News & Stories for Musicians

Brexit Deal Voted Through in Parliament

There continues to be no clarity for musicians in the Brexit deal, which has now been voted on in parliament and passed.

Published: 30 December 2020

Photograph of two very small placards held up at a march, they read

Brexit Deal Contains No Detail for Musicians

The Government has now agreed a Brexit deal with Europe and will bring it back to Parliament on Wednesday for MPs to vote on.

Published: 28 December 2020

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

Assessing the Future of Classical Music in the Covid-19 Climate

As some orchestral musicians make a tentative return to work, Andrew Stewart examines the challenges facing the classical music sector.

Published: 25 December 2020

Kuljit Bhamra: Bhangra Pioneer with a Mission to Introduce Tabla to the Next Generation of Musicians

How instrumentalist, composer and educator Kuljit Bhamra overcame disability to create a rich and diverse music career.

Published: 24 December 2020

Photograph of a singer, who we can not clearly see, silhouetted against bright stage lights on a smokey stage.

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

Photograph of a small boy playing around with a xylophone

Feldenkrais and Practice: Creativity and Play

In this Feldenkrais and Practise blog, professional musician and Feldenkrais teacher Emma Alter discusses how we learn through play.

Published: 23 December 2020

Photograph of a musician performing at an outdoor event. We can only seem them and the neck of their guitar from behind. The sun is setting and the evening lighting is turning on.

Arts Council England Funding Advice Webinar Online

Are you applying – or thinking about applying – for Arts Council England music funding? If so, you may want to catch up with a replay of our webinar.

Published: 23 December 2020

Member only Read more about Arts Council England Funding Advice Webinar Online

Photograph of an empty Hastings Pier, with a stormy sky in the background.

New Advice for Members in England’s Tier Four Published

As our many of our members across London and south-east and east of England fall under the Government’s new tier four level restrictions, we’ve drawn up guidance on how these rules may affect musicians.

Published: 22 December 2020

Photograph of a small boy playing the keyboard at home.

Wales Moves to Alert Level Four

An overview of how the Welsh Government’s alert level 4 restrictions, which have applied since midnight on 19 December, might affect musicians.

Published: 22 December 2020

Photograph of a violin in a travel case.

Brexit Details for Touring Musicians Unlikely Before End of Transition Period

Even if a Brexit deal is agreed before the transition period ends on Thursday 31 December, it is likely to only give basic essentials, with the potential for further detail.

Published: 21 December 2020

Photograph of two colourful suitcases against a bright yellow background.

Flowchart Guide to Working in the EU from 1 January 2021 Published

Members can now consult the flowchart we have compiled, to help with the increased administration that will be involved when working in Europe from 1 January.

Published: 21 December 2020

Photograph of what appears to be an empty theatre pit set up for musicians, with a drum, double bass and electronic keyboard set out.

Unions Call for Exemption for Socially Distanced Theatre

Together with Equity and Bectu, the MU is calling on the government to exempt theatre productions from the Tier 3 regulations and to allow them to open to socially distanced audiences.

Published: 18 December 2020

MU Letter to Treasury: The Government Must Invest in Musicians

We’re using your responses to the latest MU Covid-19 Impact Poll to let the Government know that they must invest in musicians.

Published: 17 December 2020

Photograph of an audience members hands, creating a heart shape with their fingers and held up in silhouette against purple stage lights.

Second Phase of Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s Funding Programme Opens

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland (NI) Individuals Emergency Resilience Programme has opened up for a second wave of funding applications, as of Thursday 17 December.

Published: 17 December 2020

A photograph of a retro looking radio against a grey background.

Recorded Background Music Now Permitted in Scottish Hospitality Venues

The Scottish Government have changed their Coronavirus restriction rules to allow recorded background music to be played at hospitality venues throughout out the five tiers.

Published: 16 December 2020

Photograph of a retro television set in front of a turquoise background, showing fuzz on the screen.

BBC Studios / MU joint statement: It Takes Two

We’ve released a joint statement with the BBC, following the recent unfortunate situation that resulted in Amaraterra not appearing on It Takes Two.

