Victory for Womanby Street Campaigners Plans to build flats on Cardiff’s Womanby Street, that would have put local venues including Clwb Ifor Back under threat, have been withdrawn. Published: 17 October 2017 Read more about Victory for Womanby Street Campaigners
MU Welcomes New UK Recording for UK Tour of War Horse The recorded music used in the current UK tour of War Horse will be re-recorded using UK musicians. Published: 17 October 2017 Read more about MU Welcomes New UK Recording for UK Tour of War Horse
Black History Month #BHM2017 Nadine Wild-Palmer shares her thoughts on Black History Month (#BHM2017) and celebrating the richly diverse culture we live in. Published: 17 October 2017 Read more about Black History Month #BHM2017
MU Report Highlights Challenges Faced by Music Teachers The Musicians’ Union (MU) has released its fourth annual report into the state of music education in England, and looks at how to improve the situation for teachers and students alike. Published: 13 October 2017 Read more about MU Report Highlights Challenges Faced by Music Teachers
Representing Women in Festival Line-Ups Festival line-ups are often criticised for neglecting to represent female artists. Join the discussion - send us your thoughts and experiences in advance of our AIF panel event. Published: 12 October 2017 Read more about Representing Women in Festival Line-Ups
Musicians' Union expresses dismay at European Union Youth Orchestra’s decision to leave London The European Union Youth Orchestra is the second orchestra to announce it’s leaving the UK since the Brexit referendum last year, in part due to concerns over restricted freedom of movement for working musicians. Published: 12 October 2017 Read more about Musicians' Union expresses dismay at European Union Youth Orchestra’s decision to leave London
Another Orchestra is Leaving the UK because of Brexit The European Union Youth Orchestra (EUYO) is leaving London because of Brexit, in part of because of the lack of clarity on freedom of movement for musicians post-Brexit. Published: 11 October 2017 Read more about Another Orchestra is Leaving the UK because of Brexit
Sign the Petition for Free Movement for Musicians post-Brexit #WorkingInTheEU Sign the #WorkingInTheEU petition to call on Government and Parliament to back free movement for musicians post-Brexit. It only takes a couple of minutes, and can make a really big difference to our campaign. Published: 22 September 2017 Read more about Sign the Petition for Free Movement for Musicians post-Brexit #WorkingInTheEU
Sign the Petition to Reverse Ban on Musicians at St. Sepulchre's The Musicians' Union (MU) added its voice to calls to reverse the recently imposed ban on musicians at St Sepulchre's, known as the National Musicians' Church. Please sign the petition and support music at this historic venue. Published: 30 August 2017 Read more about Sign the Petition to Reverse Ban on Musicians at St. Sepulchre's
Planning Hearing to Determine AIR Studios’ Future – Show Your Support AIR Studios has been fighting a planning application for major alteration works that would cause such disruption that the studio would most likely close. Show your support at the upcoming planning hearing. Published: 08 August 2017 Read more about Planning Hearing to Determine AIR Studios’ Future – Show Your Support
The Quick Guide to MU Conference If you’re new to the Musicians’ Union (MU), Conference can seem confusing. But it’s not as complex as it might seem. Here’s our quick guide to the 37th Biennial MU Delegate Conference… Published: 24 July 2017 Read more about The Quick Guide to MU Conference
MU Fair Play Venue Scheme Signs Up 100th Grassroots Venue Sixty Million Postcards, a grassroots music venue based in Bournemouth, has become the 100th venue to join the MU’s Fair Play Venue scheme. Published: 20 July 2017 Read more about MU Fair Play Venue Scheme Signs Up 100th Grassroots Venue
Highlights From the TUC LGBT+ Conference The Musicians’ Union (MU) once again took part in the Trades Union Congress (TUC) annual LGBT+ Conference at Congress House in London. Here are some of the highlights. Published: 20 July 2017 Read more about Highlights From the TUC LGBT+ Conference
Writing a Biog for Your Band with The Unsigned Guide The Unsigned Guide new series The Basics helps you tackle the fundamentals of promoting your music and communicating with the music industry. Published: 20 July 2017 Read more about Writing a Biog for Your Band with The Unsigned Guide
Carrabinos Score Vital Court Victory For Musicians A London couple have won their long-running legal battle with the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea council over a noise abatement notice that severely restricted the amount of time their children could practise the piano in their own home. Published: 15 July 2017 Read more about Carrabinos Score Vital Court Victory For Musicians
Addressing the Streaming ‘Value Gap’ in 2017 The Musicians’ Union (MU) continues to lobby at European Union (EU) and UK levels for fair remuneration for performers and songwriters from streaming. Published: 07 July 2017 Read more about Addressing the Streaming ‘Value Gap’ in 2017
The MU at the Women Chainmakers’ Festival Musicians’ Union (MU) highlights from the Women Chainmakers’ Festival, supported by the MU Midlands Region. Published: 06 July 2017 Read more about The MU at the Women Chainmakers’ Festival
MU Motion to TUC LGBT+ Conference 2017 The Musicians’ Union (MU) is delighted to be taking part in the Trades Union Congress (TUC) LGBT+ Conference once again. This year, the MU’s motion is about mental health. #TUCLGBT Published: 06 July 2017 Read more about MU Motion to TUC LGBT+ Conference 2017
Ask Your MP to Support Free Movement for Musicians Post Brexit #WorkingInTheEU Over 100 MPs and Peers have signed the Musicicians’ Union (MU) pledge to protect musicians’ right to travel freely and easily in the EU. That’s great – but there’s still work to do. Take action now! #WorkingInTheEU Published: 06 July 2017 Read more about Ask Your MP to Support Free Movement for Musicians Post Brexit #WorkingInTheEU
