News & Stories for Musicians

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

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

General Election 2017

The Musicians’ Union (MU) is pleased by many of the policies in the Labour manifesto, and that the Labour Party has acknowledged major concerns that musicians have around Brexit.

Published: 31 May 2017

MU Success Supporting Precarious Workers at STUC 2017

STUC passes MU motion acknowledging the challenges of the gig economy, how we can better protect independent workers and grow the union movement.

Published: 25 April 2017

May Day Marches in Scotland & Northern Ireland

Join a May Day March throughout Scotland and Northern Ireland at one of the following locations.

Published: 25 April 2017

MU success at TUC Young Workers’ Conference

TUC Young Workers’ Conference supports MU motion on protecting freelance workers.

Published: 07 April 2017

Horace Trubridge wins MU General Secretary election

Horace Trubridge has today been confirmed as the next General Secretary of the Musicians’ Union (MU).

Published: 27 March 2017

BBC invests more in Scotland and Wales

The BBC has announced a new TV channel in Scotland and an extra £8.5m a year in English language television programmes for Wales.

Published: 02 March 2017

John Shortell leads the LGBT History Month Panel Discussion Panel

We Need to Talk About LGBT Venues! What Happened Next…

In 2016, we hosted a panel examining recent closures of LGBT venues and what we could do to preserve them in the future. A year on, things are beginning to change.

Published: 26 January 2017

Musicians’ Union Supports Independent Venue Week

Independent Venue Week is a seven-day celebration of small music venues around the UK, and the Musicians’ Union is proud to be involved once again.

Published: 17 January 2017

International Showcase Fund Now Available for Scottish Artists

PRS for Music Foundation and Creative Scotland partnership opens International Showcase Fund to Scottish bands for the first time.

Published: 25 November 2016

New £45million Edinburgh Live Music Venue

Plans are underway to build a new £45million venue in the heart of Edinburgh New Town.

Published: 25 November 2016

"Let's Be Voices For the Future and Make Change Happen"

Diljeet Bhachu talks about the MU and welcomes young musicians in the MU to make change happen.

Published: 16 November 2016

Music is Audible in Edinburgh

We are delighted to report that the City of Edinburgh Council Licensing Board has agreed to revise the wording of the notorious ‘inaudibility’ clause.

Published: 10 October 2016

NUJ Scotland training courses open to MU members

The National Union of Journalists Scotland are running training opportunities in May, June and August which are open to MU members.

Published: 15 June 2016

Showcase Scotland Expo at Australian Music Week 2016

Applications are now open for a showcasing opportunity at Australian Music Week 2016 (AMW).

Published: 14 June 2016

Entertainment Unions Launch Alternative Vision for BBC

The Federation of Entertainment Unions (FEU) is launching its BBC Alternative White Paper in Parliament today (Tuesday 15 March).

Published: 15 March 2016

We Need to Talk About LGBT Venues!

Highlights from our LGBT History Month panel discussion on the future of LGBT venues.

Published: 05 February 2016

Live music venues under threat in Aberdeen

Sign the petition to support Aberdeen venues and call on the City Council to adopt the Agent of Change principle.

Published: 03 February 2016

Trade Union Bill in the House of Lords

Over the next few weeks the House of Lords will be discussing the Trade Union Bill, which amongst other things threatens the basic right to strike.

Published: 21 January 2016

Frances O'Grady speaking into microphone

MU condemns ‘unnecessary’ Trade Union Bill

The Government has now published its Trade Union Bill, which includes plans to criminalise picketing, permit employers to hire strike-breaking agency staff and a requirement that at least 40% of those asked to vote support the strike in most key public services.

Published: 16 July 2015

Various instruments and sheet music stands set up on stage

Major rights group launches online campaign for artists

In May, four organisations representing more than 500,000 performers in Europe joined forces to campaign for the fair remuneration of online revenues.

Published: 21 May 2015

Support the campaign to save The Arches, Glasgow

Glasgow City Council Licensing Board has ruled that the famous venue can now no longer operate after midnight, the impact of which could lead to the venue shutting down.