Published: 15 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

Child learning the keyboard, facing a computer where an online lesson is taking place.

Music Teaching in Wales to Move Online

The Welsh Government has announced that all instrumental and vocal teaching should move online from 14 December if possible.

Published: 11 December 2020

Photograph of a small child sat wearing a facemask in front of a piano keyboard.

Private Teachers in Scotland Resume Face-to-Face in Levels 0-3

Updated guidance from the Scottish Government means that private teachers can resume face-to-face teaching in levels 0-3.

Published: 11 December 2020

Photograph of a flute players hands, holding a flute with the sheet music set out behind.

New Bradford Music Network Launched

Following consultations with the music sector throughout the summer, Bradford Council has launched a new Music Network for Bradford, supported by Bradford Producing Hub and Music Local.

Published: 10 December 2020

Photograph of a London skyline on a misty, early morning. The sun has just risen in the sky and the light is quite yellow.

Chairman of UK Music Diversity Taskforce Reviews Last 12 Months

A recent blog by Ammo Talwar – chairman of the UK Music diversity taskforce – published on Punch’s website, is recommended reading for unpacking diversity in the music industry over the last 12 months.

Published: 10 December 2020

Photograph of a band performing on a small stage, we can see a guitarist and someone blurred but at a keyboard.

Cultural Unions Submit Freedom of Information Request to West Midlands Mayor Andy Street

Midlands cultural sector trade unions have called upon West Midlands Mayor, Andy Street, to declare what discussions he has had with the DCMS Minister, Oliver Dowden, in order to protect our vital local cultural sector.

Published: 09 December 2020

Photograph of hands holding a mobile phone which is displaying a view on the MU's new website's homepage. The person is wearing yellow trousers which are visible in the background.

The New MU Website is Live

Based on extensive user research, the new website aims to provide, connect, inform and empower members during the fightback from Covid-19.

Published: 08 December 2020

Graphic image includes three brightly coloured squares, one with the text

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

For “Allowing People to Live as Working Artists,” Fix Streaming Now

Artists, creators and performers Tom Gray, Nadine Shah, Guy Garvey and Ed O’Brien call on MPs to fix streaming.

Published: 07 December 2020

Countdown to Fix Streaming and Keep Music Alive!

The countdown is on to have your say in the music streaming inquiry as the deadline approaches.

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

Photograph of two very different generations playing a piano, the hand of what appears to be an elderly person, and the hands of a child on a piano keyboard.

Help Prove Musicians are Still Falling Through the Gaps

Our Head of Communications & Government Relations Isabelle Gutierrez explains why your evidence is more vital than ever in making sure that no musician is left behind.

Published: 04 December 2020

Photograph of a person playing a drum, in front of a laptop which appears to be displaying a web video conference of other musicians also playing instruments.

Shielding Members Encouraged to Complete Survey

Help us to lobby for better and more structured support for members who can not return to work due to shielding, by completing the survey we are running with the Ivors Academy.

Published: 03 December 2020

Photograph of a crowded festival audience, outdoors and the sun is shining.

Your Guide to Giving Evidence to the UK Festivals Inquiry

Have your say in the DCMS Select Committee's inquiry into UK music festivals, and how they can be protected in 2021.

Published: 03 December 2020

Photograph of colourful bunting hanging up in the sunshine.

Protect UK Music Festivals in 2021

Have your say in the DCMS Select Committee's inquiry into UK music festivals, and how they can be protected in 2021.

Published: 03 December 2020

Photograph of an airplane flying over the clouds.

Objections Raised Over New Easy Jet Baggage Policy

We have written to Easy Jet raising our objections over changes to their baggage policy, which mean that musical instruments will have to fit their restrictive dimensions of their regular cabin baggage.

Published: 03 December 2020

Two musicians, one saxophonist and closer to the camera, a guitarist, perform outdoors. We can only see the torso and instruments of the musicians. There is a blurred audience in the background.

PPL Contribute a Further £200,000 to the MU Coronavirus Hardship Fund

PPL have made a further, generous contribution to help provide emergency grants to musicians with pressing financial hardship

Published: 02 December 2020

Photograph of the author, Maya Kashif. She is standing in front of a body of water, holding her cello.

