News & Stories for Musicians

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MU Signs Open Letter Demanding Return to Live Music Post-Pandemic is Safe and Inclusive For Everyone

The MU has signed UN Women UK’s open letter, calling for 2021 to be the year the music and events industries rise up to the call of the #MeToo movement – and commits to change.

Published: 24 August 2021

The Importance of the MU Political Fund

Assistant General Secretary, Phil Kear, explains how the MU political fund provides invaluable help for members.

Published: 24 August 2021

Member only Read more about The Importance of the MU Political Fund

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Government Response to Consultation on Sexual Harassment Welcomed

The Government has responded to the consultation on sexual harassment with a number of commitments, and the MU wishes to congratulate everyone involved in making this happen, including MU members who contributed to the consultation.

Published: 22 July 2021

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Second Day of MU Delegate Conference

Topics covered on the second day of the MU Delegate Conference included the climate emergency and how the MU can contribute to sustainability, HE Funding Cuts, Fix Streaming, our Safe Space initiative, and more.

Published: 21 July 2021

Photograph of Bishi Bhattachaya, she is wearing a brightly coloured top and gold head piece, and is looking directly into the camera with one arm raised.

What Happens Next? Women, Inclusivity and the UK Music Industry

For Women’s History Month, singer-songwriter Bishi Bhattachaya talks us through how the pandemic has exposed major issues of inequality within the music industry, and calls for concrete action and investment.

Published: 30 March 2021

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MU Releases New Recording and Home Studios Advice

We’ve released two workbooks on "How to Set Up Your Home Studio Session," and "How to Set Up Your Home Studio Space," for members only, following the workshops we partnered with The F-List to produce for Women’s History Month.

Published: 29 March 2021

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New Statistics on Sexual Harassment Chime With Those in Music Industry

According to a survey for UN Women UK, four-fifths of young women in the UK have been subjected to sexual harassment, ringing true with our research showing how endemic harassment is in the music industry.

Published: 26 March 2021

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Call for a Violence Against Women & Girls Stategy in Northern Ireland

Members are encouraged to sign Women's Aid Federation Northern Ireland’s petition calling for a Violence Against Women & Girls Strategy in Northern Ireland, which is quickly amassing signiaturies on Change dot org.

Published: 22 March 2021

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MU Members Invited to TUC Young Workers’ Conference

Join young members across the trade union movement for two days of inspirational speakers, discussions, and workshops at TUC Young Workers’ Conference.

Published: 19 March 2021

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Government Agrees to Back Treating Misogyny as a Hate Crime

The Government has agreed in the House of Lords to ask police forces to treat misogyny as a hate crime from the autumn.

Published: 18 March 2021

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Concerns over the Government’s Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill

The MU are concerned that the Government’s new Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill risks criminalising the right to peaceful protest, and will increase discrimination and undermine democracy.

Published: 15 March 2021

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Reclaim the Streets

In the wake of news about the disappearance of Sarah Everard in London and the subsequent arrest of a police officer, many women are sharing their own experiences of walking alone at night and the steps they take to make themselves feel safe.

Published: 12 March 2021

BBC Keen to Speak to Individuals Who Have Had Experiences of Sexual Harassment Silenced

The producer of BBC Three documentary “Music’s Dirty Secrets: Women Fight Back,” is now working on a follow up program and is looking to talking to individuals who feel they have been prevented from speaking out about their experience of sexual harassment or assault.

Published: 10 March 2021

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We’ve Signed a Joint Statement to Protect the Human Rights Act

Concerned at the UK Government’s intentions to review the human rights framework and judicial review, we have come together with numerous organisations, charities and trades unions to present a joint statement.

Published: 17 February 2021

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Call for Evidence on Employer Responses to Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

We encourage members to take part in the Fawcett Society’s call for evidence on sexual harassment in the workplace, particularly to make sure that freelance voices are heard.

Published: 12 January 2021

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Scottish Women Encouraged to Complete Survey on Sexual Harassment

Women across the Scottish music scene are encouraged to complete POWA’s survey – to shape their work to better protect and support women across the arts.

Published: 01 December 2020

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Make Misogyny History

MU Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl looks at the role misogyny plays and creating safe workplaces for women.

Published: 25 November 2020

Guide to Creating Your Own Access Rider Released

Arts commissioning program, We Are Unlimited, have released a valuable document on creating a rider to communicate all of your access needs in one place.

Published: 01 October 2020

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The Hub to Hold Free Day of Events to Support Mental Health

Creative consultancy, The Hub, are marking World Mental Health Day on Saturday 10 October, by holding a day of free online events.

Published: 01 October 2020

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Online Event Examining the History of Racism in British Music Open to All

The event, which will involve a screening of 'The RE:IMI UK Music Industry And Racism' video and presentations by music industry organisation representatives, will run online on Monday 28 September.

Published: 25 September 2020

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Brexit – where are we now?

