News & Stories for Musicians

A lively crowd and street market in Portugal.

Open Call to Perform at Showcase Festival SQUARE in Portugal

Taking place in early 2027 across four Portuguese cities, SQUARE is seeking British and European artists to perform as part of its showcase line-up. Apply by 15 August 2026.

Published: 30 June 2026

Close up of empty tables and chairs in a classroom.

MU Affiliates to Ukraine Solidarity Campaign and Supports Frontline Schools Appeal

The MU has formally affiliated to the Ukraine Solidarity Campaign (USC) and is encouraging members to support a new aid appeal for schools and communities in eastern Ukraine.

Published: 25 June 2026

Dave speaking on stage at the convention.

MU Takes Union Solidarity to the 103rd American Federation of Musicians (AFM) Convention

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl and Head of International Dave Webster shared union solidarity and spotlighted common industrial issues in keynote speeches at the 103rd American Federation of Musicians (AFM) Convention.

Published: 25 June 2026

Several flight cases for musical instruments lined up in a row.

MU Welcomes Provisional EU Agreement for Musical Instruments on Planes

The European Parliament and the Council have provisionally agreed on revised air passenger rights rules to improve air travel for musicians, offering clearer rules for instruments on planes after years of campaigning.

Published: 23 June 2026

A group of professionals gathered round the end of a table.

MU Well-Represented at European Movement Roundtable and Report Launch

MU representatives joined a discussion with European Movement and Lib Dem MPs to address the impact of Brexit on touring artists. The roundtable also marked the launch of a new report that sets out solutions to rebuild UK–EU creative cooperation.

Published: 11 June 2026

Portrait of the Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

MU General Secretary Discusses Music Education Funding with Chancellor

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl met Chancellor Rachel Reeves yesterday at a TULO meeting to raise concerns about long-standing underfunding of music education and called for it to be increased in line with inflation.

Published: 04 June 2026

Call for Artists: Help UK Access EU Funding Through Creative Europe Programme

UK musicians are missing out on major EU funding. Help the Forum on EU-UK Cultural & Media Relations advocate for the UK joining Creative Europe by submitting a short testimonial.

Published: 04 June 2026

A closeup of a person's hands typing at a laptop with their passport on the table.

Electronic Entry and Exit System for the EU and UK Now Live

The EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) is now live. Find out how it works, what changes to expect at the border, and where to access guidance to help you prepare for travel and touring in the EU.

Published: 30 April 2026

Blue sign at an airport saying 'Douanes francaises, French customs'.

France Confirms ELO Requirement from April 2026 But Uncertainty Remains for Musicians

France’s new Obligatory Logistics Envelope (ELO) — a digital customs system for declaring goods — will become mandatory from 20 April 2026. However, it remains unclear whether the rules apply to musicians taking merchandise into the country.

Published: 16 April 2026

Closeup of a United States VISA stamped on a passport.

International Touring 101: Webinar on Visas and US Immigration

Members who are thinking of touring in the US are invited to a webinar on 15 April. Hosted by Tamizdat, the session will cover visas, immigration and cross-border preparation.

Published: 10 April 2026

Naomi Pohl and Dave Webster outside the European Parliament building.

MU Joins Policymakers in Brussels to Discuss UK–EU Cultural Exchange

This week, the MU joined a creative industries delegation in Brussels to discuss strengthening cultural exchange between the UK and the EU, including removing barriers to cross-border touring.

Published: 25 March 2026

New Rules for Pernambuco Bows Come into Force

Following a decision at the CITES Conference of the Parties, new rules governing the international trade of pernambuco bows came into force on 5 March 2026. Guidance from the UK CITES authority explains what the changes mean for musicians.

Published: 06 March 2026

People walking on a busy street in Austin, Texas near the Austin Convention Center.

New Video Guidance on US Entry Requirements for SXSW 2026

A new video guide explains how international artists can enter the US for SXSW 2026 under ESTA, what documents to bring, and how to prepare for border checks.

