News & Stories for Musicians

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Gender-Neutral Award Categories at The BRITs Lead to a Lack of Gender Diversity in 2023 Shortlists

Following a shift to gender-neutral award categories, replacing separate best male and best female artist awards, the MU responds to this year’s all-male BRITs Best Artist shortlist.

Published: 09 February 2023

Naomi Pohl speaking into a camera at MU Member Conference 2022.

MU General Secretary Update

General Secretary Naomi Pohl looks at the challenges facing musicians this winter, and what the union is doing to support members.

Published: 08 February 2023

MU General Secretary Opens This Year's ABO Conference

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl opened this year’s Association of British Orchestras Conference with a vision for a brighter future for British Orchestras.

Published: 06 February 2023

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Naomi Pohl Discusses Fix Streaming Campaign on Drowned in Sound Podcast

The MU’s General Secretary appeared on this weeks Drowned in Sound Podcast, which can be accessed on various major streaming platforms about how music streaming needs to be fixed.

Published: 03 February 2023

Musicians Iona Fyfe and Lady Nade Share Why They Back the Musicians’ Census 2023

Two musicians backing the survey explain why the Musicians’ Census 2023 is so important.

Published: 02 February 2023

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MU Partners With Come Play With Me for LGBTQ+ History Month

The new partnership will see a new series of LGBTQ+ Inclusion workshops and the two organisations working together to create more resources for LGBTQ+ musicians and artists.

Published: 31 January 2023

MU flags visible as part of a larger trade union march moving through a busy street in London.

MU Supports TUC Right to Strike Day of Action

Take part in marches and events on 1 February to protest against the Government’s anti-strike laws.

Published: 27 January 2023

John Shortell speaking at the MU members conference, seen from the perspective of multiple cameras and a sound mixing desk.

Why Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is a Trade Union Issue

What is our collective role in building equality, diversity and inclusion and why is it a trade union issue? The MU’s John Shortell explains.

Published: 25 January 2023

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MU Signs Petition Calling on Government to End ‘Rampant’ Exploitation of Migrant Workers

21 Trade Unions including the MU, UNISON, the RMT and the PCS union have condemned the Government’s attempts to ‘pit’ workers against each other, and are calling for urgent action to end the exploitation of migrant workers, including undocumented people.

Published: 25 January 2023

Take the Musicians’ Census 2023

The Musicians’ Census is a joint project by the Musicians’ Union and Help Musicians to get a deeper understanding of what it’s like to be a musician in 2023.

Published: 23 January 2023

White earphones resting on top of a white computer keyboard.

You Can’t Put the AI Genie Back in the Bottle: Protecting Compositions and Recordings

Following on from his recent appearance on BBC Newsnight to discuss what advances in AI could mean for musicians, MU Assistant General Secretary Phil Kear further outlines the protections needed for musicians in the face of new technology.

Published: 20 January 2023

View of the Houses of Parliament in London.

MPs Criticise ACE Funding Cuts in Debate in Parliament

The MU briefed MPs ahead of the debate that was held in Westminster Hall this week.

Published: 20 January 2023

What the NEU and EIS Strikes Mean for MU Members

Following ballots, two of the MU’s sister unions have announced strike action. The MU stands in solidarity with both unions’ members.

Published: 19 January 2023

PRS for Music and PRS Foundation Announce New Multi-year Funding Agreement

With £2.5m in funding already committed for this year, the new agreement will see an increase in year-on-year funding allocated to PRS Foundations work to support new music and talent development.

Published: 18 January 2023

MU Briefing: What MPs Need to Know About Arts Council England Funding Cuts

Facts, figures and Union talking points about arts funding to use in your own conversations with friends, colleagues and decision-makers.

Published: 18 January 2023

MU General Secretary’s New Year Message to Orchestral Players

What the union is doing to improve orchestral players’ pay and conditions? MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl spoke to members at this year’s Orchestras Annual General Meeting.

Published: 18 January 2023

Dome of the London Coliseum, English National Opera and Theatre against the blue sky

ENO Receives National Lottery Funding for the Next Year

English National Opera will receive £11.46m National Lottery funding for 2023-24.

Published: 17 January 2023

MU Orchestras AGM Focuses on Improving Pay, Conditions and Arts Funding

MU members came together at Trades Union Congress headquarters for the union’s Orchestras Annual General Meeting.

