News & Stories for Musicians

Cardiff named as the UK's first 'music city'

Music has been placed at the heart of Cardiff’s future with the Welsh capital being officially declared a Music City - the first of its kind in the UK.

Published: 20 December 2017

Effective Negotiation Webinar Highlights

Highlights from the Musicians’ Union (MU) webinar on Effective Negotiation. Find out how to negotiate effectively and creatively so you get the recognition you deserve.

Published: 08 December 2017

Agent of Change Principle on the Agenda in the Scottish Parliament

A ministerial statement on Planning was made at Holyrood on the Tuesday 5 December by Lewis MacDonald MSP in regards to the implementation of the Agent of Change principle in Scotland.

Published: 06 December 2017

Did you sign a recording contract in the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s or 1990s?

The MU is collating case studies of members who have recording agreements that date back to before the emergence of downloads and streaming as the predominant way in which consumers listen to recorded music.

Published: 05 December 2017

Is Brexit Affecting Your Work Already? We Want to Hear From You #WorkingInTheEU

The Musicians’ Union (MU) is fighting to protect free movement for musicians working in the European Union (EU) post-Brexit. We want to hear from you about how Brexit has affected your work plans for 2019 – touring, performing, teaching or studying in the European Union. #WorkingInTheEU

Published: 01 December 2017

Cross-Party Support Grows for Agent of Change Law to Protect Music Venues

Support at Westminster is mounting for a new law to protect music venues – something the Musicians’ Union (MU) has been lobbying for individually and as part of music industry umbrella group UK Music.

Published: 24 November 2017

What To Do When Asked to Work For Free

Surprise, surprise – a trade union talking about fair pay for Young Workers’ Month. But it is a truth (probably) universally acknowledged that musicians will be asked to work for nothing. So what should you do when asked to work for free?

Published: 23 November 2017

Conductor James Rose On His Musical Journey

Conductor James Rose looks back on his musical journey so far, what next, and the cultural and logistical challenges to overcome this UK Disability History Month #UKDHM

Published: 22 November 2017

Celebrating 90 years with BBC National Orchestra of Wales

In the spring of 2018 BBC National Orchestra of Wales celebrates its 90th birthday, and to mark this milestone the orchestra is inviting people to share their stories and experiences.

Published: 21 November 2017

Success for Denbighshire Music Co-operative at the Social Business Wales Awards

The Musicians’ Union (MU) is delighted that Denbighshire Music Co-operative (DMC) has won the ‘One to Watch’ category in the 2017 Social Business Wales Awards.

Published: 20 November 2017

Musicians' Union expresses concern at proposed Wrexham Music Service budget cuts

Withdrawing funding completely without considering how best to create a music service that is sustainable in the long term is a major threat to music provision for young people in Wrexham as well as teachers’ jobs.

Published: 20 November 2017

Sexism and Sexual Harassment in the Music Industry

The MU's Assistant General Secretary Naomi Pohl reports from a meeting with the Nordic Musicians’ Unions, discussing sexism, sexual harassment, abuse and exploitation in the music industry.

Published: 16 November 2017

Joint Statement by the Nordic Musicians' Unions and British Musicians' Union

In Stockholm this week, a meeting of the Nordic Musicians’ Unions (NMU) and British Musicians’ Union (MU) discussed the issue of gender inequality, sexism and sexual harassment. This is what they agreed.

Published: 16 November 2017

Met Police Scraps Form 696

The Musicians’ Union (MU) is delighted that concerns raised by the MU, British Underground, UK Music and other industry bodies as well as countless musicians to the Metropolitan Police have been listened to and form 696 has been scrapped.

Published: 10 November 2017

Bristol Live Music Venue Thekla Under Threat From Nearby Development

The Musicians’ Union (MU) is disheartened to hear of yet another small venue under threat from adjacent development – this time Bristol’s Thekla. #SaveThekla #KeepMusicLive

Published: 09 November 2017

The Value of PR

Vicky Pitchers of VJP Media blogs for the Musicians’ Union (MU) on the value of PR, and how doing PR well can help end the cycle of being asked to work for free this Young Workers’ Month.

