News & Stories for Musicians

Music Support Hosts 12 Step Support Groups Online

Music Support is launching weekly online support group meetings to allow the music industry’s 12 Step recovery community to continue to connect during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Published: 27 April 2020

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A Minute's Silence for Key Workers on International Worker’s Memorial Day

Trades Union members and others are encouraged to observe a minute’s silence on Tuesday 28 April at 11:00 am – to pay tribute to the key workers who have lost their lives to the coronavirus pandemic.

Published: 27 April 2020

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Help DCMS Understand What Help Is Needed by Taking Survey

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is calling for participants for its survey on the impact of the coronavirus outbreak.

Published: 27 April 2020

Live Rates Released for Members Planning Gigs Later in the Year

We’ve published new live rates for 2020-2021 which may be useful to members when planning for work past the disruption caused by COVID-19.

Published: 24 April 2020

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Pressing for Financial Support for Musicians, a Lobbying Update

MU Head of Communications & Government Relations Isabelle Gutierrez reports, “Parliament is now back from recess, albeit in a largely digital format. We have already been in touch with MPs to ask them to question the Government on our behalf.”

Published: 22 April 2020

Crew Nation Fund Opens to Support Live Music Crews

Live Nation have opened a fund to protect those who work behind the scenes to make live music happen. Applications are open to anyone who have been financially impacted from shows originally scheduled to take place in March or April 2020.

Published: 22 April 2020

Photograph of two people playing fiddle at a wedding. Photo credit: Shutterstock

Creative Scotland Opens Bridging Bursary for Second Phase of Requests

Creative Scotland have announced an extra £2M of funding, open to individual artists and freelancers in Scotland who have lost income from their creative work due to COVID-19.

Published: 21 April 2020

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Les Misérables Downloads to Raise Money for the MU Coronavirus Hardship Fund

We’re welcoming the news that a concert production of Les Misérables, filmed at the Gielgud Theatre in the West End, is to become available as a digital download as part of a charity initiative from Cameron Mackintosh.

Published: 21 April 2020

Do It Differently Fund from Help Musicians Adapts to COVID-19

The Covid-19 round of the Do It Differently Fund recognises that musicians are having to work in innovative ways due to the restrictions around social distancing.

Published: 20 April 2020

Opt-in to Receive an MU Diary in 2021

To reduce paper waste, we are asking members to opt-in to receive a copy of the MU diary later this year for 2021. The deadline for opting in is approaching, please let us know by 27 April 2020.

Published: 20 April 2020

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Advice for Employers and Reps on Domestic Abuse During Disruption from COVID-19

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has released an interactive guide on ways that you can spot, support and help stop victims from suffering further abuse.

Published: 16 April 2020

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MU Fundraising Auction Launched with Items Including Handmade Box from Author Philip Pullman

We’ve launched an online auction of items donated from across the creative industries to raise money for our MU Coronavirus Hardship Fund.

Published: 16 April 2020

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Arts Council Northern Ireland Announce Funding for Key Arts Organisations

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI) have announced annual funding of £12.9 million for 97 key arts organisations from its exchequer and National Lottery resources.

Published: 16 April 2020

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Scottish Government Announces Second Phase of Funding

There has been a funding update from the Scottish Government, who have announced a second phase of funding to mitigate the effects of COVID-19.

Published: 16 April 2020

Donations to MU Coronavirus Hardship Fund Soar Thanks to Bank Holiday Fundraisers

Jazz FM promoted the crowdfunder for our hardship fund over Easter Monday, as well as musicians holding their own fundraising gigs over the weekend, pushing our total raised so far up to £27K.

Published: 14 April 2020

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Jazz FM Promotes MU’s Hardship Fund

Jazz FM is running a UK Music Day on Easter Monday, and alongside this they are promoting the MU’s Coronoavirus Hardship Fund and linking to the crowdfunding page.

Published: 12 April 2020

Crowdfunder Breaches £20K in Donations for Musicians Facing Hardship

After setting up a crowdfunder in response to those asking us what they could do to support the MU Coronavirus Hardship Fund, we have received more than £20k donations.

Published: 09 April 2020

Be sure your voice is heard. Take our survey now.

