Power Up Initiative Launched to Support Black Music Creators Power Up is a new ambitious, long-term initiative which will support Black music creators and industry professionals and executives, as well addressing anti-Black racism and racial disparities in the music sector. Published: 17 February 2021 Read more about Power Up Initiative Launched to Support Black Music Creators
New Definitive Guide to Funding Music Projects in the UK Launched Remi Harris has launched a new, definitive guide to funding music projects in the UK, which can now be purchased from her website. Published: 17 February 2021 Read more about New Definitive Guide to Funding Music Projects in the UK Launched
Music Lecturer to Hold Day of Lectures in Fundraising Drive for our Hardship Fund The Verdun Allen Music Foundation will be fundraising for our Covid-19 Hardship Fund with a special day of lectures on Saturday 27 February. Published: 17 February 2021 Read more about Music Lecturer to Hold Day of Lectures in Fundraising Drive for our Hardship Fund
We’ve Signed a Joint Statement to Protect the Human Rights Act Concerned at the UK Government’s intentions to review the human rights framework and judicial review, we have come together with numerous organisations, charities and trades unions to present a joint statement. Published: 17 February 2021 Read more about We’ve Signed a Joint Statement to Protect the Human Rights Act
Additional £9M in Funding Announced for Scotland’s Creative Freelancers Hardship Fund The Scottish Government have announced an additional £17.5 million to support creative freelancers and the events sector, including a welcome £9 million allocation to the Creative Freelancers Hardship Fund. Published: 17 February 2021 Read more about Additional £9M in Funding Announced for Scotland’s Creative Freelancers Hardship Fund
Amended Brexit Guidance for Musicians with Portable Musical Instruments It has been confirmed today by DCMS Minister Caroline Dinenage MP that musicians travelling into and around the EU with portable musical instruments are not required to obtain a Carnet. Published: 16 February 2021 Read more about Amended Brexit Guidance for Musicians with Portable Musical Instruments
Shielding Importance for Musicians, Songwriters and Composers Highlighted by Research We’ve released our joint research with The Ivors Academy today, revealing how the majority of shielding musicians, songwriters and composers who we surveyed do not feel they can return to work until they are vaccinated. Published: 16 February 2021 Read more about Shielding Importance for Musicians, Songwriters and Composers Highlighted by Research
Major Milestone for the Fix Streaming Campaign MU General Secretary Horace Trubridge and The Ivors Academy CEO Graham Davies gave evidence in the fifth session of the music streaming inquiry. Published: 12 February 2021 Read more about Major Milestone for the Fix Streaming Campaign
MU Secures ATA Carnet Discounts for Touring Musicians Whilst the MU lobbied hard against Brexit, the agreement reached with the EU means that currently ATA Carnets (a travel document needed for instruments and equipment) are a reality for musicians working in the EU. Published: 11 February 2021 Read more about MU Secures ATA Carnet Discounts for Touring Musicians
Fifth Music Streaming Inquiry to be Broadcast Live Watch Musicians’ Union General Secretary Horace Trubridge give evidence in the fifth session of the music streaming inquiry today from 2:30 pm. Published: 10 February 2021 Read more about Fifth Music Streaming Inquiry to be Broadcast Live
Lobbying Update: Piling on the Pressure Another week, another Brexit debate in parliament about touring musicians and yet more pressure being put on the Government to sort the situation out. Published: 09 February 2021 Read more about Lobbying Update: Piling on the Pressure
EasyJet’s New Baggage Policy Continues to be a Bitter Blow to Musicians Despite our correspondence with airline EasyJet, we have been unable to persuade them to amend their new baggage policy, which will come into play from 10 February 2021. Published: 08 February 2021 Read more about EasyJet’s New Baggage Policy Continues to be a Bitter Blow to Musicians
Music Industry Unites to Save Touring in Europe, Ahead of Crucial Parliament Debate The largest bodies representing musicians, the Musicians’ Union and the Incorporated Society of Musicians, are jointly calling for improved touring arrangements after Brexit. Published: 08 February 2021 Read more about Music Industry Unites to Save Touring in Europe, Ahead of Crucial Parliament Debate
