News & Stories for Musicians

Photograph of a violin contained in a travel case. The travel case is resting open in the photo with the violn visiable.

Amended Brexit Guidance for Musicians with Portable Musical Instruments

It has been confirmed today by DCMS Minister Caroline Dinenage MP that musicians travelling into and around the EU with portable musical instruments are not required to obtain a Carnet.

Published: 16 February 2021

Stack of travel cases used to transport musical equipment.

MU Secures ATA Carnet Discounts for Touring Musicians

Whilst the MU lobbied hard against Brexit, the agreement reached with the EU means that currently ATA Carnets (a travel document needed for instruments and equipment) are a reality for musicians working in the EU.

Published: 11 February 2021

Photograph of the Berlin skyline, in the golden hour.

Lobbying Update: Piling on the Pressure

Another week, another Brexit debate in parliament about touring musicians and yet more pressure being put on the Government to sort the situation out.

Published: 09 February 2021

Photograph of an airplace from inside, facing the front of the plane the image looks up the aisle between seats, we can see the backs of peoples arms as heads.

EasyJet’s New Baggage Policy Continues to be a Bitter Blow to Musicians

Despite our correspondence with airline EasyJet, we have been unable to persuade them to amend their new baggage policy, which will come into play from 10 February 2021.

Published: 08 February 2021

Woman waits by a train with a guitar strapped to her back, she is looking at her watch. Photo credit: Shutterstock

US Immigration Roll Backs

In this blog MU National Organiser Live Performance, Dave Webster, discusses how US President Biden has started to roll back on some of the executive orders brought in by President Trump.

Published: 03 February 2021

A number of instruments in hard cases proped at the side of a stage, looking slightly chaotic.

Lobbying Update: Practical Action

This week, we’ve been focussed on practical ways in which we can move the issue of Brexit forward – following weeks of arguments between the UK and the EU over where the fault lies for the lack of agreement over movement for musicians.

Published: 28 January 2021

Photograph of a miniature placard held up at a protest, it reads

Evidence on Challenges Musicians Face as a Result of the Brexit Deal Presented to House of Lords

MU General Secretary Horace Trubridge spoke to members of the House of Lords about the challenges facing musicians working in the EU as a result of the Brexit Deal.

Published: 25 January 2021

Portrait photograph of Lord Holmes, he wears a blue suit against a plain grey background and a serious expression.

Work Arrangements for UK Musicians in the EU: The Show Must Go On

In this blog, originally posted on Lord Holmes of Richmond MBE’s website and reposted here with his kind permission, he discusses how music is an important part of all of us – and a massive cultural export for the UK which must be protected.

Published: 25 January 2021

Photograph of two very small placards held up at a march, they read

Brexit Deal Contains No Detail for Musicians

The Government has now agreed a Brexit deal with Europe and will bring it back to Parliament on Wednesday for MPs to vote on.

Published: 28 December 2020

Photograph of an airplane flying over the clouds.

Objections Raised Over New Easy Jet Baggage Policy

We have written to Easy Jet raising our objections over changes to their baggage policy, which mean that musical instruments will have to fit their restrictive dimensions of their regular cabin baggage.

Published: 03 December 2020

Photograph of an American Bald Eagle who has landed on a branch, and is looking out over a woodland of trees.

US Visas – The Biden Years

MU National Organiser Live Performance, Dave Webster, discusses what the future may look like for UK musicians planning on performing in the US under the Biden Administration.

Published: 01 December 2020

Emily Barker with a guitar standing against a bigtree

Emily Barker: a Singer-Songwriter Who Spans Country, Folk and Blues

From haunting theme tunes to groove-smitten Americana, Aussie-born Emily Barker is a prolific singer-songwriter.

Published: 26 November 2020

The Levaré Quartet: a String Quartet Thriving on Diversity in Post-Brexit Britain

Diversity and spontaneity define the music of the Levaré Quartet, an international ensemble formed by students at the Royal Northern College of Music.

Published: 23 November 2020

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

An Open Letter on the Threat of Brexit to Creative Working Opportunities

The MU, Equity and the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain have urged the Government to come forward with guidance and to stand up for creatives at the ongoing negotiations.

