News & Stories for Musicians

MU Supports Music Venue Trust’s Save Our Venues Campaign

This week the Music Venue Trust (MVT) launched its Save Our Venues campaign. Due to the COVID-19 lockdown, venues are facing real hardship with many threatened with closure as Government measures start to run out.

Published: 01 May 2020

Advice on Public Charge Designations for Musicians in the USA on Visas

Our friends at Tamizdat are offering Pro-Bono advice for musicians, who at the time of lockdown may have been working in the United States of America (USA) under a visa, and are concerned about whether a public charge designation could affect them.

Published: 01 May 2020

International Day of Families: Recognising Those Falling Through Gaps in the Government’s Response

MU Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Official John Shortell highlights “the impact Coronavirus is having on those with families and how the Government’s response to the pandemic, especially in relation to freelancers with families, reinforces disadvantages.”

Published: 01 May 2020

AIM to Hold Free Virtual Conference on Independent Music

Following the success of its first virtual conference, AIM Sync, trade body The Association of Independent Music (AIM) has announced the transition of its Great Escape Conference programme, ‘AIM House’, to a full-day virtual event.

Published: 01 May 2020

Graphic of different people social distancing behind windows with instruments

Three-Month Subscription Holiday Announced for Members in Financial Hardship

In response to the widespread cancellation of work that has hit our profession as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, we have decided to offer a three-month subscription holiday to those who are in dire financial need.

Published: 30 April 2020

Soon to be Released Statistics Paint a Stark Picture of Musicians Left Behind by the Government’s Support Schemes

MU Head of Communications & Government Relations Isabelle Gutierrez reports on how our recent impact survey shows that the percentage of those the Government claims will be protected by the Self-employed Income Support Scheme “is categorically not the case for musicians”.

Published: 29 April 2020

Rockschool Pledges to Donate £5 to NHS for Every Exam Entry

Rockschool, who provide graded exams for contemporary musicians of all levels, are holding their next exam period online to reduce disruption to teachers and students during the coronavirus pandemic.

Published: 29 April 2020

Make Music Day people playing music instruments and dancing

Make Music Day Goes Digital

Make Music Day is an annual set of music events that takes place around the world on the longest day of the year – 21 June. This year participants are being encouraged to host and engage with events online.

Published: 29 April 2020

New Telephone Support Network For Musicians

Musicians feeling isolated and anxious can sign up to the Royal Society of Musicians’ (RSM’s) Coronavirus Support Network to chat with other musicians.

Published: 27 April 2020

The Government’s Self-Employment Support Extended to Musicians on Work Visas

Last week, the Home Office confirmed that the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) is available to migrants who are self-employed and have no recourse to public funds.

Published: 27 April 2020

Northern Ireland Launches Support Fund for Arts Sector

Northern Ireland's Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey MLA has announced funding of £1.5 million to support individuals and organisations in the Arts Sector in response to Covid-19.

Published: 27 April 2020

Music Support Hosts 12 Step Support Groups Online

Music Support is launching weekly online support group meetings to allow the music industry’s 12 Step recovery community to continue to connect during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Published: 27 April 2020

A sticker on the window with the rainbow saying:

A Minute's Silence for Key Workers on International Worker’s Memorial Day

Trades Union members and others are encouraged to observe a minute’s silence on Tuesday 28 April at 11:00 am – to pay tribute to the key workers who have lost their lives to the coronavirus pandemic.

Published: 27 April 2020

Photograph of small bricks on top of each other with faces indicating different moods, from happy to sad.

Help DCMS Understand What Help Is Needed by Taking Survey

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is calling for participants for its survey on the impact of the coronavirus outbreak.

Published: 27 April 2020

General Secretary Term Extension

The Chair of the MU’s Executive Committee (EC), Dave Lee, explains how the EC made a unanimous decision to extend the General Secretary’s term of office.

Published: 25 April 2020

Live Rates Released for Members Planning Gigs Later in the Year

We’ve published new live rates for 2020-2021 which may be useful to members when planning for work past the disruption caused by COVID-19.

Published: 24 April 2020

a child learning to play piano online from home

Jumping into Online Teaching: Points to Consider

Rick Finlay, aiming to answer a few questions, and arming us to "get stuck in and see what happens".