Hal Leonard Appoints Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Group of External Advisors Leading music publisher Hal Leonard Europe (HLE) has announced the appointment of a group of external advisors to work with the company, with a particular focus on initiatives around Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. Published: 04 February 2021 Read more about Hal Leonard Appoints Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Group of External Advisors
The TUC Are Demanding Pay Rises for Keyworkers The TUC are campaigning for a pay rise for key workers, and will be kicking off a planning and strategy call on Tuesday 9 February at 6:00 pm. Published: 04 February 2021 Read more about The TUC Are Demanding Pay Rises for Keyworkers
US Immigration Roll Backs In this blog MU National Organiser Live Performance, Dave Webster, discusses how US President Biden has started to roll back on some of the executive orders brought in by President Trump. Published: 03 February 2021 Read more about US Immigration Roll Backs
New Report on Impact of Covid-19 on Parents and Carers in the Performing Arts Published by PiPA Campaigning organisation Parents & Carers in Performing Arts (PiPA) have published a new report on the impact of Covid-19, focusing on groups which are currently underrepresented in the sector. Published: 03 February 2021 Read more about New Report on Impact of Covid-19 on Parents and Carers in the Performing Arts Published by PiPA
New Charity Offers Grants For Period-Instrument Ensembles In response to widespread concert cancellations since March 2020, former City director and classical music lover Tina Vadaneaux has founded a new charity, Continuo Foundation (“Continuo”). Published: 02 February 2021 Read more about New Charity Offers Grants For Period-Instrument Ensembles
Lobbying Update: Feeling like Groundhog Day, But The Impact is Real With the budget coming up on 3 March, getting our message through to Rishi Sunak is more important than ever and we thank every member who has been involved in this effort. Published: 02 February 2021 Read more about Lobbying Update: Feeling like Groundhog Day, But The Impact is Real
Free PRS Licences for Small Online Performances of Own Works Announced PRS for Music have announced that PRS members performing their own works in a small online ticketed concert can now obtain a free licence. Published: 02 February 2021 Read more about Free PRS Licences for Small Online Performances of Own Works Announced
New Series of Performance Health CPD Webinars Announced by BAPAM BAPAM have released their plans for a series of webinars on performance health, to be held monthly on Wednesday evenings, with ticket prices ranging from £10 - £25. Published: 29 January 2021 Read more about New Series of Performance Health CPD Webinars Announced by BAPAM
Lobbying Update: Practical Action This week, we’ve been focussed on practical ways in which we can move the issue of Brexit forward – following weeks of arguments between the UK and the EU over where the fault lies for the lack of agreement over movement for musicians. Published: 28 January 2021 Read more about Lobbying Update: Practical Action
Guidance on the PRS Online Event Licensing Tariff PRS for Music has announced a new tariff for online ticketed events, so we’ve published an explainer on what’s going on and what musicians need to know. Published: 28 January 2021 Read more about Guidance on the PRS Online Event Licensing Tariff
Student Members Encouraged to Participate in Research Study Canterbury Christ Church University are carrying out a research project on undergraduate students’ experiences and perceptions of instrumental and singing teaching. Those who can are encouraged to participate by completing their survey. Published: 26 January 2021 Read more about Student Members Encouraged to Participate in Research Study
Evidence on Challenges Musicians Face as a Result of the Brexit Deal Presented to House of Lords MU General Secretary Horace Trubridge spoke to members of the House of Lords about the challenges facing musicians working in the EU as a result of the Brexit Deal. Published: 25 January 2021 Read more about Evidence on Challenges Musicians Face as a Result of the Brexit Deal Presented to House of Lords
Work Arrangements for UK Musicians in the EU: The Show Must Go On In this blog, originally posted on Lord Holmes of Richmond MBE’s website and reposted here with his kind permission, he discusses how music is an important part of all of us – and a massive cultural export for the UK which must be protected. Published: 25 January 2021 Read more about Work Arrangements for UK Musicians in the EU: The Show Must Go On
