News & Stories for Musicians

Stephen Brown MU Midlands Regional Organiser; Louise Braithwaite MU vice-Chair Midlands Regional Committee; Rob Johnston TUC Policy and Campaigns Officer. All smiling holding a copy of the MoU.

MU Signs Agreement with Commonwealth Games to Ensure Fair Pay For Artists

The landmark agreement has been signed by Commonwealth Games organisers and cultural sector unions, including the MU, to ensure diversity, fair pay and support for creative sector workers during the Games.

Published: 25 July 2022

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MU Reiterates Black Face Position Statement

The reiteration comes following the Arena di Verona’s summer festival’s decision to darken performers skin for their roles in Verdi’s Aida, and their subsequent defence of this decision.

Published: 18 July 2022

Flat lay of musician and sound engineer items such as a guitar, mixer, microphone, keyboard, cables, note pad and headphones. Image has a vintage style filter.

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

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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

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MU Member Receives PRS Foundation Composers’ Award

Helen Epega of The Venus Bushfires is one of seven composers to receive the 2022 award from the PRS Foundation.

Published: 23 June 2022

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Year 2 POWER UP Participants Announced

As the participants for the second year are announced, POWER UP also celebrates the victories and impact of the programme from Year 1.

Published: 22 June 2022

Close up of clarinet over a keyboard with sheet music.

MU and Black Lives in Music Launch 3-Year Partnership

The 3-year partnership will see BLiM and The MU work together to challenge racism, promote inclusive practices and accelerate change regarding diversity in the music industry.

Published: 16 June 2022

A young person is sat in a bright library setting wearing red headphones and looking intently at a computer screen.

Universities Cut Arts Courses

The MU is saddened to see large-scale cuts to arts courses at two universities following ongoing Government funding cuts and anti-arts rhetoric.

Published: 14 June 2022

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Open Letter Questioning Funding Cut to PRS Foundation Published

Following PRS for Music’s decision to cut funding for the PRS Foundation from 2024, a petition has been launched. Now an open letter from 50 grassroots music organisations has been published.

Published: 06 June 2022

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Remembering #TheShowMustBePaused: Two Years on in the Music Industry

The MU’s Education and Equalities Officer Rose Delcour-Min reflects on the changes at the MU and in the music industry since #TheShowMustBePaused and Blackout Tuesday in 2020.

Published: 02 June 2022

POWER UP Is First Recipient of New Changemaker Award

IMPALA have announced that the POWER UP initiative, of which the MU is a partner, has been awarded the Changemaker Award in recognition of its diversity and inclusion work.

Published: 18 May 2022

A white microphone is in near focus, where in the background a woman is preparing to put earphones on, a notebook and laptop on her desk.

Motion on Being Black in the UK Music Industry Passes at TUC Black Workers Conference

A motion responding to the ‘Being Black in the UK Music Industry’ report has been raised and passed at the TUC Black Workers conference.

Published: 10 May 2022

Panoramic view of Manchester, Media City, including offices and bridge over the river/quay.

MU Member Nominated at National Diversity Awards

North of England member Claire Mooney has been nominated for a Lifetime Achiever Award at the National Diversity Awards.

Published: 04 May 2022

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MU Disappointed By Comments From Birmingham’s Commonwealth Games Director Regarding Refugees

The MU joins the TUC, Equity and Bectu in a letter to the Commonwealth Games Committee, expressing concern over comments praising the Governments’ plan to send those seeking refuge in the UK to Rwanda.

Published: 29 April 2022

Anonymous women in silhouette against a window blind.

MU Reacts to Reports of Abuse of Black Women By a Prominent DJ

Recent reports of Tim Westwood’s decades of abuse of Black women are yet another example of the power imbalances in the music industry that allow men to use their positions of power to abuse women over lengthy periods of time without consequence.

Published: 29 April 2022

Close up of a corner of Sheffield City Hall, a big white stone building.

Professional Development Opportunities in Yorkshire with PiPA

Parents in Performing Arts (PiPA) is offering a series of professional development placements and opportunities at renowned performing arts organisations for marginalised parents or carers based in Yorkshire.

Published: 25 April 2022

The hands of small children playing on a singular djembe drum

Free Events for Mental Health Month With Young Classical Artists Trust

The Young Classical Artists Trust (YCAT) are offering individual coaching, meditation classes and a workshop on managing your mind. This comes alongside a selection of events being produced over April by YCAT in partnership between the MU, Help Musicians, and BAPAM.

Published: 12 April 2022

four students walking down the stairs of the college

Take Part in the Consultation on Government’s Plans for Higher Education Music and Arts in England

New Government plans to limit access to higher education music and the arts in England. We've put together a guide to the consultation's questions and key points to raise.

Published: 22 March 2022

Great Russell Street in West London near the TUC Congress house, in the bright sunshine.

MU Member Motions Passed at TUC Women’s Conference

Two motions were raised and passed by MU members at the TUC Women’s Conference – about Black women in music, mothers and parents in the music industry, and online attacks on women journalists.

Published: 17 March 2022

Three young musicians performing on a stage at BBC Introducing, synth, keyboard and microphones are present.

Defending the BBC

Musicians’ Union General Secretary Elect Naomi Pohl looks at the challenges facing the BBC, and why union members must come together to fight for our public broadcaster’s future once again.

Published: 14 March 2022

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

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March Against Racism – National Demonstration

On 19 and 20 March, World Against Racism will be marching in Glasgow, London and Cardiff.

Published: 16 February 2022

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General Secretary Election – Ballot and Candidate Statements

The final stage of the process to elect the next MU General Secretary, the postal ballot, opens on Monday 14 February. Further information about the ballot and the process so far are provided below.