Published: 17 January 2023

New TUC General Secretary Launches Campaign to Protect the Right to Strike

The Trades Union Congress will fight new anti-strike legislation every step of the way supported by member unions including the Musicians’ Union.

Published: 13 January 2023

In black and white we see a persons legs, holding a guitar and standing in front of a large amplifier.

MU Welcomes DCMS Select Committee's Report Pushing for Fair Remuneration for Artists From Streaming

The new report by the Department for Culture, Digital, Media and Sport (DCMS) Select Committee is recommending more of a focus on fair remuneration in the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) process examining music streaming.

Published: 13 January 2023

A large crowd marches in central London, some MU branded signs read Fund The Arts and Love ENO.

Impact of Arts Funding Cuts Highlighted in Leafleting Drive

Musicians’ Union members took to the Coliseum for a leafleting session on Friday 6 January, talking to audience members about the impact of arts funding cuts on opera and ballet.

Published: 13 January 2023

Highlights From Mayor Tracy Brabin Keynote Speech at MU Members’ Conference

Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin spoke about her priorities for the region in her keynote speech at the second ever Musicians’ Union Members’ Conference.

Published: 05 January 2023

How Function Bands are Faring Three Years after Covid Struck

With parties, weddings and corporate events cancelled during Covid, work for function bands vanished overnight. Three years on, four leading acts reveal how they have been faring.

Published: 05 January 2023

Alex Gascoine, a white man with grey hair and a brightly coloured mint green short is leaning against a white painted wall and smiling into the camera.

Executive Committee Chair Commits to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at MU Members’ Conference

Chair of the Musicians’ Union Executive Committee Alex Gascoine opened Members’ Conference with a clear commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Published: 16 December 2022

Red post box stands in front of a brick wall in the bright sunshine.

Solidarity and the Cost of Living Crisis

The MU would like to express solidarity with other union workers who are on strike this week, including nurses, postal workers and railway staff.

Published: 16 December 2022

Speaker panel discussions at the MU Members' Conference 2022

Celebrating Culturally Diverse Organisations in the Arts Council England National Portfolio

We need more arts funding, not less, to make sure that a career as a musician is available and accessible to everyone.

Published: 14 December 2022

A clear shot of a microphone against a blurred background that implies there are a lot of chairs set out for audience members.

Bursary Available For a Disabled Woman MU Member to Access Leadership Development Programme

A full bursary will be available for the transformational leadership development programme, the Music Leaders Network, and we will be running an online drop in information session on Wednesday 11 January.

Published: 12 December 2022

Arts funding cuts demo in front of the DCMS

MU Supports Latest ENO Statement on Funding Cuts

The MU agrees with English National Opera that Arts Council England needs to provide further clarity, and the Union remains committed to fighting the cuts altogether.

Published: 09 December 2022

Disability History Month: The Contribution of Lived Experience

MU Member Audrey Gray, Creative Projects Manager and CEO of Gospel Music Industry Alliance (GMIA) talks about her experience as a member of multiple EDI Networks and how lived experiences can contribute to much needed solutions.

Published: 01 December 2022

Musician protesters with Fix Streaming plackards

Competition and Markets Authority Says Low Pay From Music Streaming Not a Competition Issue

The Competition and Markets Authority has published its final report after campaigning by the Musicians’ Union, the Ivors Academy and Broken Record.

Published: 30 November 2022

A music teacher holds up a tambourine, we can see the blurred figures of a class in the background.

Future of Music Education Hubs Clarified by Arts Council England

Long awaited details have been provided of the timeline for a bidding process for new hubs, with funding for the current hubs now safe until August 2024.

Published: 24 November 2022

School age kid learning guitar with private teacher

MU Education Section Reaches 10,000 Members

As of November, the number of members in the MU’s Education Section is now over 10,000 – approximately a one-third increase since 2020, demonstrating the importance of teaching and education to MU members.

Published: 24 November 2022

A small child is signing in BSL, with just their hands and arms in the focus of the camera.

UK Music Unveils 2022 Workforce Diversity Survey Results and Action Plan

UK Music has launched its Diversity Report 2022, including the findings of its Workforce Diversity Survey 2022 and an action plan for long-term change.

Published: 24 November 2022

Naomi Pohl speaking in a microphone in a crowd in front of DCMS building

Entertainment Unions Protest Outside Government Department

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl today joined members in a protest outside DCMS to demand an increase in arts funding.

