News & Stories for Musicians

Minister for Digital & Creative Industries Agrees to Meet Musicians' Union to Discuss Free Movement

On Thursday 22 March, Minister for Digital and the Creative Industries Margot James MP agreed to meet the Musicians' Union (MU) to discuss musicians' right to travel freely and easily in the European Union post-Brexit.

Published: 23 March 2018

Conservative MP Agrees to Raise Question in Parliament in Support of Musicians Working In The EU post-Brexit

In response to a tweet from the Musicians' Union (MU) highlighting the MU's pledge and petition, Conservative MP Nadine Dorries agreed to raise the issue of musicians' ability to travel freely and easily post-Brexit in Parliament.

Published: 23 March 2018

Plans Unveiled to Boost Music in the Liverpool City Region

UK Music – of which the Musicians’ Union (MU) is a member – and Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, today unveiled plans to introduce a Music Board for the Liverpool City Region.

Published: 07 March 2018

International Women's Day 2018: MU Members Share Their Top Festival Moments

Thursday 8 March is International Women’s Day. To celebrate, we asked Musicians’ Union (MU) members about their favourite festival moments.

Published: 07 March 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

Women's History Month 2018: Time's Up

No-one should experience or fear sexual harassment, abuse, bullying or discrimination at work. Time's up. The Musicians' Union (MU) set up safespace@theMU.org for everyone in the music industry to share their experiences in confidence. We will listen.

Published: 02 March 2018

Help keep the Stratford ArtsHouse open

It was announced on Thursday that the Stratford ArtsHouse – home to the Orchestra of the Swan – is due to close on 5 May. Act now to help secure the future of this essential community space.

Published: 26 February 2018

UK Live Music Census Shows Small Venues Are Good For Everyone

The Musicians’ Union (MU) was delighted to host the launch of the UK’s first Live Music Census report. It digs deep into the economic, social and cultural value of small venues, and the challenges facing both venues and the musicians who work in them.

Published: 23 February 2018

Symphony orchestra violinists performing on stage against dark background.

LGBT History Month: "It’s a Shame That None of the Glorious Romantic Scores We Play are About a Gay Couple"

Glen Sheldon reflects on his life as an orchestral player #LGBTHM2018, as this LGBT History Month, we asked MU members to tell us about their experiences working in the music industry.

Published: 20 February 2018

Hearing, Health and Safety at Work

As we await the judgment in a landmark case on hearing damage and health and safety law, Musicians’ Union (MU) Assistant General Secretary Naomi Pohl comments on the cause and extent of hearing problems affecting musicians.

Published: 19 February 2018

UK’s First Live Music Census Reveals Ongoing Threats to Small Venues

Small venues continue to face threats that could affect their long-term future, warns UK’s first Live Music Census.

Published: 16 February 2018

MU Celebrates Campaign Victory as Agent of Change to be Made Law in Scotland

The MU is celebrating the incorporation of the Agent of Change principle into Scottish Planning Policy.

Published: 16 February 2018

Making the Most of Your Fanbase - AmericanaFestUK Highlights

What do you know about your fans, and how can you use that data to develop that crucial artist/fan relationship? Highlights from AmericanaFestUK, supported by the Musicians’ Union (MU).

Published: 14 February 2018

Outside view of Queen's Theatre, West End theatre, located on Shaftesbury Avenue

LGBT History Month: "The West End is a Great Place to Work... All Kinds of Musicians Should Get the Chance to Experience It"

This LGBT History Month, we asked MU members to tell us about their experiences working in the music industry. Here, one musician shares their thoughts on life in London’s West End. #LGBTHM2018

Published: 12 February 2018

Musicians' Union Gives Evidence On Free Movement for Musicians Post-Brexit

Musicians’ Union (MU) General Secretary Horace Trubridge was in Parliament on Wednesday 7 February to talk about free movement for musicians post-Brexit; why we need it, and what it might look like.

Published: 08 February 2018

Rev Sekou performing at Americana Fest UK

Wellbeing on Your Journey to 'Success' - AmericanaFestUK Highlights

How do you define success, and develop the emotional resilience necessary to sustain your music career? Highlights from AmericanaFestUK, supported by the Musicians’ Union (MU).

