Government Announcement on Measures to Protect the Self-Employed Anticipated The prime minister announced last night (Wednesday 25 March) that Government is preparing to announce measures that should put the self-employed on “parity” with employees. Published: 26 March 2020 Read more about Government Announcement on Measures to Protect the Self-Employed Anticipated
The Government Announces a Welcome Plan for the Self-Employed After weeks of lobbying MPs and Ministers, the MU has welcomed the package of help that the Government has announced for the self-employed. Published: 26 March 2020 Read more about The Government Announces a Welcome Plan for the Self-Employed
PRS for Music Launches Membership Emergency Relief Fund The new fund, which will open for applications at 9:00 am on Thursday 26 March, offers money to support songwriters and composers during unprecedented times of hardship. Published: 25 March 2020 Read more about PRS for Music Launches Membership Emergency Relief Fund
Music Industry Issues Call to Chancellor for Help During Coronavirus Outbreak Music industry and charity leaders – including the MU General Secretary Horace Trubridge – have signed a joint open letter to the Chancellor, asking for a package of urgent measures to help the crisis-hit sector fight the impact of the coronavirus. Published: 20 March 2020 Read more about Music Industry Issues Call to Chancellor for Help During Coronavirus Outbreak
Bandcamp to Waive Own Revenue Shares This Friday The music sharing platform will not be taking a share of profits from midnight to midnight (Pacific Time) on 20 March, in a 24-hour drive to put money directly into artists’ pockets. Published: 20 March 2020 Read more about Bandcamp to Waive Own Revenue Shares This Friday
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 Read more about Advice for LGBT+ Musicians Working in Poland
Concern Over Threat to Future of BBC Funding The MU is concerned by the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Nicky Morgan’s confirmation that the government is considering the removal of the BBC licence fee over the long-term yesterday morning. Published: 06 February 2020 Read more about Concern Over Threat to Future of BBC Funding
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 Read more about 6 MPs on Working in the EU post-Brexit and the Musicians’ Passport
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 Read more about Flybe Amends Cabin Baggage to Allow for Small Instruments
16 Days of Activism with UN Women: Protected Characteristics Over 48% of Musicians’ Union members surveyed have experienced sexual harassment at work. Shockingly, a third of those people say their harassment was related to a protected characteristic, and another 21% said they were not sure. Published: 03 December 2019 Read more about 16 Days of Activism with UN Women: Protected Characteristics
Why the Musicians' Union is Supporting #16Days and UN Women's Stand Against Rape Culture Musicians’ Union Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl looks at how the MU is tackling sexual harassment in musicians’ workplaces, creating Safe Space for musicians to be heard and campaigning to ensure that everyone has an equal level of protection from sexual harassment. Published: 25 November 2019 Read more about Why the Musicians' Union is Supporting #16Days and UN Women's Stand Against Rape Culture
The London International Guitar Show Returns this Sunday Now in its fourth year, The London International Guitar Show (LIGS) will be returning to Kempton Park Racecourse on Sunday 27 October 2019 from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm. Published: 25 October 2019 Read more about The London International Guitar Show Returns this Sunday
Opera North Seeks BAME Artists for Resonance Residencies Opera North are seeking applications from music-makers and composers from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds living in the north of England for their third programme of Resonance residencies, supported by PRS Foundation. Published: 01 October 2019 Read more about Opera North Seeks BAME Artists for Resonance Residencies
Bread & Roses Songwriting and Spoken Word Award 2020 Opens for Entries The MU is supporting and sponsoring this third edition of the Bread & Roses Songwriting and Spoken Word award by the Communication Workers’ Union (CWU) and Culture Matters. Published: 19 September 2019 Read more about Bread & Roses Songwriting and Spoken Word Award 2020 Opens for Entries
Help Musicians Re-opens £10,000 Fund for Promising Emerging Jazz Performers Music charity Help Musicians has opened the 2019 application process for its £10,000 jazz fund, the renowned Peter Whittingham Jazz Award. Published: 06 September 2019 Read more about Help Musicians Re-opens £10,000 Fund for Promising Emerging Jazz Performers
Help Musicians UK Survey Looks at Mental Health Support Help Musicians UK is reviewing their mental health and wellbeing support services for musicians. Published: 28 August 2019 Read more about Help Musicians UK Survey Looks at Mental Health Support
9Bach on Getting a Fair Deal Using the MU’s Contract Advisory Service When MU members Martin and alternative folk group 9Bach needed help negotiating a contract, they used the MU’s Contract Advisory Service to make sure they could navigate the negotiation and get a fair deal. Published: 13 August 2019 Read more about 9Bach on Getting a Fair Deal Using the MU’s Contract Advisory Service
PRS for Music Launches Consultation on Live Classical Music Licenses PRS for Music has launched a public consultation into the terms of its Tariff LC (Live Classical), which is used to license the use of music at classical music concerts and recitals. Published: 01 August 2019 Read more about PRS for Music Launches Consultation on Live Classical Music Licenses
Standing Up for Diversity in Music Industry MU members have raised concerns regarding a promoter's view that bands should not highlight their diverse make up, and that doing so is a form of tokenism that will prevent them from being booked. Published: 30 July 2019 Read more about Standing Up for Diversity in Music Industry
