News & Stories for Musicians

A person is playing on a drum kit, the photograph just shows us a close up of the kit, one well used stick, and the arm and shoulder of the person who is wearing a leopard print vest.

Feedback Service Available for Those Applying to Next Round of ACE’s DYCP Fund

With the deadline for ACE’s tenth round of Developing Your Creative Practice funding approaching on 27 May – we’d like to take a moment to remind members about our guidance and feedback service for applications.

Published: 14 May 2021

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Live Streamed Concerts are Here to Stay Concludes Middlesex University London-led Report

The MU were one of the project partners in the research that led to this report, and it now offers musicians an insight into fans’ experiences and expectations of live streamed gigs and concerts.

Published: 13 May 2021

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Music For Youth to Hold Mentoring Workshops for MU Members

Music For Youth will be holding three mentoring workshops for MU members based in London, the North of England, and East & South East England who are interested in finding out more about mentoring roles.

Published: 12 May 2021

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Wales Update: Lobbying and The Freelancer Fund

An update on the recent election results in Wales, the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions, the next round of the Freelancer Fund and the joint Q&A session that we will be hosting for applicants.

Published: 11 May 2021

Photograph of a musician holding a guitar, we can't see their face and the photo focuses on their hands on the fretboard.

Changes to PRS for Music’s Online Live Concert Licence

A summary of changes to PRS for Music’s Online Live Concert Licence following their consultation with PRS members and the wider industry.

Published: 07 May 2021

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Social Media Blackout in Response to Sustained Racist Abuse Online

The MU will be standing in solidarity with this weekend’s social media boycott, to highlight social media company inaction on eradicating online hate and racism.

Published: 29 April 2021

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Call-Out for Experienced Mentors in the Music Industry

Following the success of their 2020 mentoring program, we.grow, shesaid.so and keychange have launched a call-out for senior music industry professionals and artists to volunteer as mentors for the Keychange participants.

Published: 27 April 2021

A musician sits at a mixing desk, with different pieces of equipment, including multiple speakers and monitors facing them.

Over 5000 Musicians and Songwriters Back Fix Streaming Petition

Over 5,000 musicians, songwriters and fans have signed the Fix Streaming petition, after 150 artists including Annie Lennox, Paul McCartney and Kate Bush made headlines calling on the Government to act.

Published: 27 April 2021

A young musician is working on a keyboard with a microphone, speakers and computer set up in front of them. There is warm but dark lighting.

The Copyright Directive

In this feature Mark Sutherland discusses the European Copyright Directive in detail, and looks at the vital actions that must take place to protect UK music industry in the post-Brexit environment.

Published: 26 April 2021

UK Music Survey Reveals 1 in 5 Disabled People Face Discrimination At Work

UK Music is calling on music industry leaders to ensure disabled people and people with long term health conditions can realise their dreams by removing potential barriers to job opportunities.

Published: 22 April 2021

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Buying and Selling Used Musical Instruments

For professional musicians, buying and selling musical instruments can be a challenging and time-consuming process. Neil Crossley examines the options and assesses how to ensure you get the best outcome with the minimum hassle.

Published: 20 April 2021

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Calling On The PM to Put The Value of Music Back “In The Hands of Music Makers”

An extraordinary roll call of music’s great and good call on the Prime Minister to reform the music industry by fixing streaming.

Published: 19 April 2021

A woman working at home is leaning over her laptop, she is concentrating but smiling slightly with a large pair of earphones around her neck.

Composers Against Buyouts Campaign Launches to Protect Media Writers’ Earnings and Rights

The Ivors Academy and the MU have launched a new campaign, Composers Against Buyouts, to oppose unethical business practices that damage media composers’ rights, earnings and careers.

Published: 29 March 2021

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Free Expert Industry Advice Session to be Run by the Featured Artists Coalition

The webinars will be part of the Music Explosion Spring Special 2021 presented by Midi Music, and will take place online on the evening of Wednesday 24 March.

