News & Stories for Musicians

Musicians Required for Research into use of Backing Tracks and Stems in Live Performance

Are you a touring musician, regularly record commercial audio, or both? The Recording & Broadcasting section is actively seeking members to help find out more about the use of backing tracks and stems – particularly on tours.

Published: 29 January 2019

Musicians Will Need to be Aware of New Ultra Low Emission Zone in Central London

An Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) will be in place in central London from 8 April 2019.

Published: 22 January 2019

2019 Rates Increase for Arranging, Music Preparation and Orchestration

The Musicians’ Union Executive Committee have endorsed a 3.3% increase for the General Terms & Conditions for Arranging, Music Preparation and Orchestration rates.

Published: 21 January 2019

MU Expresses Concern as Newham Council Seeks to Cancel Music Education Scheme

Concerns have been raised by the Musicians’ Union (MU) over a consultation launched by the London Borough of Newham Council, which seeks to scrap its ‘Every Child a Musician’ programme.

Published: 17 January 2019

Musicians' Union Welcomes Result of Vote on Withdrawal Agreement

Theresa May’s proposed Withdrawal Agreement has tonight been soundly defeated in the House of Commons.

Published: 15 January 2019

Join the MU on the Save Gwdihw March

Musicians’ Union (MU) members are encouraged to join a march on Saturday, 19 January, to protect Cardiff grassroots music venue Gwdihw.

Published: 14 January 2019

MU Welcomes Minister’s Call for Increased Investment in Music Education

The Musicians’ Union (MU) has welcomed the statement by Nick Gibb, Minister of State at the Department for Education, published today in The Times.

Published: 11 January 2019

Free Folk Workshop for 12-18 Year Olds in Somerset

An exciting opportunity has opened up for talented young musicians to learn from National Youth Folk Ensemble leaders and inspirational folk performers Sam Sweeney and Rob Harbron, at this free workshop.

Published: 09 January 2019

UK Music Publishes Myth-Buster on Article 13 Copyright Changes

UK Music has published an extensive myth-buster, answering common questions about Article 13 – a part of the proposed new Copyright Directive which is being considered by the European institutions.

Published: 21 December 2018

Inquiry Launched into Social Mobility in the Creative Sector

The Performers’ Alliance APPG inquiry, ‘Breaking the Class Ceiling in the Arts’ looks at social mobility in the creative sector.

Published: 18 December 2018

A Christmas Round-Up From Musicians’ Union General Secretary Horace Trubridge

A blog from the Musicians’ Union (MU) General Secretary Horace Trubridge, reflecting on the past year’s events and looking forwards to the next one.

Published: 14 December 2018

Attitude is Everything Launches Next Stage Artist Survey

Attitude is Everything is asking musicians who identify as deaf or disabled persons – or don’t identify but have a health condition or impairment that impacts their daily life – to share their experiences.

Published: 14 December 2018

Much-loved Cardiff Music Venue Gwdihŵ is to Close in January

The Musicians’ Union (MU) is calling on members to protect vital Cardiff music venue Gwdihŵ Café Bar by signing an urgent petition.

Published: 13 December 2018

How Does the European Copyright Directive Affect You?

The European Copyright Directive is facing strong opposition from YouTube. But it is the best way of making sure musicians and creators are paid for the work they do.

Published: 13 December 2018

Update: Brexit, Where We Are Now

Since our last blog, the Government has been defeated in several key votes and the crucial vote on the Brexit Deal scheduled for Tuesday 11 December has been postponed.

Published: 10 December 2018

Musicians’ Union Launches Manifesto Video, Calling for Support from Music Lovers

The video, titled ‘I am music’, celebrates the power of music to lift spirits, communities and the economy, whilst encouraging music lovers to sign-up as supporters.

Published: 06 December 2018

Brexit: Where We Are Now

It’s been a busy few weeks for Brexit watchers. Earlier this month, the Prime Minister and the European Union released the proposed Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration.

Published: 06 December 2018

Members Urged to Sign Petition for National Plan for Music Education in Wales

A petition to the National Assembly for Wales, highlighting some of the current issues in music education across Wales and calling for action, is gathering signatures.

Published: 03 December 2018

Britain’s Creative Industries Break the £100 Billion Barrier

New statistics from the Department for Digital, Media, Culture and Sport show that the UK’s roaring creative industries have made a record contribution to the economy in 2017 – smashing through the £100 billion mark.

