News & Stories for Musicians

Crew Nation Fund Opens to Support Live Music Crews

Live Nation have opened a fund to protect those who work behind the scenes to make live music happen. Applications are open to anyone who have been financially impacted from shows originally scheduled to take place in March or April 2020.

Published: 22 April 2020

Photograph of two people playing fiddle at a wedding. Photo credit: Shutterstock

Creative Scotland Opens Bridging Bursary for Second Phase of Requests

Creative Scotland have announced an extra £2M of funding, open to individual artists and freelancers in Scotland who have lost income from their creative work due to COVID-19.

Published: 21 April 2020

Photo of stage lights shining purple on an empty stage

Les Misérables Downloads to Raise Money for the MU Coronavirus Hardship Fund

We’re welcoming the news that a concert production of Les Misérables, filmed at the Gielgud Theatre in the West End, is to become available as a digital download as part of a charity initiative from Cameron Mackintosh.

Published: 21 April 2020

headphones and a microphone for recording

Recording from Home: Working as a Session Musician Remotely

Trumpet player, contractor, and executive director of Music Creation Paul Spong talks about remote sessions in the time of Covid-19, what you need for your home setup, and lessons he’s learned along the way.

Published: 20 April 2020

First Aid Theory Courses Available Online

For members who were interested in taking First Aid training earlier this year, London First Aid Training are offering two accredited online First Aid Theory courses.

Published: 20 April 2020

Do It Differently Fund from Help Musicians Adapts to COVID-19

The Covid-19 round of the Do It Differently Fund recognises that musicians are having to work in innovative ways due to the restrictions around social distancing.

Published: 20 April 2020

Opt-in to Receive an MU Diary in 2021

To reduce paper waste, we are asking members to opt-in to receive a copy of the MU diary later this year for 2021. The deadline for opting in is approaching, please let us know by 27 April 2020.

Published: 20 April 2020

12 Social Media Tips For Musicians and Bands During Lockdown

Sean Adams, founder of Drowned in Sound and Social Media Producer for BBC Radio 6 Music, talks us through how to use lockdown to work on your social media.

Published: 17 April 2020

8 Tips on Using Radio to Boost Your Music Career from Isolation

Shell Zenner, a radio presenter, producer, and new-music obsessive talks us through how you can best use radio to your advantage during the coronavirus outbreak, generating income, reaching new audiences and building your presence.

Published: 17 April 2020

10 Tips on Recording and Streaming Your Live Show From Home

Bass player Steve Lawson is no stranger to streaming shows from his home. Here is his advice from setting up your equipment, to choosing the right streaming platform.

Published: 17 April 2020

Member only Read more about 10 Tips on Recording and Streaming Your Live Show From Home

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Advice for Employers and Reps on Domestic Abuse During Disruption from COVID-19

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has released an interactive guide on ways that you can spot, support and help stop victims from suffering further abuse.

Published: 16 April 2020

Millicent Stephenson with a saxophone and mic

Develop Your Music Business from Home with ‘Success Beyond the Score’ Podcast

This podcast series from saxophonist, musician, teacher, songwriter and entrepreneur Millicent Stephenson looks at ways that musicians can move ahead in the music business.

Published: 16 April 2020

A woman and a man excited and happy holding a phone

MU Fundraising Auction Launched with Items Including Handmade Box from Author Philip Pullman

We’ve launched an online auction of items donated from across the creative industries to raise money for our MU Coronavirus Hardship Fund.

Published: 16 April 2020

Planning for Recovery: How We Will Get Music Up, Running and Excelling Again

MU General Secretary Horace Trubridge address how, “Whilst the immediate concern has to be doing everything we can to stay safe and well and cope with the seismic financial loss, it’s also important to plan for a recovery.”

Published: 16 April 2020

Belfast City Hall in Northern Ireland, UK

Arts Council Northern Ireland Announce Funding for Key Arts Organisations

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI) have announced annual funding of £12.9 million for 97 key arts organisations from its exchequer and National Lottery resources.

Published: 16 April 2020

Old town Edinburgh and Edinburgh castle in Scotland UK

Scottish Government Announces Second Phase of Funding

There has been a funding update from the Scottish Government, who have announced a second phase of funding to mitigate the effects of COVID-19.

