News & Stories for Musicians

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Sustainable Touring: MU Sound the Alarm at Liverpool Sound City Forum 2024

The MU hosted a panel on the critical issue of sustainable touring in the music industry at this year’s Liverpool Sound City industry conference.

Published: 14 May 2024

Filkin’s Drift and their manager walking along a grassy road carrying backpacks and instruments.

Musicians and Sustainability: “We Should Use More Creativity When Booking Tours”

Last year MU member Chris Roberts (aka Hafren) undertook a 870-mile walking tour across the Welsh coast with his folk duo Filkin’s Drift. Here he shares the honest, humorous and relatable tale of the 50 show journey, and contemplates the benefits of thinking innovatively when booking tours.

Published: 20 February 2024

General Secretary Naomi Pohl stands in discussion outside of the Royal Opera House

2023 End of Year Round Up

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl reports back on the work that the Union has done through 2023, as well as setting out some of MU’s intentions for 2024, and more general food for thought about the music industry.

Published: 30 December 2023

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MU Action on the Climate Emergency

The MU’s new Climate Emergency Action Group have now met twice, and are looking inwardly and outwardly at ways the Union, the wider music industry and the Government can address the climate emergency.

Published: 16 November 2023

Across a long room full of delegates sat at tables, we see Naomi presenting to the group, speaking into a microphone

Read the MU General Secretary Speech From 2023’s Delegate Conference

In her opening speech at this year’s MU Delegate Conference, General Secretary Naomi Pohl describes how the Union is making progress in negotiations, campaigning and lobbying – and how we are improving what we do for members all the time. Read her full speech below.

Published: 25 July 2023

Long exposure of a bus travelling in Glasgow city center at night time.

MU Concerned by First Glasgow Plans to Cancel Night Bus Service

Although plans to cancel the service have currently been delayed until August, the MU is asking any members affected to contact the Scotland Regional Office to discuss their concerns, with the potential to be interviewed about their experiences.

Published: 19 July 2023

Information on New Low Emissions Zone in Glasgow

An important notice for members living in, or travelling to perform in Glasgow.

Published: 24 May 2023

Take the Musicians’ Census 2023

The Musicians’ Census is a joint project by the Musicians’ Union and Help Musicians to get a deeper understanding of what it’s like to be a musician in 2023.

Published: 23 January 2023

Government Post-Brexit Bill Threatens Musicians’ Rights – Write to your MP and Ask Them to Vote Against

A Bill coming back to Parliament next week puts legislation on workers’ rights and copyright at risk.

Published: 13 January 2023

Hands of an instrument maker connecting the hair to the violin bow

CITES CoP19 Agrees to Keep Pernambuco on Appendix II

Commercial and non-commercial movement of Pernambuco bows can continue to take place.

Published: 29 November 2022

People placing their vote at the MU Delegate Conference 2019, with cards held over head.

Young Workers’ Month 2022: Using Your Power as a Musicians’ Union Member

One of the most powerful things you can do as an MU member is get involved in the MU Delegate Conference.

Published: 02 November 2022

Brightly dressed protestors raise banners with Extinction Rebellion symbols and words such as

Climate and Environment: Sustainable Practices and Challenges for Touring Musicians

As Covid-19 restrictions dissipate but the environmental crisis grows, we’ve been looking at the artists engaging in sustainable practices and the challenges they face as they return to touring.

Published: 10 August 2022

$Close up of pile of CDs, showing rainbow colours in the refraction of the light.$

MU Evolves its Copyright Registration Service

After member feedback and as part of our commitment to the climate, we’re no longer issuing CDs. Instead, we’re offering sound advice on how members can best protect themselves.

Published: 16 February 2022

A koala bear curls up sleepily against a tree with a background of vibrant green folliage

Improving the MU Members' Pension Scheme: Introducing ESG Investing

Find out more about what Hencilla Canworth, the administrators of the MU members’ pension scheme, are doing to consider their Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investment strategy.

Published: 09 December 2021

Blurred vision of a protest march seen from behind, the centre of the image is on a person with long blonde hair under a pink hat, wearing a grey coat.

Marking TUC Young Workers Month This November

November is TUC Young Workers Month, when the whole trade union movement comes together to celebrate, and campaign on issues affecting, young members.

Published: 05 November 2021

A huge crowd of climate protestrors with various banners gathered in a street, a blow up beachball style planet is being thrown by the crowd.

