News & Stories for Musicians

Female violinist playing at a garden wedding

Playing at Weddings: Hold the Macerena

MU National Organiser for Live Performance, Dave Webster, discusses how it does now seem possible for some live music to take place at weddings in England only – however it’s unlikely that anyone will be doing The Macerena any time soon.

Published: 09 July 2020

Stands for music note standing in the church

Advice for Organists in Places of Worship

New guidance from the Government means that organists can now practice in places of workship, as long as the right measures are in place.

Published: 09 July 2020

Photograph of the house of parliament, with the sun rising in the background

MPs Join the MU to Beg the Chancellor Not to Ignore the Excluded

Our Head of Communications & Government Relations Isabelle Gutierrez discusses how, after a busy week in parliament, the big news is the Government's announcement of a £1.57bn package of financial support for the arts sector.

Published: 09 July 2020

Government Announces that in England Live Performances can Take Place Outside

From the weekend of 11 July, live performances can take place outside in England.

Published: 09 July 2020

Photograph of female identifying musician playing acoustic guitar on an outdoor stage, green trees in the background

We’ve Now Allocated Over £1m to Musicians Facing Hardship

Valuable PPL contributions have assisted our crucial payments to artists facing hardship due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Published: 08 July 2020

Man hanging out with a cup of coffee and his laptop

Free Group Coaching from RE:SET

We’re supporting RE:SET, a new virtual action learning programme for artists and creative freelancers, developed by creative agitators the hub.

Published: 08 July 2020

The Great (Livestreamed) Gig in the Sky: Part-One

In part-one of musician and lecturer Sam Leak’s blog on monetising live performances he discusses paywalls, ticketing and how to keep your audience engaged.

Published: 07 July 2020

Summer of Live Festival in Aid of Our Coronavirus Hardship Fund for Musicians

We’re joining forces with the British Underground to present a Summer of Live Online event on Saturday 18 July, hosted by the award-winning Greg Russell and featuring the talents of John Smith, Lady Nade and Chloe Foy.

Published: 07 July 2020

Photograph of an empty backstage, set up for a music performance to go live

£1.57bn Cultural Fund Announced by the Government

The announcement brings welcome reassurance for live music venues and theatres, but must be followed by financial support for creative workers.

Published: 06 July 2020

The Usher Hall, a concert hall in Edinburgh

Vital Performing Arts Venue Funding Announced for Scotland

A £10 million fund to support Scotland’s performing arts venues has been announced by Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop.

Published: 03 July 2020

We’re Calling on Local Authorities to Support Open Air Music Performance

We’re calling on the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities & Local Government and local authorities to encourage the generation of local culture through live music, whilst respecting safe distancing in keeping with the latest government guidelines.

Published: 03 July 2020

Photo of music audience crowd, hands raised towards off-shot performer

Let The Music Play Campaign Calls for Vital Financial Support from the Government

Today UK Music, an umbrella organisation of which the MU is a part, has launched a campaign highlighting the huge challenges the music industry is currently facing and possible solutions.

Published: 02 July 2020

Understanding Your Value as a Musician: Making The Most of Working From Home

Musician Sherika Sherard talks to us about her lockdown experience, from her last day of busking, to slowly finding her rhythm from home and the things that she’s learnt along the way.

Published: 02 July 2020

View of Big Ben from Westminister Bridge

Our Call for Financial Support Referenced in PMQs

Bambos Charalambous MP asked the Prime Minister to heed calls from the MU to provide financial support and ensure the survival of the arts sector.

Published: 01 July 2020

Recording Studio Guidance Published by Scottish Government

The Scottish Government has published new guidance for the creative industries, in particular for providers and users of creative studios in Scotland, for safer working during the coronavirus pandemic.

Published: 01 July 2020

Photograph of musician performing on stage.

Take Action and Call for Vital Financial Support

Ask your MP to support a sector specific financial support package to protect our vital cultural assets – and the musicians who work in them.

