encouraged to fill out PEARLE*’s Big Mobility and Touring Survey. The survey closes on 31 October 2025.

Published: 15 October 2025

Sign saying 'French customs' at an airport.

New French Customs Regulation Affects Musicians Taking Merchandise to France

A new French customs regulation means more hoops to jump through if you are taking merchandise to France in a van as part of your music work.

Published: 13 October 2025

Naomi Pohl speaking on stage at a Labour Party Conference 2025.

MU General Secretary Addresses Artificial Intelligence and Music Streaming at Labour Party Conference

There’s money in music but it doesn’t go to musicians, Musicians’ Union General Secretary Naomi Pohl tells Labour Party Conference 2025.

Published: 30 September 2025

Young Black male musician, singing into a microphone against a bright studio light.

MU Sponsors Black Welsh Music Awards 2025

The MU is proud to sponsor the 2025 Black Welsh Music Awards (BWMA), which will take place on Saturday 4 October at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (RWCMD) in Cardiff.

Published: 03 September 2025

Festival Diaries: Creative Ways to Approach Sustainability

As the climate crisis intensifies, Aayushi Jain explores the balance between affordability and sustainability on the festival circuit. Drawing on her summer tour last year as an independent artist, she shares practical and creative ways to reduce the environmental impact of touring.

Published: 29 August 2025

Two young buskers, one singing and one playing guitar on a sunny street.

Bring Busking Back to Birmingham City Centre

Sign the petition to urge the council to reverse the ban on busking in Birmingham city centre.

Published: 28 August 2025

Close up of person in jeans and boots, carrying their guitar case and amp over stone steps.

MU Responds to Birmingham Council’s City Centre Busking Ban

The MU will continue campaigning to overturn the ban as Birmingham becomes the first UK city to entirely outlaw all city-centre busking.

Published: 19 August 2025

Group of buskers, supporters, and MU staff outside at the site of the Leicester Square busking pitch. Some are wearing t-shirts, or holding posters and props, that say ‘back your buskers’.

Green Party’s Zack Polanski Backs Buskers in Call for New Westminster Pitches

On 7 August, London Assembly Member Zack Polanski joined buskers, supporters and MU officials for a photocall and leafleting session as part of the campaign for new viable, accessible Westminster busking pitches to replace those lost in Leicester Square.

Published: 14 August 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

Dave, Jon and Olga standing in a room in Parliament with MPs and Peers.

MU Meets Labour Movement for Europe to Discuss Next Steps for EU Touring

Last week the Union met with MPs and Peers to press for progress on EU touring barriers at a parliamentary roundtable.

Published: 25 July 2025

Alex on stage speaking to delegates in front of a microphone.

MU Delegate Conference 2025 is Underway in Liverpool

Violinist and Chair of the Executive Committee, Alex Gascoine, opens MU Delegate Conference 2025.

Published: 22 July 2025

A busker wearing a yellow Musicians' Union t-shirt surrounded by supporters with signs saying 'keep music live' at a busking demo in London in April.

Westminster Council: Back Your Buskers!

Sign the petition calling for new pitches in Westminster to replace those lost due to the Leicester Square busking ban.

Published: 09 July 2025

Huge crowds at sunset at Boardmasters Festival, with a ferris wheel and banners in the background. A girl is sat on someone’s shoulders with her hands in the air.

UK Live Sector Received £10 Billion Boost from Record-Breaking Tourism in 2024

According to UK Music's 'Hometown Glory' report, 23.5 million music tourists attended concerts and festivals across the UK in 2024, a 23% increase on the previous year, contributing a record £10 billion to the economy.

Published: 01 July 2025

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