Published: 06 February 2018

The Artist & The Truth - Billy Bragg Delivers Keynote at AmericanaFestUK

Highlights from Billy Bragg's keynote address at this year’s AmericanaFestUK, run by the Americana Music Association UK and supported by the Musicians’ Union (MU)

Published: 02 February 2018

BBC survey points to bleak future for arts provision in schools in England

The Musicians’ Union endorses the findings of new BBC research, which reveals the devastating impact of cuts to arts subjects.

Published: 31 January 2018

Fair Play Venue Q&A: The Trades Club #IVW18

The Musicians’ Union (MU) is proud to support Independent Venue Week (IVW). To celebrate, we’re highlighting independent venues, on our Fair Play Venue list, across the UK. First up, The Trades Club in Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire. #IVW18

Published: 29 January 2018

Fair Play Venue Q&A: Sneaky Pete's #IVW18

The Musicians’ Union (MU) is proud to support Independent Venue Week (IVW). To celebrate, we’re highlighting independent venues, on our Fair Play Venue list, across the UK. Next up, we chat to Nick from Sneaky Pete's in Edinburgh #IVW18

Published: 29 January 2018

MU Update on British Airways Instrument Policy (January 2018)

The Musicians’ Union (MU) has been having fruitful discussions with British Airways, who are actively seeking workable solutions for guitars and larger instruments.

Published: 26 January 2018

Musicians’ Union Opposes Change to YouTube’s Partner Programme

The Musicians’ Union (MU) opposes recent changes to the terms of YouTube’s Partner Programme. The changes will affect who can monetise content on the platform, and may affect MU members looking to grow their channels.

Published: 23 January 2018

Musicians’ Union Welcomes Agent of Change Victory

The Musicians’ Union (MU) welcomes Government’s announcement to back vital plans to save music venues by adopting agent of Change into the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

Published: 18 January 2018

Agent of Change event Westminster 10 January 2018

Music legends and industry in fight to save venues

UK Music has brought together leading figures from the music industry to launch a parliamentary battle entitled ‘Agent of Change’ to save music venues from closure.

Published: 10 January 2018

Cardiff named as the UK's first 'music city'

Music has been placed at the heart of Cardiff’s future with the Welsh capital being officially declared a Music City - the first of its kind in the UK.

Published: 20 December 2017

Effective Negotiation Webinar Highlights

Highlights from the Musicians’ Union (MU) webinar on Effective Negotiation. Find out how to negotiate effectively and creatively so you get the recognition you deserve.

Published: 08 December 2017

Agent of Change Principle on the Agenda in the Scottish Parliament

A ministerial statement on Planning was made at Holyrood on the Tuesday 5 December by Lewis MacDonald MSP in regards to the implementation of the Agent of Change principle in Scotland.

Published: 06 December 2017

Did you sign a recording contract in the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s or 1990s?

The MU is collating case studies of members who have recording agreements that date back to before the emergence of downloads and streaming as the predominant way in which consumers listen to recorded music.

Published: 05 December 2017

Is Brexit Affecting Your Work Already? We Want to Hear From You #WorkingInTheEU

The Musicians’ Union (MU) is fighting to protect free movement for musicians working in the European Union (EU) post-Brexit. We want to hear from you about how Brexit has affected your work plans for 2019 – touring, performing, teaching or studying in the European Union. #WorkingInTheEU

Published: 01 December 2017

Cross-Party Support Grows for Agent of Change Law to Protect Music Venues

Support at Westminster is mounting for a new law to protect music venues – something the Musicians’ Union (MU) has been lobbying for individually and as part of music industry umbrella group UK Music.

Published: 24 November 2017

What To Do When Asked to Work For Free

Surprise, surprise – a trade union talking about fair pay for Young Workers’ Month. But it is a truth (probably) universally acknowledged that musicians will be asked to work for nothing. So what should you do when asked to work for free?

Published: 23 November 2017

Conductor James Rose On His Musical Journey

Conductor James Rose looks back on his musical journey so far, what next, and the cultural and logistical challenges to overcome this UK Disability History Month #UKDHM

Published: 22 November 2017

Celebrating 90 years with BBC National Orchestra of Wales

In the spring of 2018 BBC National Orchestra of Wales celebrates its 90th birthday, and to mark this milestone the orchestra is inviting people to share their stories and experiences.

