News & Stories for Musicians

MU announces election for General Secretary

The Musicians’ Union’s (MU) General Secretary, John Smith, is to stand down in July 2017 after 15 years in office. The process for electing a new MU General Secretary is currently underway.

Published: 04 February 2017

MU Discusses Dirty Dancing’s ‘Dirty Dealing’ on BBC Radio Coventry & Warwickshire

MU Midlands Organiser Stephen Brown discussed Dirty Dancing’s ‘dirty dealing’ on The Breakfast Show with Trish Adudu, BBC Radio Coventry & Warwickshire.

Published: 30 January 2017

What the Fair Play Venue Scheme Means to Independent Venues

To celebrate Independent Venue Week, we asked some of our Fair Play Venues why they signed up and what the Fair Play Venue Scheme means to them.

Published: 27 January 2017

John Shortell leads the LGBT History Month Panel Discussion Panel

We Need to Talk About LGBT Venues! What Happened Next…

In 2016, we hosted a panel examining recent closures of LGBT venues and what we could do to preserve them in the future. A year on, things are beginning to change.

Published: 26 January 2017

Why we’re Supporting Independent Venue Week 2017

IVW is a seven-day celebration of small music venues around the UK, and the MU is proud to be involved once again. Here’s why.

Published: 23 January 2017

Coventry music teachers made redundant

The MU has expressed its dismay at Coventry Council’s decision to make all of its peripatetic music teachers redundant from April this year.

Published: 18 January 2017

Musicians’ Union Supports Independent Venue Week

Independent Venue Week is a seven-day celebration of small music venues around the UK, and the Musicians’ Union is proud to be involved once again.

Published: 17 January 2017

Workforce Diversity in the British Music Industry

UK Music published results of its first pan-industry workforce diversity survey of the music industry focusing on ethnicity and gender.

Published: 17 January 2017

MU Gives Evidence on Licensing Act

Government opposes Licensing Act proposal to acknowledge cultural benefit of live music – MU responds.

Published: 19 December 2016

One Day Without Us – Campaign to Support Migrants

A number of MU members are supporting the One Day Without Us campaign, which is celebrating the contribution of migrants in the UK.

Published: 18 December 2016

Sign the Petition Calling for a Law to Force Employers to Pay Freelancers on Time

Sign this petition calling for a law to force employers to pay on time for freelance / contractual work.

Published: 15 December 2016

Disability History Month: Lizzie Emeh & Heart n Soul

Lizzie Emeh shares her experience working with Heart n Soul, a creative arts charity in South London that believes in the talents and power of people with learning disabilities.

Published: 15 December 2016

Amplify accessible music production course participants

Disability History Month: Drake Music

Drake Music discusses using creativity and technology to overcome barriers and create new opportunities for music this Disability History Month.

Published: 15 December 2016

Group of young musicians with physical disabilities playing various instruments

Disability History Month: The OHMI Trust

The OHMI Trust discusses removing the barriers to music-making for people with physical disabilities this Disability History Month.

Published: 13 December 2016

Performers call on European legislators to ensure fair treatment of performers in the digital world

The Fair Internet campaign is calling on the European Commission to reconsider weak proposals in the current draft Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market.

Published: 09 December 2016

Disability History Month: Heidi McGeough

Heidi McGeough shares her experiences as a singer/songwriter and a registered blind guide dog owner, this Disability History Month.

Published: 08 December 2016

Positive developments for musicians travelling overseas with their instruments

Music industry welcomes CITES update that makes it easier for musicians to travel with their instruments.

Published: 05 December 2016

Have Your Say on Extra £10 Emission Charge on Older Vehicles in London

Have your say on the Mayor of London’s proposal to charge older/more polluting vehicles an extra £10 per day whilst in the congestion charging zone.

Published: 01 December 2016

Get Noticed! CV / Profile Workshop Highlights

To celebrate Young Workers’ Month, the Musicians’ Union (MU) hosted ‘Get Noticed!’, a CV / profile boosting workshop led by FEU Training. Here are some of the highlights.

Published: 30 November 2016

International Showcase Fund Now Available for Scottish Artists

PRS for Music Foundation and Creative Scotland partnership opens International Showcase Fund to Scottish bands for the first time.

Published: 25 November 2016

New £45million Edinburgh Live Music Venue

Plans are underway to build a new £45million venue in the heart of Edinburgh New Town.

Published: 25 November 2016

MU Welcomes London Night Czar Appointment

The MU offers its congratulations to Amy Lamé on her new role as London’s Night Czar.

Published: 25 November 2016

We Need Musicians’ Loading Zones to Keep Music Live

New research shows parking restrictions are putting live music in towns and cities at risk. That’s why the Musicians’ Union (MU) is calling for Musicians’ Loading Zones to keep music live.

Published: 24 November 2016

Therapy in Musical Expression band performing

Disability History Month: Therapy in Musical Expression

Essex-based music service T.I.M.E. provides opportunities for musical expression to all.

Published: 22 November 2016

MU Responds to Government Announcement of Continued Music Education Hub Investment

This announcement provides welcome relief to those working in music education. However, it does not redress Local Authority cuts or the sidelining of music education in the curriculum.

Published: 18 November 2016

“It’s Your Chance to be Directly Part of a Governing Body and Help Create Change for the Better”

Natalie Witts-Kilshaw on why she joined the MU as a member.

