News & Stories for Musicians

Frustration as Pubs Reopen with No Live Entertainment, a Lobbying Update

Our Head of Communications & Government Relations Isabelle Gutierrez discusses the actions the MU are taking to lobby government and make sure that no musician is left behind.

Published: 30 June 2020

Unclaimed Royalties List Published

Members are encouraged to check AFM & SAG-AFTRA’s list of performers who have not received payment for the work that they have done.

Published: 30 June 2020

Get Business Ready Online Event Offers Final Few Spaces

Get Business Ready is a training morning to help you rethink the way you work, in some cases in an online environment, and consider how your ‘business’ may function beyond the pandemic when live activities resume.

Published: 30 June 2020

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The MU Reacts to Government Guidance for Restaurants, Pubs and Bars Reopening

The MU's Live Performance Department look at the latest Government guidance for restaurants, pubs and bars - and the bitter blow it delivers for live music.

Published: 29 June 2020

Watch the MU Summer of Live on IGTV

Catch up with live music and chat from Eliza Shaddad, Jack Curley, Prima and Kinkai as part of the MU Summer of Live.

Published: 26 June 2020

Empty seats in the The Shakespeare's Globe theatre

The MU Cautiously Welcomes Government Road Map for Live Sector

While the five-step road map for getting theatres open is welcome, without sector specific financial support, many theatres will struggle to reopen their doors and much of the talent will be forced out of the profession.

Published: 26 June 2020

Photograph of person sat at a computer with their guitar set up to play.

Music Making Online in Real-Time

Musician and educator Alastair Penman discusses web platforms that can make playing together over the internet a possibility, and how to optimise your own system to get the best results.

Published: 25 June 2020

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User Centric Model Support by Labour Party

We’re delighted that the user centric model of paying out streaming royalties has Labour Party support.

Published: 24 June 2020

A memorial outside of the Stonewall Inn during Pride month 2016, marking the Orlando shootings which affected Black and POC LGBT communities that year

Pride Month: The First Pride was a Riot

Our Education and Equalities Officer, Rose Delcour‑Min, discusses how supporting the present and future of LGBTQ rights must involve recognising the ways that sexuality, gender and race intersect.

Published: 23 June 2020

Mans Hand Reaching For Red Ladder Leading To A Blue Sky

Free Support From Guildhall’s Lockdown Lounge

Guildhall Coaching Associates are offering a supportive thinking space for artists through the Covid-19 pandemic, which will be held online bi-weekly and are free to attend.

Published: 23 June 2020

a man listening to music on his earphones

Songs for Refugee Week

For Refugee Week, we asked you to share songs you love in another language, about home, about displacement or imagining a different future.

Published: 23 June 2020

New Covid-19 Recovery Measures Announced by the Government

In the latest announcement from the Government, a number of measures to ease the lockdown in England were announced, as well as the commitment to continue to work together with the devolved governments.

Published: 23 June 2020

Photograph of a keyboard set up by a busker out in a busy open space

Keep Streets Live Releases New Socially-Distanced Busking Guidance

Keep Streets Live, a not-for-profit company that campaigns to protect public spaces for informal offerings of music and the arts, has released new guidance to help buskers comply with social distancing.

Published: 19 June 2020

Photograph of a Black father and his young daughter dancing and joyful in the livingroom

Windrush Day Socially-Distanced Celebrations

Windrush Day on Monday 22 June, is a time to celebrate the huge contributions of the Windrush generation and there has never been a more important time to celebrate.

Published: 19 June 2020

Photograph of Cardiff City Hall in the sunshine

Black Workers’ Experience Surveyed by TUC Wales

Wales TUC have received numerous worrying reports of BME workers facing discrimination in Welsh workplaces during the coronavirus crisis, and are working to identify the scale and complexity of the problem.

Published: 19 June 2020

Model skeleton sat at desk working, wearing eye glasses.

Access Online Healthy Performance Courses on BAPAM’s New Website

Browse BAPAM’s series of events designed to improve health in the performing arts and support enhanced performance excellence through wellbeing and good practice.