Published: 16 April 2020

Donations to MU Coronavirus Hardship Fund Soar Thanks to Bank Holiday Fundraisers

Jazz FM promoted the crowdfunder for our hardship fund over Easter Monday, as well as musicians holding their own fundraising gigs over the weekend, pushing our total raised so far up to £27K.

Published: 14 April 2020

Anna Neale dressed in green dress, standing on a beach with a guitar

Music as a Way of Getting Through

Singer-songwriter Anna Neale tells us how, "Music is one the greatest expressions of human identity. It's what's getting a lot of people through this crisis. Hold on to that, reach out, and ask."

Published: 14 April 2020

Photo of musicians with various brass instruments.

Jazz FM Promotes MU’s Hardship Fund

Jazz FM is running a UK Music Day on Easter Monday, and alongside this they are promoting the MU’s Coronoavirus Hardship Fund and linking to the crowdfunding page.

Published: 12 April 2020

Crowdfunder Breaches £20K in Donations for Musicians Facing Hardship

After setting up a crowdfunder in response to those asking us what they could do to support the MU Coronavirus Hardship Fund, we have received more than £20k donations.

Published: 09 April 2020

Be sure your voice is heard. Take our survey now.

Make Sure No Musician is Left Behind: Take Our New Survey

We’ve opened a new survey to help us lobby for the members who we’re concerned may fall through the cracks in the Government’s current assistance schemes. Help us by letting us know about your experiences.

Published: 09 April 2020

Arts Council of Wales Launches Urgent Response Fund

The Welsh funding body today announced the details for it’s Urgent Response Fund, open to freelance creative practitioners who are experiencing financial hardship due to disruption from COVID-19.

Published: 09 April 2020

Photograph of a busker performing outdoors.

Parliamentary Recess Doesn’t Mean We’ve Quietened Down, a Lobbying Update

MU Head of Communications & Government Relations Isabelle Gutierrez: “Parliament is currently in recess and so not sitting, but that doesn’t mean that we have quietened down our lobbying efforts.”

Published: 09 April 2020

New Support Announced for Musicians in Wales

The Welsh Government, Creative Wales, and the Arts Council of Wales have announced a number of measures including an Urgent Response Fund for individuals, and a Grassroots Music Relief Fund.

Published: 08 April 2020

Call for Information from Members Who Have Received Online Performance Requests

We would like to hear from any members who have recently been asked to stream their performances to private audiences, so we can develop how we meet your needs during disruption from the coronavirus.

Published: 08 April 2020

Setting Up to Perform Online

Facing the cancellation of shows and other Covid-19 disruptions, artist and composer Robin Rimbaud tells us how he, “felt it was important to immediately embrace the tools at hand, and like many creatives use the power of technology to respond positively.”

Published: 08 April 2020

Band Goes on Virtual Tour to Raise Money for the MU Coronavirus Hardship Fund

Manchester Alt Rock band False Advertising are going on tour – over the internet. Their aim is to spread good will and raise some donations.

Published: 07 April 2020

Phone screen displaying art work, held by a hand.

Online Commission for Musicians and Other Artists in the North of England

FACT, the UK’s leading media arts centre, is offering 10 early-career artists in any genre (including music) a grant of £1,500 to develop an idea that will be presented online.

Published: 07 April 2020

Making marks on a sheet music in front of a piano

New Sustaining Creativity Fund from PRS Foundation

PRS Foundation is offering grants to support artists, songwriters and composers in creating, developing and music making – however that looks in our current times.

Published: 06 April 2020

Musicians transporting music instruments while travelling

New Guidance from Thompsons Solicitors on Employee Rights

These two new documents may be of use to employed members looking to know more about going on furlough under the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS), and for employed members who are currently outside of the UK.

Published: 06 April 2020

No Musician Should Be Left Behind, A Lobbying Update

MU Head of Communications & Government Relations Isabelle Gutierrez: “Our focus at the moment is on lobbying for members who are currently ineligible for either of the Government’s assistance schemes for employed and self-employed workers.”

Published: 03 April 2020

Arts Council England Opens £20M Fund for Individuals Working in the Cultural Sector

Arts Council England (ACE) will be opening round one of applications for the fund on 9 April 2020, providing creative practitioners affected by the coronavirus outbreak with grants of up to £2,500.

Published: 03 April 2020

Older image on Andi sat in concert style seating.