Published: 01 July 2020

Orchestras Begin Tentative Start on the Comeback Trail

Following the Culture Secretary’s vague lockdown easement plan, we discuss how important it is that every attempt must be made to mitigate risk, the tentative first steps that some Orchestras have been taking, and the collective determination of musicians to be heard.

Published: 30 June 2020

Frustration as Pubs Reopen with No Live Entertainment, a Lobbying Update

Our Head of Communications & Government Relations Isabelle Gutierrez discusses the actions the MU are taking to lobby government and make sure that no musician is left behind.

Published: 30 June 2020

Watch the MU Summer of Live on IGTV

Catch up with live music and chat from Eliza Shaddad, Jack Curley, Prima and Kinkai as part of the MU Summer of Live.

Published: 26 June 2020

Photograph of a earbud earphones stuck to a bright background with a first-aid style sticking plaster

User Centric Model Support by Labour Party

We’re delighted that the user centric model of paying out streaming royalties has Labour Party support.

Published: 24 June 2020

Miniature figures sit on a ruler demonstrating the concept of social distancing to avoid transmission of the coronavirus

New Covid-19 Recovery Measures Announced by the Government

In the latest announcement from the Government, a number of measures to ease the lockdown in England were announced, as well as the commitment to continue to work together with the devolved governments.

Published: 23 June 2020

Photograph of a keyboard set up by a busker out in a busy open space

Keep Streets Live Releases New Socially-Distanced Busking Guidance

Keep Streets Live, a not-for-profit company that campaigns to protect public spaces for informal offerings of music and the arts, has released new guidance to help buskers comply with social distancing.

Published: 19 June 2020

Photograph of Cardiff City Hall in the sunshine

Black Workers’ Experience Surveyed by TUC Wales

Wales TUC have received numerous worrying reports of BME workers facing discrimination in Welsh workplaces during the coronavirus crisis, and are working to identify the scale and complexity of the problem.

Published: 19 June 2020

Model skeleton sat at desk working, wearing eye glasses.

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

Man in a mask playing guitar in front of a laptop

Top-up Payments to Coronavirus Hardship Fund Grants

We’re making a top-up payment of £100 to previously successful applicants to our Coronavirus Hardship Fund this month.

Published: 18 June 2020

Photograph of earphones on a laptop, with an open blank notebook and pen set up.

Jaxsta Pro Is Now Free for Musicians in 2020

This comprehensive resource for official music credits is offering its services to musicians for free for the rest of 2020.

Published: 17 June 2020

Photograph of a coffee cup with a blurred background of a coffee shop

Catch up With the Special #FixStreaming Edition of Music & Coffee

Music & Coffee hosted a special edition live-steam focusing on the #FixSteaming campaign, and it’s now available to watch on YouTube.

Published: 17 June 2020

Photo of colourful fridge magnet letters spelling out reggae

International Reggae Day to be Held Online

The London, UK hub event marking International Reggae Day (IRD) that can be consumed from anywhere with an internet connection!

Published: 17 June 2020

Photo of a young student wearing a mask while playing piano.

Teaching Health & Safety Advice Released

We’ve released new health & safety advice for teachers working during the Covid-19 pandemic, to help members who are considering a return to work prepare.

Published: 15 June 2020

Photo of man on sofa, writing on sheet of music, an acoustic guitar propped nearby

Composers and Songwriters Face Growing Concerns for the Future

MU Live and Music Writers Official, Kelly Wood, discusses the “real fear that writers and composers will be suffering from the effects of this lockdown far beyond the reopening of other sectors across the industry”.

Published: 15 June 2020

Photo of two musicians playing a duet on stage

Gaps in Support Highlighted by Treasury Select Committee

A report from the Treasury Select Committee unanimously agrees that the Government must act now to help those locked out of support.

Published: 15 June 2020

BBC of Exceptional Value to Public During Crisis

We responded to a Select Committee inquiry into the future of public broadcasting, explaining why the BBC is essential to making sure that arts and culture and available to everyone.