Green Pension Guide Released in World First Move by Make My Money Matter

In the run up to COP26, Make My Money Matter (MMMM) have released a free online guide for organisations committing to greening their pensions – one which members may find useful to share with employers and colleagues where relevant.

Published: 29 October 2021

Two women are sat on a sofa, dressed for the office they are discussing something on a laptop and making hand gestures.

TUC Publish Handy Primer On Engaging With Your Employer About Climate Change

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) have published a 15-minute primer on everything you need to know to set up a meeting with your employer and get the conversation going a green transition in the lead up to COP26 in Glasgow this year.

Published: 11 October 2021

Against a blue background is a miniature toy globe that functions as a map of the world, with a large pair of black earphones sitting behind the globe.

Music Declares Emergency to Host First Climate Music Blowout Event

The event – which will run on Sunday 17 October in London – will include an afternoon of discussion on how the UK music industry can respond to the climate emergency, followed by a ticketed evening show celebrating the power of music.

Published: 11 October 2021

Photograph of Labour Party Deputy leader Angela Rayner giving her speech at the Labour Party Conference

The MU at Labour and Conservative Party Conferences

The MU took a delegation to the Labour Party Conference, voting on a number of important motions and holding meetings with Labour MPs – as well as making a fleeting visit to the Conservative Party Conference to discuss the Fix Streaming campaign.

Published: 05 October 2021

Photograph of a very green looking forest clearing with moss and plants.

Exploring Green Pension Investments as the Most Powerful Thing You Can Do to Protect The Planet

The MU continues to investigate ways in which we can reduce our impact on the climate crisis and contribute to sustainability, including divesting from fossil fuels.

Published: 26 August 2021

Photograph of a persons hand turning the tuning peg on a guitar, in the background is wild countryside.

Scottish Classical Music Green Guide Launched by the Scottish Classical Sustainability Group

Set up during the pandemic, the Scottish Classical Sustainability Group (SCSG) is putting the welfare of our planet in the spotlight with the launch of its first ever Scottish Classical Music Green Guide, and the MU is proud to have contributed.

Published: 30 July 2021

Photograph of a collection of instruments, a microphone, acoustic guitar, keyboard and various percussion.

Representing the Interests of Members Globally Through the International Federation of Musicians (FIM)

A report from the 2021 FIM Congress from MU Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl, discussing issues from the climate crisis to diversity and inclusion in orchestras.

Published: 28 May 2021

Photograph of the corner between Downing Street and Whitehall, focusing on the two street signs.

Next Kill The Bill Day of Action to Take Place on 29 May

A series of organised protests will be taking place across the UK, calling for the Government to reconsider their Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, which risks criminalising the right to peaceful protest, increasing discrimination and undermining democracy.

Published: 26 May 2021

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MU Moves to Phase Out Membership Cards

As part of our drive to limit our impact on the climate, we’ll be phasing out membership cards, while ensuring this doesn’t affect your proof of membership or access to benefits.

Published: 22 April 2021

Photograph of a group of police officers standing in a road in their high viz uniforms.

Concerns over the Government’s Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill

The MU are concerned that the Government’s new Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill risks criminalising the right to peaceful protest, and will increase discrimination and undermine democracy.

Published: 15 March 2021

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How Musicians Can Help Tackle the E-Waste Mountain

E-waste is now a major environmental issue, and one that musicians can no longer ignore. Can using recycled electronics and vintage kit help change things?

Published: 22 January 2021

Photograph of a ferry leaving a port and heading out to sea, the photograph includes an image of the dock we are looking out to the ferry from.

CITES Survey: Does your Instrument Contain Endangered Species

Help DEFRA check what additional efforts may be required as the end of the transition period approaches, by completing this short survey.

Published: 12 November 2020

Photograph of a packed concert taking place indoors, there is red lighting shining through smoke and the band in the distance are blurred.

Birmingham Musicians Encouraged to Complete Live Music Survey

Members in Birmingham are encouraged to fill out BLMP's survey on their experiences in the creative industries, to help protect Birmingham's vibrant music scene and be in with the chance to win a £100 Amazon voucher.

Published: 11 November 2020

Photograph of Birmingham Bullring, with the sky reflected in its shiny metallic surface.

Survey on Birmingham Clean Air Zone

Support our campaign to lobby the council to mitigate the impact on musicians and associated businesses.

Published: 03 November 2020

Ivory Ban Will Grant Exemptions for Musical Instruments

Following lobbying from the music industry, including the Musicians' Union (MU), The UK Government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' (DEFRA) ivory ban will give some exemptions for musical instruments.

Published: 18 April 2018

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

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