Published: 22 April 2020

musicians with a guitar on stage lit with yellow light

Pressing for Financial Support for Musicians, a Lobbying Update

MU Head of Communications & Government Relations Isabelle Gutierrez reports, “Parliament is now back from recess, albeit in a largely digital format. We have already been in touch with MPs to ask them to question the Government on our behalf.”

Published: 22 April 2020

Crew Nation Fund Opens to Support Live Music Crews

Live Nation have opened a fund to protect those who work behind the scenes to make live music happen. Applications are open to anyone who have been financially impacted from shows originally scheduled to take place in March or April 2020.

Published: 22 April 2020

Photograph of two people playing fiddle at a wedding. Photo credit: Shutterstock

Creative Scotland Opens Bridging Bursary for Second Phase of Requests

Creative Scotland have announced an extra £2M of funding, open to individual artists and freelancers in Scotland who have lost income from their creative work due to COVID-19.

Published: 21 April 2020

Photo of stage lights shining purple on an empty stage

Les Misérables Downloads to Raise Money for the MU Coronavirus Hardship Fund

We’re welcoming the news that a concert production of Les Misérables, filmed at the Gielgud Theatre in the West End, is to become available as a digital download as part of a charity initiative from Cameron Mackintosh.

Published: 21 April 2020

headphones and a microphone for recording

Recording from Home: Working as a Session Musician Remotely

Trumpet player, contractor, and executive director of Music Creation Paul Spong talks about remote sessions in the time of Covid-19, what you need for your home setup, and lessons he’s learned along the way.

Published: 20 April 2020

First Aid Theory Courses Available Online

For members who were interested in taking First Aid training earlier this year, London First Aid Training are offering two accredited online First Aid Theory courses.

Published: 20 April 2020

Do It Differently Fund from Help Musicians Adapts to COVID-19

The Covid-19 round of the Do It Differently Fund recognises that musicians are having to work in innovative ways due to the restrictions around social distancing.

Published: 20 April 2020

Opt-in to Receive an MU Diary in 2021

To reduce paper waste, we are asking members to opt-in to receive a copy of the MU diary later this year for 2021. The deadline for opting in is approaching, please let us know by 27 April 2020.

Published: 20 April 2020

12 Social Media Tips For Musicians and Bands During Lockdown

Sean Adams, founder of Drowned in Sound and Social Media Producer for BBC Radio 6 Music, talks us through how to use lockdown to work on your social media.

Published: 17 April 2020

8 Tips on Using Radio to Boost Your Music Career from Isolation

Shell Zenner, a radio presenter, producer, and new-music obsessive talks us through how you can best use radio to your advantage during the coronavirus outbreak, generating income, reaching new audiences and building your presence.

Published: 17 April 2020

10 Tips on Recording and Streaming Your Live Show From Home

Bass player Steve Lawson is no stranger to streaming shows from his home. Here is his advice from setting up your equipment, to choosing the right streaming platform.

Published: 17 April 2020

Member only Read more about 10 Tips on Recording and Streaming Your Live Show From Home

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Advice for Employers and Reps on Domestic Abuse During Disruption from COVID-19

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has released an interactive guide on ways that you can spot, support and help stop victims from suffering further abuse.

Published: 16 April 2020

Millicent Stephenson with a saxophone and mic

Develop Your Music Business from Home with ‘Success Beyond the Score’ Podcast

This podcast series from saxophonist, musician, teacher, songwriter and entrepreneur Millicent Stephenson looks at ways that musicians can move ahead in the music business.

Published: 16 April 2020

A woman and a man excited and happy holding a phone

MU Fundraising Auction Launched with Items Including Handmade Box from Author Philip Pullman

We’ve launched an online auction of items donated from across the creative industries to raise money for our MU Coronavirus Hardship Fund.

Published: 16 April 2020

Planning for Recovery: How We Will Get Music Up, Running and Excelling Again

MU General Secretary Horace Trubridge address how, “Whilst the immediate concern has to be doing everything we can to stay safe and well and cope with the seismic financial loss, it’s also important to plan for a recovery.”

Published: 16 April 2020

Belfast City Hall in Northern Ireland, UK

Arts Council Northern Ireland Announce Funding for Key Arts Organisations

The Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI) have announced annual funding of £12.9 million for 97 key arts organisations from its exchequer and National Lottery resources.

Published: 16 April 2020

Old town Edinburgh and Edinburgh castle in Scotland UK

Scottish Government Announces Second Phase of Funding

There has been a funding update from the Scottish Government, who have announced a second phase of funding to mitigate the effects of COVID-19.

