TUC Congress Backs MU Motion on Revoking Article 50 Delegates at TUC Congress vote to support a People’s Vote with remain as an option, calling on the TUC to campaign against the damaging right-wing agenda behind Brexit. Published: 09 September 2019 Read more about TUC Congress Backs MU Motion on Revoking Article 50
Help Musicians Re-opens £10,000 Fund for Promising Emerging Jazz Performers Music charity Help Musicians has opened the 2019 application process for its £10,000 jazz fund, the renowned Peter Whittingham Jazz Award. Published: 06 September 2019 Read more about Help Musicians Re-opens £10,000 Fund for Promising Emerging Jazz Performers
Attempt to Stop a ‘No Deal’ Brexit Supported by the MU Staying in the European Union is still the best option for musicians. The MU supports Parliament’s attempts to stop a ‘No Deal’ Brexit, and calls for a People’s Vote. Published: 04 September 2019 Read more about Attempt to Stop a ‘No Deal’ Brexit Supported by the MU
CITES Votes in Favour of Allowing Exemption for Musical Instruments made with Rosewood At the latest meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) – which was held in Geneva – attendees voted in favour of allowing exemptions for musical instruments made with rosewood. Published: 03 September 2019 Read more about CITES Votes in Favour of Allowing Exemption for Musical Instruments made with Rosewood
Help Musicians UK Survey Looks at Mental Health Support Help Musicians UK is reviewing their mental health and wellbeing support services for musicians. Published: 28 August 2019 Read more about Help Musicians UK Survey Looks at Mental Health Support
MU/UK Theatre agreement Following the agreement being implemented in 2018 for a 3 year period. Published: 28 August 2019 Read more about MU/UK Theatre agreement
Kensington & Chelsea Busking Ban Update The Musicians’ Union continues to campaign with Keep Streets Live against the recent decision made by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea to ban buskers from performing in some of London’s most iconic locations. Published: 28 August 2019 Read more about Kensington & Chelsea Busking Ban Update
Burston Rally and Festival The Musicians’ Union will be in attendance at this years Burston Strike School Rally in Norfolk on Sunday 1 September. Published: 27 August 2019 Read more about Burston Rally and Festival
Invite Your MP to Talk to the MU this Party Conference Season Is your MP from the Labour or Conservative party? Invite them to talk to us this party conference season, as we go to Labour and Conservative party conferences to talk about the big issues affecting musicians. Published: 21 August 2019 Read more about Invite Your MP to Talk to the MU this Party Conference Season
Why I Joined the MU: Scott Bowley Scott Bowley tells us about signing a record deal with his band 13XL, and how the MU supported him through the process. Published: 20 August 2019 Read more about Why I Joined the MU: Scott Bowley
9Bach on Getting a Fair Deal Using the MU’s Contract Advisory Service When MU members Martin and alternative folk group 9Bach needed help negotiating a contract, they used the MU’s Contract Advisory Service to make sure they could navigate the negotiation and get a fair deal. Published: 13 August 2019 Read more about 9Bach on Getting a Fair Deal Using the MU’s Contract Advisory Service
PledgeMusic Liquidation Update As a result of the winding up order made against Pledgemusic.com Limited in the High Court of Justice on 31 July 2019, the Official Receiver has become liquidator of the company. Published: 07 August 2019 Read more about PledgeMusic Liquidation Update
Edinburgh International Festival August 2019: An Opportunity for Trade Unionists The Edinburgh International Festival is running a series of discussions aimed at promoting dialogue between community activists, citizens and arts professionals. Published: 02 August 2019 Read more about Edinburgh International Festival August 2019: An Opportunity for Trade Unionists
PRS for Music Launches Consultation on Live Classical Music Licenses ​PRS for Music has launched a public consultation into the terms of its Tariff LC (Live Classical), which is used to license the use of music at classical music concerts and recitals. Published: 01 August 2019 Read more about PRS for Music Launches Consultation on Live Classical Music Licenses
Resource Pack for All Musicians Affected By the Collapse of PledgeMusic Music industry organisations have put together a new resource pack for all musicians affected by the collapse of PledgeMusic. Published: 01 August 2019 Read more about Resource Pack for All Musicians Affected By the Collapse of PledgeMusic
Help save our funding! The MU (along with other entertainment trade unions under the FEU) currently benefits from government funding for training for members. But this is now under threat! Published: 31 July 2019 Read more about Help save our funding!
