skip to main content

"Let's Be Voices For the Future and Make Change Happen"

Diljeet Bhachu talks about the MU and welcomes young musicians in the MU to make change happen.

Photo ofDiljeet Bhachu
By Diljeet Bhachu Published: 16 November 2016 | 12:00 AM Updated: 28 February 2022 | 12:12 PM
Photo of Diljeet Bhachu
Photo credit: Glasgow Women’s Library.

I joined the Musicians' Union because I realised that as a young musician, at the beginning of my career, people expected me to work for little or no fee, and I wasn't happy about it.

Friends of mine were already members, and as a student, the £20 membership rate just made it a common sense decision. I'm really grateful for that, because it allowed me to see what the Union could do for me, before I graduated and went up to the full membership rate. As young workers, we're often exploited, especially as students, so being a part of the MU really made me realise that we could fight for change, and that with collective effort we could actually make things happen.

After working freelance for a while, I'm currently back at university getting my PhD, and the student membership is so great as I'm not playing quite as much while I'm doing research, but to have that protection for the work I am doing is so invaluable.

Getting involved in the trade union movement

A couple of years ago another member contacted me and asked if I'd be interested in joining the Scotland and Northern Ireland Regional Committee (RC). It's not something I'd thought about doing before, and to be honest, I wasn't sure it was something I could do, but thanks to someone else's pro-active ways, I decided to go for it and haven't looked back. Since joining RC, I've learned so much more about my Union, and about the trade union movement in general.

I've had the opportunity to voice my opinions directly to my Union, move motions on behalf of my Union at the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC), perform with some incredible musicians, and continue to expand my networks. 

I think it's so important for young voices - diverse voices of all kinds - to be heard in the MU, and I'm looking forward to furthering my activism with the MU in years to come.

If someone else hadn't made me realise I could be a part of an MU committee, I'm not sure I'd have ever ended up here.

So my message to you if you've never thought about getting involved in a committee or section is, you're never too young - come and join me and other young workers in the MU and let's be voices for the future and make change happen.

Get MU membership today

From gig players to part-time teachers and professional instrumentalists, MU members can access specialist insurance for musicians. This includes accident cover, health schemes, travel insurance and car insurance add-ons through the Musicians’ Union.

Explore our member services

  • Get public liability insurance for musicians
  • Access expert legal support
  • Be represented in your profession
  • Access expert career advice, resources, and training events
  • Connect, network, and get to know the community of musicians

Learn about all membership benefits

Get MU membership today

Continue reading

Close up of vinyl DJ decks.

DJ Paulette: Finding my Voice Through the Musicians’ Union

This Black History Month, musician and activist DJ Paulette shares how she uses her voice to help represent the electronic music industry, as well as ensuring that those who don’t necessarily fit the traditional musician role are heard and considered equally.

Published: 09 October 2024

Read more about DJ Paulette: Finding my Voice Through the Musicians’ Union
Person holding up heart shaped hands at a live gig.

Councillor Tom Plater: How Local Councils Can Still Support the Arts When Budgets are Slashed

In this guest blog, Councillor Tom Plater discusses local authority arts and cultural funding, and explores how local councils can still prioritise this where budgets are cut. Tom also sits on our Members' Assembly as a representative for Young Workers and is an MU East South East Committee member.

Published: 16 September 2024

Read more about Councillor Tom Plater: How Local Councils Can Still Support the Arts When Budgets are Slashed
Cardboard box with mics in and around to capture organic sound for the shoe box scene.

Wider Than The Sky: Janie Price on First Time Scriptwriting and Composing for Short Film

Musician Janie Price aka Bird has just released her first short film soundtrack ‘Wider Than The Sky’, she’s also been a member of the MU for 24 years. In this guest blog, she shares her journey and advice for other members intrigued by the world of score design and DIY projects.

Published: 15 July 2024

Read more about Wider Than The Sky: Janie Price on First Time Scriptwriting and Composing for Short Film