Published: 02 November 2017

Scottish Musicians Back MU Free Movement Campaign

The Proclaimers’ Craig and Charlie Reid, Deacon Blue’s Ricky Ross, Idlewild’s Rod Jones, Hue and Cry’s Pat Kane and singer-songwriter Rab Noakes have signed the Musicians’ Union petition calling for free movement for musicians working in the European Union post-Brexit.

Published: 23 October 2017

The MU is Here to Support You If You Face Inappropriate Behaviour at Work

We are here to offer support and guidance if you face sexual harassment, exploitation or abuse at work. If you are an employed or self-employed musician, regardless of which part of the industry you work in, you can talk to us. We will listen.

Published: 19 October 2017

Welcome News for AIR Studios

The Musicians’ Union (MU) is delighted that AIR Studios in Hampstead, London, may be another step closer to winning its battle to prevent a neighbouring basement excavation.

Published: 17 October 2017

Musical Instrument Exemption Included in Government Consultation on Ivory Ban

The Musicians’ Union (MU) has been working closely with industry partners and the International Federation for Animal Welfare to ensure a musical instrument exemption is in place.

Published: 17 October 2017

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

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

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

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

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

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

Musicians need to travel freely and easily graphic

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

Kevin Brennan MP supports free movement for musicians working in the EU

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

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

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

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

musician on stage playing electric guitar

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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All News and Features

Cardiff named as the UK's first 'music city'

Effective Negotiation Webinar Highlights

Agent of Change Principle on the Agenda in the Scottish Parliament

Did you sign a recording contract in the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s or 1990s?

Is Brexit Affecting Your Work Already? We Want to Hear From You #WorkingInTheEU

Cross-Party Support Grows for Agent of Change Law to Protect Music Venues

What To Do When Asked to Work For Free

Conductor James Rose On His Musical Journey

Celebrating 90 years with BBC National Orchestra of Wales

Success for Denbighshire Music Co-operative at the Social Business Wales Awards

Musicians' Union expresses concern at proposed Wrexham Music Service budget cuts

Sexism and Sexual Harassment in the Music Industry

Joint Statement by the Nordic Musicians' Unions and British Musicians' Union

Met Police Scraps Form 696

Bristol Live Music Venue Thekla Under Threat From Nearby Development

The Value of PR

Scottish Musicians Back MU Free Movement Campaign

The MU is Here to Support You If You Face Inappropriate Behaviour at Work​

Welcome News for AIR Studios

Musical Instrument Exemption Included in Government Consultation on Ivory Ban

Victory for Womanby Street Campaigners

MU Welcomes New UK Recording for UK Tour of War Horse

Black History Month #BHM2017

MU Report Highlights Challenges Faced by Music Teachers

Representing Women in Festival Line-Ups

Musicians' Union expresses dismay at European Union Youth Orchestra’s decision to leave London

Another Orchestra is Leaving the UK because of Brexit

Sign the Petition for Free Movement for Musicians post-Brexit #WorkingInTheEU

Sign the Petition to Reverse Ban on Musicians at St. Sepulchre's

Planning Hearing to Determine AIR Studios’ Future – Show Your Support

The Quick Guide to MU Conference

MU Fair Play Venue Scheme Signs Up 100th Grassroots Venue

Highlights From the TUC LGBT+ Conference

Writing a Biog for Your Band with The Unsigned Guide

Carrabinos Score Vital Court Victory For Musicians

Addressing the Streaming ‘Value Gap’ in 2017

The MU at the Women Chainmakers’ Festival

MU Motion to TUC LGBT+ Conference 2017

Ask Your MP to Support Free Movement for Musicians Post Brexit #WorkingInTheEU

MU Publishes Terrorism Advice For Gigging Musicians

The MU is Here to Support You If You Face Inappropriate Behaviour at Work