Major Labels Give Evidence at Music Streaming Inquiry A number of major labels took centre stage in the latest session of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee’s music streaming inquiry. Published: 25 January 2021 Read more about Major Labels Give Evidence at Music Streaming Inquiry
Joint Statement on Watering Down of Workplace Rights Following rumours that the Government has plans to further water down workplace rights, including rest breaks, paid holiday entitlement and time spent on-call – we’ve released a joint statement with eleven other unions. Published: 25 January 2021 Read more about Joint Statement on Watering Down of Workplace Rights
Government Extends Consultation on T Levels to 31 January The MU has registered concerns about the Government’s new T level qualifications not including music, and we encourage members to respond before the deadline on 31 January. Published: 22 January 2021 Read more about Government Extends Consultation on T Levels to 31 January
How Musicians Can Help Tackle the E-Waste Mountain E-waste is now a major environmental issue, and one that musicians can no longer ignore. Can using recycled electronics and vintage kit help change things? Published: 22 January 2021 Read more about How Musicians Can Help Tackle the E-Waste Mountain
Make Music Day Plan Series of Online Meetups The organisers of the annual, world-wide celebration of music, “Make Music Day,” are hosting a selection of online meetings across the UK to prepare for the next big event. Published: 22 January 2021 Read more about Make Music Day Plan Series of Online Meetups
TUC Call For Furlough Scheme to Open for Working Parents The TUC have released a report calling for a temporary legal right to access the furlough scheme for parents, those with caring responsibilities and people who cannot work because they are required to shield. Published: 22 January 2021 Read more about TUC Call For Furlough Scheme to Open for Working Parents
Government Must Support Live Music Following Glastonbury Cancellation Following the announcement that Glastonbury 2021 has been cancelled, we’re calling on the Government to clarify their current consideration on insurance schemes for festivals, to save further pre-emptive cancellations. Published: 21 January 2021 Read more about Government Must Support Live Music Following Glastonbury Cancellation
Lobbying Update: Another Week, Another Brexit Argument In this week’s lobbying update, find out more about how issues for touring musicians were covered in yesterday’s debate in parliament and what the MU intends to focus on moving forward. Published: 20 January 2021 Read more about Lobbying Update: Another Week, Another Brexit Argument
How to Fight the Climate Crisis and Be More Sustainable The environment needs all the help it can get. MU Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl looks at making the MU more sustainable and how you can help. Published: 20 January 2021 Read more about How to Fight the Climate Crisis and Be More Sustainable
MU and The Ivors Academy Respond to Record Label Heads Contributions to Government Streaming Inquiry The MU and The Ivors Academy have today responded with incredulity to the testimonies of the UK heads of the three major labels during questioning by the Select Committee inquiry into the Economics of Streaming. Published: 19 January 2021 Read more about MU and The Ivors Academy Respond to Record Label Heads Contributions to Government Streaming Inquiry
Government Insurance for Music Festivals a Possibility In welcome news, Minister for Culture Caroline Dineage confirmed that she is “looking into” possible insurance for music festivals, which would allow them to plan for summer 2021. Published: 19 January 2021 Read more about Government Insurance for Music Festivals a Possibility
Major role for MU in Urgent Parliamentary Debate on EU Touring We received vital coverage on the need for a Musicians' Passport in today’s parliamentary debate. Find out what happened, what our next actions will be, and how you can get involved. Published: 19 January 2021 Read more about Major role for MU in Urgent Parliamentary Debate on EU Touring
Creating Your Own Access Rider We recently held an event on “creating your own access rider,” in this article we set out the key learnings for the event – both from artists with personal experience of using access riders, and organisations who work on improving access. Published: 18 January 2021 Read more about Creating Your Own Access Rider
Members Encouraged to Complete Survey on Live Streaming Middlesex University are exploring the experiences and expectations of performing musicians regarding live streaming music in the wake of Covid-19 with this short survey. Published: 15 January 2021 Read more about Members Encouraged to Complete Survey on Live Streaming