Standing Up for Diversity in Music Industry MU members have raised concerns regarding a promoter's view that bands should not highlight their diverse make up, and that doing so is a form of tokenism that will prevent them from being booked. Published: 30 July 2019 Read more about Standing Up for Diversity in Music Industry
New Podcast Looks at Musicians Health and Wellbeing Help Musicians UK’s podcast series, Elevate Music, looks at health and wellbeing issues affecting musicians. Published: 30 July 2019 Read more about New Podcast Looks at Musicians Health and Wellbeing
First Ever Members' Conference Brings in Voices from Across the Union MU General Secretary Horace Trubridge today introduced the Union’s first ever Members' Conference – which saw members and officials from across the regions, as well as the Union’s Executive Committee (EC), coming together to discuss essential decisions for the future of the MU. Published: 24 July 2019 Read more about First Ever Members' Conference Brings in Voices from Across the Union
MU Conference Plea to New Prime Minister – Don’t Drag Us Off The Cliff The first MU conference under General Secretary Horace Trubridge kicked off today with clear calls for the Government to protect freedom of movement for touring musicians and to invest in the music education sector. Published: 23 July 2019 Read more about MU Conference Plea to New Prime Minister – Don’t Drag Us Off The Cliff
Coach Tickets from London to Tolpuddle Festival Equity have opened up their planned coach travel from London to Tolpuddle Festival to all members of entertainment unions – offering a £25 return journey to the Dorset festival. Published: 21 July 2019 Read more about Coach Tickets from London to Tolpuddle Festival
Government Announces Consultation on Sexual Harassment in the Workplace The Government is gathering evidence on whether current laws on protecting people from sexual harassment in the workplace are effective. Published: 19 July 2019 Read more about Government Announces Consultation on Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
How to Have Your Say in the Government Consultation on Sexual Harassment We need the government to strengthen the law to prevent sexual harassment at work before it happens. And we need protections that recognise the fact that freelancers must have an equal level of protection to those in fixed employment. Published: 19 July 2019 Read more about How to Have Your Say in the Government Consultation on Sexual Harassment
Disappointment at Busking Ban Decision The MU is extremely disappointed by the decision of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea to ban busking in certain areas and enforce these bans through Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO). Published: 18 July 2019 Read more about Disappointment at Busking Ban Decision
LGBTQ+ in Music: Where is the Representation? This blog is created from the speech that MU member Olive gave at the TUC LGBT+ conference last week – moving a motion on the need for a broad and balanced LGBTQ+ inclusive curriculum to ensure LGBTQ+ representation in music. Published: 11 July 2019 Read more about LGBTQ+ in Music: Where is the Representation?
