News & Stories for Musicians

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Celebrating IDAHOBIT in the music industry

Today, Tuesday 17 May, the MU celebrates the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT).

Published: 17 May 2022

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Acas Updates its Disability Guidance

Public body Acas has updated its disability guidance to provide clear advice on how to support disabled people at work.

Published: 16 May 2022

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MU Speaks to M Magazine Ahead of Proposed Channel 4 Privatisation

The MU’s Assistant General Secretary Phil Kear spoke to PRS’ M magazine about concerns for future payments and changing working practices.

Published: 13 May 2022

Becoming a More Accessible Studio: How One Business Owner Is Igniting Change Within the Industry

Hear the five tips for making your recording studio more accessible, and what we can all learn from helping to remove barriers for musicians. This is a repost from the Crown Lane Studio manager John Merriman's blog.

Published: 11 May 2022

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New London Venue Signs up to MU Fair Play Venue Scheme

London-based venue Loop have signed up to the MU Fair Play Venue Scheme, a national network of Venues that support fair terms and conditions for musicians.

Published: 10 May 2022

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Motion on Being Black in the UK Music Industry Passes at TUC Black Workers Conference

A motion responding to the ‘Being Black in the UK Music Industry’ report has been raised and passed at the TUC Black Workers conference.

Published: 10 May 2022

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A Basic Income for Everybody: Why the Musicians' Union Backs UBI

The MU’s motion backing universal basic income was presented at TUC Young Workers Conference in April. We assess the concept, the history, and the feasibility of UBI.

Published: 10 May 2022

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Further Guidance Provided for Musicians using Eurotunnel

Following concerns raised by the MU on passenger limits, DCMS have provided further clarification around their advice for musicians travelling via Eurotunnel – and confirmed that the passenger limit does not necessarily need to be three-people.

Published: 10 May 2022

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More Work to be Done Following Positive News on International Music Tour Travel Limits

The Government has announced that UK hauliers working on music concerts, sporting and cultural events will be able to make unlimited international trips. However, small haulage companies undertaking medium sized tours with only a small fleet are still bound by the cabotage rules.

Published: 09 May 2022

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MU Welcomes Proposal For Independent Standards Authority

Creative UK and UK Time’s Up proposal for a formal Independent Standards Authority will seek to strengthen efforts to tackle bullying and harassment, and drive greater accountability across the UK’s creative industries.

Published: 05 May 2022

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MU Member Nominated at National Diversity Awards

North of England member Claire Mooney has been nominated for a Lifetime Achiever Award at the National Diversity Awards.

Published: 04 May 2022

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Outrage Over Cinderella Closure Announcement on Social Media

The MU has expressed its outrage, along with fellow unions, after musicians, cast and crew engaged on West End’s Cinderella only learnt of its planned closure through social media.

Published: 03 May 2022

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MU Disappointed By Comments From Birmingham’s Commonwealth Games Director Regarding Refugees

The MU joins the TUC, Equity and Bectu in a letter to the Commonwealth Games Committee, expressing concern over comments praising the Governments’ plan to send those seeking refuge in the UK to Rwanda.

Published: 29 April 2022

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MU Member Success at STUC Congress in Aberdeen

It was a successful week for MU members at the Scottish TUC Congress in Aberdeen.

Published: 29 April 2022

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Scots’ Folk Singer and MU Member Iona Fyfe Wins STUC Equality Award

Iona Fyfe, one of Scotland’s leading folk singers and MU member, received the Equality Award at the Scottish TUC’s annual congress in Aberdeen.

Published: 29 April 2022

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MU Reacts to Reports of Abuse of Black Women By a Prominent DJ

Recent reports of Tim Westwood’s decades of abuse of Black women are yet another example of the power imbalances in the music industry that allow men to use their positions of power to abuse women over lengthy periods of time without consequence.

Published: 29 April 2022

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Professional Development Opportunities in Yorkshire with PiPA

Parents in Performing Arts (PiPA) is offering a series of professional development placements and opportunities at renowned performing arts organisations for marginalised parents or carers based in Yorkshire.

