News & Stories for Musicians

Frances O'Grady speaking into microphone

MU condemns ‘unnecessary’ Trade Union Bill

The Government has now published its Trade Union Bill, which includes plans to criminalise picketing, permit employers to hire strike-breaking agency staff and a requirement that at least 40% of those asked to vote support the strike in most key public services.

Published: 16 July 2015

Harry Pitch

We are saddened to report the passing of Harry Pitch, harmonica and trumpet player, on Wednesday 15 July 2015.

Published: 15 July 2015

UK music industry wins High Court copyright case against Government

The High Court today ruled against the UK Government in a Judicial Review case brought by the Musicians’ Union (MU), the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (BASCA) and UK Music.

Published: 19 June 2015

The Future of Grassroots Music Venues

We talked to leading figures about ‘The Future of Grassroots Music Venues’ at The Great Escape 2015.

Published: 12 June 2015

What is FEU Training?

And why do we need it? FEU Training’s Frances swung by MU HQ to talk to young members from across the entertainment sector about how this invaluable training programme could help.

Published: 09 June 2015

Major rights group launches online campaign for artists

In May, four organisations representing more than 500,000 performers in Europe joined forces to campaign for the fair remuneration of online revenues.

Published: 21 May 2015

Orchestra of the Royal Opera House accepts pay deal

Members of the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House have voted in favour of a two-year pay deal: 2% for 2014/15 and 2% for 2015/16.

Published: 21 May 2015

TUC Black Workers Conference

The TUC Black Workers Conference was held at Congress House, London on 17-19 April 2015.

Published: 21 May 2015

Support the campaign to save The Arches, Glasgow

Glasgow City Council Licensing Board has ruled that the famous venue can now no longer operate after midnight, the impact of which could lead to the venue shutting down.

Published: 21 May 2015

Review of Entertainment Licensing in Northern Ireland

Environment Minister Mark H Durkan has announced a review of the current entertainment licensing regime in Northern Ireland which has been in place for almost 30 years.

Published: 21 May 2015

Private Copying Judicial Review Heard At High Court

The judicial review of Government’s decision on introduction of a private copying exception without fair compensation to songwriters, composers and musicians, which is in contravention of EU law.

Published: 07 May 2015

Music online: Rights groups launch remuneration campaign

Today, four international organisations representing more than 500,000 performers in Europe joined forces to launch a campaign for the fair treatment of all performers in the digital environment.

Published: 06 May 2015

Vince Sipprell stood behind microphone performing on stage

Tribute to Vince Sipprell

On January 30th, Vince Sipprell passed away at the age of 35.

Published: 22 April 2015

Tribute to the Memory of Danny Longstaff, Musician, Promoter, Activist and MU Official

A dedicated site in memory of Danny has been opened and all who knew him are very welcome to contribute messages, stories and pictures.

Published: 14 April 2015

Mayor of London unveils plan to boost busking and street performance across London

Following last year's #BackBusking campaign the Mayor's Busk in London scheme is now up and running.

Published: 24 March 2015

MU disappointed at BBC Trust findings

The Musicians’ Union has expressed disappointment at the BBC Trust’s conclusions from its service licence review of BBC Radio 1, 1Xtra, Radio 2, Radio 3, 6 Music and Asian Network. In particular the MU is concerned about the proposal to drastically reduce the coverage of live music on Ra

Published: 20 March 2015

Southbank WOW Festival Orchestra, London

MU members have expressed concern that no payment is offered for the Southbank WOW Festival Orchestra project. The Southbank Centre’s Music Director, Gillian Moore, has written to us clarifying the offer and remuneration for professional musicians.

Published: 06 March 2015

LGBT History Month: Angela Morley

The MU is for all musicians. This LGBT History Month, we want to share stories of inspirational musicians. Here, we look at the life of award-winning composer and arranger Angela Morley.

Published: 24 February 2015

Tribute to Gary Hyde, Drummer, Activist and MU Official

Gary was born in his beloved town of Margate 73 years ago. He was the eldest of 4 children and all of them are artistic in some way and also very passionate and dedicated to fighting whatever causes come their way.

