News & Stories for Musicians

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

Side view of Manchester bar at the nighttime with red neon sign saying 'Going out is the new staying in' after lockdown restirctions were eased last year.

The Road To Recovery: Musicians and Covid

Almost one year after restrictions began to lift, how is the fallout from Covid affecting UK musicians on the ground? Here artists across a range of genres share their experiences and assess the need for a fairer music industry.

Published: 13 July 2022

A woman is busking with a guitar and microphone on a busy London street, with a phone set up to take contactless payments

A Guide to Card Readers

Whether you’re busking or selling merch after a gig, the card reader is now a vital tool in the modern musician’s kit. Neil Crossley asks various artists for tips on how to choose and use these devices, so they keep you busy earning.

Published: 06 July 2022

As a Romani Gypsy and LGBTQ+ Person, Musician Stephe Meloy Highlights the Importance of Being True to Yourself

In this informative and thought-provoking piece, MU member Stephe Meloy discusses what it means to celebrate both LGBTQ+ Pride and Gypsy Roma Traveller History months.

Published: 30 June 2022

Microphone on the background of the National Flag of Afghanistan, realistic 3d illustration.

Overcoming Adversity to Play Again: A Refugee’s Story

In recognition of Refugee Week 2022, Musician and Associate Prof. Dr. Waheedullah Saghar (former head of the Music Department for the Faculty of Fine Arts at Kabul University) speaks of his experiences of being a refugee, and how music helps to keep our stories alive across continents.

Published: 24 June 2022

A crowd/parade with LGBT rainbow flags in the air, out of focus apart from one hand outstretched holding a flag in the foreground.

“The MU LGBT+ Network Meetings Offer a Comforting Camaraderie”: A Members’ Story

EDI Committee member Lynn Henderson shares her experience of attending the LGBT+ Network meetings, being on the EDI committee and seeing how change is made at the MU.

Published: 24 June 2022

Windscreen drivers view of a touring van, an open road and greenery are ahead.

Navigating Tours in Ireland and Europe post Brexit and Covid: A Case Study

In this insightful case study, MU member Sarah McQuaid outlines the extensive process she has gone through prior to touring in Ireland and Europe.

Published: 20 June 2022

Outside of the Welsh Parliament Offices, Cardiff

MU Welcomes New National Plan for Music Education in Wales

The new plan is substantial, detailed and ambitious. It could be a big step forward for both pupils and teachers, and the MU will be watching closely as it is rolled out.

Published: 19 May 2022

Man performing on stage with guitar under a brick arch/tunnel way, the crowd are sat watching.

Seed Sessions: Creating Roots For Better Mental Health in Male-identifying Musicians

Artist Nederveen shares his experience of working with Seed Sessions, the community interest company (CIC) combining music-making with counselling sessions for young male-identifying musicians in Bristol.

Published: 18 May 2022

Becoming a More Accessible Studio: How One Business Owner Is Igniting Change Within the Industry

Hear the five tips for making your recording studio more accessible, and what we can all learn from helping to remove barriers for musicians. This is a repost from the Crown Lane Studio manager John Merriman's blog.

Published: 11 May 2022

a musician holding a guitar case walking on a street

A Basic Income for Everybody: Why the Musicians' Union Backs UBI

The MU’s motion backing universal basic income was presented at TUC Young Workers Conference in April. We assess the concept, the history, and the feasibility of UBI.

Published: 10 May 2022

Stephanie Collingwood looks into the camera directly, she has earphones around her neck and is wearing a white shirt.

Stephanie Collingwood: Navigating the Musical Landscape as a Solo Female Musician

As part of Lesbian Visibility Week (25-29 April), singer-songwriter and producer Stephanie Collingwood reflects on her life and career as a musician, explaining how a solo pathway through the industry is an often eye-opening, but rewarding journey.

Published: 22 April 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

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Women with short dark hair, her eyes are closed and she is breathing deeply, an orange sunrise is subtly imposed over the head to symbolise mindfulness and new beginnings.

Feldenkrais: Breathing and Anxiety

In this repost of her blog (The Moving Brain), professional classical musician and Feldenkrais teacher Emma Alter explains how your mood can affect how you breathe, and how you breathe can affect and influence your mood.

Published: 21 April 2022

Voice From the Heartland

Scottish folk singer Iona Fyfe is a strong advocate for her native language and music, and for fighting injustices within the industry.

Published: 18 April 2022

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 snapshot from the film Mud featuring Matthew McConaughey

Beware the Buyout

Companies commissioning media composers are now more likely to ask for a buyout – but is that always the best option for music writers or musicians?

Published: 11 April 2022

Taking Care of a Drum Kit on Tour

Drummer and singer John Park has travelled the world in the army with his drums and says he’s lucky that the kit is as robust as he is.

Published: 09 April 2022

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MU Motion on Universal Basic Income Backed at Young Workers Conference

Young workers from across the trade union movement backed the MU’s motion on universal basic income at TUC Young Workers’ Conference 2022.