Published: 25 April 2022

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Stephanie Collingwood: Navigating the Musical Landscape as a Solo Female Musician

As part of Lesbian Visibility Week (25-29 April), singer-songwriter and producer Stephanie Collingwood reflects on her life and career as a musician, explaining how a solo pathway through the industry is an often eye-opening, but rewarding journey.

Published: 22 April 2022

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How to Create and Sustain Work As a Music Teacher

The need for self-employed music teachers to boost their businesses and create income is more paramount than ever.

Published: 21 April 2022

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Feldenkrais: Breathing and Anxiety

In this repost of her blog (The Moving Brain), professional classical musician and Feldenkrais teacher Emma Alter explains how your mood can affect how you breathe, and how you breathe can affect and influence your mood.

Published: 21 April 2022

Voice From the Heartland

Scottish folk singer Iona Fyfe is a strong advocate for her native language and music, and for fighting injustices within the industry.

Published: 18 April 2022

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Shadow Women and Equalities Minister Backs Call for Shared Parental Leave Reform

Taiwo Owatemi MP responded positively to a question from MU delegate Sam Murray on shared parental leave at the 2022 TUC Young Workers Conference.

Published: 13 April 2022

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How Artists Can Make the Most Out of TikTok for Their Career

As TikTok becomes a vital promotional tool that can break a song internationally, we ask the musicians gaining traction on the app for their advice on going viral.

Published: 12 April 2022

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Free Events for Mental Health Month With Young Classical Artists Trust

The Young Classical Artists Trust (YCAT) are offering individual coaching, meditation classes and a workshop on managing your mind. This comes alongside a selection of events being produced over April by YCAT in partnership between the MU, Help Musicians, and BAPAM.

Published: 12 April 2022

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Beware the Buyout

Companies commissioning media composers are now more likely to ask for a buyout – but is that always the best option for music writers or musicians?

Published: 11 April 2022

How to Use Personal Injury Claim Service as Part of Your Membership Benefit

Examining how MU members and their families can make a free personal injury claim is John Morrison, partner at Morrish Solicitors LLP – a leading legal services provider.

Published: 10 April 2022

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Taking Care of a Drum Kit on Tour

Drummer and singer John Park has travelled the world in the army with his drums and says he’s lucky that the kit is as robust as he is.

Published: 09 April 2022

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MU Responds to Leadmill Venue Management Change

Management of The Leadmill is calling on musicians and fans to share their memories of the iconic Sheffield venue, following the news that they will be evicted from the premises at the end of the year.

Published: 08 April 2022

MU Motion on Universal Basic Income Backed at Young Workers Conference

Young workers from across the trade union movement backed the MU’s motion on universal basic income at TUC Young Workers’ Conference 2022.

Published: 08 April 2022

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MU Welcomes Milestone Victory in Fix Streaming Campaign

The MU has expressed its welcome for Universal Music’s recent announcement that the label intends to follow the lead of its major rivals, Sony and Warner, in committing to deliver royalties to unrecouped heritage artists.

Published: 07 April 2022

MU Responds to Proposed Privatisation of Channel 4

The MU disagrees with the Government’s plans to privatise the Channel - which supports over 10,600 jobs in the media supply chain.

Published: 07 April 2022

Rewatch The MU and Women in CTRL's Impostor Syndrome and Confidence Workshop

On March 30 the MU hosted an Impostor Syndrome and Confidence Workshop delivered by Women in CTRL’s founder, Nadia Khan.

Published: 07 April 2022

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MU Supports Maternity Action’s call for Rise in State Maternity Pay

Maternity Action are renewing their call for the basic rate to rise, at the very least, to parity with a 35-hour week on the National Living Wage, following the release of Sunak’s Spring Budget.

Published: 07 April 2022

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MU Launches New Guidance on Copyright in Music Education

The copyright guidance, which is likely to be useful to both employed and self-employed musicians who teach, includes advice on making arrangements and protecting your own copyright.

Published: 07 April 2022

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Attitude is Everything Launch Just Ask Campaign to Support Promoters to Welcome Disabled Artists

The MU welcomes the Just Ask campaign, and encourages conversations between promoters and disabled musicians to talk about their access needs and normalise the use of access riders.

