News & Stories for Musicians

Close up photograph of hands on a keyboard.

Opera North Seeks BAME Artists for Resonance Residencies

Opera North are seeking applications from music-makers and composers from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds living in the north of England for their third programme of Resonance residencies, supported by PRS Foundation.

Published: 01 October 2019

Empty stage in the dark with the microphone in the spotlight

Standing Up for Diversity in Music Industry

MU members have raised concerns regarding a promoter's view that bands should not highlight their diverse make up, and that doing so is a form of tokenism that will prevent them from being booked.

Published: 30 July 2019

Government Announces Consultation on Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

The Government is gathering evidence on whether current laws on protecting people from sexual harassment in the workplace are effective.

Published: 19 July 2019

An assortment of protesters waving flags

Call for Action to Protect Musicians Jeopardised by Hostile Environment Policies

The MU is concerned at the growing impact of the Government’s hostile environment policies which are jeopardising musicians’ opportunities to work.

Published: 04 July 2019

Feminine presenting person playing a drum kit

QMU Becomes First Scottish Venue to Sign the Keychange 50/50 Pledge

The Queen Margaret Union (QMU), a students’ union at the University of Glasgow, has become the first live venue in Scotland to sign the Keychange 50/50 pledge – committing to achieving a 50/50 gender balance in their performers by 2022.

Published: 28 June 2019

Photograph of Bournemouth pier at sunset

Call for Inclusive Music Education at the Trades Union Congress Disabled Workers Conference

Musicians’ Union (MU) delegates called for inclusive music education for all children at the Trades Union Congress (TUC) Disabled Workers Conference.

Published: 31 May 2019

New Report from TUC Reveals That Nearly 7 in 10 LGBT People Say They Have Been Sexually Harassed at Work

Nearly 7 in 10 (68%) lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people report being sexually harassed at work, according to new research published by the TUC on International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia today.

Published: 17 May 2019

Next Stage Survey Reveals 2 In 3 Musicians Have Compromised Health and Wellbeing to Perform Live

Attitude is Everything’s Next Stage survey, supported by the Musicians’ Union, reveals 2 in 3 musicians have had to compromise their health and wellbeing to perform live.

Published: 09 May 2019

Lineup of percussive instruments for classroom use

Breaking the Class Ceiling in Music Education

MPs and Peers looked at access to music and the challenges emerging artists face in the second session of the ‘Breaking the Class Ceiling’ inquiry.

Published: 23 April 2019

Concern About Recent Protests Over Schools Teaching About Same-Sex Relationships

The MU is concerned at the recent protests in Birmingham regarding schools teaching about same-sex relationships, LGBTQ+ rights and topics covered in the Equality Act 2010.

Published: 12 April 2019

Naomi Pohl Recognised on the shesaid.so Alternative Power 100 Music List

We are delighted that Musicians’ Union (MU) Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl is recognised on the shesaid.so Alternative Power 100 Music List. This year’s theme is community, a value at the heart of the trade union movement.

Published: 02 April 2019

Mentoring Scheme for Female MU Members Launched

The MU and shesaid.so have combined forces to support women in the industry by matching fellow musicians together, to help one another grow and succeed in their careers.

Published: 13 March 2019

Scottish Trades Union Congress Opens Survey on Mental Health in the Workplace for #TimeToTalk Day

The survey aims to look at the root causes of mental ill health in work, how to challenge these, and wider societal issues around mental health.

Published: 07 February 2019

Inquiry Launched into Social Mobility in the Creative Sector

The Performers’ Alliance APPG inquiry, ‘Breaking the Class Ceiling in the Arts’ looks at social mobility in the creative sector.

Published: 18 December 2018

Attitude is Everything Launches Next Stage Artist Survey

Attitude is Everything is asking musicians who identify as deaf or disabled persons – or don’t identify but have a health condition or impairment that impacts their daily life – to share their experiences.

Published: 14 December 2018

5 Tips for Booking Disabled Music Artists

Attitude Is Everything, the disability-led charity improving deaf and disabled people’s access to live music, shares its five tips for booking disabled artists.

Published: 19 November 2018

Anti Bullying Week and Combatting Workplace Bullying and Harassment

Anti Bullying week runs from 12-16 November every year. This year’s theme is “choose respect”.