First Ever Members' Conference Brings in Voices from Across the Union MU General Secretary Horace Trubridge today introduced the Union’s first ever Members' Conference – which saw members and officials from across the regions, as well as the Union’s Executive Committee (EC), coming together to discuss essential decisions for the future of the MU. Published: 24 July 2019 Read more about First Ever Members' Conference Brings in Voices from Across the Union
Megan O’Neill: "Every UK Musician Should Take Advantage of MU services" Irish born singer-songwriter Megan O’Neill tells us about the support she's received so far through membership of the MU. Published: 13 June 2019 Read more about Megan O’Neill: "Every UK Musician Should Take Advantage of MU services"
Lester Clayton on Taking Advantage of the MU's Legal Advice and Assistance When an MU member found his band in a tricky situation, legal support from the MU took a weight off his shoulders. Published: 12 June 2019 Read more about Lester Clayton on Taking Advantage of the MU's Legal Advice and Assistance
LGBT+ History Month: Composer Hillman Mondegreen LGBT+ History Month explores the history, celebrates the present, and looks to the future of LGBT+ people in the UK. Hillman Mondegreen, composer for Ephemerals, explores. Published: 31 January 2019 Read more about LGBT+ History Month: Composer Hillman Mondegreen
2019 Rates Increase for Arranging, Music Preparation and Orchestration The Musicians’ Union Executive Committee have endorsed a 3.3% increase for the General Terms & Conditions for Arranging, Music Preparation and Orchestration rates. Published: 21 January 2019 Read more about 2019 Rates Increase for Arranging, Music Preparation and Orchestration
Launch of #LoveMusic Campaign Ahead of Key Copyright Directive Vote on 12 September September 12 will see a crucial vote on the EU Copyright Directive, which aims to update current legislation and address the balance between billion-pound content platforms, and the meagre profit passed on to the content creators. Published: 28 August 2018 Read more about Launch of #LoveMusic Campaign Ahead of Key Copyright Directive Vote on 12 September
Musicians’ Union Expresses Disappointment at MEPs' Decision to Reject the Copyright Directive The fight goes on to ensure fair payments for use of musicians’ and creators’ work online. Published: 05 July 2018 Read more about Musicians’ Union Expresses Disappointment at MEPs' Decision to Reject the Copyright Directive
Changes to PRS's Tariff LP are approved by the Copyright Tribunal The Copyright Tribunal has approved a revision to PRS’s Tariff LP following three years of discussions between PRS and representatives of the live sector. Published: 05 June 2018 Read more about Changes to PRS's Tariff LP are approved by the Copyright Tribunal
MU and WGGB Launch The Musical Theatre Kit Neil Crossley examines the difficulties often met in the creation of musicals, and how the Musical Theatre Kit serves to meet a real need. Published: 26 March 2018 Read more about MU and WGGB Launch The Musical Theatre Kit
MU Highlights Sexual Harassment and Gender Equality at TUC Women’s Conference The Musicians’ Union (MU) is delighted to be attending TUC Women’s Conference once again. The MU is taking two motions to TUC Women’s Conference focusing on festival line-ups, and sexual harassment in the music industry. Published: 07 March 2018 Read more about MU Highlights Sexual Harassment and Gender Equality at TUC Women’s Conference
What To Do When Asked to Work For Free Surprise, surprise – a trade union talking about fair pay for Young Workers’ Month. But it is a truth (probably) universally acknowledged that musicians will be asked to work for nothing. So what should you do when asked to work for free? Published: 23 November 2017 Read more about What To Do When Asked to Work For Free
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 Read more about The MU is Here to Support You If You Face Inappropriate Behaviour at Work
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 Read more about Sign the Petition for Free Movement for Musicians post-Brexit #WorkingInTheEU
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 Read more about MPs & Peers: Please Support Musicians Working in the EU
Sign the Petition Calling for a Law to Force Employers to Pay Freelancers on Time Sign this petition calling for a law to force employers to pay on time for freelance / contractual work. Published: 15 December 2016 Read more about Sign the Petition Calling for a Law to Force Employers to Pay Freelancers on Time
Performers call on European legislators to ensure fair treatment of performers in the digital world The Fair Internet campaign is calling on the European Commission to reconsider weak proposals in the current draft Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market. Published: 09 December 2016 Read more about Performers call on European legislators to ensure fair treatment of performers in the digital world
Rebekah Ubuntu: “Without the MU, the Music Industry Would Be a Confusing Dispersed Abyss" Performance artist and musician Rebekah Ubuntu explains how she benefits from being a member of the MU. Published: 02 November 2016 Read more about Rebekah Ubuntu: “Without the MU, the Music Industry Would Be a Confusing Dispersed Abyss"
Sherika Sherard: "Joining the MU Made Me Feel Protected" Singer-songwriter Sherika Sherard shares why she joined the Union, and how it feels to be an MU member. Published: 26 October 2016 Read more about Sherika Sherard: "Joining the MU Made Me Feel Protected"
Singer-songwriter Nadine Wild-Palmer: "If you are serious enough to invest in your career, The MU is a great place to start!" Nadine Wild-Palmer shares how she found her voice, and how the Musicians' Union has supported her and her career. Published: 20 October 2016 Read more about Singer-songwriter Nadine Wild-Palmer: "If you are serious enough to invest in your career, The MU is a great place to start!"
MU fighting for musicians’ rights in the lead up to Brexit As the Government now works towards Brexit, we would like to reassure members that we are doing everything in our power to protect musicians’ rights. Published: 12 October 2016 Read more about MU fighting for musicians’ rights in the lead up to Brexit
Judy Stakee’s Secrets to Writing a Song Discover Judy Stakee’s secrets to songwriting success in our highlights from her recent “It all starts with a song!” workshop at MU HQ. Published: 14 September 2016 Member only Read more about Judy Stakee’s Secrets to Writing a Song