News & Stories for Musicians

16 Days of Activism with UN Women: Protected Characteristics

Over 48% of Musicians’ Union members surveyed have experienced sexual harassment at work. Shockingly, a third of those people say their harassment was related to a protected characteristic, and another 21% said they were not sure.

Published: 03 December 2019

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Third Party Harassment at Work: Protect Freelancers Too

You might have heard about the Musicians’ Union’s campaign to Protect Freelancers Too. In a recent survey of MU members, 48% told us they have experienced sexual harassment at work.

Published: 29 November 2019

Why the Musicians' Union is Supporting #16Days and UN Women's Stand Against Rape Culture

Musicians’ Union Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl looks at how the MU is tackling sexual harassment in musicians’ workplaces, creating Safe Space for musicians to be heard and campaigning to ensure that everyone has an equal level of protection from sexual harassment.

Published: 25 November 2019

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Music Education Hubs to Receive Another Year’s Funding

The MU welcomes the government’s announcement of another year’s funding for music education hubs.

Published: 06 November 2019

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Show Your Support for Stronger Laws Against Sexual Harassment that Protect Freelancers Too

A recent MU survey revealed that 48% of musicians have been sexually harassed at work. Take action now for stronger laws to prevent sexual harassment at work that protect freelancers too.

Published: 25 October 2019

Research Reveals Huge Gender Gap in Composers and Signed Recording Artists in the UK

Research from Counting the Music Industry reveals that just 14% of composers and 20% of signed recording artists in the UK are women.

Published: 21 October 2019

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Preventing Sexual Harassment at Work, Protecting Freelancers too

New research by the MU reveals 48% of members surveyed have been sexually harassed at work, and more than half have witnessed incidents of sexual harassment while working.

Published: 21 October 2019

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Delia Derbyshire Day 2019 to Celebrate the Fiftieth Anniversary of ‘An Electric Storm’

An electronic music heritage event in Manchester on 23 November 2019 – with expert talks and live performances celebrating the life of Delia Derbyshire, a pioneering musician and composer of electronic music.

Published: 02 October 2019

A photograph of the Eiffel Tower, Paris.

International Momentum for Meaningful Change at the World Forum on Music

In this blog post, MU Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl reports back from the International Music Council’s World Forum on Music. She explains the five rights for children, adults and musical artists, and how international momentum can help achieve meaningful change.

Published: 01 October 2019

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

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

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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

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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

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Support the Campaign to Prevent Sexual Harassment at Work

The MU has joined forces with the TUC and an alliance of trade unions and women’s rights organisations to prevent sexual harassment at work.

Published: 26 June 2019

Photo from the Women's march in 2018, person holding large sign reading

MU Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl talks to BBC Woman’s Hour about sexual harassment in music

MU Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl spoke to BBC Woman’s Hour about sexism, sexual harassment and abuse in the music industry following a Newsbeat investigation into the harassment experienced by fans.

Published: 11 June 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

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

MU and ABO launch Manifesto for British Orchestras

The MU and the ABO have created a joint Manifesto for British Orchestras and are collectively inviting orchestras to sign up.

Published: 21 March 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

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

Safe Space Update from Musicians’ Union Assistant General Secretary Naomi Pohl

Musicians’ Union (MU) Assistant General Secretary Naomi Pohl looks at what the MU is doing to tackle sexual harassment and abuse of power in the music industry.

Published: 10 August 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

ISM and Musicians' Union Launch Music Sector's Code of Practice

The Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) and the Musicians’ Union (MU), which jointly represent the interests of the UK’s professional musicians, have launched a set of principles to ‘tackle and prevent bullying, harassment and discrimination in the music sector.’

Published: 12 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

MU Highlights Sexual Harassment and Gender Equality at TUC Women’s Conference

The Musicians’ Union (MU) is delighted to be attending TUC Women’s Conference once again. The MU is taking two motions to TUC Women’s Conference focusing on festival line-ups, and sexual harassment in the music industry.

Published: 07 March 2018

Sexism and Sexual Harassment in the Music Industry

The MU's Assistant General Secretary Naomi Pohl reports from a meeting with the Nordic Musicians’ Unions, discussing sexism, sexual harassment, abuse and exploitation in the music industry.

Published: 16 November 2017

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

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

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