Published: 07 April 2022

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BAPAM, Help Musicians, MU and YCAT Launch Mental Health Month for Early Career Musicians

The Young Classical Artists Trust (YCAT) are partnering with the MU, Help Musicians and British Association for Performing Arts Medicine (BAPAM) to raise awareness of mental health resources available to early career musicians.

Published: 04 April 2022

Woman with pink hair sat at keyboard with left hand in the air, looking at an open laptop, teaching online music.

Guidance for Clinically Vulnerable Musicians Who Teach

As Covid-19 restrictions and free mass testing end, many CEV musicians who teach are understandably concerned about the safety of the school environment.

Published: 01 April 2022

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One Year On: The Composers Against Buyouts Campaign

On the anniversary of the MU and Ivors Academy campaign launch #ComposersAgainstBuyouts, we celebrate its successes and what more still needs to be done to ensure a fair deal for composers.

Published: 31 March 2022

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MU Responds to the End of Free Covid-19 Testing

The Musicians’ Union has serious concerns about how the end of free testing may affect all musicians, and in particular clinically extremely vulnerable musicians.

Published: 31 March 2022

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National Open Youth Orchestra Virtually Premiere ‘What Fear We Then?’

On 28 January National Open Youth Orchestra virtually premiered a film of ‘What Fear We Then?’ by Alexander Campkin, co-commissioned with Bournemouth Symphony.

Published: 31 March 2022

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Celebrating IDAHOBIT in the music industry

Acas Updates its Disability Guidance

MU Speaks to M Magazine Ahead of Proposed Channel 4 Privatisation

Becoming a More Accessible Studio: How One Business Owner Is Igniting Change Within the Industry

New London Venue Signs up to MU Fair Play Venue Scheme

Motion on Being Black in the UK Music Industry Passes at TUC Black Workers Conference

A Basic Income for Everybody: Why the Musicians' Union Backs UBI

Further Guidance Provided for Musicians using Eurotunnel

More Work to be Done Following Positive News on International Music Tour Travel Limits

MU Welcomes Proposal For Independent Standards Authority

MU Member Nominated at National Diversity Awards

Outrage Over Cinderella Closure Announcement on Social Media

MU Disappointed By Comments From Birmingham’s Commonwealth Games Director Regarding Refugees

MU Member Success at STUC Congress in Aberdeen

Scots’ Folk Singer and MU Member Iona Fyfe Wins STUC Equality Award

MU Reacts to Reports of Abuse of Black Women By a Prominent DJ

Professional Development Opportunities in Yorkshire with PiPA

Stephanie Collingwood: Navigating the Musical Landscape as a Solo Female Musician

How to Create and Sustain Work As a Music Teacher

Feldenkrais: Breathing and Anxiety

Voice From the Heartland

Shadow Women and Equalities Minister Backs Call for Shared Parental Leave Reform

How Artists Can Make the Most Out of TikTok for Their Career

Free Events for Mental Health Month With Young Classical Artists Trust

Beware the Buyout

How to Use Personal Injury Claim Service as Part of Your Membership Benefit

Taking Care of a Drum Kit on Tour

MU Responds to Leadmill Venue Management Change

MU Motion on Universal Basic Income Backed at Young Workers Conference

MU Welcomes Milestone Victory in Fix Streaming Campaign

MU Responds to Proposed Privatisation of Channel 4

Rewatch The MU and Women in CTRL's Impostor Syndrome and Confidence Workshop

MU Supports Maternity Action’s call for Rise in State Maternity Pay

MU Launches New Guidance on Copyright in Music Education

Attitude is Everything Launch Just Ask Campaign to Support Promoters to Welcome Disabled Artists

BAPAM, Help Musicians, MU and YCAT Launch Mental Health Month for Early Career Musicians

Guidance for Clinically Vulnerable Musicians Who Teach

One Year On: The Composers Against Buyouts Campaign

MU Responds to the End of Free Covid-19 Testing

National Open Youth Orchestra Virtually Premiere ‘What Fear We Then?’