skip to main content

Meet the MU at The Great Escape Festival 2025

The MU will once again be present at The Great Escape Festival, supporting members and engaging with key industry topics between Wednesday 14 and Friday 16 May in Brighton.

Published: 08 May 2025 | 3:05 PM
Brighton pier at sunrise.
If you’re playing, the MU would love to come along - please get in touch with your gig details. Photo: Shutterstock.

The Great Escape Festival, which celebrates new music, takes place 14 - 17 May in Brighton. Also running alongside the main event is the Great Escape music business conference, which features panels, keynote speakers, industry insights and more (conference only delegate passes are available to purchase separately, as well as in addition to festival tickets).

Naomi Pohl, MU General Secretary, will speak on conference panel  ‘AI, Streaming + The Cost Of Touring Crisis: The Music-Maker Perspective’, hosted by the Council of Music Makers (CMM) and the Association of Independent Music.

The session takes place on Thursday 15 at 10:30am, and will explore how emerging technologies and financial pressures are reshaping the experience of working musicians.

Let us know if you’re playing

MU staff will also be available throughout the festival, connecting with members and attending live shows.

Live, Theatre & Music Writers Official Natalie Witts-Kilshaw, East & South East England Regional Officer Tom Eagle, and London Regional Officers Graham Jackson and Simeon Scheuber-Rush will be attending on Wednesday 14 and Thursday 15 May, and are keen to support members attending and performing at the festival.

Natalie can offer advice on Live, Theatre and Music Writer issues, and Tom, Simeon and Graham can help with regional/all other issues.

If you’re playing, the MU would love to come along - please get in touch with your gig details:

LGBTQIA+ meet-up

MU Head of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, John Shortell, will also be attending the Music+ LGBTQIA+ network meet-up, taking place at the Actors Pub on Friday 16 May, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm.

The informal gathering is open to LGBTQIA+ musicians and music industry professionals looking to connect and share experiences.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Get MU membership today

From gig players to part-time teachers and professional instrumentalists, MU members can access specialist insurance for musicians. This includes Public Liability, Instrument and Equipment Insurance, Accident Insurance, Tax Investigation Insurance, and Professional Indemnity Insurance for music teachers.

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

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

Read more about MU Sponsors Black Welsh Music Awards 2025
Exterior of the venue - a white tiled building with writing on the windows and an orange neon sign saying Belgrave Music Hall.

MU Member Discount for New FFWDxLEEDS Conference

On 9 September the North of England team will be attending FFWDxLEEDS—a new conference aimed at bridging the gap between local artists and the wider music industry. MU Members can also access a 10% discount on tickets with our exclusive code.

Published: 03 September 2025

Read more about MU Member Discount for New FFWDxLEEDS Conference

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

Read more about Festival Diaries: Creative Ways to Approach Sustainability