News & Stories for Musicians

Photograph of empty Parliament Square in Edinburgh, during the heaviest of social distancing measures earlier this year.

An Update the Latest Covid-19 Restrictions in Scotland

16 days of new, tougher measures, have been announced for Scotland, which will implemented nationwide from Friday 9 October.

Published: 08 October 2020

Photograph of an empty stage set up in a band, with double bass, drum kit and piano.

Ask Your MLAs to Support Musicians During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Music is a crucial part of the creative economy in Northern Ireland. Live music is worth £70m in GVA and generates £8m in music tourism. But all this is on hold because of the Covid-19 pandemic, with real consequences for musicians.

Published: 29 September 2020

Trumpet player in a red t-shirt performing to an audience who are blurred in the background. Just the hands of the player are visable.

Singing, Brass and Woodwind Restrictions Relaxed in Scotland

New guidance from the Scottish Government means that singers, and brass and woodwind players, can rehearse in groups, provided certain conditions are met.

Published: 18 September 2020

Photograph of a woman holding a violin in what appears to be an orchestral setting, other stringed instruments can be seen in the blurred background along with a music stand.

Scotland Announces Six Person Restriction

The Scottish Government has announced that gatherings will be limited to a maximum of six people from two households from Monday.

Published: 10 September 2020

Riverside of the Clyde at Pacific Quay. The Clyde Auditorium, SSE Hydro concert venue

Funding For the Arts Sector Announced for Scotland

The Scottish Government have announced a £59m funding package for the culture and heritage sector to protect jobs and support the industry in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis.

Published: 02 September 2020

US Visa Fee Increase as of October

New ruling from US Department of Homeland Security imposes steep increase to O and P visa filing fees.

Published: 02 September 2020

Photograph of a guitarist and saxophonist performing to an outdoor audience.

Scottish Government Publish New Guidance for Venues and Performing Arts

The guidance is intended to assist the performing arts and venues sector in Scotland on safe re-opening during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Published: 25 August 2020

Young woman dancing at a festival, back view

Socially Distanced Theatre and Live Music Could Return to Scotland in September

Some outdoor live events in Scotland will be able to return with physical distancing, enhanced hygiene measures and restricted numbers from Monday 24 August.

Published: 20 August 2020

Teenage Pupil Playing Drums In Music Lesson

A-Level Results to be Based on Teacher Assessed Grades

We are pleased that the governments across all four nations of the UK will now be basing their A-level grades on teacher assessed grades.

Published: 18 August 2020

Photo of musician singing into a microphone on the stage with bright white lights behind.

Provisional Timetable for Easing Lockdown in Scotland Announced

The announcement includes hopes for outdoor events and concerts from 24 August, and live music venues and theatres from 14 September.

Published: 30 July 2020

Scotland and Northern Ireland Lobbying Update

Scotland & Northern Ireland Regional Organiser, Caroline Sewell, reports on how the region has been, "lobbying hard at local and national level to ensure that the interests of our members remain firmly on the political agenda.”

Published: 23 July 2020

Two people sitting in the car moving to live music facing the sun

Scottish Government Gives Green Light For Live Drive-in Events

The Scottish government have given the go ahead for live events to be held as drive-in entertainment from Wednesday 22 July.

Published: 21 July 2020

MU Member's Response to the Guidance on Playing Wind and Brass Instruments

Richard Steggall has written to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, in response to the recent announcements regarding the guidance on playing wind and brass instruments.

Published: 10 July 2020

The Usher Hall, a concert hall in Edinburgh

Vital Performing Arts Venue Funding Announced for Scotland

A £10 million fund to support Scotland’s performing arts venues has been announced by Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop.

Published: 03 July 2020

Recording Studio Guidance Published by Scottish Government

The Scottish Government has published new guidance for the creative industries, in particular for providers and users of creative studios in Scotland, for safer working during the coronavirus pandemic.

Published: 01 July 2020

A memorial outside of the Stonewall Inn during Pride month 2016, marking the Orlando shootings which affected Black and POC LGBT communities that year

Pride Month: The First Pride was a Riot

Our Education and Equalities Officer, Rose Delcour‑Min, discusses how supporting the present and future of LGBTQ rights must involve recognising the ways that sexuality, gender and race intersect.

Published: 23 June 2020

a mother holding her daughter on her shoulders

Legal Action Against the Chancellor for Indirect Sex Discrimination Supported by MU

Pregnancy rights charity, Pregnant then Screwed, with support from Doughty Street Chambers and law firm Leigh Day, is threatening legal proceedings against the Chancellor for discriminating against women in the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS).

Published: 12 June 2020

We Will be Participating in #TheShowMustBePaused in Solidarity With our Black Members

The MU stands with our Black members and all Black communities against all forms of racism, violence and discrimination. When we say “behind every musician”, we mean it.