Published: 12 November 2018

#MUmoment Featured Baluji Shrivastav Produces Series of Performances Considering Sight and Sightlessness

Blind sitar master Baluji Shrivastav OBE – who you may have seen featured in our Musician Behind the Moment campaign – has produced a music, dance and visual performance which considers sight and sightlessness.

Published: 07 August 2018

Music Students Experience Bullying and Discrimination in Higher Education Finds the Musicians’ Union, Equity and the ISM

Joint research by the Musicians’ Union (MU), Equity and the ISM reveal one in two music, dance and drama students are at risk from bullying and discrimination, including sexual harassment.

Published: 19 July 2018

Parents in Performing Arts (PIPA) Opens First of a Kind Survey into Balancing Work with Caring Roles

The Musicians’ Union (MU) is supporting Parents in Performing Arts (PIPA) with their wide-scale, first of a kind survey, and is calling on members to take part.

Published: 29 June 2018

Drake Music Releases Guide to Support Diversification of Music Industry

The ‘We All Make Music’ guide aims support the diversification of the music education workforce. After Drake Music's research revealed that disabled people are very under-represented in music

Published: 07 June 2018

MU Highlights Black Music Programming at TUC Black Workers’ Conference

The Musicians’ Union (MU) was delighted to attend the Trades Union Congress (TUC) Black Workers’ Conference

Published: 23 April 2018

The MU is Here to Support You If You Face Inappropriate Behaviour at Work

We are here to offer support and guidance if you face sexual harassment, exploitation or abuse at work. If you are an employed or self-employed musician, regardless of which part of the industry you work in, you can talk to us. We will listen.

Published: 19 October 2017

MU included in The Short Guide to Accessible Music Education

The Musicians’ Union (MU) is now included in the latest edition of The Short Guide to Accessible Music Education.

Published: 02 June 2017

MU Success at TUC Disabled Workers’ Conference

The MU is delighted to have attended the TUC’s Disabled Workers’ Conference, with delegates John and Heidi representing MU members.

Published: 19 May 2017

Naomi Pohl becomes the Union's first female Assistant General Secretary

Naomi Pohl has been appointed as MU Assistant General Secretary, Music Industry, and becomes the first female to join the Union’s team of senior officials in the Union’s 124-year history.

Published: 11 April 2017

TUC Black Workers Conference Supports Stop Rainbow Racism Campaign

TUC Black Workers Conference voted to support the MU’s motion on the Stop Rainbow Racism Campaign and the anti-racism code of practice.

Published: 10 April 2017

MU success at TUC Young Workers’ Conference

TUC Young Workers’ Conference supports MU motion on protecting freelance workers.

Published: 07 April 2017

MU Supports WASPI Campaign

Are you a woman born in the 1950s? You may have been detrimentally affected by the 2011 Pension Act. WASPI is campaigning for fairer treatment.

Published: 02 March 2017

Workforce Diversity in the British Music Industry

UK Music published results of its first pan-industry workforce diversity survey of the music industry focusing on ethnicity and gender.

Published: 17 January 2017

Disability History Month: Lizzie Emeh & Heart n Soul

Lizzie Emeh shares her experience working with Heart n Soul, a creative arts charity in South London that believes in the talents and power of people with learning disabilities.

Published: 15 December 2016

Amplify accessible music production course participants

Disability History Month: Drake Music

Drake Music discusses using creativity and technology to overcome barriers and create new opportunities for music this Disability History Month.

Published: 15 December 2016

Disability History Month: Heidi McGeough

Heidi McGeough shares her experiences as a singer/songwriter and a registered blind guide dog owner, this Disability History Month.

Published: 08 December 2016

Therapy in Musical Expression band performing

Disability History Month: Therapy in Musical Expression

Essex-based music service T.I.M.E. provides opportunities for musical expression to all.

Published: 22 November 2016

Attitude is Everything State of Access Report 2016

Simple changes to online information provision could drastically improve the experiences of Deaf and disabled venue and festival goers, shows new report.

Published: 17 March 2016

TUC Black Workers Conference

The TUC Black Workers Conference was held at Congress House, London on 17-19 April 2015.

Published: 21 May 2015

Cookies on Musicians' Union

Popular searches

All News and Features