Brexit is back on the agenda in Parliament this week as the Government brought in new legislation, in the form of the Internal Market Bill. What does this mean for you? MU Head of Communications and Government Relations Isabelle Gutierrez takes a look.

Published: 18 September 2020

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Parents and Carers Encouraged to Take Survey on Family Life During Covid-19

Campaigning organisation Parents and Carers in Performing Arts (PiPA) are investigating the impact of Covid-19 on people with parenting and caring responsibilities – help them gather more information by completing this brief survey.

Published: 18 September 2020

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Looking to Reopen on a Larger Scale, a Lobbying Update

Our Head of Communications & Government Relations Isabelle Gutierrez discusses how the MU is backing Government explorations into lessening social distancing for the live sector, and a moonshot audience-testing plan.

Published: 17 September 2020

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Resources for World Suicide Prevention Day

Thursday 10 September is World Suicide Prevention Day. Many useful resources have been shared on twitter, and below is a round-up that some members may find useful.

Published: 10 September 2020

Examining the Values We Perform: Rule, Britannia!

Linton Stephens, Chair of the MU Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Committee, discusses “Rule, Britannia”, how traditions must be examined, and what it means to align with British values.

Published: 01 September 2020

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SEISS and Me: One Members Experience of Covid-19 Scheme Inequality

Member and orchestral, theatre and chamber musician Louise Braithwaite discusses her experience of claiming the SEISS grant and the inequalities contained by the Government’s Covid schemes.

Published: 28 August 2020

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Growing Pressure on the Government, Platforms and Major Labels to Fix Streaming Now

There have now been over 15,000 signatures on our petition – which we’re running with the Ivors Academy – calling on the Government to help us #FixStreaming and keep music alive.

Published: 13 August 2020

Silence is Not an Option: UK Music Industry Unites Against Racism and Intolerance

We’ve signed an open letter urging the music industry to speak out and eradicate racism, along with over 700 artists, managers, producers and companies.

Published: 03 August 2020

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We’re Calling on the ABRSM to Diversify Their Syllabi

We've sent a letter on behalf of over 70 organisations, musicians, music teachers and academics to ABRSM, demanding they take meaningful and measurable action to diversify their syllabi.

Published: 03 August 2020

Photograph of a young group of musicians hanging out and rehearsing.

Final Set of Inspirational Articles for Young People in the Music Industry Released

Young Guns Network (YGN), have added five more articles to their commission mission series – aiming to inspire, educate and interest young people aged 18-30 in music.

Published: 28 July 2020

We’ve Joined the 48-Hour Boycott Against Twitter’s Inaction

We’ve joined the 48-hour Twitter “walkout,” against Twitter’s inaction this weekend, following a series of tweets inciting violence against Jewish people, posted by grime artist Wiley.

Published: 27 July 2020

Our Letter to the Prime Minister in Support of NEU’s Anti-Racism Recommendations

We’ve sent a letter to the Prime Minister Boris Johnson in support of the National Education Union’s (NEU) five recommendations for urgent action to tackle racism.

Published: 22 July 2020

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Drake Music Hosts Conversation on Making Online Music Education Accessible

Drake Music is a national arts charity working in music, disability and technology – they’ve publishing findings from their most recent working group meeting on online accessibility.

Published: 16 July 2020

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Songs for Refugee Week

For Refugee Week, we asked you to share songs you love in another language, about home, about displacement or imagining a different future.

Published: 23 June 2020

Access Online Healthy Performance Courses on BAPAM’s New Website

Browse BAPAM’s series of events designed to improve health in the performing arts and support enhanced performance excellence through wellbeing and good practice.

Published: 19 June 2020

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Boost Diversity in the Music Industry with UK Music’s Survey

UK Music, the voice of the UK’s commercial music industry, has launched a Music Industry Workforce Diversity Survey to help bring about “major change at pace”.

Published: 17 June 2020

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Sexual Harassment Court Case Success

The Evening Standard has covered the outcome of a court case fought by the MU as a result of sexual harassment reports made to our Safe Space service.

Published: 15 June 2020

Photograph of a statue of Slave Trader Edward Colston removed from its plinth by protestors in Bristol. Photo credit: Olumedia.co.uk

Decolonialising the Music Curriculum: Sign the Petition

Music exam boards can play a role in shaping a more positive future by ensuring greater diversity in their syllabuses, as can making a change to the broader curriculum.

Published: 09 June 2020

Protesters at a Black Lives Matter march in London.

Reflecting on #TheShowMustBePaused

Following #TheShowMustBePaused, we must now turn awareness into action in order to create meaningful, long-term impact.

Published: 03 June 2020

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Call for Evidence From Those Missing out on SEISS Due to Maternity Leave

Campaign group Pregnant Then Screwed are calling on those whose Self Employed Income Support Scheme (SEISS) claim has been affected by maternity leave. Due to the massive response to their campaign so far, the Government’s deadline for evidence has been extended.

Published: 04 May 2020

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