Published: 06 March 2026

The UK and EU flags, waved together in front of Big Ben in London.

MU Backs Petition Urging UK to Rejoin Creative Europe Programme

The EU/UK Culture Forum has launched a petition calling on the UK Government to rejoin Creative Europe from 2027. The programme supports funding and cultural collaboration across Europe, and the MU is encouraging members to sign and show their support.

Published: 26 February 2026

Person walking into a venue with a cello case on their back.

Musical Instrument Certificates to Remain Free of Charge

Following results from a recent consultation by the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), Musical Instrument Certificates will remain free of charge for musicians travelling with instruments containing endangered materials.

Published: 10 February 2026

MU Welcomes EU Visa Policy Strategy Paper

The European Commission has released a new strategy paper on finding solutions to EU touring barriers for artists.

Published: 10 February 2026

Group of seven people, named in the caption, standing together in a regal Parliament building.

MU Gives Evidence on EU Touring to MPs on Select Committee

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl spoke to MPs on the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee about touring in the EU, alongside musician Kate Nash and Hanna Madalska-Gayer at the Association of British Musicians (ABO).

Published: 03 February 2026

The American flag on a flagpole in the sky.

US Suspends Immigrant Visa Applications for 75 Countries

The Trump administration has suspended immigrant visa processing from 75 countries, affecting artists planning to work in the US.

Published: 20 January 2026

A model airplane, a small French flag and a passport and stamp all lying on a copy of the world map.

An Update on the ELO for Musicians Taking Merchandise to France

The new customs regulation for musicians taking merchandise to France will now not become mandatory until a later date in early 2026. The MU is seeking further clarification on how musicians will be affected.

Published: 14 January 2026

Pernambuco Bows to Remain on Appendix II

A proposal to move pernambuco to Appendix I, which would have effectively halted international trade in the wood used for professional string instrument bows, has been rejected after lobbying by the MU and partners, ensuring continued access for musicians and stronger species protections.

Published: 15 December 2025

Flags of the United Kingdom and the European Union next to each other.

Organisations from Across UK and Europe Join Forces to Remove Barriers to Touring and Drive Growth

A new UK–EU Cultural Exchange Coalition has launched today, uniting the MU and major creative organisations to push for removing post-Brexit touring barriers. The alliance seeks to turn political promises on cultural exchange into action supporting artists and renewing collaboration.

Published: 03 December 2025

A close up of a woman sitting at a laptop with a passport on the table.

Big Mobility and Touring Survey: Help Remove Barriers for Touring Artists

Members who have experienced touring in the EU are encouraged to fill out PEARLE*’s Big Mobility and Touring Survey. The survey closes on 31 October 2025.

Published: 15 October 2025

Sign saying 'French customs' at an airport.

New French Customs Regulation Affects Musicians Taking Merchandise to France

A new French customs regulation means more hoops to jump through if you are taking merchandise to France in a van as part of your music work.

Published: 13 October 2025

Government Proposes New Charges for Musical Instrument Certificates

The MU warns proposed fees of up to £200 could place an unfair burden on musicians travelling with instruments containing endangered materials.

Published: 02 October 2025

A Democratic Republic of the Congo flag on a map.

MU Supports Congo Week

Following a motion to Delegate Conference 2025, the MU shares its support for Congo Week.

Published: 02 October 2025

The Musicians’ Union at Labour Party Conference

The MU has been at Labour Party Conference this week asking the Government to ensure that musicians are fairly paid in relation to artificial intelligence (AI) and music streaming.

Published: 30 September 2025

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl on stage at TUC 2025, addressing delegates about the motion on AI and the creative industries.

MU Motions on AI and EU Touring Pass at Trade Union Congress 2025

This week, the MU attended the annual TUC Congress, where our motions on key issues including AI, copyright reform and post-Brexit EU touring all passed unanimously.

Published: 10 September 2025

A hand holding the new blue British passport.