Published: 19 June 2020

Panel of logos for BECTU, Equity, CULT Cymru, MU, WGGB

CULT Cymru Launches Online Coaching and Mentoring Programme

CULT Cymru has partnered with the Professional Development Centre, Wales to deliver an exciting Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) endorsed coaching and mentoring programme.

Published: 19 June 2020

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Join For a Pound Scheme Extended to Graduate Members

Student members of the MU can now renew their membership after graduation for £1 and get their first six-months for free.

Published: 18 June 2020

Man in a mask playing guitar in front of a laptop

Top-up Payments to Coronavirus Hardship Fund Grants

We’re making a top-up payment of £100 to previously successful applicants to our Coronavirus Hardship Fund this month.

Published: 18 June 2020

Summer of Live Online Festival Launch

The MU is launching its Summer of Live Online Festival this Sunday, 21 June, with the inaugural event being hosted by Shell Zenner, radio presenter, producer and DJ, and featuring the talents of Penfriend, Jack Curley, Prima and Kinkai.

Published: 17 June 2020

Photograph of a small child sat learning the Ukulele

Boost Diversity in the Music Industry with UK Music’s Survey

UK Music, the voice of the UK’s commercial music industry, has launched a Music Industry Workforce Diversity Survey to help bring about “major change at pace”.

Published: 17 June 2020

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An Update on the Fix Streaming Campaign

Our Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl, and Crispin Hunt, Chair of the Ivors Academy, outline the reasons behind the organisations’ joint campaign seeking a review of streaming royalties.

Published: 17 June 2020

Photograph of earphones on a laptop, with an open blank notebook and pen set up.

Jaxsta Pro Is Now Free for Musicians in 2020

This comprehensive resource for official music credits is offering its services to musicians for free for the rest of 2020.

Published: 17 June 2020

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Catch up With the Special #FixStreaming Edition of Music & Coffee

Music & Coffee hosted a special edition live-steam focusing on the #FixSteaming campaign, and it’s now available to watch on YouTube.

Published: 17 June 2020

Photo of colourful fridge magnet letters spelling out reggae

International Reggae Day to be Held Online

The London, UK hub event marking International Reggae Day (IRD) that can be consumed from anywhere with an internet connection!

Published: 17 June 2020

Refugee Week Online: An Interview with Nyaruach

Monday 15 June sees the launch of Refugee Week, moving online during the lockdown. In this interview, MU member & Counterpoints Arts music curator, Sashwati Mira Sengupta talks to Nyaruach, a singer from South Sudan and a featured artist, now seeking asylum in the UK.

Published: 16 June 2020

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Refugee Week Online: Share a Song

There are many different ways to celebrate Refugee Week, including the simple act of sharing a song.

Published: 16 June 2020

Photo of a young student wearing a mask while playing piano.

Teaching Health & Safety Advice Released

We’ve released new health & safety advice for teachers working during the Covid-19 pandemic, to help members who are considering a return to work prepare.

Published: 15 June 2020

Photo of man on sofa, writing on sheet of music, an acoustic guitar propped nearby

Composers and Songwriters Face Growing Concerns for the Future

MU Live and Music Writers Official, Kelly Wood, discusses the “real fear that writers and composers will be suffering from the effects of this lockdown far beyond the reopening of other sectors across the industry”.

Published: 15 June 2020

Photo of two musicians playing a duet on stage

Gaps in Support Highlighted by Treasury Select Committee

A report from the Treasury Select Committee unanimously agrees that the Government must act now to help those locked out of support.

Published: 15 June 2020

Photograph of a judges gavel and a weighing scale showing equality.

Sexual Harassment Court Case Success

The Evening Standard has covered the outcome of a court case fought by the MU as a result of sexual harassment reports made to our Safe Space service.

Published: 15 June 2020

BBC of Exceptional Value to Public During Crisis

We responded to a Select Committee inquiry into the future of public broadcasting, explaining why the BBC is essential to making sure that arts and culture and available to everyone.

