News & Stories for Musicians

Electric bass guitarist performs on stage, we can only see their silhoutte outlined against orange and red lights

MU to Attend Sound of Belfast Festival

The MU will be attending Sound of Belfast festival, which is running across the city 11-12 November. We will be running an introduction to the MU event, as well as hosting 1-2-1 advice sessions.

Published: 05 November 2021

A guitar player in a function band, we can see the back of the neck of an electric guitar looking out over a blurred audience

44 Conservative MPs Back Key Measures to Fix Streaming

Forty-four Conservative MPs are calling for key measures to fix streaming and keep music alive.

Published: 05 November 2021

A huge crowd of climate protestrors with various banners gathered in a street, a blow up beachball style planet is being thrown by the crowd.

Green Pension Guide Released in World First Move by Make My Money Matter

In the run up to COP26, Make My Money Matter (MMMM) have released a free online guide for organisations committing to greening their pensions – one which members may find useful to share with employers and colleagues where relevant.

Published: 29 October 2021

Photograph of MU Executive Committee Member Diljeet Bhachu, speaking into a microphone.

Looking Back, Moving Forward: MU Member Diljeet Bhachu’s Opening Speech to the STUC Black Workers’ Conference

This year’s STUC Black Workers’ Conference was chaired by MU Executive Committee member Diljeet Bhachu, who reflected on how challenging the previous 18-months have been for Black workers across Scotland, and the importance of solidarity across the Trade Union movement.

Published: 04 October 2021

Photograph of a number of instruments left backstage, a well aged piano, an upright bass lying on its side, a red synth on a stand and a music stand, as well as fairy lights and wires and visible.

The MU and The Ivors Academy Welcome Important Research on Creators' Earnings Published by The IPO

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) have published research on “Creators’ Earnings in the Digital Age”, in a timely move, given current industry debates and our campaign to defend media composers' royalties.

Published: 23 September 2021

Photograph of a bass musician standing on a busy looking stage with orange and purple light shining over them

Government’s Response to DCMS Select Committee’s Streaming Report is Welcome

The MU, The Ivors Academy and Tom Gray, Founder of the #BrokenRecord Campaign welcome the Government’s response to the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee Streaming Report, but call for firm action now to put the value of music back in the hands of music makers.

Published: 22 September 2021

Stone pillar with a plac reading DEPARTMENT FOR CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT

MU Writes to New DCMS Secretary of State Highlighting Impacts of Brexit and Covid-19

The Musicians’ Union has written to the new Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Nadine Dorries MP, highlighting ongoing challenges MU members are facing.

Published: 16 September 2021

Close up photograph of a cello's bridge and strings

MU Deputy General Secretary Attends Meeting with Scotland’s First Minister on Measures Against Covid-19

MU Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl represented the Union at a meeting with Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon today.

Published: 15 September 2021

Photograph of a woman backstage, she has a concerned expression and is looking into her mob

#ThisIsNotWorking: Call From Musicians and Music Industry Workforce For Abuse to End

New reports reveal sexual harassment and abuse remain rife in the music industry despite the #MeToo movement. We’re calling on the Government and music industry organisations to protect musicians and other workers from victimisation and harassment.

Published: 03 September 2021

Photograph of a young man singing into a microphone, while another person mans the recording station, a drum kit is also visible in the background

Graduates Share Their Concerns About The Devastating Impact of Government Funding Cuts to HE Arts and Music Subjects

This summer, the MU asked musicians and other arts workers what the 50% cut to Government funding for Higher Education arts and music subjects means to them.

Published: 25 August 2021

A woman holding earphones who appears to be recording, there is a microphone, and open laptop and a notebook on the table.

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

Musician Speaks Out on Discrimination Faced During Pregnancy

MU member and harpist Cecilia De Maria took to Facebook and Instagram, to spread an important message about why so many women in the music industry are scared of their work being affected by people finding out that they are pregnant.

Published: 24 August 2021

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Did You See the News? MPs Join the Fix Streaming Call

MPs from the Labour, Conservative and Scottish National parties joined the collective call to fix streaming this summer.

Published: 13 August 2021

Photograph of a double bass player performing on a stage alongside an electric guitarist with pink lights.

Government-Backed Insurance Scheme for Live Music Announced

Whilst we acknowledge the introduction of a Government-backed insurance scheme for live music, we reserve further comment until we know the schemes details.

Published: 05 August 2021

Photograph of a pile of touring creates, behind a large metal fence.

MU Responds to Government Announcement on Visa-Free Short-Term Touring in Some Member States

The MU cautiously welcomes the Government’s announcement – made on Wednesday 4 August – that visa-free short-term touring is allowed in 19 member states, but it does not solve many of the problems currently facing musicians touring in the EU.

Published: 05 August 2021

Photograph of a persons hand turning the tuning peg on a guitar, in the background is wild countryside.

Scottish Classical Music Green Guide Launched by the Scottish Classical Sustainability Group

Set up during the pandemic, the Scottish Classical Sustainability Group (SCSG) is putting the welfare of our planet in the spotlight with the launch of its first ever Scottish Classical Music Green Guide, and the MU is proud to have contributed.

Published: 30 July 2021

A woman is looking in the mirror and adjusting her hearing aid in the mirror.

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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MU Signs TUC Letter Calling For Urgent Reset in The Government’s Approach to LGBT+ Rights

Together with over 38 other unions and the TUC, we have written to equalities minister Liz Truss to call for an urgent reset in the government’s approach to LGBT+ rights.

Published: 22 July 2021

Woman applies hand sanitizer to a child wearing a facemask and a rainbow coloured t-shirt.