Launch Confirmed for Electronic Entry and Exit Systems for the EU and UK

The EES, an automated IT system that will modernise border control and replace passport stamping, is finally set to launch in October 2025. These changes will impact musicians crossing both UK and EU borders.

Published: 26 August 2025

Close up of the American flag with a burst of sunlight.

US Artist Visa Update – August

An update for musicians travelling to the US, covering proposed changes to ESTA fees and further delays in O and P visa processing.

Published: 26 August 2025

A handmade sign painted in the Palestinian flag colours with text that says

MU Releases Statement Condemning Genocide in Gaza

The Musicians' Union opposes and fully condemns the genocide being committed against the Palestinian people, and we are taking action to protect and defend musicians' right to free speech and peaceful protest.

Published: 21 August 2025

A line of passengers in an airport queuing to go through a security scanner.

MU Reaches Agreement with Heathrow on Handling of Musical Instruments

Musicians travelling with instruments through Heathrow can now expect the airport to act in accordance with guidelines agreed by the MU.

Published: 05 August 2025

Silhouette of migratory birds flying over the sea at sunset.

Labour Unions Call on UK Government to Immediately Recognise Palestinian State

Labour Unions have written to Prime Minister Keir Starmer calling on the UK Government to immediately recognise the state of Palestine.

Published: 31 July 2025

Dave, Jon and Olga standing in a room in Parliament with MPs and Peers.

MU Meets Labour Movement for Europe to Discuss Next Steps for EU Touring

Last week the Union met with MPs and Peers to press for progress on EU touring barriers at a parliamentary roundtable.

Published: 25 July 2025

Top view of an acoustic violin and pernambuco wood bow on a tabletop.

Save Pernambuco Bows: Write to Your MP Today

The MU is calling on members to take urgent action to protect the future of high-quality bow making and the musicians who rely on it, after a proposal to move pernambuco wood from Appendix II to Appendix I.

Published: 10 July 2025

Annabella Coldrick, Naomi Pohl, Nick Thomas-Symonds, Dave Webster and Tom Kiehl smiling in front of a UK flag.

MU Meets with Minister to Push for Progress on Touring Post-Brexit

Earlier this week, the MU met with Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds to discuss last month’s EU-UK Summit and the next steps for touring artists.

Published: 11 June 2025

Passport with a US Visa against the background of the flag and map of the United States.

Update on the US Travel Ban: Who is Affected?

Trump’s latest proclamation restricts entry to the US from 20 countries, heightening concerns for global cultural exchange. Our colleagues at Tamizdat have shared further details on what we know so far.

Published: 09 June 2025

Black and white image of a band on a large stage, performing to a crowd outside. From the perspective of the drummer.

MU Joins Industry Wide Call for £10 Million Investment in UK Music Export and Exchange

The MU has joined over sixty music sector organisations in signing an open letter to government, calling for urgent and sustained investment in music export and exchange initiatives.

Published: 29 May 2025

Birdseye view of feet staring down at an EU flag on the ground, representing a border.

EU-UK Summit: Early Outcomes and What it Means for MU Members

The MU welcomes early signs of progress on cultural mobility at the first EU-UK Summit, including youth mobility and faster border access, but calls for further action to ensure musicians are properly supported in post-Brexit negotiations.

Published: 21 May 2025

EU and UK flags flying in front of Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament at Westminster Palace, London.

Open Letter Calls for Action on Post-Brexit Touring Barriers Ahead of EU-UK Summit

As over 500 UK and EU music organisations back an open letter to political leaders, MU Head of International Dave Webster updates members on the growing industry pressure to fix post-Brexit touring barriers, ahead of key EU-UK talks.

Published: 14 May 2025

Male musician composing an electronic music score at a computer and laptop.

MU Raises Concerns Over Potential Impact of US Film Tariffs on UK Musicians

Although deals are yet to be agreed, the imposition of tariffs on films produced outside of the US could severely impact the UK’s film and television industry, which currently invests around £80m in musicians.

Published: 13 May 2025

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