MU Publishes Terrorism Advice For Gigging Musicians A brief guidance sheet for musicians who gig and tour regarding what to do in the case of a terrorist incident at a gig or performance. Published: 05 July 2017 Read more about MU Publishes Terrorism Advice For Gigging Musicians
Take Action for Free Movement in the EU post-Brexit #WorkingInTheEU The Musicians’ Union (MU) is campaigning for musicians’ right to travel freely and easily in the European Union (EU). Published: 12 June 2017 Read more about Take Action for Free Movement in the EU post-Brexit #WorkingInTheEU
Fair Remuneration from Streaming The Musicians’ Union (MU) continues to lobby at the European Union (EU) and UK levels for fair remuneration for performers and songwriters from streaming. Here’s why, and how it affects you. Published: 06 June 2017 Read more about Fair Remuneration from Streaming
MPs & Peers: Please Support Musicians Working in the EU The Musicians’ Union (MU) is calling on MPs to support musicians working in the EU – share the pledge! #WorkingInTheEU Published: 02 June 2017 Read more about MPs & Peers: Please Support Musicians Working in the EU
MU included in The Short Guide to Accessible Music Education The Musicians’ Union (MU) is now included in the latest edition of The Short Guide to Accessible Music Education. Published: 02 June 2017 Read more about MU included in The Short Guide to Accessible Music Education
Trade unionism in action at the Royal Opera House Members of the Royal Opera House Orchestra have voted in favour of taking a lower pay increase for 2016 - to fund an improved pension scheme for new and future colleagues. Published: 31 May 2017 Read more about Trade unionism in action at the Royal Opera House
General Election 2017 The Musicians’ Union (MU) is pleased by many of the policies in the Labour manifesto, and that the Labour Party has acknowledged major concerns that musicians have around Brexit. Published: 31 May 2017 Read more about General Election 2017
Edinburgh’s Studio 24 Closes its Doors Studio 24 has closed its doors after 25 years, with the development of residential flats next to the venue. The Musicians’ Union continues to call and campaign for Agent of Change in Scotland. Published: 30 May 2017 Read more about Edinburgh’s Studio 24 Closes its Doors
Memorial Service for Tom Edwards The memorial service for former bassist and MU Executive Committee member Tom Edwards will be taking place on the afternoon of Friday 2 June at Thornhill Crematorium, Cardiff. Published: 30 May 2017 Read more about Memorial Service for Tom Edwards
Beginner’s Guide to Brexit at The Great Escape Musicians’ Union (MU) Assistant General Secretary Naomi Pohl represented MU members at the Beginner’s Guide to Brexit panel at The Great Escape. Here are some of the highlights… Published: 30 May 2017 Read more about Beginner’s Guide to Brexit at The Great Escape
Save Womanby Street Campaign Victory Save Womanby Street campaigners in Wales have won a significant victory in their battle to protect live music venues, as the Welsh government is set to revise its planning policy in line with the Agent of Change principle. Published: 23 May 2017 Read more about Save Womanby Street Campaign Victory
MU Success at TUC Disabled Workers’ Conference The MU is delighted to have attended the TUC’s Disabled Workers’ Conference, with delegates John and Heidi representing MU members. Published: 19 May 2017 Read more about MU Success at TUC Disabled Workers’ Conference
Air Canada Wins International Federation of Musicians Award Air Canada wins the newly-created FIM Airline of Choice Award for their exemplary policies on musicians travelling with instruments. Published: 19 May 2017 Read more about Air Canada Wins International Federation of Musicians Award
International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia & Biphobia This year, we’re proud to be doing more than ever to support, engage and celebrate our LGBT+ members. Published: 17 May 2017 Read more about International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia & Biphobia
The Musicians’ Union Attends Save Womanby Street March to City Hall Over 1000 people, including a delegation from the Musicians’ Union, attended the highly successful Save Womanby Street march to Cardiff City Hall on Saturday 29 April. Published: 05 May 2017 Read more about The Musicians’ Union Attends Save Womanby Street March to City Hall
MU Success Supporting Precarious Workers at STUC 2017 STUC passes MU motion acknowledging the challenges of the gig economy, how we can better protect independent workers and grow the union movement. Published: 25 April 2017 Read more about MU Success Supporting Precarious Workers at STUC 2017
May Day Marches in Scotland & Northern Ireland Join a May Day March throughout Scotland and Northern Ireland at one of the following locations. Published: 25 April 2017 Read more about May Day Marches in Scotland & Northern Ireland
Midlands TUC Cultural Manifesto The Culture Manifesto aims to achieve a sustainable cultural economy, and provide long term work opportunities for musicians and other creative workers. Published: 24 April 2017 Read more about Midlands TUC Cultural Manifesto
Cardiff AMs call for Agent of Change to save city centre live music Two Cardiff AMs are calling on the Welsh Government to change planning laws in Wales to protect the future of live music venues in the centre of Cardiff. Published: 14 April 2017 Read more about Cardiff AMs call for Agent of Change to save city centre live music
Naomi Pohl becomes the Union's first female Assistant General Secretary Naomi Pohl has been appointed as MU Assistant General Secretary, Music Industry, and becomes the first female to join the Union’s team of senior officials in the Union’s 124-year history. Published: 11 April 2017 Read more about Naomi Pohl becomes the Union's first female Assistant General Secretary
TUC Black Workers Conference Supports Stop Rainbow Racism Campaign TUC Black Workers Conference voted to support the MU’s motion on the Stop Rainbow Racism Campaign and the anti-racism code of practice. Published: 10 April 2017 Read more about TUC Black Workers Conference Supports Stop Rainbow Racism Campaign