Call for Information After Military Tattoo Advertises Month Long Engagement for Musicians with no Fee Available It has recently been brought to the MU’s attention that the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (REMT) has advertised for experienced musicians of what would appear to be a professional standard to apply to form a new stage band. Published: 10 July 2019 Read more about Call for Information After Military Tattoo Advertises Month Long Engagement for Musicians with no Fee Available
Scottish Members Asked to Complete Survey on Musculoskeletal Injury Chartered Physiotherapist and BAPAM (British Association of Performing Arts Medicine) practitioner Maria J Lopez is inviting all musicians living within Scotland to complete a short questionnaire on current musculoskeletal injury rates. Published: 09 July 2019 Read more about Scottish Members Asked to Complete Survey on Musculoskeletal Injury
Amanda Dal: "You Have to Be the Change You Want to See" Multi-genre drummer Amanda Dal tells us about how becoming a member of the MU helped her to skirt dodgy gig deals early in her career, and inspired her to get active and make a difference. Published: 08 July 2019 Read more about Amanda Dal: "You Have to Be the Change You Want to See"
Growing Concern Over the Government’s Hostile Environment Policies Effect on Musicians The MU is concerned at the growing impact of the Government’s hostile environment policies which are jeopardising musicians’ opportunities to work. Published: 04 July 2019 Read more about Growing Concern Over the Government’s Hostile Environment Policies Effect on Musicians
Call for Action to Protect Musicians Jeopardised by Hostile Environment Policies The MU is concerned at the growing impact of the Government’s hostile environment policies which are jeopardising musicians’ opportunities to work. Published: 04 July 2019 Read more about Call for Action to Protect Musicians Jeopardised by Hostile Environment Policies
Why I Joined the MU: Millicent Stephenson Multi award winning saxophonist, Millicent Stephenson, tells us how joining the MU helped her develop her passion for music into a full-time career. Published: 01 July 2019 Read more about Why I Joined the MU: Millicent Stephenson
QMU Becomes First Scottish Venue to Sign the Keychange 50/50 Pledge The Queen Margaret Union (QMU), a students’ union at the University of Glasgow, has become the first live venue in Scotland to sign the Keychange 50/50 pledge – committing to achieving a 50/50 gender balance in their performers by 2022. Published: 28 June 2019 Read more about QMU Becomes First Scottish Venue to Sign the Keychange 50/50 Pledge
Support the Campaign to Prevent Sexual Harassment at Work The MU has joined forces with the TUC and an alliance of trade unions and women’s rights organisations to prevent sexual harassment at work. Published: 26 June 2019 Read more about Support the Campaign to Prevent Sexual Harassment at Work
Member Discount on Practice Room Rentals at Schott Music London Schott Music London has recently we opened two new practice rooms – alongside three already available for hire – to be rented out to teachers, students and music hobbyists alike. Published: 21 June 2019 Read more about Member Discount on Practice Room Rentals at Schott Music London
Why I Joined the MU: Andy Payne Drummer and teacher Andy Payne tells us about how advice from the MU has proved invaluable when making career choices. Published: 21 June 2019 Read more about Why I Joined the MU: Andy Payne
Children of The Windrush Generation Make Music Millicent Stephenson explores the impact of the Windrush Generation on both her personal musical development, and on the development of music in the UK as a whole. Published: 18 June 2019 Read more about Children of The Windrush Generation Make Music
Change to National Lottery Community Fund Application Process National Lottery Community Fund applications have been made easier. Organisations can now submit their idea through a website form, structured around six main questions. Published: 13 June 2019 Read more about Change to National Lottery Community Fund Application Process
Megan O’Neill: "Every UK Musician Should Take Advantage of MU services" Irish born singer-songwriter Megan O’Neill tells us about the support she's received so far through membership of the MU. Published: 13 June 2019 Read more about Megan O’Neill: "Every UK Musician Should Take Advantage of MU services"
Call for Stewards at the Women Chainmakers’ Festival in Cradley Heath The Women Chainmakers’ festival will be held 11:00 am – 8:00 pm Saturday 6 July in Mary Macarthur Gardens, Cradley Heath, B64 5AB. The MU is looking for volunteers to steward or help on the stall on the day. Published: 13 June 2019 Read more about Call for Stewards at the Women Chainmakers’ Festival in Cradley Heath
Lester Clayton on Taking Advantage of the MU's Legal Advice and Assistance When an MU member found his band in a tricky situation, legal support from the MU took a weight off his shoulders. Published: 12 June 2019 Read more about Lester Clayton on Taking Advantage of the MU's Legal Advice and Assistance