Published: 12 June 2020

Live Performance Risk Assessment Advice for Freelancers Released

We’ve put together new guidance for freelance musicians, to help musicians prepare themselves for when venues to begin reopening.

Published: 12 June 2020

Call for Government Support Resonates Across Music Industry

Our evidence presented to the Government’s Select Committee, explaining how more support for the music industry is needed, has been fast gaining coverage across the media.

Published: 11 June 2020

Working to Re-Open the West End

The Stage have published details of a confidential letter received by the Union from the Society of London Theatre several weeks ago.

Published: 10 June 2020

MU General Secretary gives evidence to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee

MU General Secretary Horace Trubridge calls for an extension of the Government support schemes for musicians, an investigation into the streaming royalties model, and a Government support fund for the creative industries.

Published: 09 June 2020

Photograph of small model figures placed on a social distancing grid.

Horace Trubridge Responds to BBC Article on Relaxing Two-metre Rule

MU General Secretary Horace Trubridge explains, “we do not want musicians to go back to the workplace if by doing so they are risking their health or the health of others.”

Published: 08 June 2020

Photo of multi-coloured bunting in the sunshine.

Fundraiser on Bandcamp Friday 5 June

Music platform Bandcamp are waiving their revenue share for all sales, from 8:00 am on Friday 5 June to 8:00 am on Saturday 6 June.

Published: 05 June 2020

Photograph of an open instrument case of a busker

Select Committee on the Impact of Covid-19 on the Creative Industries

Our General Secretary Horace Trubridge will be giving evidence to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee regarding the impact of COVID-19 on the creative industries on Tuesday morning.

Published: 05 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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Playing at Weddings: Hold the Macerena

Advice for Organists in Places of Worship

MPs Join the MU to Beg the Chancellor Not to Ignore the Excluded

Government Announces that in England Live Performances can Take Place Outside

We’ve Now Allocated Over £1m to Musicians Facing Hardship

Free Group Coaching from RE:SET

The Great (Livestreamed) Gig in the Sky: Part-One

Summer of Live Festival in Aid of Our Coronavirus Hardship Fund for Musicians

£1.57bn Cultural Fund Announced by the Government

Vital Performing Arts Venue Funding Announced for Scotland

We’re Calling on Local Authorities to Support Open Air Music Performance

Let The Music Play Campaign Calls for Vital Financial Support from the Government

Understanding Your Value as a Musician: Making The Most of Working From Home

Our Call for Financial Support Referenced in PMQs

Recording Studio Guidance Published by Scottish Government

Take Action and Call for Vital Financial Support

Orchestras Begin Tentative Start on the Comeback Trail

Frustration as Pubs Reopen with No Live Entertainment, a Lobbying Update

Watch the MU Summer of Live on IGTV

User Centric Model Support by Labour Party

New Covid-19 Recovery Measures Announced by the Government

Keep Streets Live Releases New Socially-Distanced Busking Guidance

Black Workers’ Experience Surveyed by TUC Wales

Access Online Healthy Performance Courses on BAPAM’s New Website

Top-up Payments to Coronavirus Hardship Fund Grants

Jaxsta Pro Is Now Free for Musicians in 2020

Catch up With the Special #FixStreaming Edition of Music & Coffee

International Reggae Day to be Held Online

Teaching Health & Safety Advice Released

Composers and Songwriters Face Growing Concerns for the Future

Gaps in Support Highlighted by Treasury Select Committee

BBC of Exceptional Value to Public During Crisis

Live Performance Risk Assessment Advice for Freelancers Released

Call for Government Support Resonates Across Music Industry

Working to Re-Open the West End

MU General Secretary gives evidence to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee

Horace Trubridge Responds to BBC Article on Relaxing Two-metre Rule

Fundraiser on Bandcamp Friday 5 June

Select Committee on the Impact of Covid-19 on the Creative Industries

Reflecting on #TheShowMustBePaused