Make Sure No Musician is Left Behind: Take Our New Survey

We’ve opened a new survey to help us lobby for the members who we’re concerned may fall through the cracks in the Government’s current assistance schemes. Help us by letting us know about your experiences.

Published: 09 April 2020

Arts Council of Wales Launches Urgent Response Fund

The Welsh funding body today announced the details for it’s Urgent Response Fund, open to freelance creative practitioners who are experiencing financial hardship due to disruption from COVID-19.

Published: 09 April 2020

Photograph of a busker performing outdoors.

Parliamentary Recess Doesn’t Mean We’ve Quietened Down, a Lobbying Update

MU Head of Communications & Government Relations Isabelle Gutierrez: “Parliament is currently in recess and so not sitting, but that doesn’t mean that we have quietened down our lobbying efforts.”

Published: 09 April 2020

New Support Announced for Musicians in Wales

The Welsh Government, Creative Wales, and the Arts Council of Wales have announced a number of measures including an Urgent Response Fund for individuals, and a Grassroots Music Relief Fund.

Published: 08 April 2020

Call for Information from Members Who Have Received Online Performance Requests

We would like to hear from any members who have recently been asked to stream their performances to private audiences, so we can develop how we meet your needs during disruption from the coronavirus.

Published: 08 April 2020

Band Goes on Virtual Tour to Raise Money for the MU Coronavirus Hardship Fund

Manchester Alt Rock band False Advertising are going on tour – over the internet. Their aim is to spread good will and raise some donations.

Published: 07 April 2020

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Online Commission for Musicians and Other Artists in the North of England

FACT, the UK’s leading media arts centre, is offering 10 early-career artists in any genre (including music) a grant of £1,500 to develop an idea that will be presented online.

Published: 07 April 2020

Musicians transporting music instruments while travelling

New Guidance from Thompsons Solicitors on Employee Rights

These two new documents may be of use to employed members looking to know more about going on furlough under the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), and for employed members who are currently outside of the UK.

Published: 06 April 2020

No Musician Should Be Left Behind, A Lobbying Update

MU Head of Communications & Government Relations Isabelle Gutierrez: “Our focus at the moment is on lobbying for members who are currently ineligible for either of the Government’s assistance schemes for employed and self-employed workers.”

Published: 03 April 2020

Arts Council England Opens £20M Fund for Individuals Working in the Cultural Sector

Arts Council England (ACE) will be opening round one of applications for the fund on 9 April 2020, providing creative practitioners affected by the coronavirus outbreak with grants of up to £2,500.

Published: 03 April 2020

Empty stage with music instruments and lights on

Limited Company Directors Can Furlough Themselves

A reminder that limited company directors can receive assistance through the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS). This may assist some members who would otherwise fall through the cracks of the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme.

Published: 02 April 2020

Jumping into online teaching

In this first-hand account, Rick Finlay - professional drummer, teacher, and vice-chair of our Executive Committee - charts the ups and downs of moving his teaching practice into the online world.

Published: 01 April 2020

A woman sitting with a laptop on a sofa at home

Rockschool Ltd Moves Exams to Video Format

Teachers moving their practice online, may be interested to learn that they can also continue to enter students into Rockschool exams – which can now be taken over video.

Published: 01 April 2020

Greater Manchester Commissions Creative Responses to COVID-19

Greater Manchester Combined Authority has granted 60 micro commissions worth £500.

Published: 31 March 2020

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Scottish Members Encouraged to Respond to STUC Survey on Job Security

Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) launches new survey to find out what is happening to workers’ safety and jobs across Scotland.

Published: 31 March 2020

Our Updated Call on Government to Protect the Self-Employed

It is vital that no musicians are left to fall through the cracks by Government’s new self-employment Income Support Scheme. That’s why we’re urging members to continue to write to MPs with our revised calls for action.

Published: 31 March 2020

Happy man with a guitar against blue background

Creative Scotland Launches Three New Funding Programs

The new funds announced by Creative Scotland on 27 March are designed to provide further support to sustain Scotland’s creative community during the coronavirus outbreak. Two of these funds open for applications today.

