The MU will host a trade table and lead a panel discussion exploring the state of fair work in the creative industries. Photo: Shutterstock.
The MU is delighted to partner once again with Resonate Music Conference, taking place at Platform, Glasgow, on Thursday 13 November 2025.
Resonate is a key date in Scotland’s music industry calendar, focusing on industry training, business development, accessibility, and collaboration. The event serves as a springboard for preparing Scotland’s music professionals for international growth, providing space to share challenges, explore opportunities, and strengthen the industry for everyone involved.
Resonate features a wide range of panels, workshops, demonstrations, round tables, one-to-one sessions, and valuable opportunities for networking.
MU panel
The MU will host a trade table and lead a panel discussion exploring the state of fair work in the creative industries.
Titled ‘Fair Work? Fair Do’s – Changing the State of Play for Musicians and the Creative Workforce’, the panellists include:
- Jen Smith – CEO, Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA)
- Calum Baird – Musician
- Matthew Hickman – Musician (Brownbear)
- Chair: Caroline Sewell – MU Scotland & Northern Ireland Regional Organiser
Background to the panel
The recent STUC report, Freelance and Forgotten, delivers a stark indictment of conditions for creative freelancers in Scotland — highlighting late payments, missing contracts, poor working conditions, and insufficient representation. Too many musicians and creative workers are being short-changed.
This session will take a deep dive into the Scottish Government’s Fair Work agenda, exploring how it could transform a sector too often characterised by precarity and bad practice.
We’ll discuss what Fair Work truly looks like in the music industry, examine initiatives already underway, and unpack the key findings from the STUC report, including:
- 53% of freelance arts workers have experienced or witnessed bullying, harassment, or sexual harassment
- 32% have been required to sign non-disclosure agreements preventing them from speaking about their work experiences
- 69% have experienced late payment — some waiting up to 15 months to be paid
- 33% have not been paid at all for freelance work completed
- 83% reported a real-terms fall in income, underscoring the financial precarity of freelance work in the sector
These findings paint a stark picture of systemic abuse, underpayment, and silencing mechanisms that affect Scotland’s freelance creative workforce.
Join leading voices from across the sector as we explore how employers, funders, and unions can work together to build a fairer future for freelance musicians and creative workers.
If you’ve ever chased an invoice, played without a contract, or wondered who’s got your back — this session is not to be missed.
You can read more from the MU on this here.
MU advice sessions
Delegates will also have the opportunity to book a one-to-one advice session with Louise Stanners Pow, MU Scotland & Northern Ireland Regional Officer.
Sessions will be available throughout the day at the MU trade table. If you’d like to arrange a time in advance, please email sni@themu.org, but drop-in appointments will also be welcome.
Accessibility and tickets
Resonate takes place at Platform, 253 Argyle Street, Glasgow G2 8DL. View full venue information or contact Resonate directly at resonatescot@gmail.com to discuss any accessibility requirements.
Find out more about Resonate, including the full programme and ticket information, at www.resonatescot.co.uk.