News & Stories for Musicians

A calculator and pair of glasses on top of a sound mixing desk.

Member Benefit: Discounted Tax Advice for Musicians

From royalties and advances to self-employment, PAYE and international work, musicians often have unique tax needs. MU members can access discounted advice from qualified tax professionals with experience of the music industry.

Published: 01 November 2026

Person playing acoustic guitar next to a small baby who is smiling.

MU Extends Parental Grant Application Period to 12 Months

The MU Executive Committee has agreed to extend the application period for the parental grant from six months to 12 months following the birth or adoption of a child, making it easier for members to access support when they need it.

Published: 22 October 2026

A person sitting at a digital audio workstation in a recording studio.

New MU Member Discount at HQ Recording Studio in Leicester

MU members can now access a 10% discount at HQ Recording Studio in Leicester. Find out about the studio space, the services provided, and how to book a session.

Published: 01 October 2026

Photo of a warmly-lit recording studio with a drum kit and piano.

Old City Studio Offers MU Members 10% Discount

The MU has partnered with Old City Studio in Bristol to offer members discounted recording time. Find out about the studio space and how to book a session.

Published: 01 September 2026

Closeup of a piece of recording equipment against a dark background.

Discount for MU Members at Studio Forty Two in Edinburgh

The MU has partnered with Studio Forty Two, a boutique recording facility in Edinburgh, to offer members discounted studio time.

Published: 01 August 2026

A photo of a coastal town elevated about a big lake.

Discounted Travel, Hotel and Holiday Bookings for MU Members With utc.travel

Members can now access 12 months of discounted rates for travel, hotel and holiday bookings with private travel platform utc.travel.

Published: 01 July 2026

Improved Parking Discount for MU Members

Our updated parking discount with Q-Park includes bigger discounts, more flexibility and increased locations for MU members.

Published: 01 October 2025

Close up of legs running on a treadmill.

Discounted Gym Membership Now Part of MU Benefits

Following the success of our discounted hotel room benefit, we’re now offering MU members exclusive access to reduced-rate gym memberships with The Gym Group — one of the UK’s leading fitness providers.

Published: 01 August 2025

Exterior of the Clermont Hotel Charing Cross branch.

MU Partners with Clermont Hotels to Offer Members Discounted Rooms in London

Our new partnership with Clermont Hotels means MU members can book discounted hotel rooms at various locations in London, as an exclusive membership benefit.

Published: 01 May 2025

The inside of the hotel lobby of a Point A hotel.

MU Launches Another Member Benefit of Discounted Hotels Across UK

Our new partnership with Point A Hotels means that members can now benefit from discounted hotel rooms in Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow and London.

Published: 01 April 2025

Birds eye view of a woman on her tablet, sat cross legged next to an open suitcase with a pair of headphones on top of clothes.

MU Launch Brand New Member Benefit for Discounted Hotel Rooms in London

Our new partnership with Imperial Hotels means that we are now able to offer our members discounted rooms in selected hotels across London. Over time, we hope to expand this benefit to other locations throughout the UK.

Published: 01 June 2024

Four panel members sitting on stage with microphones in front of a live audience.

Fair Play on Tour: Protecting Your Health and Wellbeing as a Live Musician

The MU hosted a panel at The Exchange in Bristol to discuss health and wellbeing for live musicians.

Published: 17 May 2024

DJ Paulette on a stage behind some DJ decks.

MU Member DJ Paulette Named DJ of the Year at Northern Music Awards

Manchester based DJ Paulette is an MU North of England Regional Committee member, and has been named ‘DJ of the year’ at the inaugural Northern Music Awards.

Published: 29 April 2024

Jasdeep smiling holding his award in front of the purple RPS Awards backdrop.

MU Member Jasdeep Singh Degun Makes History at Royal Philharmonic Society Awards

Jasdeep is the first sitar player to win a Royal Philharmonic Society (RPS) Award in its 35 year history.

Published: 27 March 2024

School age kid learning guitar with private teacher

MU Education Section Reaches 10,000 Members

As of November, the number of members in the MU’s Education Section is now over 10,000 – approximately a one-third increase since 2020, demonstrating the importance of teaching and education to MU members.

Published: 24 November 2022

Veronika Klírová outside on grass in seated side bend yoga pose.

Musicians’ Yoga Essentials Course Launched For MU Members

MU members now have free access to the uniquely designed course tailored for musicians created by MU member and yoga teacher Veronika Klírová.

Published: 24 October 2022

Organist with painted nails playing a pipe organ, closeup view of hands and keys.