Published: 30 November 2018

MPs Back Musicians’ Union Call for Access to Free Music Lessons in Schools

Children from low-income families are half as likely to learn an instrument, according recent research by the Musicians’ Union (MU).

Published: 21 November 2018

5 Tips for Booking Disabled Music Artists

Attitude Is Everything, the disability-led charity improving deaf and disabled people’s access to live music, shares its five tips for booking disabled artists.

Published: 19 November 2018

Report from the joint FIM/AFM International Conference on The Economy of Streaming Media

Musicians’ Union Executive Committee member Rick Finlay has published a report covering the discussion that took place at the conference. It is now available to download, along with the full text of the FIM/AFM’s Burbank Declaration.

Published: 16 November 2018

Networking Smarter: How to Grow Your Career in the Music Industry

The Musicians’ Union (MU) was delighted to attend the Published: 15 November 2018

Musicians' Union Reacts to Brexit Deal

The ability to travel and work freely and easily in Europe is of paramount importance to our members, and we will continue to fight either for freedom of movement or, at the very least, a simple, cheap and admin-light EU touring visa for musicians and performers.

Published: 15 November 2018

Half Price Member Tickets to Artist:Entrepreneur Day in Belfast

The Artist:Entrepreneur Day from the Featured Artists Coalition and CMU:DIY will be staged in Belfast on Sunday 18, in partnership with Help Musicians NI.

Published: 14 November 2018

Anti Bullying Week and Combatting Workplace Bullying and Harassment

Anti Bullying week runs from 12-16 November every year. This year’s theme is “choose respect”.

Published: 12 November 2018

Support Call to “Let Every Child Learn Music” on Facebook

The Musicians’ Union has released a “Let every child learn music” Facebook Frame to highlight access to music lessons in schools.

Published: 07 November 2018

Access to Music Lessons Dying out for Poorer Families

New data released today (6 November 2018) shows many parts of the UK are at risk of under-representation in the music industry, as lower income families are priced out of music lessons.

Published: 06 November 2018

Risk of Under-Representation in the Music Industry

New Musicians’ Union research shows many parts of the UK are at risk of under-representation in the music industry, as lower income families are priced out of music lessons.

Published: 06 November 2018

Brexit and the Future of Copyright Protection

If you work in the music industry, you need to understand copyright. Put simply, copyright enables musicians and creators to protect and make money from their work. Without it, musicians would not be able to get their music out there and make a living.

Published: 05 November 2018

Music Industry Figures Reveal Surge in Exports, Recording Music and Jobs in Record £4.5 Billion Boost to UK Economy

UK Music’s 2018 Measuring Music report has revealed rises in UK music industry exports, recorded music and publishing revenues and music industry jobs.

Published: 01 November 2018

Gigging and Touring Before the EU

Over 15,000 people have signed the Musicians’ Union (MU) petition for a touring visa for musicians working in the European Union post-Brexit.

Published: 31 October 2018

BBC Introducing Live Festival Includes Musicians’ Union Takeover Panel

BBC Introducing Live at Tobacco Docks is a new three-day music festival, hosting over 100 masterclasses, workshops and panel discussions – and featuring over 250 speakers from across the music industry, including representatives from the MU.

Published: 29 October 2018

Backing Selfie Leave Bill for Shared Parental Pay

The Musicians’ Union (MU) joined artists, industry bodies and MP’s outside Parliament to support the Second Reading of Tracy Brabin MP’s Selfie Leave Bill.

Published: 26 October 2018

Musicians’ Union National Organiser Orchestras to Retire

After 29 years Musicians’ Union (MU) National Organiser Orchestras Bill Kerr will be retiring from the MU on 8 February 2019.

Published: 22 October 2018

Reporting Back From the Labour and Conservative Party Conferences

Music lifts spirits, communities and the UK’s economy. That’s why this year, the Musicians’ Union (MU) went to both the Labour and Conservative Party Conferences to talk about a touring visa for musicians post-Brexit, music education and the other big issues affecting the MU’s 30,000 members.

Published: 19 October 2018

Your #MUmoment: Nicole Boyesen

Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra player Nicole Boyesen shares her most poignant career moment as part of the Musician Behind the Moment campaign.

Published: 18 October 2018

Dance Music Industry Backs Music Recognition Technology Being Extended to Nightclubs

PRS for Music and PPL are expanding their distribution policies to include data generated from music recognition technology, in turn improving the accuracy of royalty distributions.