Published: 23 February 2015

Entertainment Unions issue joint statement following ENO meeting

The general secretaries of BECTU, Equity and the Musicians' Union - respectively Gerry Morrissey, Christine Payne and John Smith - have issued a joint statement following a meeting with senior management at English National Opera (ENO).

Published: 23 February 2015

Entertainment Unions back members working at ENO

The General Secretaries of the Musicians' Union (MU), Equity and BECTU have sought an urgent meeting with senior management at the English National Opera.

Published: 13 February 2015

Delight at Rome Opera outcome: musicians reinstated

Last night Loris Grossi, trombonist at Rome Opera Theatre (ROT) and FIM member, announced that the 182 members of ROT who were sacked on the 2nd October 2014, have been reinstated.

Published: 27 November 2014

MU, Basca and UK Music Launch Judicial Review

The Judicial Review of the Government’s introduction of a private copying exception without providing fair compensation for songwriters, musicians and other rights holders within the creative sector.

Published: 26 November 2014

UK Music calls time on unpaid internships

UK Music has joined forces with Intern Aware, to launch an Internship Code of Practice for music companies and young people. The Code will help employers understand their role and duty when hiring an intern, and importantly show them their responsibilities in terms of pay and tenure.

Published: 19 November 2014

MU response to Young People and the Arts: A Labour Policy Review Consultation

The MU is pleased that the Labour Party is investing time in documenting the importance of cultural education, and has made a series of recommendations to Labour's Young People and the Arts consultation.

Published: 26 July 2014

Save the Coronet

The Coronet is launching a campaign calling on Southwark Council and landlord, Delancey, to make a firm commitment to securing the future of the multipurpose venue in Elephant & Castle.

Published: 23 July 2014

Musicians' Union welcomes increase in music education funding

The MU welcomes the announcement of the extra funding commitment to music education in England and is pleased to see the Government recognising the importance of giving children the opportunity to learn instruments at school.

Published: 22 July 2014

MU supports The Fair Digital Deals Declaration

The Fair Digital Deals Declaration is a statement of commitment made by independent record labels to treat their artists fairly in agreements relating to digital exploitation of artists’ work in recorded music agreements with third parties.

Published: 17 July 2014

Tribute to Johnnie Gray

One of the great characters of British jazz, Johnnie Gray has passed away aged 94. Born in Coventry in 1920, he took up the tenor saxophone at school before becoming an engineering apprentice at Rolls-Royce.

Published: 17 July 2014

MU statement on indies and YouTube

The Musicians’ Union strongly believes that all music is of equal value and we apply this principle in representing all of our members’ repertoire via our collection and distribution systems and our respected member services.

Published: 07 July 2014

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MU condemns ‘unnecessary’ Trade Union Bill

Harry Pitch

UK music industry wins High Court copyright case against Government

The Future of Grassroots Music Venues

What is FEU Training?

Major rights group launches online campaign for artists

Orchestra of the Royal Opera House accepts pay deal

TUC Black Workers Conference

Support the campaign to save The Arches, Glasgow

Review of Entertainment Licensing in Northern Ireland

Private Copying Judicial Review Heard At High Court

Music online: Rights groups launch remuneration campaign

Tribute to Vince Sipprell

Tribute to the Memory of Danny Longstaff, Musician, Promoter, Activist and MU Official

Mayor of London unveils plan to boost busking and street performance across London

MU disappointed at BBC Trust findings

Southbank WOW Festival Orchestra, London

LGBT History Month: Angela Morley

Tribute to Gary Hyde, Drummer, Activist and MU Official

Entertainment Unions issue joint statement following ENO meeting

Entertainment Unions back members working at ENO

Delight at Rome Opera outcome: musicians reinstated

MU, Basca and UK Music Launch Judicial Review

UK Music calls time on unpaid internships

MU response to Young People and the Arts: A Labour Policy Review Consultation

Save the Coronet

Musicians' Union welcomes increase in music education funding

MU supports The Fair Digital Deals Declaration

Tribute to Johnnie Gray

MU statement on indies and YouTube