News & Stories for Musicians

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Visa Holders in the US at Risk as Public Charge Rules in Limbo (Updated)

What artists need to know about the suspension of the new public charge rules and maintenance of visa status.

Published: 07 August 2020

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PRS for Music AGM Announced

PRS for Music has shared information on its 2020 PRS Annual General Meeting (AGM), set to take place at 12:00 pm on Tuesday 18 August, and is encouraging eligible members to participate and have their say.

Published: 07 August 2020

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Digital Skills for Musicians Through Training and Mentoring

Dr Jonathan Savage, Managing Director of UCan Play, talks us through how the organisation plans to help musicians deal with the global pandemic by developing their digital skills through the new training and mentoring programme INTERFACE:RESPONSE.

Published: 06 August 2020

£6M Monthly Losses Leaving British Orchestras Struggling to Survive

We’ve joined forces with the Association of British Orchestras (ABO) to highlight the urgent need for extra funding for freelance musicians.

Published: 06 August 2020

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Calling the Government Out on Its Failure to Help Musicians

Our Head of Communications & Government Relations, Isabelle Gutierrez describes the “woefully inadequate,” response from the Government to protect musicians – and how we are lobbying against it.

Published: 06 August 2020

Free Body Percussion Education Resource Released by Inspire Works

Inspire-works has released a new, Arts Council England funded, educational resource on using body percussion as part of the recovery curriculum before and during Covid-19.

Published: 06 August 2020

Summer Of Live: MU Online Fundraiser #2 Showcases Best of British Folk

Journalist Henry Yates describes how the “second charity livestream for the MU’s Coronavirus Hardship Fund featured homegrown talent performing in Sheffield, Devon, New Orleans and Montreal.”

Published: 04 August 2020

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Let The Music Play Campaign Launches Second Phase

UK Music’s Let The Music Play campaign has launched its second phase, calling for further support for the live sector during these difficult times.

Published: 04 August 2020

Changes to The Government’s Furlough Scheme From 1 August

Since 1 August, employers have been required to pay National Insurance and pension contributions to staff on furlough.

Published: 04 August 2020

A Reflection on Make Music Day 2020

Looking back on this year's Make Music Day – a global celebration of music which took place last month – we examine how it still succeeded during a global pandemic, and where you can go to catch the highlights you may have missed.

Published: 04 August 2020

Silence is Not an Option: UK Music Industry Unites Against Racism and Intolerance

We’ve signed an open letter urging the music industry to speak out and eradicate racism, along with over 700 artists, managers, producers and companies.

Published: 03 August 2020

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We’re Calling on the ABRSM to Diversify Their Syllabi

We've sent a letter on behalf of over 70 organisations, musicians, music teachers and academics to ABRSM, demanding they take meaningful and measurable action to diversify their syllabi.

Published: 03 August 2020

Prime Minister Announces Delay to Return of Indoor Live Music

The Prime Minister has announced that the easing of coronavirus restrictions in England will be delayed due to a rise in Covid-19 cases.

Published: 31 July 2020

Photograph of Tom Watson, chair of UK Music and former deputy Labour leader. Tom is wearing a white shirt and glasses, sitting against a bright background.

Tom Watson on the Industry’s Darkest Hour and His Hopes for the Future

Neil Churchman interviews the new Chair of UK Music, and former deputy Labour leader, Tom Watson – discussing his experience of taking the helm at a moment of existential threat for the music industry.

Published: 30 July 2020

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Council of Music Makers Urges Support for ‘Broadest Cross-Section of Our Industry’

The UK Council of Music Makers, of which the MU is a part, has released a statement welcoming the Government’s Cultural Recovery Fund, and expressing its hopes for the future.

Published: 30 July 2020

Photograph of a jazz band performing outdoors.

