News & Stories for Musicians

Close up of the track listing of SGT. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by the Beatles on a gold LP.

Industry Insights: How to Sequence a Music Album

Deciding which tracks should go where in the running order of an album can be pivotal. Two artists and one producer tell what works for them.

Published: 26 January 2024

The Houses of Parliament on a bright Summer evening, lit up with some bright orange lights.

Recipients of Parliamentary Jazz Awards Announced for 2023

The Parliamentary Jazz Awards which were announced on Tuesday 4 July celebrate and recognise the vibrancy, diversity, talent and breadth of the jazz scene throughout the United Kingdom.

Published: 10 July 2023

Busker Charlotte Campbell, a white woman with long blonde hair sings in an outdoor location, smiling into the microphone and strumming an acoustic guitar.

Singer-Songwriter Charlotte Campbell on Making Connections Through Busking

For Charlotte Campbell, busking is so much more than a career stepping stone. It’s a medium that offers immediacy and a powerful way to connect with her audience. We follow her career from the BRIT School to the Southbank.

Published: 03 May 2023

Microphone in radio studio and red 'on air' sign.

How to Get Your Music Played on the Radio

Getting your music played on national radio has never been easy and it’s getting even tougher. Here’s how to improve your chances.

Published: 28 March 2023

10 Tips to Help Musicians Make Money from Patreon

One decade on from the launch of Patreon, the MU focuses on how to get the best out of this popular membership subscription platform.

Published: 21 March 2023

piano lesson conducted online with laptop and iphone on tripod

YouTube Tutorials: How They Can Benefit You and Your Business

YouTube is a valuable tool for enhancing music teaching, adding revenue and expanding your global reach. Here, three musicians discuss how the platform works for them.

Published: 13 December 2022

Stage Patter: How to Talk to Your Audience

Talking to an audience between songs is a much-overlooked skill and one that most musicians have to work at, but it can bring a whole new dimension to your set.

Published: 08 December 2022

Bright and colourful stage lights beam through the smoke.

The Scottish Alternative Music Awards Are Set to Return to Glasgow

The key music event will be returning on 8 December 2022 to Saint Luke’s in Glasgow, featuring acts such as VLURE, The Honey Farm and Becky Sikasa.

Published: 14 November 2022

A woman looks eagerly into a laptop in a busy home office space

CULT Cymru Announces Line-up of November Courses For Members in Wales

CULT Cymru offers discounted courses to MU members living in Wales, they have just released dates and booking links for their November courses – from sign language to online self-promotion.

Published: 31 October 2022

NFTs For Musicians, its Opportunities and Pitfalls

Bored Apes, blockchains, HODLers and fungibility – the world of NFTs can seem indecipherable from the outside. Yet the technology behind the phenomenon has real potential to change the music industry.

Published: 20 July 2022

Private guitar lesson with teacher and student

How to Create and Sustain Work As a Music Teacher

The need for self-employed music teachers to boost their businesses and create income is more paramount than ever.

Published: 21 April 2022

Member only Read more about How to Create and Sustain Work As a Music Teacher

Singer, songwriter and rapper S1mba performing on stage

How Artists Can Make the Most Out of TikTok for Their Career

As TikTok becomes a vital promotional tool that can break a song internationally, we ask the musicians gaining traction on the app for their advice on going viral.

Published: 12 April 2022

A small child holds a ukulele and smiles fondly downwards against a plain background.

Promote Your Teaching Practice with a Clear Brand Story

Ariane Paras, founder of Olympia Coaching, and Laura Ferreiro, founder of Story Harmony and former NME Editor, offer pointers for identifying and sharing brand stories that connect with potential clients, and overcoming blocks that may be holding you back from promoting yourself.

Published: 24 March 2022

a person on their laptop looking for music teachers in MU directory

Promote Your Teaching Practice Using Our Member Directory

If you’re a musician who teaches, the MU Member Directory is a great way to advertise your skills and for potential students to find you.

Published: 02 March 2022

Woman sitting at open laptop smiling with headphones on.

Creative Ambitions for Freelancers Programme

The Creative Ambitions skills development and support programme is now open and available to those based in Scotland.

Published: 24 February 2022

Person using laptop computer at a brightly lit desk

Update on MusicTeachers.co.uk

Information for members on changes to MusicTeachers.co.uk, the music teacher listings website.

Published: 12 January 2022

a man browsing Instagram with his headphones on

Making the Most of Instagram as an Artist

With social media increasingly becoming a key aspect of the music business, Katie Nicholls talks to artists and digital experts to find out if Instagram is the holy grail it promises to be for musicians.

