News & Stories for Musicians

Scottish Musicians Back MU Free Movement Campaign

The Proclaimers’ Craig and Charlie Reid, Deacon Blue’s Ricky Ross, Idlewild’s Rod Jones, Hue and Cry’s Pat Kane and singer-songwriter Rab Noakes have signed the Musicians’ Union petition calling for free movement for musicians working in the European Union post-Brexit.

Published: 23 October 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

Welcome News for AIR Studios

The Musicians’ Union (MU) is delighted that AIR Studios in Hampstead, London, may be another step closer to winning its battle to prevent a neighbouring basement excavation.

Published: 17 October 2017

Musical Instrument Exemption Included in Government Consultation on Ivory Ban

The Musicians’ Union (MU) has been working closely with industry partners and the International Federation for Animal Welfare to ensure a musical instrument exemption is in place.

Published: 17 October 2017

Victory for Womanby Street Campaigners

Plans to build flats on Cardiff’s Womanby Street, that would have put local venues including Clwb Ifor Back under threat, have been withdrawn.

Published: 17 October 2017

MU Welcomes New UK Recording for UK Tour of War Horse

The recorded music used in the current UK tour of War Horse will be re-recorded using UK musicians.

Published: 17 October 2017

Black History Month #BHM2017

Nadine Wild-Palmer shares her thoughts on Black History Month (#BHM2017) and celebrating the richly diverse culture we live in.

Published: 17 October 2017

MU Report Highlights Challenges Faced by Music Teachers

The Musicians’ Union (MU) has released its fourth annual report into the state of music education in England, and looks at how to improve the situation for teachers and students alike.

Published: 13 October 2017

Representing Women in Festival Line-Ups

Festival line-ups are often criticised for neglecting to represent female artists. Join the discussion - send us your thoughts and experiences in advance of our AIF panel event.

Published: 12 October 2017

Musicians' Union expresses dismay at European Union Youth Orchestra’s decision to leave London

The European Union Youth Orchestra is the second orchestra to announce it’s leaving the UK since the Brexit referendum last year, in part due to concerns over restricted freedom of movement for working musicians.

Published: 12 October 2017

Musicians need to travel freely and easily graphic

Another Orchestra is Leaving the UK because of Brexit

The European Union Youth Orchestra (EUYO) is leaving London because of Brexit, in part of because of the lack of clarity on freedom of movement for musicians post-Brexit.

Published: 11 October 2017

Kevin Brennan MP supports free movement for musicians working in the EU

Sign the Petition for Free Movement for Musicians post-Brexit #WorkingInTheEU

Sign the #WorkingInTheEU petition to call on Government and Parliament to back free movement for musicians post-Brexit. It only takes a couple of minutes, and can make a really big difference to our campaign.

Published: 22 September 2017

Sign the Petition to Reverse Ban on Musicians at St. Sepulchre's

The Musicians' Union (MU) added its voice to calls to reverse the recently imposed ban on musicians at St Sepulchre's, known as the National Musicians' Church. Please sign the petition and support music at this historic venue.

Published: 30 August 2017

Planning Hearing to Determine AIR Studios’ Future – Show Your Support

AIR Studios has been fighting a planning application for major alteration works that would cause such disruption that the studio would most likely close. Show your support at the upcoming planning hearing.

Published: 08 August 2017

The Quick Guide to MU Conference

If you’re new to the Musicians’ Union (MU), Conference can seem confusing. But it’s not as complex as it might seem. Here’s our quick guide to the 37th Biennial MU Delegate Conference…

Published: 24 July 2017

musician on stage playing electric guitar

MU Fair Play Venue Scheme Signs Up 100th Grassroots Venue

Sixty Million Postcards, a grassroots music venue based in Bournemouth, has become the 100th venue to join the MU’s Fair Play Venue scheme.

Published: 20 July 2017

Highlights From the TUC LGBT+ Conference

The Musicians’ Union (MU) once again took part in the Trades Union Congress (TUC) annual LGBT+ Conference at Congress House in London. Here are some of the highlights.

Published: 20 July 2017

Writing a Biog for Your Band with The Unsigned Guide

The Unsigned Guide new series The Basics helps you tackle the fundamentals of promoting your music and communicating with the music industry.

Published: 20 July 2017

Carrabinos Score Vital Court Victory For Musicians

A London couple have won their long-running legal battle with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea council over a noise abatement notice that severely restricted the amount of time their children could practise the piano in their own home.

Published: 15 July 2017

Addressing the Streaming ‘Value Gap’ in 2017

The Musicians’ Union (MU) continues to lobby at European Union (EU) and UK levels for fair remuneration for performers and songwriters from streaming.

Published: 07 July 2017

The MU at the Women Chainmakers’ Festival

Musicians’ Union (MU) highlights from the Women Chainmakers’ Festival, supported by the MU Midlands Region.

Published: 06 July 2017

MU Motion to TUC LGBT+ Conference 2017

The Musicians’ Union (MU) is delighted to be taking part in the Trades Union Congress (TUC) LGBT+ Conference once again. This year, the MU’s motion is about mental health. #TUCLGBT

Published: 06 July 2017

Ask Your MP to Support Free Movement for Musicians Post Brexit #WorkingInTheEU

Over 100 MPs and Peers have signed the Musicicians’ Union (MU) pledge to protect musicians’ right to travel freely and easily in the EU. That’s great – but there’s still work to do. Take action now! #WorkingInTheEU

Published: 06 July 2017

MU Publishes Terrorism Advice For Gigging Musicians

A brief guidance sheet for musicians who gig and tour regarding what to do in the case of a terrorist incident at a gig or performance.