Published: 10 February 2022

British Black Music to Hold Overview and Progress Forum One Year After UK Music Diversity Report Released

Members are encouraged to attend the online forum on 16 February, to hear and interrogate the progress of the UK Music 10-Point Plan presented by the UK Music Diversity Taskforce leads.

Published: 09 February 2022

Close up of people from behind playing violin in an orchestra, reading from a score of sheet music

New Recruitment and Audition Advice for Orchestras

The MU has updated its pages regarding best practice for an inclusive recruitment process for orchestras.

Published: 08 February 2022

Man in t-shirt wearing hat and thick rimmed glasses on synth board.

POWER UP Announces Year 2 Participant Programme Deadline

The holistic POWER UP Participant Programme which includes grants of up to £15k, mentoring, partner, marketing and network support is open for applications until Thursday 17 February 2022.

Published: 25 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

An arrow painted on a tarmac road points towards a bright blur of setting sun.

Moving the Dial on Diversity Report Published by UK Music

UK Music and UK Music’s Diversity Taskforce is calling for greater transparency in the battle to boost diversity and inclusion across the music business and creative industries.

Published: 29 November 2021

Two young adults playing their guitars in the kicthen, both are holding acoustic guitars as if they are preparing to play them.

Arts Council England Highlights Need To Improve Access To Classical Music For All

The recently published report, Creating a More Inclusive Classical Music, reveals the barriers to access that exist in the classical music industry, and sets out a three-year plan of action.

Published: 16 November 2021

Hands typing on a rose gold laptop, with a cup of coffee and a mobile phone in the background.

Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity Publishes Report Into Representation and Conflict in the Entertainment Trade Unions

The report presents crucial action points highlighting the barriers our members face engaging with the MU, and how we can take steps to remove them.

Published: 09 November 2021

Love Music Hate Racism Special Episode Features Vice Chair of the MU EDI Committee

To celebrate Black History Month, Love Music Hate Racism have hosted a special episode of their #SpeakUpThursday radio show, featuring Chardine Taylor Stone.

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

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

MU Member Chairs the STUC Black Workers’ Conference

MU Executive Committee member Diljeet Bhachu is now the first MU member to chair an STUC Black Workers Conference, which ran this weekend. The conference also saw two motions – “An Inclusive Curriculum,” and “Afghan Musicians,” – submitted and moved by MU delegates.

Published: 04 October 2021

Photo close up of a microphone, a person in the background is holding a pair of earphones like they're about to put them on.

Revisit our Playlist Archives for Black History Month

As well as the fresh content that we’ll be publishing over the course of Black History Month (which runs from 1-31 October), we encourage members to browse back through the previous playlists we’ve published celebrating Black British musicians.

Published: 01 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

Headie One performs at the Brixton Academy in November 2019.

The Rise of UK Hip-Hop

From the margins to the mainstream, UK hip-hop has exploded in recent years and risen to evermore creative and commercial heights.

Published: 25 August 2021

MU Moves to Support Girls I Rate as Part of UK Music 10-Point Plan

As part of the 10-Point Plan published by UK Music’s Diversity Taskforce last October, the MU will be supporting equality movement organisation Girls I Rate in their work towards a music industry where women can thrive.

Published: 30 July 2021

A young musician is playfully holding up the seperated parts of a bassoon, looking through one end of one piece.

ABRSM Announces Enriched Woodwind Syllabus Which Aims to Inspire Curiosity of Learners

A new, enriched woodwind syllabus designed to inspire the curiosity of learners and spark interest in music from all corners of the world and by people of all backgrounds has been launched by ABRSM.

Published: 30 July 2021

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MU Signs Agreement with Commonwealth Games to Ensure Fair Pay For Artists

MU Reiterates Black Face Position Statement

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

Overcoming Adversity to Play Again: A Refugee’s Story

MU Member Receives PRS Foundation Composers’ Award

Year 2 POWER UP Participants Announced

MU and Black Lives in Music Launch 3-Year Partnership

Universities Cut Arts Courses

Open Letter Questioning Funding Cut to PRS Foundation Published

Remembering #TheShowMustBePaused: Two Years on in the Music Industry

POWER UP Is First Recipient of New Changemaker Award

Motion on Being Black in the UK Music Industry Passes at TUC Black Workers Conference

MU Member Nominated at National Diversity Awards

MU Disappointed By Comments From Birmingham’s Commonwealth Games Director Regarding Refugees

MU Reacts to Reports of Abuse of Black Women By a Prominent DJ

Professional Development Opportunities in Yorkshire with PiPA

Free Events for Mental Health Month With Young Classical Artists Trust

Take Part in the Consultation on Government’s Plans for Higher Education Music and Arts in England

MU Member Motions Passed at TUC Women’s Conference

Defending the BBC

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

March Against Racism – National Demonstration

General Secretary Election – Ballot and Candidate Statements

British Black Music to Hold Overview and Progress Forum One Year After UK Music Diversity Report Released

New Recruitment and Audition Advice for Orchestras

POWER UP Announces Year 2 Participant Programme Deadline

Working to Address Discrimination and Inequality in the Music Industry

Lady Nade and Her Songs From the Heart

Moving the Dial on Diversity Report Published by UK Music

Arts Council England Highlights Need To Improve Access To Classical Music For All

Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity Publishes Report Into Representation and Conflict in the Entertainment Trade Unions

Love Music Hate Racism Special Episode Features Vice Chair of the MU EDI Committee

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

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

MU Member Chairs the STUC Black Workers’ Conference

Revisit our Playlist Archives for Black History Month

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

The Rise of UK Hip-Hop

MU Moves to Support Girls I Rate as Part of UK Music 10-Point Plan

ABRSM Announces Enriched Woodwind Syllabus Which Aims to Inspire Curiosity of Learners