Published: 08 January 2022

A woman with grey hair sits on a sofa with two opened notebooks, looking at a laptop computer.

Changes to MusicTeachers.co.uk

MusicTeachers.co.uk, which partnered with the MU to offer free online listings for music teachers, has announced that its free service will end ahead of a relaunch early next year.

Published: 29 November 2021

Two musicians both on guitar playing in what appears to be a small pub environment

Wide Days 2021 Releases Career Resources for Musicians

Covering topics including Covid-19 secure approaches to the future, international marketing tips, and getting your music on TV and radio – Wide Days have just released a selection of useful recordings on their youtube channel, following their 2021 Scottish Music Convention.

Published: 18 November 2021

Belfast City Hall illuminated at night and seen from down a busy street with blurred pedestrians

Belfast Awarded prestigious UNESCO City of Music Title

In exciting news, Belfast has become the third city in the UK to be awarded the coveted City of Music status by UNESCO celebrating the city’s rich musical heritage and recognising the importance of music to its future.

Published: 09 November 2021

A grouping of trombone players, we can see the instruments, their music stands and their hands - blurred in the background is the rest of the orchestra.

New Series of Events for Orchestral Players

This Autumn we’ll be hosting a new series of online events for our Orchestra Section members, covering topics from mouth and hand health through to presentation skills and designing workshops.

Published: 12 October 2021

A pineapple wearing earphones and heart-shaped sunglasses is stood on a white sanded beach with blue sea and bluer sky in the background.

New Recordings Added to Our Career Development Section

We’ve recently added recordings from some of our online events to the Career Starter Kits which we host on our website – adding to the selection of member-only resources currently available.

Published: 08 October 2021

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Final Announcements on Discounts and Sessions as Education Conference Approaches

With just over two weeks to go until our MU Education Conference commences, there’s still time to book your place – and booking for free one-to-one consultations and coaching sessions is now open to all delegates.

Published: 01 October 2021

Photograph of Belfast Castle, seen through the flowers in bright sunshine.

Music Connections Launches to Champion Music in Northern Ireland

A new online music initiative dedicated to championing Northern Ireland (NI) music has launched. Music Connections is a central online hub created to support the development and growth of NI’s diverse and talented music sector.

Published: 08 July 2021

Photo of a trio of musicians, a banjo player, a double bass player and an acoustic guitarist.

The Hub Launches Toolkit on Post-Pandemic Support for Artists and Creative Freelancers

Our friends at the hub have just launched a new Balance toolkit that includes 100+ bespoke resources to help artists and creative freelancers take better care of their mental health and businesses in the wake of Covid 19.

Published: 06 July 2021

Photograph of a function band performing at a wedding, as seen from behind. We see the back of a guitarist in blue lighting.

Applications Open For Wide Days Artist Development Programme in Scotland

The programme is supported by PRS Foundation, and aims to develop international opportunities for six acts based in Scotland, and is taking applications up to Monday 5 July.

Published: 02 July 2021

Photograph of a collection of young people rehearsing in an orchestra, the photo focuses on a young woman on the cello.

MU Orchestras Department Run Back to Work Events Series

Looking back at the series of events recently put on by the MU Orchestras Department, developed specifically to help orchestral players on the road back to work – from physical health and coping with pressure, to presentation skills.

Published: 02 July 2021

Photograph of stacks of vintage boomboxes, set up in a wall

Scotland’s First Hip-Hop and Grime Conference HANG Puts Out Call for Live Showcase Artists

Scotland’s first hip hop and grime conference – Hip-Hop Aimed Networking with Grime (HANG) – unveils its full programme for Saturday 31 July, and opens a call for artists to perform at its live showcase.

Published: 17 June 2021

Photograph of a young woman working on her laptop at a table

12-Week Music Business Programme for Women and Marginalised Genders Opens to Applications For Free Spaces

Brighter Sound and Digital Advantage are running a free 12-week development programme for women and marginalised genders looking to launch and grow their own businesses within the music industry!

Published: 13 April 2021

A woman is working on a laptop computer. She's wearing earphones and smiling broadly.

FEU Closes Live Training Programme But Digital Access to Training Continues

After more than a decade, the Federation of Entertainment Unions (FEU) has closed its live training programme – following the Government’s decision to pull all unionlearn funding. However, their digital learning online centre will remain online.

Published: 01 April 2021

Laptop, pencils, an orange, a phone charger and mobile phone, and an open notebook on a desk.