Published: 22 March 2021

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Assessing Aggregators for Digital Music Distribution

All music creators need digital aggregators to get their music online – but which one to choose? An invaluable new MU resource is helping members to decide.

Published: 19 March 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

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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

Photograph of a sandy coloured electric guitar laid out on a wood table with a loop of amplifier cable and earphones also displayed.

Free PRS Licences for Small Online Performances of Own Works Announced

PRS for Music have announced that PRS members performing their own works in a small online ticketed concert can now obtain a free licence.

Published: 02 February 2021

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Guidance on the PRS Online Event Licensing Tariff

PRS for Music has announced a new tariff for online ticketed events, so we’ve published an explainer on what’s going on and what musicians need to know.

Published: 28 January 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

How Artificial Intelligence Affects Musicians, Music and Copyright

Artificial Intelligence tools have become increasingly prevalent in the creation of recorded and live music in recent years. Will Simpson assesses whether AI is the musician's friend or foe.

Published: 03 January 2021

Working to Protect the Rights and Royalties of Composers

Composers need to be aware of rights grabs. MU Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl reflects on how the Musicians’ Union and its members can fight back.

Published: 26 December 2020

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Songwriting Virtuosos Launch Masterclass for Creatives Impacted by the Pandemic

Songwriting virtuosos Boo Hewerdine and Findlay Napier have announced the launch of a series of songwriting workshops aimed at creative people in Scotland whose livelihoods have been negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Published: 23 December 2020

How Disabled Musicians Dealt with the Challenges of the Covid Crisis

From heightened isolation to deeply-held prejudices, disabled musicians have experienced profound challenges during the pandemic. But ingenuity, strong mutual support and online access have helped many to prevail, as Neil Churchman explains.

Published: 15 December 2020

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Poll Reveals Shockingly Inadequate Earnings From Streaming

8 out of 10 music creators earn less than £200 a year from streaming, finds survey ahead of songwriters and artists giving evidence to a Select Committee of MPs.

Published: 07 December 2020

More Creators and Musicians Called to Give Evidence in Person at Music Streaming Inquiry

Fiona Bevan, Soweto Kinch, and Nile Rodgers will be giving evidence to the Department of Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee inquiry into the economics of music streaming.

Published: 04 December 2020

Fix Streaming Now: Equitable Remuneration and Transparency

Artists, creators, and industry experts including Tom Gray and Guy Garvey back Equitable Remuneration in the first music streaming inquiry session.

Published: 30 November 2020

Drill rappers Skengdo x AM (Terrell Doyley and Joshua Malinga)

Why Are Drill Rappers Criminalised for Making Music?

Drill music has been demonised in the press, but silencing young, predominantly black musicians is discriminatory and won't stop gang violence.

Published: 27 November 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 Winter Covid-19 Plan and its Impact on Musicians

On Monday 23 November the Prime Minister confirmed that national restrictions in England will come to an end on Wednesday 2 December.

Published: 24 November 2020

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Artists Called to Give Evidence in Person at Streaming Inquiry

Musicians Tom Gray, Nadine Shah, Guy Garvey and Ed O’Brien will be giving evidence to the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee inquiry into the economics of music streaming.

Published: 20 November 2020

Photograph of an empty stage, looking out from the back towards where the audience would be, with bright lights shining down.

Figures Reveal UK Music Industry’s Pre-Covid £5.8bn Boost to Economy

UK Music’s annual Music By Numbers report reveals the £5.8bn boost to the economy before Covid-19’s catastrophic blow – and renewed calls for Government action to protect the industry.

Published: 18 November 2020

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New Online Donation Platform for Composers Announced

Sound and Music have received significant funding from the Boltini Trust to lead the development of Music Patron, an ambitious new online platform that will connect composers directly with patrons.

Published: 17 November 2020

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Disability History Month: Music Making and the Fates of Disabled People

Conductor and composer Ben Lunn discusses how we need to celebrate “the disabled musicians and artists who exist,” whilst, “making sure disabled people can live in dignity and safety and are able to pursue whatever profession they desire to.”