Published: 16 November 2016

"Let's Be Voices For the Future and Make Change Happen"

Diljeet Bhachu talks about the MU and welcomes young musicians in the MU to make change happen.

Published: 16 November 2016

Image of studio microphone on red background

Freelancers are Losing £5k a Year to Free Work

This Young Workers’ Month, we look at the stats on working for no fee in the creative industries and how young musicians can protect themselves.

Published: 14 November 2016

Join the Fight for Live Music in Theatre

This Young Workers’ Month (#YWM16), MU members and live music fans will be protesting outside Dirty Dancing showings across the UK. Here’s why, and why it matters to you.

Published: 04 November 2016

Rebekah Ubuntu: “Without the MU, the Music Industry Would Be a Confusing Dispersed Abyss"

Performance artist and musician Rebekah Ubuntu explains how she benefits from being a member of the MU.

Published: 02 November 2016

Sherika Sherard at home with music equipment

Sherika Sherard: "Joining the MU Made Me Feel Protected"

Singer-songwriter Sherika Sherard shares why she joined the Union, and how it feels to be an MU member.

Published: 26 October 2016

Image of the Diversity in Orchestras Debate

We Need to Talk About Diversity in Orchestras

Almost 15% of our population identify as Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, but do our orchestras reflect this? Catch up with the highlights of our Black History Month panel.

Published: 24 October 2016

Upcoming Dirty Dancing Protests in the Midlands

Join MU members demonstrating in support of live music prior to performances of Dirty Dancing in Northampton, Stoke-on-Trent and Wolverhampton. Keep music live!

Published: 24 October 2016

Singer-songwriter Nadine Wild-Palmer: "If you are serious enough to invest in your career, The MU is a great place to start!"

Nadine Wild-Palmer shares how she found her voice, and how the Musicians' Union has supported her and her career.

Published: 20 October 2016

Why I joined the MU: Abi Jenaé

Abi Jenaé shares why she joined the Musicians’ Union, and how the Union has supported her career, in celebration of Black History Month.

Published: 17 October 2016

London Drum Show, Olympia, discounted ticket offer

The London Drum Show returns to London’s Olympia once more this year and MU members can benefit from a discounted advance ticket offer.

Published: 12 October 2016

MU fighting for musicians’ rights in the lead up to Brexit

As the Government now works towards Brexit, we would like to reassure members that we are doing everything in our power to protect musicians’ rights.

Published: 12 October 2016

Music is Audible in Edinburgh

We are delighted to report that the City of Edinburgh Council Licensing Board has agreed to revise the wording of the notorious ‘inaudibility’ clause.

Published: 10 October 2016

MU to Protest Dirty Dancing's ‘Dirty Dealing' - Aylesbury

The Musicians’ Union (MU) is holding a demonstration in support of live music in theatres, in Aylesbury, on Monday 19 September at 6pm.

Published: 16 September 2016

March to Save Passing Clouds from Closure

March with over 2000 people against the closure of Passing Clouds, a renowned multicultural live music venue in London.

Published: 15 September 2016

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MU announces election for General Secretary

MU Discusses Dirty Dancing’s ‘Dirty Dealing’ on BBC Radio Coventry & Warwickshire

What the Fair Play Venue Scheme Means to Independent Venues

We Need to Talk About LGBT Venues! What Happened Next…

Why we’re Supporting Independent Venue Week 2017

Coventry music teachers made redundant

Musicians’ Union Supports Independent Venue Week

Workforce Diversity in the British Music Industry

MU Gives Evidence on Licensing Act

One Day Without Us – Campaign to Support Migrants

Sign the Petition Calling for a Law to Force Employers to Pay Freelancers on Time

Disability History Month: Lizzie Emeh & Heart n Soul

Disability History Month: Drake Music

Disability History Month: The OHMI Trust

Performers call on European legislators to ensure fair treatment of performers in the digital world

Disability History Month: Heidi McGeough

Positive developments for musicians travelling overseas with their instruments

Have Your Say on Extra £10 Emission Charge on Older Vehicles in London

Get Noticed! CV / Profile Workshop Highlights

International Showcase Fund Now Available for Scottish Artists

New £45million Edinburgh Live Music Venue

MU Welcomes London Night Czar Appointment

We Need Musicians’ Loading Zones to Keep Music Live

Disability History Month: Therapy in Musical Expression

MU Responds to Government Announcement of Continued Music Education Hub Investment

“It’s Your Chance to be Directly Part of a Governing Body and Help Create Change for the Better”

"Let's Be Voices For the Future and Make Change Happen"

Freelancers are Losing £5k a Year to Free Work

Join the Fight for Live Music in Theatre

Rebekah Ubuntu: “Without the MU, the Music Industry Would Be a Confusing Dispersed Abyss"

Sherika Sherard: "Joining the MU Made Me Feel Protected"

We Need to Talk About Diversity in Orchestras

Upcoming Dirty Dancing Protests in the Midlands

Singer-songwriter Nadine Wild-Palmer: "If you are serious enough to invest in your career, The MU is a great place to start!"

Why I joined the MU: Abi Jenaé

London Drum Show, Olympia, discounted ticket offer

MU fighting for musicians’ rights in the lead up to Brexit

Music is Audible in Edinburgh

MU to Protest Dirty Dancing's ‘Dirty Dealing' - Aylesbury

March to Save Passing Clouds from Closure