Let us Know What Kind of Training Opportunities You Want From the MU

We’re planning to launch a comprehensive package of webinars for members preparing to return to their careers – but we want to hear from you first, so that we can provide the most appropriate support possible.

Published: 01 April 2021

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Free Expert Industry Advice Session to be Run by the Featured Artists Coalition

The webinars will be part of the Music Explosion Spring Special 2021 presented by Midi Music, and will take place online on the evening of Wednesday 24 March.

Published: 22 March 2021

Photograph of earphones and a microphone lieing on a sun soaked wooden desk.

Assessing Aggregators for Digital Music Distribution

All music creators need digital aggregators to get their music online – but which one to choose? An invaluable new MU resource is helping members to decide.

Published: 19 March 2021

Photograph of a guitarist performing on a stage under blue toned stage lights.

PRS for Music: Online Licensing Update and Member Survey

An update on PRS for Music which clarifies various aspects of their licences for online ticketed events.

Published: 18 February 2021

A white man in a wheelchair is indoors, performing in what appears to be his home on a keyboard, while leaning over to type something into his laptop.

Top Tips for Keeping Your Music Career Ticking Over During Covid-19

Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl spoke to BBC Music Introducing on Saturday night about the impact of the Covid-19 crisis, and ways that musicians can keep creating and working.

Published: 29 September 2020

12 Social Media Tips For Musicians and Bands During Lockdown

Sean Adams, founder of Drowned in Sound and Social Media Producer for BBC Radio 6 Music, talks us through how to use lockdown to work on your social media.

Published: 17 April 2020

8 Tips on Using Radio to Boost Your Music Career from Isolation

Shell Zenner, a radio presenter, producer, and new-music obsessive talks us through how you can best use radio to your advantage during the coronavirus outbreak, generating income, reaching new audiences and building your presence.

Published: 17 April 2020

10 Tips on Recording and Streaming Your Live Show From Home

Bass player Steve Lawson is no stranger to streaming shows from his home. Here is his advice from setting up your equipment, to choosing the right streaming platform.

Published: 17 April 2020

Member only Read more about 10 Tips on Recording and Streaming Your Live Show From Home

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All News and Features

Industry Insights: How to Sequence a Music Album

Recipients of Parliamentary Jazz Awards Announced for 2023

Singer-Songwriter Charlotte Campbell on Making Connections Through Busking

How to Get Your Music Played on the Radio

10 Tips to Help Musicians Make Money from Patreon

YouTube Tutorials: How They Can Benefit You and Your Business

Stage Patter: How to Talk to Your Audience

The Scottish Alternative Music Awards Are Set to Return to Glasgow

CULT Cymru Announces Line-up of November Courses For Members in Wales

NFTs For Musicians, its Opportunities and Pitfalls

How to Create and Sustain Work As a Music Teacher

How Artists Can Make the Most Out of TikTok for Their Career

Promote Your Teaching Practice with a Clear Brand Story

Promote Your Teaching Practice Using Our Member Directory

Creative Ambitions for Freelancers Programme

Update on MusicTeachers.co.uk

Making the Most of Instagram as an Artist

Changes to MusicTeachers.co.uk

Wide Days 2021 Releases Career Resources for Musicians

Belfast Awarded prestigious UNESCO City of Music Title

New Series of Events for Orchestral Players

New Recordings Added to Our Career Development Section

Final Announcements on Discounts and Sessions as Education Conference Approaches

Music Connections Launches to Champion Music in Northern Ireland

The Hub Launches Toolkit on Post-Pandemic Support for Artists and Creative Freelancers

Applications Open For Wide Days Artist Development Programme in Scotland

MU Orchestras Department Run Back to Work Events Series

Scotland’s First Hip-Hop and Grime Conference HANG Puts Out Call for Live Showcase Artists

12-Week Music Business Programme for Women and Marginalised Genders Opens to Applications For Free Spaces

FEU Closes Live Training Programme But Digital Access to Training Continues

Let us Know What Kind of Training Opportunities You Want From the MU

Free Expert Industry Advice Session to be Run by the Featured Artists Coalition

Assessing Aggregators for Digital Music Distribution

PRS for Music: Online Licensing Update and Member Survey

Top Tips for Keeping Your Music Career Ticking Over During Covid-19

12 Social Media Tips For Musicians and Bands During Lockdown

8 Tips on Using Radio to Boost Your Music Career from Isolation

10 Tips on Recording and Streaming Your Live Show From Home