Published: 01 June 2020

Man using phone with stabiliser and taking pictures and live video

BBC Academy’s Lockdown Learning Now Open to FEU Freelance Members

The BBC Academy have opened up their training programs to members of the Federation of Entertainment Unions – of which the MU is a part. Our members can now pick up training on a wide variety of programs between 18 May and 31 July.

Published: 20 May 2020

Scottish Members Encouraged to Submit Stories to Scottish Parliament

Scottish Parliament’s Culture, Tourism, Europe and External Affairs Committee is undertaking an inquiry into the impact of Covid-19 on the culture and tourism sectors. They’re keen to hear from artists, including individual musicians, to bolster their understanding.

Published: 20 May 2020

Support Fair Play Venues Affected by the Coronavirus Pandemic

Many live music venues are having to fundraise to secure their futures, here is a list of crowdfunders that have been set up for venues which have signed up to our Fair Play scheme. If you are in a position to donate, or to share their crowdfunders on your social channels, please do.

Published: 15 May 2020

Scottish Government Opens Hardship Fund for the Newly Self Employed

As part of its second phase of funding to mitigate the effects of COVID-19, the Scottish Government have put £34M behind a hardship fund for those due to miss out on UK Government funding due to being newly self-employed.

Published: 04 May 2020

Photograph of two people playing fiddle at a wedding. Photo credit: Shutterstock

Creative Scotland Opens Bridging Bursary for Second Phase of Requests

Creative Scotland have announced an extra £2M of funding, open to individual artists and freelancers in Scotland who have lost income from their creative work due to COVID-19.

Published: 21 April 2020

Old town Edinburgh and Edinburgh castle in Scotland UK

Scottish Government Announces Second Phase of Funding

There has been a funding update from the Scottish Government, who have announced a second phase of funding to mitigate the effects of COVID-19.

Published: 16 April 2020

three people sitting hold the shapes of comment boxes and thought clouds

Scottish Members Encouraged to Respond to STUC Survey on Job Security

Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) launches new survey to find out what is happening to workers’ safety and jobs across Scotland.

Published: 31 March 2020

Happy man with a guitar against blue background

Creative Scotland Launches Three New Funding Programs

The new funds announced by Creative Scotland on 27 March are designed to provide further support to sustain Scotland’s creative community during the coronavirus outbreak. Two of these funds open for applications today.

Published: 30 March 2020

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

Happy healthy female musician playing ukelele

BAPAM Moves Healthy Performance Events Online

The British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM) have set themselves up to begin running their training events online, with course topics ranging from vocal health to injury prevention and keeping mentally well.

Published: 24 March 2020

Kids playing in an imaginary band to support their music teacher

Your Child's Music Teacher Needs You

If your child is learning an instrument, there's no need to stop because of school closures or social distancing. Ask your child's teacher about moving the lessons online.

Published: 20 March 2020

Scottish Government Announces Support for Scottish Businesses

Scottish Government has announced a further package of support which will be available for Scottish businesses.

Published: 19 March 2020

Fight Not Over for Edinburgh Music Service

City of Edinburgh Council has passed a budget that includes significant cuts to our instrumental music service. But the fight is not over yet.

Published: 21 February 2020

Photograph of a group of children singing in a school classroom setting. Photo credit: Shutterstock

Join the Call Against City of Edinburgh Council’s Incapacitating Music Service Cuts

Members and music lovers are encouraged to sign our petition, calling on City of Edinburgh Council to let every child learn music, in the wake of the council’s proposition of significant cuts to its instrumental music service.

Published: 14 February 2020

Photograph of children practising string instruments in classroom setting.

Benedetti Foundation Opens Applications for Teacher Training and Student Workshop Weekend in Dundee

The Benedetti Foundation will be back in Scotland in March, with their next full Benedetti Sessions weekend taking place in Caird Hall, Dundee.

Published: 03 February 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

Photograph of Duncan Lamont, celebrated Scottish jazz saxophonist

Tribute to Duncan Lamont

This tribute for celebrated Scottish jazz saxophonist Duncan Lamont, has been written by his son, Duncan Lamont Jnr.

Published: 06 December 2019

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

Photograph of child running through autumn leaves, holding a violin and bow

Scottish Women Inventing Music (SWIM) Call for Regional Champions

SWIM is a new charity dedicated to levelling the playing field for women in music. Based in Scotland, membership is comprised of female music creators and industry professionals, based in Scotland.

Published: 29 October 2019

Photograph of the inside of a club with blurred bar lights.

Sub Club Under Threat

The Sub Club has a global reputation and has been a stalwart of Glasgow’s electronic music scene for the past 25 years.