£53M of New Funding Announced for Arts and Culture in Wales

The Welsh Government announced today that it will be investing £53 million to help Wales’ diverse culture sector deal with the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Published: 30 July 2020

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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

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Musicians in Liverpool Encouraged to Take Survey Into City’s Music Sector

Musicians based in Liverpool are being asked to contribute to essential research into the effects of Covid-19 on the region’s musicians and music makers.

Published: 29 July 2020

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Further Details on the Cultural Recovery Fund Announced

Key highlights from the Government’s most recent announcement on how organisations can apply for the £880m being made to organisations in the arts sector in England.

Published: 29 July 2020

Photograph of a young group of musicians hanging out and rehearsing.

Final Set of Inspirational Articles for Young People in the Music Industry Released

Young Guns Network (YGN), have added five more articles to their commission mission series – aiming to inspire, educate and interest young people aged 18-30 in music.

Published: 28 July 2020

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The MU Summer Of Live: Our Livestream Festival For Musicians in Need

How we hosted the first in a series of live online music events to raise money for musicians hit by the Covid-19 crisis, by Neil Crossley.

Published: 28 July 2020

We’ve Joined the 48-Hour Boycott Against Twitter’s Inaction

We’ve joined the 48-hour Twitter “walkout,” against Twitter’s inaction this weekend, following a series of tweets inciting violence against Jewish people, posted by grime artist Wiley.

Published: 27 July 2020

Photo of a concert happening indoors at a grassroots music venue, with the band silhouetted against yellow stage lights.

£2.25M to be Distributed to Grassroots Venues in England

The Government have announced that £2.25M of the £1.57BN emergency arts fund will be made available to grassroots music venues in England.

Published: 27 July 2020

Photograph of a person holding a guitar and writing in a notebook

Proposed Changes to PRS for Music’s Governance

PRS for Music is proposing some significant governance changes which, in the opinion of the MU, could be beneficial to songwriters and composers.

Published: 24 July 2020

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List of Black Owned and Black Led Ventures in the Music Industry

The shesaid.so community have shared their recommendations for Black-owned businesses, Black leaders, thinkers and activists to support.

Published: 24 July 2020

Photo of a big concert celebration with bright lights and cheering crowds

Further Financial Support for Culture Sector in Northern Ireland Announced

In welcome news, the Department for Communities has announced a £4m support package for the arts, creative industries and cultural sector in Northern Ireland.

Published: 24 July 2020

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New Series of BBC Lockdown Learning Sessions Opened to FEU Members

The FEU is offering places to members on a series of twice-weekly Lockdown Learning development webinars led by the BBC.

Published: 23 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

A Lobbying Update for Wales: Highlighting The Need for More Support

Wales and South-West England Regional Organiser, Andy Warnock, reports on how the region has been, engaging and meeting with Welsh Government ministers and officials on a regular basis for several months, and what they hope to achieve.

Published: 23 July 2020

female singer with Acoustic Guitar playing in the Street

Select Committee Report Argues for Fairer Rewards for Musicians

A report released today by the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee has picked up on many of the key issues for musicians that we raised in June, calling on the Government to act now.

Published: 23 July 2020

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Join for £1 Scheme Extended to Former MU Members

Former members who left the MU five or more years ago can now join again and pay just £1 for their first six months of MU membership.

Published: 22 July 2020

Our Letter to the Prime Minister in Support of NEU’s Anti-Racism Recommendations

We’ve sent a letter to the Prime Minister Boris Johnson in support of the National Education Union’s (NEU) five recommendations for urgent action to tackle racism.

Published: 22 July 2020

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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

Third Round of PRS Foundation’s Sustaining Creativity Fund Opens to Support Black Musicians

This targeted round of funding recognises the Black music community is disproportionately impacted by Covid-19, and is open for applications from UK-based Black music creators from 16 July to 10 August.

Published: 21 July 2020

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Special Covid-19 Episodes of Elevate Podcast Released

Elevate Music and Help Musicians have teamed up to create three special episodes of the Elevate Music Podcast, exploring life for musicians during the pandemic.