Working in Isolation: “If Anyone Can Get Through This, Musicians Can.”

Andi Hopgood, musician, vocalist, tutor and Vice Chair of the MU Executive Committee, tells us about what happened when she had to "make the difficult decision to isolate early on the 16 March".

Published: 03 April 2020

kids in a band playing imaginary instruments

Life Changing Stories Shared as Part of #SupportMyMusicTeacher

Did your music teacher change your life? We asked our community of musicians on Twitter about the teachers who shaped them.

Published: 02 April 2020

New Contract for Online Teaching

We’ve put together a new contract for teachers moving to online work. The contract can be used digitally, and should cover potential changes to your practice.

Published: 02 April 2020

Empty stage with music instruments and lights on

Limited Company Directors Can Furlough Themselves

A reminder that limited company directors can receive assistance through the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS). This may assist some members who would otherwise fall through the cracks of the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme.

Published: 02 April 2020

Jumping into online teaching

In this first-hand account, Rick Finlay - professional drummer, teacher, and vice-chair of our Executive Committee - charts the ups and downs of moving his teaching practice into the online world.

Published: 01 April 2020

A woman sitting with a laptop on a sofa at home

Rockschool Ltd Moves Exams to Video Format

Teachers moving their practice online, may be interested to learn that they can also continue to enter students into Rockschool exams – which can now be taken over video.

Published: 01 April 2020

Greater Manchester Commissions Creative Responses to COVID-19

Greater Manchester Combined Authority has granted 60 micro commissions worth £500.

Published: 31 March 2020

three people sitting hold the shapes of comment boxes and thought clouds

Scottish Members Encouraged to Respond to STUC Survey on Job Security

Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) launches new survey to find out what is happening to workers’ safety and jobs across Scotland.

Published: 31 March 2020

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All News and Features

Crew Nation Fund Opens to Support Live Music Crews

Creative Scotland Opens Bridging Bursary for Second Phase of Requests

Les Misérables Downloads to Raise Money for the MU Coronavirus Hardship Fund

Recording from Home: Working as a Session Musician Remotely

First Aid Theory Courses Available Online

Do It Differently Fund from Help Musicians Adapts to COVID-19

Opt-in to Receive an MU Diary in 2021

12 Social Media Tips For Musicians and Bands During Lockdown

8 Tips on Using Radio to Boost Your Music Career from Isolation

10 Tips on Recording and Streaming Your Live Show From Home

Advice for Employers and Reps on Domestic Abuse During Disruption from COVID-19

Develop Your Music Business from Home with ‘Success Beyond the Score’ Podcast

MU Fundraising Auction Launched with Items Including Handmade Box from Author Philip Pullman

Planning for Recovery: How We Will Get Music Up, Running and Excelling Again

Arts Council Northern Ireland Announce Funding for Key Arts Organisations

Scottish Government Announces Second Phase of Funding

Donations to MU Coronavirus Hardship Fund Soar Thanks to Bank Holiday Fundraisers

Music as a Way of Getting Through

Jazz FM Promotes MU’s Hardship Fund

Crowdfunder Breaches £20K in Donations for Musicians Facing Hardship

Make Sure No Musician is Left Behind: Take Our New Survey

Arts Council of Wales Launches Urgent Response Fund

Parliamentary Recess Doesn’t Mean We’ve Quietened Down, a Lobbying Update

New Support Announced for Musicians in Wales

Call for Information from Members Who Have Received Online Performance Requests

Setting Up to Perform Online

Band Goes on Virtual Tour to Raise Money for the MU Coronavirus Hardship Fund

Online Commission for Musicians and Other Artists in the North of England

New Sustaining Creativity Fund from PRS Foundation

New Guidance from Thompsons Solicitors on Employee Rights

No Musician Should Be Left Behind, A Lobbying Update

Arts Council England Opens £20M Fund for Individuals Working in the Cultural Sector

Working in Isolation: “If Anyone Can Get Through This, Musicians Can.”

Life Changing Stories Shared as Part of #SupportMyMusicTeacher

New Contract for Online Teaching

Limited Company Directors Can Furlough Themselves

Jumping into online teaching

Rockschool Ltd Moves Exams to Video Format

Greater Manchester Commissions Creative Responses to COVID-19

Scottish Members Encouraged to Respond to STUC Survey on Job Security