Published: 21 November 2017

Success for Denbighshire Music Co-operative at the Social Business Wales Awards

The Musicians’ Union (MU) is delighted that Denbighshire Music Co-operative (DMC) has won the ‘One to Watch’ category in the 2017 Social Business Wales Awards.

Published: 20 November 2017

Musicians' Union expresses concern at proposed Wrexham Music Service budget cuts

Withdrawing funding completely without considering how best to create a music service that is sustainable in the long term is a major threat to music provision for young people in Wrexham as well as teachers’ jobs.

Published: 20 November 2017

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

Joint Statement by the Nordic Musicians' Unions and British Musicians' Union

In Stockholm this week, a meeting of the Nordic Musicians’ Unions (NMU) and British Musicians’ Union (MU) discussed the issue of gender inequality, sexism and sexual harassment. This is what they agreed.

Published: 16 November 2017

Met Police Scraps Form 696

The Musicians’ Union (MU) is delighted that concerns raised by the MU, British Underground, UK Music and other industry bodies as well as countless musicians to the Metropolitan Police have been listened to and form 696 has been scrapped.

Published: 10 November 2017

Bristol Live Music Venue Thekla Under Threat From Nearby Development

The Musicians’ Union (MU) is disheartened to hear of yet another small venue under threat from adjacent development – this time Bristol’s Thekla. #SaveThekla #KeepMusicLive

Published: 09 November 2017

The Value of PR

Vicky Pitchers of VJP Media blogs for the Musicians’ Union (MU) on the value of PR, and how doing PR well can help end the cycle of being asked to work for free this Young Workers’ Month.

Published: 02 November 2017

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Minister for Digital & Creative Industries Agrees to Meet Musicians' Union to Discuss Free Movement

Conservative MP Agrees to Raise Question in Parliament in Support of Musicians Working In The EU post-Brexit

Plans Unveiled to Boost Music in the Liverpool City Region

International Women's Day 2018: MU Members Share Their Top Festival Moments

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

Women's History Month 2018: Time's Up

Help keep the Stratford ArtsHouse open

UK Live Music Census Shows Small Venues Are Good For Everyone

LGBT History Month: "It’s a Shame That None of the Glorious Romantic Scores We Play are About a Gay Couple"

Hearing, Health and Safety at Work

UK’s First Live Music Census Reveals Ongoing Threats to Small Venues

MU Celebrates Campaign Victory as Agent of Change to be Made Law in Scotland

Making the Most of Your Fanbase - AmericanaFestUK Highlights

LGBT History Month: "The West End is a Great Place to Work... All Kinds of Musicians Should Get the Chance to Experience It"

Musicians' Union Gives Evidence On Free Movement for Musicians Post-Brexit

Wellbeing on Your Journey to 'Success' - AmericanaFestUK Highlights

The Artist & The Truth - Billy Bragg Delivers Keynote at AmericanaFestUK

BBC survey points to bleak future for arts provision in schools in England

Fair Play Venue Q&A: The Trades Club #IVW18

Fair Play Venue Q&A: Sneaky Pete's #IVW18

MU Update on British Airways Instrument Policy (January 2018)

Musicians’ Union Opposes Change to YouTube’s Partner Programme

Musicians’ Union Welcomes Agent of Change Victory

Music legends and industry in fight to save venues

Cardiff named as the UK's first 'music city'

Effective Negotiation Webinar Highlights

Agent of Change Principle on the Agenda in the Scottish Parliament

Did you sign a recording contract in the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s or 1990s?

Is Brexit Affecting Your Work Already? We Want to Hear From You #WorkingInTheEU

Cross-Party Support Grows for Agent of Change Law to Protect Music Venues

What To Do When Asked to Work For Free

Conductor James Rose On His Musical Journey

Celebrating 90 years with BBC National Orchestra of Wales

Success for Denbighshire Music Co-operative at the Social Business Wales Awards

Musicians' Union expresses concern at proposed Wrexham Music Service budget cuts

Sexism and Sexual Harassment in the Music Industry

Joint Statement by the Nordic Musicians' Unions and British Musicians' Union

Met Police Scraps Form 696

Bristol Live Music Venue Thekla Under Threat From Nearby Development

The Value of PR