Published: 30 March 2020

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BBC Opens Funding Towards Works for a Virtual Festival

The BBC is inviting artists to apply for funding to create new works for its virtual festival Culture in Quarantine. Applications will open later this week.

Published: 30 March 2020

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Crowdfunder for MU Hardship Fund Blows Past Target in Six Days

Musicians and music lovers have donated more than £11,600 to the MU Coronavirus Hardship Fund in just six days.

Published: 30 March 2020

MU Coronavirus Hardship fund text over yellow background

MU Coronavirus Fund Extends Eligibility Criteria

It has now been agreed to widen eligibility criteria for grants from the fund to include all full membership subscription rate payers and joint NEU / EIS / UCU MU members.

Published: 30 March 2020

Make Sure No Musician is Left Behind by Government's New Scheme for the Self-Employed

Although Government’s new financial relief scheme for the self-employed contains good news for many of our members – it is vital that no musicians are left to fall through the cracks.

Published: 27 March 2020

Government Announcement on Measures to Protect the Self-Employed Anticipated

The prime minister announced last night (Wednesday 25 March) that Government is preparing to announce measures that should put the self-employed on “parity” with employees.

Published: 26 March 2020

Crowdfunder for Coronavirus Hardship Fund More Than Triples in Under Two Days

Since opening, our Crowdfunder to raise more money for the MU Coronavirus Hardship Fund is fast gaining momentum – growing from £1,865 on the evening of Tuesday 24 March to almost £6000.

Published: 26 March 2020

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Music Support Hosts 12 Step Support Groups Online

A Minute's Silence for Key Workers on International Worker’s Memorial Day

Help DCMS Understand What Help Is Needed by Taking Survey

Live Rates Released for Members Planning Gigs Later in the Year

Pressing for Financial Support for Musicians, a Lobbying Update

Crew Nation Fund Opens to Support Live Music Crews

Creative Scotland Opens Bridging Bursary for Second Phase of Requests

Les Misérables Downloads to Raise Money for the MU Coronavirus Hardship Fund

Do It Differently Fund from Help Musicians Adapts to COVID-19

Opt-in to Receive an MU Diary in 2021

Advice for Employers and Reps on Domestic Abuse During Disruption from COVID-19

MU Fundraising Auction Launched with Items Including Handmade Box from Author Philip Pullman

Arts Council Northern Ireland Announce Funding for Key Arts Organisations

Scottish Government Announces Second Phase of Funding

Donations to MU Coronavirus Hardship Fund Soar Thanks to Bank Holiday Fundraisers

Jazz FM Promotes MU’s Hardship Fund

Crowdfunder Breaches £20K in Donations for Musicians Facing Hardship

Make Sure No Musician is Left Behind: Take Our New Survey

Arts Council of Wales Launches Urgent Response Fund

Parliamentary Recess Doesn’t Mean We’ve Quietened Down, a Lobbying Update

New Support Announced for Musicians in Wales

Call for Information from Members Who Have Received Online Performance Requests

Band Goes on Virtual Tour to Raise Money for the MU Coronavirus Hardship Fund

Online Commission for Musicians and Other Artists in the North of England

New Guidance from Thompsons Solicitors on Employee Rights

No Musician Should Be Left Behind, A Lobbying Update

Arts Council England Opens £20M Fund for Individuals Working in the Cultural Sector

Limited Company Directors Can Furlough Themselves

Jumping into online teaching

Rockschool Ltd Moves Exams to Video Format

Greater Manchester Commissions Creative Responses to COVID-19

Scottish Members Encouraged to Respond to STUC Survey on Job Security

Our Updated Call on Government to Protect the Self-Employed

Creative Scotland Launches Three New Funding Programs

BBC Opens Funding Towards Works for a Virtual Festival

Crowdfunder for MU Hardship Fund Blows Past Target in Six Days

MU Coronavirus Fund Extends Eligibility Criteria

Make Sure No Musician is Left Behind by Government's New Scheme for the Self-Employed

Government Announcement on Measures to Protect the Self-Employed Anticipated

Crowdfunder for Coronavirus Hardship Fund More Than Triples in Under Two Days