Impact of Re-opening in England on Clinically Extremely Vulnerable Members

We fully support We Shall Not Be Removed’s seven inclusive principles, and Art Council England’s statement on inclusive recovery – and wish to state our continued commitment to supporting members and lobbying the Government for better support and clearer guidance.

Published: 20 July 2021

Photograph of a small model car balancing on the fret board of a guitar.

MU Continues to Support Members Injured on The Road Despite Government Changes

The Government is restricting access to justice with small claims changes – but we will continue to protect you.

Published: 07 July 2021

Photograph of an airplane flying up and through a darkening sky, with sun beams escaping through the clouds

Video Explainers on MIC and Border Crossings Released

We’ve now released a recording of the webinars and Q&A session we put on, explaining the latest guidance on MIC, and how to travel with musical instruments containing CITES-listed controlled endangered species.

Published: 06 July 2021

Photograph of musician Lizzy Hardingham, she is laughing and looking past the camera in a brightly coloured jacket,

Why I Joined: Lizzy Hardingham

Singer-songwriter and folk musician Lizzy Hardingham discusses why she’s glad she was pointed in the MU’s direction.

Published: 30 June 2021

Photographs of various young artists displayed on a photo wall at the event BBC Introducing

The Creative Industry is an Ecosystem That Must be Set Up For All

In this blog, artist manager and UK Music Futures group chair, Amanda Maxwell, discusses how Government cuts to Higher Education Funding could result in the whole industry going back on itself.

Published: 29 June 2021

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Neurotribes' What We Need to Thrive Report Published

New guidance written by MU member and composer Ben Lunn with the team at sound contains information on the day-to-day challenges facing neurodivergent composers.

Published: 24 June 2021

Photo of the Houses of Parliament in London, taken from over the bridge in black and white colours.

New Bill Calls For a Better Deal For Musicians and Songwriters From Streaming

MU member Kevin Brennan MP’s Private Members Bill, calling for a better deal for musicians and songwriters, is backed by eleven cross party MPs including Damian Green and Esther McVey.

Published: 22 June 2021

Photograph of a microphone stood against a fairly plain background, in black and white.

The Ivors Academy CEO Graham Davies on The Value of The Song

In this blog, Graham Davies discusses the Fix Streaming campaign, which has been running since the start of Covid-19, and asks the question – if streaming is a song economy, why is the songwriter the last and least to be paid?

Published: 22 June 2021

Photograph of a vocal recording microphone, with interesting red and blue light shining on it.

New Joint Guidance for Session Musicians and Featured Artists Launched in Partnership With the FAC

Together with the Featured Artists Coalition (FAC) – the UK artist trade body – we are delighted to share a new piece of joint guidance for session musicians and featured artists.

Published: 16 June 2021

Photograph of a trumpet resting on the sill of a closed window, with light shining through.

Shielding Musicians Encouraged to Complete Brief Survey to Help Us Support You

The MU and the Ivor’s Academy in collaboration with ConnectsMusic.com and with the support of HMUK are surveying musicians and creators to find out about those who are still, and will need to keep, shielding once Covid-19 restrictions are lifted – and ways to support them.

Published: 14 June 2021

Photograph of a musician holding a guitar, we can't see their face and the photo focuses on their hands on the fretboard.

Changes to PRS for Music’s Online Live Concert Licence

A summary of changes to PRS for Music’s Online Live Concert Licence following their consultation with PRS members and the wider industry.

Published: 07 May 2021

A young musician is working on a keyboard with a microphone, speakers and computer set up in front of them. There is warm but dark lighting.

The Copyright Directive

In this feature Mark Sutherland discusses the European Copyright Directive in detail, and looks at the vital actions that must take place to protect UK music industry in the post-Brexit environment.

Published: 26 April 2021

Concert Pianist Génia: “These days, I take full advantage of what the MU has to offer”

Russian-born concert pianist Génia describes why being a member of the MU has benefitted her, from legal and career advice through to insurance and training.

Published: 22 April 2021

Photograph of the band Gnoss, they are four men standing in front of a brick wall. Hands in their pockets, they are smiling at the camera.

Scottish Band Gnoss: “Membership Has Made Us Feel More Connected to Our Industry”

Young, Glasgow-based band Gnoss, discusses how membership of the MU has both given them invaluable tools on their journey, and helped them feel that they have someone in their corner.

Published: 15 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

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

Stack of travel cases used to transport musical equipment.

MU Secures ATA Carnet Discounts for Touring Musicians

Whilst the MU lobbied hard against Brexit, the agreement reached with the EU means that currently ATA Carnets (a travel document needed for instruments and equipment) are a reality for musicians working in the EU.

Published: 11 February 2021

Photograph of a sandy coloured electric guitar laid out on a wood table with a loop of amplifier cable and earphones also displayed.

Free PRS Licences for Small Online Performances of Own Works Announced

PRS for Music have announced that PRS members performing their own works in a small online ticketed concert can now obtain a free licence.

Published: 02 February 2021

How Artificial Intelligence Affects Musicians, Music and Copyright

Artificial Intelligence tools have become increasingly prevalent in the creation of recorded and live music in recent years. Will Simpson assesses whether AI is the musician's friend or foe.

Published: 03 January 2021

Photograph of a musician performing at an outdoor event. We can only seem them and the neck of their guitar from behind. The sun is setting and the evening lighting is turning on.

Arts Council England Funding Advice Webinar Online

Are you applying – or thinking about applying – for Arts Council England music funding? If so, you may want to catch up with a replay of our webinar.

Published: 23 December 2020

Member only Read more about Arts Council England Funding Advice Webinar Online

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