Published: 22 November 2022

french horn players during a classical concert music

Disability History Month: Being a Deaf Musician is not Easy

In our first special feature from Disabled History Month, Professional Musician and member of the MU Executive Committee and ED&I Committee, Nigel Braithwaite talks about his experiences of being a disabled musician.

Published: 21 November 2022

Entrance sign to the UK government building for the DCMS on London's Whitehall, England.

Take Part in Arts Council England Funding Cuts Protest on Tuesday 22 November

Join MU, Equity and BECTU members outside the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport for a protest against cuts to English National Opera and other arts organisations.

Published: 18 November 2022

Celebration blur of different colours and gold.

Black Lives in Music Celebrate Their Second Year Anniversary

The MU is proud to be an official partner organisation of Black Lives in Music, who are celebrating two incredible years of advocating for Black representation in the music industry.

Published: 18 November 2022

MU Meets with Arts Council England Following Arts Funding Cuts

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl has met with Arts Council England (ACE) as the union campaigns to reverse damaging funding cuts to English National Opera and others.

Published: 11 November 2022

Quiet figure sits at the end of a dock, watching a sun rise over a body of water.

Resources for National Stress Awareness Week

Work related stress is a trade union issue. For National Stress Awareness Week running 7-11 November we’ve put together a reminder on the resources available to members.

Published: 11 November 2022

Members of conference smile and clap, while one delegate stands and speaks from the floor.

What is a Motion and How Do You Write One For MU Delegate Conference?

Trade unions are full of jargon. One of our favourites is the word ‘motion’. But, like most bits of jargon, it’s not as complicated as it sounds.

Published: 10 November 2022

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Gender-Neutral Award Categories at The BRITs Lead to a Lack of Gender Diversity in 2023 Shortlists

MU General Secretary Update

MU General Secretary Opens This Year's ABO Conference

Naomi Pohl Discusses Fix Streaming Campaign on Drowned in Sound Podcast

Musicians Iona Fyfe and Lady Nade Share Why They Back the Musicians’ Census 2023

MU Partners With Come Play With Me for LGBTQ+ History Month

MU Supports TUC Right to Strike Day of Action

Why Equality, Diversity and Inclusion is a Trade Union Issue

MU Signs Petition Calling on Government to End ‘Rampant’ Exploitation of Migrant Workers

Take the Musicians’ Census 2023

You Can’t Put the AI Genie Back in the Bottle: Protecting Compositions and Recordings

MPs Criticise ACE Funding Cuts in Debate in Parliament

What the NEU and EIS Strikes Mean for MU Members

PRS for Music and PRS Foundation Announce New Multi-year Funding Agreement

MU Briefing: What MPs Need to Know About Arts Council England Funding Cuts

MU General Secretary’s New Year Message to Orchestral Players

ENO Receives National Lottery Funding for the Next Year

MU Orchestras AGM Focuses on Improving Pay, Conditions and Arts Funding

New TUC General Secretary Launches Campaign to Protect the Right to Strike

MU Welcomes DCMS Select Committee's Report Pushing for Fair Remuneration for Artists From Streaming

Impact of Arts Funding Cuts Highlighted in Leafleting Drive

Highlights From Mayor Tracy Brabin Keynote Speech at MU Members’ Conference

How Function Bands are Faring Three Years after Covid Struck

Executive Committee Chair Commits to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at MU Members’ Conference

Solidarity and the Cost of Living Crisis

Celebrating Culturally Diverse Organisations in the Arts Council England National Portfolio

Bursary Available For a Disabled Woman MU Member to Access Leadership Development Programme

MU Supports Latest ENO Statement on Funding Cuts

Disability History Month: The Contribution of Lived Experience

Competition and Markets Authority Says Low Pay From Music Streaming Not a Competition Issue

Future of Music Education Hubs Clarified by Arts Council England

MU Education Section Reaches 10,000 Members

UK Music Unveils 2022 Workforce Diversity Survey Results and Action Plan

Entertainment Unions Protest Outside Government Department

Disability History Month: Being a Deaf Musician is not Easy

Take Part in Arts Council England Funding Cuts Protest on Tuesday 22 November

Black Lives in Music Celebrate Their Second Year Anniversary

MU Meets with Arts Council England Following Arts Funding Cuts

Resources for National Stress Awareness Week

What is a Motion and How Do You Write One For MU Delegate Conference?