Published: 16 April 2020

Donations to MU Coronavirus Hardship Fund Soar Thanks to Bank Holiday Fundraisers

Jazz FM promoted the crowdfunder for our hardship fund over Easter Monday, as well as musicians holding their own fundraising gigs over the weekend, pushing our total raised so far up to £27K.

Published: 14 April 2020

Anna Neale dressed in green dress, standing on a beach with a guitar

Music as a Way of Getting Through

Singer-songwriter Anna Neale tells us how, "Music is one the greatest expressions of human identity. It's what's getting a lot of people through this crisis. Hold on to that, reach out, and ask."

Published: 14 April 2020

Photo of musicians with various brass instruments.

Jazz FM Promotes MU’s Hardship Fund

Jazz FM is running a UK Music Day on Easter Monday, and alongside this they are promoting the MU’s Coronoavirus Hardship Fund and linking to the crowdfunding page.

Published: 12 April 2020

Crowdfunder Breaches £20K in Donations for Musicians Facing Hardship

After setting up a crowdfunder in response to those asking us what they could do to support the MU Coronavirus Hardship Fund, we have received more than £20k donations.

Published: 09 April 2020

Be sure your voice is heard. Take our survey now.

Make Sure No Musician is Left Behind: Take Our New Survey

We’ve opened a new survey to help us lobby for the members who we’re concerned may fall through the cracks in the Government’s current assistance schemes. Help us by letting us know about your experiences.

Published: 09 April 2020

Arts Council of Wales Launches Urgent Response Fund

The Welsh funding body today announced the details for it’s Urgent Response Fund, open to freelance creative practitioners who are experiencing financial hardship due to disruption from COVID-19.

Published: 09 April 2020

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MU Supports Music Venue Trust’s Save Our Venues Campaign

Advice on Public Charge Designations for Musicians in the USA on Visas

International Day of Families: Recognising Those Falling Through Gaps in the Government’s Response

AIM to Hold Free Virtual Conference on Independent Music

Three-Month Subscription Holiday Announced for Members in Financial Hardship

Soon to be Released Statistics Paint a Stark Picture of Musicians Left Behind by the Government’s Support Schemes

Rockschool Pledges to Donate £5 to NHS for Every Exam Entry

Make Music Day Goes Digital

New Telephone Support Network For Musicians

The Government’s Self-Employment Support Extended to Musicians on Work Visas

Northern Ireland Launches Support Fund for Arts Sector

Music Support Hosts 12 Step Support Groups Online

A Minute's Silence for Key Workers on International Worker’s Memorial Day

Help DCMS Understand What Help Is Needed by Taking Survey

General Secretary Term Extension

Live Rates Released for Members Planning Gigs Later in the Year

Jumping into Online Teaching: Points to Consider

Pressing for Financial Support for Musicians, a Lobbying Update

Crew Nation Fund Opens to Support Live Music Crews

Creative Scotland Opens Bridging Bursary for Second Phase of Requests

Les Misérables Downloads to Raise Money for the MU Coronavirus Hardship Fund

Recording from Home: Working as a Session Musician Remotely

First Aid Theory Courses Available Online

Do It Differently Fund from Help Musicians Adapts to COVID-19

Opt-in to Receive an MU Diary in 2021

12 Social Media Tips For Musicians and Bands During Lockdown

8 Tips on Using Radio to Boost Your Music Career from Isolation

10 Tips on Recording and Streaming Your Live Show From Home

Advice for Employers and Reps on Domestic Abuse During Disruption from COVID-19

Develop Your Music Business from Home with ‘Success Beyond the Score’ Podcast

MU Fundraising Auction Launched with Items Including Handmade Box from Author Philip Pullman

Planning for Recovery: How We Will Get Music Up, Running and Excelling Again

Arts Council Northern Ireland Announce Funding for Key Arts Organisations

Scottish Government Announces Second Phase of Funding

Donations to MU Coronavirus Hardship Fund Soar Thanks to Bank Holiday Fundraisers

Music as a Way of Getting Through

Jazz FM Promotes MU’s Hardship Fund

Crowdfunder Breaches £20K in Donations for Musicians Facing Hardship

Make Sure No Musician is Left Behind: Take Our New Survey

Arts Council of Wales Launches Urgent Response Fund