Published: 21 July 2020

New Series of Inspirational Articles for Young People in the Music Industry Published

Young Guns Network (YGN), have added five more articles to their commission mission series – aiming to inspire, educate and interest young people aged 18-30 in music.

Published: 21 July 2020

Photograph of a couple of guitars set back stage in an indoor venue

Indoor Performances May Return in England From 1 August

On Friday 17 July, the Prime Minister announced that indoor live performances (with social distancing) should be able to resume in England from Saturday 1 August.

Published: 20 July 2020

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Deep Sadness as Key Manchester Venues Close Doors

Key Manchester venues Deaf Institute and Gorilla have announced their permanent closure, due to financial difficulties caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Published: 17 July 2020

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Drake Music Hosts Conversation on Making Online Music Education Accessible

Drake Music is a national arts charity working in music, disability and technology – they’ve publishing findings from their most recent working group meeting on online accessibility.

Published: 16 July 2020

Photograph of a red MP3 player from the early '00s with headphones.

MP3 Turns 25 Years Old This Week

14 July marked 25 years since the file format was officially given its name. This week, music industry figures including our own Deputy General Secretary Naomi Pohl, reflect on the file that changed the music industry.

Published: 16 July 2020

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Visa Holders in the US at Risk as Public Charge Rules in Limbo (Updated)

PRS for Music AGM Announced

Digital Skills for Musicians Through Training and Mentoring

£6M Monthly Losses Leaving British Orchestras Struggling to Survive

Calling the Government Out on Its Failure to Help Musicians

Free Body Percussion Education Resource Released by Inspire Works

Summer Of Live: MU Online Fundraiser #2 Showcases Best of British Folk

Let The Music Play Campaign Launches Second Phase

Changes to The Government’s Furlough Scheme From 1 August

A Reflection on Make Music Day 2020

Silence is Not an Option: UK Music Industry Unites Against Racism and Intolerance

We’re Calling on the ABRSM to Diversify Their Syllabi

Prime Minister Announces Delay to Return of Indoor Live Music

Tom Watson on the Industry’s Darkest Hour and His Hopes for the Future

Council of Music Makers Urges Support for ‘Broadest Cross-Section of Our Industry’

£53M of New Funding Announced for Arts and Culture in Wales

Provisional Timetable for Easing Lockdown in Scotland Announced

Musicians in Liverpool Encouraged to Take Survey Into City’s Music Sector

Further Details on the Cultural Recovery Fund Announced

Final Set of Inspirational Articles for Young People in the Music Industry Released

The MU Summer Of Live: Our Livestream Festival For Musicians in Need

We’ve Joined the 48-Hour Boycott Against Twitter’s Inaction

£2.25M to be Distributed to Grassroots Venues in England

Proposed Changes to PRS for Music’s Governance

List of Black Owned and Black Led Ventures in the Music Industry

Further Financial Support for Culture Sector in Northern Ireland Announced

New Series of BBC Lockdown Learning Sessions Opened to FEU Members

Scotland and Northern Ireland Lobbying Update

A Lobbying Update for Wales: Highlighting The Need for More Support

Select Committee Report Argues for Fairer Rewards for Musicians

Join for £1 Scheme Extended to Former MU Members

Our Letter to the Prime Minister in Support of NEU’s Anti-Racism Recommendations

Scottish Government Gives Green Light For Live Drive-in Events

Third Round of PRS Foundation’s Sustaining Creativity Fund Opens to Support Black Musicians

Special Covid-19 Episodes of Elevate Podcast Released

New Series of Inspirational Articles for Young People in the Music Industry Published

Indoor Performances May Return in England From 1 August

Deep Sadness as Key Manchester Venues Close Doors

Drake Music Hosts Conversation on Making Online Music Education Accessible

MP3 Turns 25 Years Old This Week