Published: 17 November 2020

Calling All Songwriters, Composers and Performers: A #FixStreaming Update

Have your say in the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee inquiry into music streaming – you now have until Friday 11 December to submit your thoughts.

Published: 17 November 2020

Got Five Minutes? Take Action to Fix Streaming Now

This is a defining moment in our industry. Whether you’ve got five minutes or thirty minutes, take action now to fix streaming and keep music alive.

Published: 13 November 2020

Photograph of CN Lester, they are sat at a piano singing and playing.

Dos and Don’ts of Working with Trans Colleagues

“You don’t need any special skills to support trans colleagues – we’re looking for the same basic level of respect, empathy, and tact that you would (hopefully) show to any fellow musician.”

Published: 11 November 2020

Photograph of an outdoor music performance taking place at night. We can only see the neck of a guitar and the shoulder of the musician, in the background there is bunting and bright lights.

What the End of the Welsh Firebreak Could Mean for Musicians

The Welsh Government’s Firebreak response to Covid-19 is due to end on Monday 9 November, here’s our summary of the new measures and how they’re likely to affect musicians.

Published: 06 November 2020

Your Guide to Giving Evidence to the Music Streaming Inquiry

The idea of giving evidence to a Select Committee can be daunting – especially when it’s about something as important and complex as streaming. But it doesn’t have to be.

Published: 30 October 2020

Streaming Inquiry Frequently Asked Questions

Have you got a question about the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee inquiry into the economics of music streaming? Take a look at these FAQs.

Published: 30 October 2020

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Feedback Service Available for Those Applying to Next Round of ACE’s DYCP Fund

Live Streamed Concerts are Here to Stay Concludes Middlesex University London-led Report

Music For Youth to Hold Mentoring Workshops for MU Members

Wales Update: Lobbying and The Freelancer Fund

Changes to PRS for Music’s Online Live Concert Licence

Social Media Blackout in Response to Sustained Racist Abuse Online

Call-Out for Experienced Mentors in the Music Industry

Over 5000 Musicians and Songwriters Back Fix Streaming Petition

The Copyright Directive

UK Music Survey Reveals 1 in 5 Disabled People Face Discrimination At Work

Buying and Selling Used Musical Instruments

Calling On The PM to Put The Value of Music Back “In The Hands of Music Makers”

Composers Against Buyouts Campaign Launches to Protect Media Writers’ Earnings and Rights

Free Expert Industry Advice Session to be Run by the Featured Artists Coalition

Assessing Aggregators for Digital Music Distribution

MU Secures ATA Carnet Discounts for Touring Musicians

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

Free PRS Licences for Small Online Performances of Own Works Announced

Guidance on the PRS Online Event Licensing Tariff

How Musicians Can Help Tackle the E-Waste Mountain

How Artificial Intelligence Affects Musicians, Music and Copyright

Working to Protect the Rights and Royalties of Composers

Songwriting Virtuosos Launch Masterclass for Creatives Impacted by the Pandemic

How Disabled Musicians Dealt with the Challenges of the Covid Crisis

Poll Reveals Shockingly Inadequate Earnings From Streaming

More Creators and Musicians Called to Give Evidence in Person at Music Streaming Inquiry

Fix Streaming Now: Equitable Remuneration and Transparency

Why Are Drill Rappers Criminalised for Making Music?

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

The Winter Covid-19 Plan and its Impact on Musicians

Artists Called to Give Evidence in Person at Streaming Inquiry

Figures Reveal UK Music Industry’s Pre-Covid £5.8bn Boost to Economy

New Online Donation Platform for Composers Announced

Disability History Month: Music Making and the Fates of Disabled People

Calling All Songwriters, Composers and Performers: A #FixStreaming Update

Got Five Minutes? Take Action to Fix Streaming Now

Dos and Don’ts of Working with Trans Colleagues

What the End of the Welsh Firebreak Could Mean for Musicians

Your Guide to Giving Evidence to the Music Streaming Inquiry

Streaming Inquiry Frequently Asked Questions