News & Stories for Musicians

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You Could Be Heroes: Musicians, Songwriters, Composers and Featured Artist Share Their Fix Streaming Message for MPs

MPs joined musicians and music creators in Parliament Square to show their support for Kevin Brennan MP's Private Members’ Bill.

Published: 26 November 2021

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Brexit Lobbying Update

An update following the debate held in Westminster Hall on enabling visa and work permit free travel for musicians in the EU, with renewed calls from MPs for the Government to sort out remaining issues for musicians.

Published: 23 November 2021

BBC’s Withdrawal From Stonewall Raises Concerns

The MU has written to the BBC to raise concerns about its recent withdrawal from Stonewall’s Diversity Champions scheme.

Published: 23 November 2021

Electronic Artist Scanner on His Music Experiments and Working in Lockdown

Electronic musician Robin Rimbaud has been producing music under the name Scanner for many years now. Here he explains his methods of creation and hopes for the future.

Published: 17 November 2021

Photograph of a singer holding a microphone up to their face against a purple misty background, the rest of the image is in shadow.

Anonymous Survey Explores Bullying and Harassment in the Music Industry

A research team based at the University of the West of Scotland, University of Strathclyde and University of Winchester are running an anonymous online survey on bullying, harassment and the wider culture of the music industry.

Published: 16 November 2021

Two young adults playing their guitars in the kicthen, both are holding acoustic guitars as if they are preparing to play them.

Arts Council England Highlights Need To Improve Access To Classical Music For All

The recently published report, Creating a More Inclusive Classical Music, reveals the barriers to access that exist in the classical music industry, and sets out a three-year plan of action.

Published: 16 November 2021

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Rosie Frater-Taylor on the Making of Her Album "Bloom"

Singer-songwriter Rosie Frater-Taylor talking about why making her genre-straddling second album Bloom was a coming-of-age experience.

Published: 15 November 2021

Member only Read more about Rosie Frater-Taylor on the Making of Her Album "Bloom"

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Priorities for the Music Education Workforce

This article is a transcript of a talk given by Chris Walters, the MU’s National Organiser for Education and Health & Wellbeing, for the Westminster Education Forum policy conference entitled “Next Steps for Music Education in England”. This event took place online on 10 November.

Published: 12 November 2021

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MU Deputy General Secretary Talks to M Magazine on Ending Sexual Harassment at Work

MU Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl spoke to M Magazine about Safe Space and changing the culture of the music industry to end sexual harassment at work.

Published: 12 November 2021

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Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity Publishes Report Into Representation and Conflict in the Entertainment Trade Unions

The report presents crucial action points highlighting the barriers our members face engaging with the MU, and how we can take steps to remove them.

Published: 09 November 2021

A person is sat at a large recording desk, we can just see the back of their head with short cropped hair, a baseball cap, and earphones over their ears.

Fix Streaming & Composers Against Buyouts: Tackling Streaming Royalties on an International Scale

It is fair to say that the Fix Streaming campaign, run jointly by the Musicians’ Union and The Ivors Academy, and Tom Gray's Broken Record have had far greater impact in a short period of time than we thought possible when we embarked on this journey.

Published: 09 November 2021

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Take Action to Fix Streaming: Ask Your MP to Support Kevin Brennan’s Bill

On 3 December, MPs will have an opportunity to fix streaming. Be sure your voice is heard in the debate.

Published: 08 November 2021

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MPs Join Forces To Demand “Urgent Action” From PM Over EU Touring Crisis Facing Musicians And Crew

In welcome news from UK Music, a letter has been sent to PM Boris Johnson on behalf of cross-party MPs demanding “urgent action” over the crisis facing musicians and crew touring the EU. Have your say by responding to the APPG’s call for evidence.

Published: 05 November 2021

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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

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44 Conservative MPs Back Key Measures to Fix Streaming

Forty-four Conservative MPs are calling for key measures to fix streaming and keep music alive.

Published: 05 November 2021

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We’ve Partnered up With the Ivors Academy to Offer a New Joint Membership Discounted Rate

MU members can now get a 25% discount on the Ivors Academy standard and professional memberships, and Ivors Academy members can get a 25% discount on the MU’s annual standard membership rate.

