skip to main content

Musician Iona Fyfe Advises Caution For Those Performing at This Year’s Doune the Rabbit Hole Festival

Scottish musician, activist and MU Member Iona Fyfe advises performers to speak to the MU before engaging with the festival.

Published: 08 June 2023 | 5:42 PM Updated: 13 June 2023 | 4:45 PM
Welly boots covered in mud lie in the sunshine on very fresh green grass
Musicians should ensure that there is a signed agreement in place and full deposit obtained, prior to performing

MU member Iona Fyfe spoke today on BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning show to discuss Doune the Rabbit Hole Festival. She was joined by Paul McManus, Scotland Negotiations Officer at BECTU and stated her concerns, advising fellow musicians to contact the MU before agreeing to play this year’s festival.

MU advice for musicians playing or considering playing the festival

In Iona's interview, she explains how musicians should ensure that there is a signed agreement in place and full deposit obtained, prior to performing.

Sam Dunkley, MU Acting Regional Organiser for Scotland and Northern Ireland agrees, and reiterates the importance of the following advice:

  • Make sure that there is a signed agreement in place
  • 100% of the deposit is paid up front
  • There is a cut off date before the festival for the deposit to be paid, so you can make an informed choice about playing or not
  • Get in touch with the MU via glasgow@themu.org for more advice if you’re considering playing.

Previous news on Doune the Rabbit Hole Festival

Last year the MU was made aware of a large number of artists and suppliers whose payments were significantly delayed for work during the 2022 festival.

Then earlier this year, MU Regional Organiser for Scotland and Northern Ireland, Caroline Sewell, met with the organisers of Doune the Rabbit Hole Festival. It followed news that the festival had gone into liquidation and was managed by a different company, Festival Food Beverage and Property Services.

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

Close up of a large, red, closed theatre safety curtain, lit up by stage lights.

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

Read more about Right to Work Changes and Deputies: MU Seeking Urgent Legal Clarification
A birds eye view of an online music lesson. A person sits at a keyboard in front of a phone on a stand, and an open laptop.

Dr Anna Bull: Putting Young People’s Voices at the Heart of Music Education

Originally written for Music Teacher magazine, Dr Anna Bull explores why safeguarding is about more than policies and procedures, and how empowering young people to find their voice can help create safer music education, as set out in the MU’s Experiences of Harm and Risk in Music Education Guide.

Published: 17 September 2026

Read more about Dr Anna Bull: Putting Young People’s Voices at the Heart of Music Education
Shot from behind of someone in a cap sat working at a mixing desk in a recording studio.

Have Your say in UK Music’s 2026 Workforce Diversity Survey

UK Music is inviting people working across the music industry to take part in its Workforce Diversity Survey, which aims to identify where further improvements are needed and highlight where positive change is already taking place.

Published: 17 September 2026

Read more about Have Your say in UK Music’s 2026 Workforce Diversity Survey
Close up of someone composing. They are holding an acoustic guitar while sat in front of a computer screen and keyboard, whilst also writing notes on a tablet.

MU Welcomes BBC’s New Commissioning Guidelines for Media Composers

New commissioning guidelines developed by the MU, BBC, BBC Studios Music Publishing and The Ivors Academy will help media composers better understand the BBC's commissioning process, with clearer guidance on contracts, rights, pitching and the use of AI.

Published: 17 September 2026

Read more about MU Welcomes BBC’s New Commissioning Guidelines for Media Composers