Published: 08 April 2022

The trans flag, with its blue, pink, white, pink, blue horizontal stripes waves above a crowded but blurred background.

Trans Day of Visibility: The Joy of Learning to Love Ourselves

Thursday 31 March is Trans Day of Visibility. We commissioned trans, masc, non-binary DJ artist has S/HE to write this blog celebrating the resilience and inner strength of the trans community.

Published: 31 March 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

Rebecca Garton pictured sitting on vintage suitcase

Rebecca Garton Shares Her Experiences as a Woman of Colour in the Music Industry

This International Women's Day R&B singer-songwriter Rebecca talks about her experiences as a woman in the industry, and shares her advice on what to hold on to, to continue to thrive.

Published: 08 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

2 silver fold up chairs on blue yoga mats.

Feldenkrais: Working With, or Moving Past Fear of Pain

In this repost of her blog, professional classical musician and Feldenkrais teacher Emma Alter responds to a question raised in one of her classes about fear of movement due to pain.

Published: 18 February 2022

Image of Ronnie-Martine and her partner Stephanie Collingwood

We Need More LGBTQ+ Representatives in Every Workplace as Well as The Music Industry

Singer-songwriter Ronnie-Martine talks about her experiences within the industry as a lesbian musician, and how her struggles have not only shaped her music, but also inspired others.

Published: 28 January 2022

Taking Care of a Violin

BBC Symphony Orchestra leader Stephen Bryant’s violin is so valuable that it needs constant professional care.

Published: 14 January 2022

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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

Working to Address Discrimination and Inequality in the Music Industry

Equality is a trade union issue, and the collective weight of the MU is the key to successfully creating safer and fairer workplaces and communities for musicians.

Published: 30 December 2021

Lady Nade and Her Songs From the Heart

Singer-songwriter Lady Nade, a rising star on the UK Americana scene, talks about creating songs inspired by love, family and friendships.

Published: 27 December 2021

Stage with bright lights and microphones ready for concert

Getting Paid When Asked to Work For Free

Despite the devastating impact of the pandemic, incidences of musicians being asked to play for free are still rife. Neil Crossley examines how the MU is responding and what musicians can do.

Published: 23 December 2021

Fostering True D/deaf Representation in BSL Performance

A special guest blog from BSL interpreter Stephanie Raper about the importance of performance in interpreting and providing access to music for the D/deaf community.

Published: 03 December 2021

Electronic Artist Scanner on His Music Experiments and Working in Lockdown

Electronic musician Robin Rimbaud has been producing music under the name Scanner for many years now. Here he explains his methods of creation and hopes for the future.

Published: 17 November 2021

Rosie Frater Taylor on a sofa with her guitar

Rosie Frater-Taylor on the Making of Her Album "Bloom"

Singer-songwriter Rosie Frater-Taylor talking about why making her genre-straddling second album Bloom was a coming-of-age experience.

Published: 15 November 2021

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A person is sat at a large recording desk, we can just see the back of their head with short cropped hair, a baseball cap, and earphones over their ears.

Fix Streaming & Composers Against Buyouts: Tackling Streaming Royalties on an International Scale

It is fair to say that the Fix Streaming campaign, run jointly by the Musicians’ Union and The Ivors Academy, and Tom Gray's Broken Record have had far greater impact in a short period of time than we thought possible when we embarked on this journey.

Published: 09 November 2021

How to Take Care of the Tabla

Kuljit Bhamra explains how the tabla is a sensitive instrument that requires careful maintenance

Published: 30 October 2021

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Multiple brightly coloured hand bells designed for children to play music with.

The MU Education Conference – a Celebration of Musicians who Teach

The MU’s recent Education Conference – comprising training, networking and debate – was a joyful gathering of members who work in music education.

Published: 22 October 2021

The MU Supports "Being Black in The UK Music Industry" Report Recommendations

The MU fully supports the recommendations made in Black Lives in Music’s survey report highlighting the systemic racism that Black musicians experience across the music industry. The MU’s John Shortell explains why.

Published: 13 October 2021

Rock Against Racism, Love Music Hate Racism, and the Fight Against Racism Today

Zak Cochrane from LMHR guides us through the two music-driven antiracist movements that emerged in the 70s in Britain - Rock Against Racism and Love Music Hate Racism.

Published: 01 October 2021

Two purple fold up chairs standing on two seperate purple yoga mats in bright, sunny lighting.

Feldenkrais Method for Musicians – Why do it?

You are your primary Instrument, whether that’s a Strad or a factory violin is up to how you use what you have! Find out how the Feldenkrais Method could help.

Published: 23 September 2021

Photograph of a close up of a young flute player, practicing in a classroom setting. Behind them we can see other performers and a teacher figure.

MU Urges New Education Secretary and Schools Minister to Work Together to Protect Music Education

Following the sacking of Education Secretary Gavin Williamson and Schools Minister Nick Gibb – and their replacement by Nadhim Zahawi and Robin Walker respectively – the MU urges the new ministers to work together to address systemic problems affecting music education in England.

Published: 17 September 2021

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