Published: 28 October 2020

Photograph showing a collection of bows for instruments hanging from a wall.

CITES: End of Transition Update

If your instrument contains endangered species and you don't yet have Musical Instrument Certificate (MIC), you can apply for one for free.

Published: 14 October 2020

Advice for LGBT+ Musicians Working in Poland

Nearly a third of Poland has been declared an LGBT+ free zone, as 100 local authorities have said they will not promote LGBT+ tolerance or acceptance. This includes funding NGOs working to promote equality.

Published: 10 March 2020

Photograph of sign held up at protest reading

The Fight to Protect Musicians’ Rights Continues Beyond Brexit Day

The UK is out of the European Union as of Friday 31 January. But the fight to protect musicians working in the EU is far from over. More than ever, the campaign for the Musicians’ Passport needs your support.

Published: 31 January 2020

6 MPs on Working in the EU post-Brexit and the Musicians’ Passport

The MU is fighting for a Musicians’ Passport so that you can keep working in the EU post-Brexit. And it looks like the message is getting through.

Published: 27 January 2020

Photograph of small dog writing in a letter. Photo credit: Shutterstock

Tell Your New MP About the Musicians’ Passport

The MU is fighting for musicians’ rights to keep working in the EU post-Brexit. We’re calling for a Musicians’ Passport – and more than 40,000 people have signed the petition to show their support.

Published: 22 January 2020

Photograph of small suitcases in an aircraft cabin stowage

Flybe Amends Cabin Baggage to Allow for Small Instruments

Flybe has listened to the concerns of musicians, and following a letter sent by the MU late last year, has amended its cabin baggage terms and conditions to accommodate small instruments.

Published: 06 January 2020

Photo of baggage being loaded into a place

Change in Flybe’s Musical Instruments on Planes Policy

The MU was disappointed to learn that Flybe’s Musical Instrument Policy has recently been updated, to the detriment of musicians travelling with their instruments.

Published: 16 December 2019

Next Steps for Musicians Following the General Election

The Conservatives have won an overall majority in the general election. It’s now almost certain that we will get a Tory Brexit, which means musicians are likely to face new barriers to working in the EU post-Brexit.

Published: 13 December 2019

Details for CITES Rosewood Exemption Announced

The MU has learnt today that the CITES rosewood exemptions – which were agreed on at the last CITES meeting in Geneva – will take effect from 14 December 2019.

Published: 06 December 2019

Advice for Touring Musicians on US Court Ruling Against Device Probe

Have you ever tried entered the United States and had your smartphone or laptop searched? If so that has now been disallowed.

Published: 18 November 2019

Photograph of a ship leaving a port at Dover.

DCMS Release New Guidance for Touring Musicians in the Event of a No Deal Brexit

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport has released a two-part advice guide for arts, cultural, creative, heritage and sports organisations on touring Europe after a no deal Brexit.

Published: 04 October 2019

Photograph of miniature placard at a march reading

Attempt to Stop a ‘No Deal’ Brexit Supported by the MU

Staying in the European Union is still the best option for musicians. The MU supports Parliament’s attempts to stop a ‘No Deal’ Brexit, and calls for a People’s Vote.

Published: 04 September 2019

Photo of bows for sale hanging in a shop. Photo credit: Shutterstock

CITES Votes in Favour of Allowing Exemption for Musical Instruments made with Rosewood

At the latest meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) – which was held in Geneva – attendees voted in favour of allowing exemptions for musical instruments made with rosewood.

Published: 03 September 2019

MU Conference Plea to New Prime Minister – Don’t Drag Us Off The Cliff

The first MU conference under General Secretary Horace Trubridge kicked off today with clear calls for the Government to protect freedom of movement for touring musicians and to invest in the music education sector.

Published: 23 July 2019

Gigging and Touring Before the EU

Over 15,000 people have signed the Musicians’ Union (MU) petition for a touring visa for musicians working in the European Union post-Brexit.

Published: 31 October 2018

The Facts About LGBT+ Musician Rights and Brexit

The UK’s membership of the EU has strengthened protections for LGBT+ people in this country. Now Brexit is putting those hard-won rights at risk.

Published: 17 May 2018

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

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

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

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

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