Published: 05 July 2017

Take Action for Free Movement in the EU post-Brexit #WorkingInTheEU

The Musicians’ Union (MU) is campaigning for musicians’ right to travel freely and easily in the European Union (EU).

Published: 12 June 2017

Fair Remuneration from Streaming

The Musicians’ Union (MU) continues to lobby at the European Union (EU) and UK levels for fair remuneration for performers and songwriters from streaming. Here’s why, and how it affects you.

Published: 06 June 2017

MPs & Peers: Please Support Musicians Working in the EU

The Musicians’ Union (MU) is calling on MPs to support musicians working in the EU – share the pledge! #WorkingInTheEU

Published: 02 June 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

Trade unionism in action at the Royal Opera House

Members of the Royal Opera House Orchestra have voted in favour of taking a lower pay increase for 2016 - to fund an improved pension scheme for new and future colleagues.

Published: 31 May 2017

General Election 2017

The Musicians’ Union (MU) is pleased by many of the policies in the Labour manifesto, and that the Labour Party has acknowledged major concerns that musicians have around Brexit.

Published: 31 May 2017

Edinburgh’s Studio 24 Closes its Doors

Studio 24 has closed its doors after 25 years, with the development of residential flats next to the venue. The Musicians’ Union continues to call and campaign for Agent of Change in Scotland.

Published: 30 May 2017

Memorial Service for Tom Edwards

The memorial service for former bassist and MU Executive Committee member Tom Edwards will be taking place on the afternoon of Friday 2 June at Thornhill Crematorium, Cardiff.

Published: 30 May 2017

Westminster on a sunny day viewed through railings

Beginner’s Guide to Brexit at The Great Escape

Musicians’ Union (MU) Assistant General Secretary Naomi Pohl represented MU members at the Beginner’s Guide to Brexit panel at The Great Escape. Here are some of the highlights…

Published: 30 May 2017

Save Womanby Street march to Cardiff City Hall

Save Womanby Street Campaign Victory

Save Womanby Street campaigners in Wales have won a significant victory in their battle to protect live music venues, as the Welsh government is set to revise its planning policy in line with the Agent of Change principle.

Published: 23 May 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

Air Canada Wins International Federation of Musicians Award

Air Canada wins the newly-created FIM Airline of Choice Award for their exemplary policies on musicians travelling with instruments.

Published: 19 May 2017

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia & Biphobia

This year, we’re proud to be doing more than ever to support, engage and celebrate our LGBT+ members.

Published: 17 May 2017

Delegation from the MU at the Save Womanby Street march to Cardiff City Hall

The Musicians’ Union Attends Save Womanby Street March to City Hall

Over 1000 people, including a delegation from the Musicians’ Union, attended the highly successful Save Womanby Street march to Cardiff City Hall on Saturday 29 April.

Published: 05 May 2017

MU Success Supporting Precarious Workers at STUC 2017

STUC passes MU motion acknowledging the challenges of the gig economy, how we can better protect independent workers and grow the union movement.

Published: 25 April 2017

May Day Marches in Scotland & Northern Ireland

Join a May Day March throughout Scotland and Northern Ireland at one of the following locations.

Published: 25 April 2017

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Scottish Musicians Back MU Free Movement Campaign

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

Welcome News for AIR Studios

Musical Instrument Exemption Included in Government Consultation on Ivory Ban

Victory for Womanby Street Campaigners

MU Welcomes New UK Recording for UK Tour of War Horse

Black History Month #BHM2017

MU Report Highlights Challenges Faced by Music Teachers

Representing Women in Festival Line-Ups

Musicians' Union expresses dismay at European Union Youth Orchestra’s decision to leave London

Another Orchestra is Leaving the UK because of Brexit

Sign the Petition for Free Movement for Musicians post-Brexit #WorkingInTheEU

Sign the Petition to Reverse Ban on Musicians at St. Sepulchre's

Planning Hearing to Determine AIR Studios’ Future – Show Your Support

The Quick Guide to MU Conference

MU Fair Play Venue Scheme Signs Up 100th Grassroots Venue

Highlights From the TUC LGBT+ Conference

Writing a Biog for Your Band with The Unsigned Guide

Carrabinos Score Vital Court Victory For Musicians

Addressing the Streaming ‘Value Gap’ in 2017

The MU at the Women Chainmakers’ Festival

MU Motion to TUC LGBT+ Conference 2017

Ask Your MP to Support Free Movement for Musicians Post Brexit #WorkingInTheEU

MU Publishes Terrorism Advice For Gigging Musicians

Take Action for Free Movement in the EU post-Brexit #WorkingInTheEU

Fair Remuneration from Streaming

MPs & Peers: Please Support Musicians Working in the EU

MU included in The Short Guide to Accessible Music Education

Trade unionism in action at the Royal Opera House

General Election 2017

Edinburgh’s Studio 24 Closes its Doors

Memorial Service for Tom Edwards

Beginner’s Guide to Brexit at The Great Escape

Save Womanby Street Campaign Victory

MU Success at TUC Disabled Workers’ Conference

Air Canada Wins International Federation of Musicians Award

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia & Biphobia

The Musicians’ Union Attends Save Womanby Street March to City Hall

MU Success Supporting Precarious Workers at STUC 2017

May Day Marches in Scotland & Northern Ireland

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