Published: 02 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

Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer holds up his red suitcase outside 10 Downing Street

MU Calls for Investment in Musicians Following Budget Announcement

Whilst the budget announcement did offer a welcome extension to the orchestras tax relief and business rate relief for venues, the choice not to take forward further music tax incentives and the hike in VAT could have a negative impact on the sector.

Published: 28 October 2021

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The MU Education Conference – a Celebration of Musicians who Teach

The MU’s recent Education Conference – comprising training, networking and debate – was a joyful gathering of members who work in music education.

Published: 22 October 2021

Love Music Hate Racism Special Episode Features Vice Chair of the MU EDI Committee

To celebrate Black History Month, Love Music Hate Racism have hosted a special episode of their #SpeakUpThursday radio show, featuring Chardine Taylor Stone.

Published: 22 October 2021

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Music Support to Run Addiction and Recovery Workshop For Musicians

As part of Addiction Awareness Week, Music Support are offering free places on their brand-new Addiction & Recovery workshop – with applications closing on Monday 25 October.

Published: 22 October 2021

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UK Music Report Reveals Economic Impact of Covid-19

Research by UK Music reveals the music industry contributed £3.1 billion to the UK economy in 2020, down from £5.8bn in 2019.

Published: 20 October 2021

Competition and Markets Authority Launches Market Study Into Music Streaming

The Musicians’ Union, The Ivors Academy, and Broken Record founder Tom Gray welcome the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) decision to launch a market study into music streaming.

Published: 19 October 2021

A grouping of trombone players, we can see the instruments, their music stands and their hands - blurred in the background is the rest of the orchestra.

New Series of Events for Orchestral Players

This Autumn we’ll be hosting a new series of online events for our Orchestra Section members, covering topics from mouth and hand health through to presentation skills and designing workshops.

Published: 12 October 2021

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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

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New Recordings Added to Our Career Development Section

We’ve recently added recordings from some of our online events to the Career Starter Kits which we host on our website – adding to the selection of member-only resources currently available.

Published: 08 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

The neck of a traditional instrument often used in Afghan music, known as a Rubab

MU Signs Letter in Support of Campaign to Protect Afghanistan’s Musicians

The MU was one of over 200 signatories to an open letter – published in the Sunday Times on Sunday 3 October – calling on the UK Government to explicitly prioritise musicians under the Afghanistan Citizens Resettlement Scheme.

Published: 05 October 2021

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MU EC Member Speaks to BBC News Following Keir Starmer’s Commitment to Music Education

MU Executive Committee member Andi Hopgood spoke to BBC News following Keir Starmer’s speech at the Labour Party Conference, explaining how “it’s important to think of the education of our young people as a holistic thing.”

Published: 05 October 2021

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Final Announcements on Discounts and Sessions as Education Conference Approaches

With just over two weeks to go until our MU Education Conference commences, there’s still time to book your place – and booking for free one-to-one consultations and coaching sessions is now open to all delegates.

Published: 01 October 2021

Close up photograph of a tenor trombone.

A Generous Donation from Jazz Legend and MU Member

Trombonist Malcolm Griffiths – who sadly passed away in January 2021 – left a generous donation of instruments from his own collection, which have now been passed on to the Kent Music instrument library to inspire a future generation of musicians.

Published: 01 October 2021

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Revisit our Playlist Archives for Black History Month

As well as the fresh content that we’ll be publishing over the course of Black History Month (which runs from 1-31 October), we encourage members to browse back through the previous playlists we’ve published celebrating Black British musicians.

Published: 01 October 2021

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MU Welcomes UK Government Announcement That “Splitter Vans” Can Be Used For European Tours

The MU is delighted by the Government announcement that “splitter vans” can be used by British musicians touring Europe. The MU has been lobbying to ensure musicians can continue to tour Europe post-Brexit using this type of vehicle.

Published: 30 September 2021

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Driving in the EU: Number Plate Legislation Change

It has come to our attention that from Tuesday 28 September, cars displaying a GB sticker or number plate sign will need to either cover it up or remove it.