Published: 12 June 2020

a mother holding her daughter on her shoulders

Legal Action Against the Chancellor for Indirect Sex Discrimination Supported by MU

Pregnancy rights charity, Pregnant then Screwed, with support from Doughty Street Chambers and law firm Leigh Day, is threatening legal proceedings against the Chancellor for discriminating against women in the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS).

Published: 12 June 2020

Dismantling Racism: What to Read

Following our own participation in #TheShowMustBePaused last week, we’re sharing resources which members can use to turn awareness into action in order to create meaningful, long-term impact.

Published: 12 June 2020

Photo of a young student practicing the violin.

UK Classical Music Sector Highlighted in Letter to Secretary of State

The MU, Association of British Orchestras, BPI, Ivors Academy, Music Publishers Association and PRS for Music have written an open letter to Oliver Dowden, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport today, to highlight the importance of the UK's classical music sector.

Published: 12 June 2020

Live Performance Risk Assessment Advice for Freelancers Released

We’ve put together new guidance for freelance musicians, to help musicians prepare themselves for when venues to begin reopening.

Published: 12 June 2020

Call for Government Support Resonates Across Music Industry

Our evidence presented to the Government’s Select Committee, explaining how more support for the music industry is needed, has been fast gaining coverage across the media.

Published: 11 June 2020

Adaptive Musical Instruments Guide Launched by Creative United

Creative United has today launched the first edition of its Guide to Buying Adaptive Musical Instruments, distributed in partnership with the MU and Normans Musical Instruments.

Published: 10 June 2020

Fair Remuneration for Performers Streaming Survey

Campaign organisation PayPerformers is running a survey to better understand how current revenue distribution in the music industry is affecting performers.

Published: 10 June 2020

Photograph of recording session micorphone

Recording Session Agreement Variations Released in Reaction to Covid-19

We’ve published a few variations to our regular recording session agreement, taking into account the safety measures that need to be put in place during the Covid-19.

Published: 10 June 2020

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All News and Features

Frustration as Pubs Reopen with No Live Entertainment, a Lobbying Update

Unclaimed Royalties List Published

Get Business Ready Online Event Offers Final Few Spaces

The MU Reacts to Government Guidance for Restaurants, Pubs and Bars Reopening

Watch the MU Summer of Live on IGTV

The MU Cautiously Welcomes Government Road Map for Live Sector

Music Making Online in Real-Time

User Centric Model Support by Labour Party

Pride Month: The First Pride was a Riot

Free Support From Guildhall’s Lockdown Lounge

Songs for Refugee Week

New Covid-19 Recovery Measures Announced by the Government

Keep Streets Live Releases New Socially-Distanced Busking Guidance

Windrush Day Socially-Distanced Celebrations

Black Workers’ Experience Surveyed by TUC Wales

Access Online Healthy Performance Courses on BAPAM’s New Website

CULT Cymru Launches Online Coaching and Mentoring Programme

Join For a Pound Scheme Extended to Graduate Members

Top-up Payments to Coronavirus Hardship Fund Grants

Summer of Live Online Festival Launch

Boost Diversity in the Music Industry with UK Music’s Survey

An Update on the Fix Streaming Campaign

Jaxsta Pro Is Now Free for Musicians in 2020

Catch up With the Special #FixStreaming Edition of Music & Coffee

International Reggae Day to be Held Online

Refugee Week Online: An Interview with Nyaruach

Refugee Week Online: Share a Song

Teaching Health & Safety Advice Released

Composers and Songwriters Face Growing Concerns for the Future

Gaps in Support Highlighted by Treasury Select Committee

Sexual Harassment Court Case Success

BBC of Exceptional Value to Public During Crisis

Legal Action Against the Chancellor for Indirect Sex Discrimination Supported by MU

Dismantling Racism: What to Read

UK Classical Music Sector Highlighted in Letter to Secretary of State

Live Performance Risk Assessment Advice for Freelancers Released

Call for Government Support Resonates Across Music Industry

Adaptive Musical Instruments Guide Launched by Creative United

Fair Remuneration for Performers Streaming Survey

Recording Session Agreement Variations Released in Reaction to Covid-19