From the Corner, Eating a Banana, a Freelancer’s View on Invisible Illness

Freelance cellist Maya Kashif uses this year's Disability History Month, “to highlight, in the spirit of awareness, that the internal struggles somebody such as myself may be dealing with should be known about and supported.”

Published: 02 December 2020

Photograph of an American Bald Eagle who has landed on a branch, and is looking out over a woodland of trees.

US Visas – The Biden Years

MU National Organiser Live Performance, Dave Webster, discusses what the future may look like for UK musicians planning on performing in the US under the Biden Administration.

Published: 01 December 2020

Photograph of a live performance taking place, we can just see the stage and a number of set up instruments, with the interesting trousers of one musician.

Welcome U-Turn on Alcohol Sales for Tier 2 Music Venues in England

The Government has announced that alcohol sales will be permitted in music venues in England’s Tier 2 regions, without the need for a substantial meal, provided that the event is ticketed and the audience are seated.

Published: 01 December 2020

Photograph of a musician playing a guitar, the heavy blue light means we can't clearly see the performer.

Performing Arts Guidance for New Tier System in England Released

The Government has updated and published its guidance on working safely during Coronavirus in the Performing Arts – and we have updated our guidance on how this relates to musicians accordingly.

Published: 01 December 2020

Photograph of a young woman, concentrating on playing the piano.

Scottish Women Encouraged to Complete Survey on Sexual Harassment

Women across the Scottish music scene are encouraged to complete POWA’s survey – to shape their work to better protect and support women across the arts.

Published: 01 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

Cookies on Musicians' Union

Use your voice

Popular searches

All News and Features

Brexit Deal Voted Through in Parliament

Brexit Deal Contains No Detail for Musicians

Working to Protect the Rights and Royalties of Composers

Assessing the Future of Classical Music in the Covid-19 Climate

Kuljit Bhamra: Bhangra Pioneer with a Mission to Introduce Tabla to the Next Generation of Musicians

Songwriting Virtuosos Launch Masterclass for Creatives Impacted by the Pandemic

Feldenkrais and Practice: Creativity and Play

Arts Council England Funding Advice Webinar Online

New Advice for Members in England’s Tier Four Published

Wales Moves to Alert Level Four

Brexit Details for Touring Musicians Unlikely Before End of Transition Period

Flowchart Guide to Working in the EU from 1 January 2021 Published

Unions Call for Exemption for Socially Distanced Theatre

MU Letter to Treasury: The Government Must Invest in Musicians

Second Phase of Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s Funding Programme Opens

Recorded Background Music Now Permitted in Scottish Hospitality Venues

BBC Studios / MU joint statement: It Takes Two

How Disabled Musicians Dealt with the Challenges of the Covid Crisis

Music Teaching in Wales to Move Online

Private Teachers in Scotland Resume Face-to-Face in Levels 0-3

New Bradford Music Network Launched

Chairman of UK Music Diversity Taskforce Reviews Last 12 Months

Cultural Unions Submit Freedom of Information Request to West Midlands Mayor Andy Street

The New MU Website is Live

Poll Reveals Shockingly Inadequate Earnings From Streaming

For “Allowing People to Live as Working Artists,” Fix Streaming Now

Countdown to Fix Streaming and Keep Music Alive!

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

Help Prove Musicians are Still Falling Through the Gaps

Shielding Members Encouraged to Complete Survey

Your Guide to Giving Evidence to the UK Festivals Inquiry

Protect UK Music Festivals in 2021

Objections Raised Over New Easy Jet Baggage Policy

PPL Contribute a Further £200,000 to the MU Coronavirus Hardship Fund

From the Corner, Eating a Banana, a Freelancer’s View on Invisible Illness

US Visas – The Biden Years

Welcome U-Turn on Alcohol Sales for Tier 2 Music Venues in England

Performing Arts Guidance for New Tier System in England Released

Scottish Women Encouraged to Complete Survey on Sexual Harassment

Fix Streaming Now: Equitable Remuneration and Transparency