Published: 24 September 2021

Photograph of an airplane flying against a darkening sky, beams of light between the clouds.

UK Government Reinstates Quarantine Exemption in England for Performing Artists

As of Wednesday 22 September 2021, performing artists returning to England from work abroad can benefit from a quarantine exemption.

Published: 24 September 2021

Photograph of a person with red hair, wearing a pink mask and pink earphones in front of a pink background.

US Lifts Covid-19 Travel Ban

The MU has recently learnt via their friends at Tamizdat that the White House will be easing Covid-19 travel restrictions to the US.

Published: 24 September 2021

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Feldenkrais Method for Musicians – Why do it?

You are your primary Instrument, whether that’s a Strad or a factory violin is up to how you use what you have! Find out how the Feldenkrais Method could help.

Published: 23 September 2021

Photograph of a microphone against the background of yellow stage lights.

Lobbying Update: Government Must Invest in Musicians This Autumn

Help us make the case to the Government to use the money that is left in the Cultural Recovery Fund to provide bridging loans and other investment for musicians, by answering three short questions.

Published: 23 September 2021

Photograph of a number of instruments left backstage, a well aged piano, an upright bass lying on its side, a red synth on a stand and a music stand, as well as fairy lights and wires and visible.

The MU and The Ivors Academy Welcome Important Research on Creators' Earnings Published by The IPO

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) have published research on “Creators’ Earnings in the Digital Age”, in a timely move, given current industry debates and our campaign to defend media composers' royalties.

Published: 23 September 2021

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You Could Be Heroes: Musicians, Songwriters, Composers and Featured Artist Share Their Fix Streaming Message for MPs

Brexit Lobbying Update

BBC’s Withdrawal From Stonewall Raises Concerns

Electronic Artist Scanner on His Music Experiments and Working in Lockdown

Anonymous Survey Explores Bullying and Harassment in the Music Industry

Arts Council England Highlights Need To Improve Access To Classical Music For All

Rosie Frater-Taylor on the Making of Her Album "Bloom"

Priorities for the Music Education Workforce

MU Deputy General Secretary Talks to M Magazine on Ending Sexual Harassment at Work

Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity Publishes Report Into Representation and Conflict in the Entertainment Trade Unions

Fix Streaming & Composers Against Buyouts: Tackling Streaming Royalties on an International Scale

Take Action to Fix Streaming: Ask Your MP to Support Kevin Brennan’s Bill

MPs Join Forces To Demand “Urgent Action” From PM Over EU Touring Crisis Facing Musicians And Crew

Marking TUC Young Workers Month This November

44 Conservative MPs Back Key Measures to Fix Streaming

We’ve Partnered up With the Ivors Academy to Offer a New Joint Membership Discounted Rate

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

MU Calls for Investment in Musicians Following Budget Announcement

The MU Education Conference – a Celebration of Musicians who Teach

Love Music Hate Racism Special Episode Features Vice Chair of the MU EDI Committee

Music Support to Run Addiction and Recovery Workshop For Musicians

UK Music Report Reveals Economic Impact of Covid-19

Competition and Markets Authority Launches Market Study Into Music Streaming

New Series of Events for Orchestral Players

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

Music Declares Emergency to Host First Climate Music Blowout Event

New Recordings Added to Our Career Development Section

The MU at Labour and Conservative Party Conferences

MU Signs Letter in Support of Campaign to Protect Afghanistan’s Musicians

MU EC Member Speaks to BBC News Following Keir Starmer’s Commitment to Music Education

Final Announcements on Discounts and Sessions as Education Conference Approaches

A Generous Donation from Jazz Legend and MU Member

Revisit our Playlist Archives for Black History Month

MU Welcomes UK Government Announcement That “Splitter Vans” Can Be Used For European Tours

Driving in the EU: Number Plate Legislation Change

UK Government Reinstates Quarantine Exemption in England for Performing Artists

US Lifts Covid-19 Travel Ban

Feldenkrais Method for Musicians – Why do it?

Lobbying Update: Government Must Invest in Musicians This Autumn

The MU and The Ivors Academy Welcome Important Research on Creators' Earnings Published by The IPO