The MU Deal for RCO Members

The organ is alive and well in the 2020s. And if you play it, MU membership is cheaper than ever.

Published: 03 August 2022

Two hands reaching across a desk with papers and clipboards to shake hands on an agreement.

MU Legal Team Helps Several Members Achieve Substantial Settlement

The MU has recently assisted several members in achieving a substantial settlement in a long running dispute.

Published: 26 May 2022

How to Use Personal Injury Claim Service as Part of Your Membership Benefit

Examining how MU members and their families can make a free personal injury claim is John Morrison, partner at Morrish Solicitors LLP – a leading legal services provider.

Published: 10 April 2022

Member only Read more about How to Use Personal Injury Claim Service as Part of Your Membership Benefit

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

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

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

Members Discount on Rehearsal and Recording Studios in London

London based online music studio directory, MusicWise, are offering members a 10% discount on their first studio booking – quoting our exclusive discount code.

Published: 01 October 2020

Photograph of three different musicians, with the text

Join for £1 Scheme Extended to Former MU Members

Former members who left the MU five or more years ago can now join again and pay just £1 for their first six months of MU membership.

Published: 22 July 2020

Why I Joined the MU: Scott Bowley

Scott Bowley tells us about signing a record deal with his band 13XL, and how the MU supported him through the process.

Published: 20 August 2019

Members of the alternative folk group 9Bach

9Bach on Getting a Fair Deal Using the MU’s Contract Advisory Service

When MU members Martin and alternative folk group 9Bach needed help negotiating a contract, they used the MU’s Contract Advisory Service to make sure they could navigate the negotiation and get a fair deal.

Published: 13 August 2019

Amanda Dal: "You Have to Be the Change You Want to See"

Multi-genre drummer Amanda Dal tells us about how becoming a member of the MU helped her to skirt dodgy gig deals early in her career, and inspired her to get active and make a difference.

Published: 08 July 2019

Photo of Millicent Stephenson holding a saxophone, with banner reading

Why I Joined the MU: Millicent Stephenson

Multi award winning saxophonist, Millicent Stephenson, tells us how joining the MU helped her develop her passion for music into a full-time career.

Published: 01 July 2019

Andy Payne and his band The Heretic Order

Why I Joined the MU: Andy Payne

Drummer and teacher Andy Payne tells us about how advice from the MU has proved invaluable when making career choices.

Published: 21 June 2019

Photo of Lester Clayton the band, with Lester Clayton on the far right.

Lester Clayton on Taking Advantage of the MU's Legal Advice and Assistance

When an MU member found his band in a tricky situation, legal support from the MU took a weight off his shoulders.

Published: 12 June 2019

Photo of Ady Hall and Lee McCarthy in studio, with graphic text reading

Ady Hall: "The MU Has Got Your Back"

Music producer Ady Hall tells us about how the MU’s parental grant gave him peace of mind when he needed it.

Published: 10 June 2019

Photo of Sally Rea Morris, with caption reading reading

Sally Rea Morris: "The MU Have Felt Like a Much-needed Support System"

Country singer-songwriter Sally Rea Morris tells us how becoming a member of the MU made taking the leap into being a full time, self-employed musician a little less scary.

Published: 03 June 2019

Portrait photograph of band members Caroline Gilmour and Marissa Keltie, with text

Scottish Pop Duo "The Eves" on Why They Joined the MU

Scottish duo The Eves, Caroline Gilmour and Marissa Keltie , talk through their reasons for joining the Musicians’ Union (MU) and why it’s benefited them.

Published: 30 April 2019

"Let's Be Voices For the Future and Make Change Happen"

Diljeet Bhachu talks about the MU and welcomes young musicians in the MU to make change happen.

Published: 16 November 2016

Rebekah Ubuntu: “Without the MU, the Music Industry Would Be a Confusing Dispersed Abyss"

Performance artist and musician Rebekah Ubuntu explains how she benefits from being a member of the MU.

Published: 02 November 2016

Sherika Sherard at home with music equipment

Sherika Sherard: "Joining the MU Made Me Feel Protected"

Singer-songwriter Sherika Sherard shares why she joined the Union, and how it feels to be an MU member.

Published: 26 October 2016

Why I joined the MU: Abi Jenaé

Abi Jenaé shares why she joined the Musicians’ Union, and how the Union has supported her career, in celebration of Black History Month.

Published: 17 October 2016

Recommended Rates & How We Set Them

This Young Workers' Month (#YWM15), one of the issues we are talking about is pay.

Published: 10 November 2015

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