News & Stories for Musicians

Not Alone – Trade Union and Co-operative Solutions for Self-employed Workers

Pat Conaty, of Co-operatives UK, explores the role trade unions can play in support of the co-operative movement.

Published: 12 April 2016

Music for Youth National Partnership Award Winners

As part of the Union’s work supporting Music for Youth, the MU sponsors a National Partnership Award. Find out what the 2015 winners got up to.

Published: 12 April 2016

MU position on Europe

The MU has reaffirmed its support for Britain remaining part of the European Union.

Published: 04 April 2016

MU statement on the situation at the ENO

The MU expresses its dismay and disappointment regarding the news that Mark Wigglesworth has decided he is unable to continue as English National Opera Music Director.

Published: 29 March 2016

Essential Guide to Music Funding 2016

The Unsigned Guide’s Essential Guide to Music Funding 2016 features contributions from the MU, PRS for Music, Help Musicians UK, Arts Council England and more.

Published: 24 March 2016

Attitude is Everything State of Access Report 2016

Simple changes to online information provision could drastically improve the experiences of Deaf and disabled venue and festival goers, shows new report.

Published: 17 March 2016

Portrait of Rita Ray at Women in Music Panel

Women in Music Panel Offer Their Advice for #IWD2016

We asked each member of our International Women’s Day, Women in Music panel for the one piece of advice they would offer women working in the industry.

Published: 16 March 2016

Entertainment Unions Launch Alternative Vision for BBC

The Federation of Entertainment Unions (FEU) is launching its BBC Alternative White Paper in Parliament today (Tuesday 15 March).

Published: 15 March 2016

Jote Osahn, Rebecca Pickles and Sara Lowes at Women in Music panel

Women in Music #IWD2016

Highlights from our International Women’s Day panel on the challenges facing women in the music industry, and how we can overcome them.

Published: 14 March 2016

Music industry campaign prompts action from Government to help protect UK music venues

UK Music, Music Venue Trust and Musicians’ Union welcome new Government legislation to protect music venues.

Published: 14 March 2016

Bristol Live Music Census 2015

Live music generated £123 million for the local Bristol economy in 2015, but many venues are under threat.

Published: 07 March 2016

Let’s Talk About Co-Operatives!

Across the country, co-operatives are saving jobs, providing work and furthering careers. We asked a panel of experts how a co-op could help you.

Published: 02 March 2016

We Need to Talk About LGBT Venues!

Highlights from our LGBT History Month panel discussion on the future of LGBT venues.

Published: 05 February 2016

Live music venues under threat in Aberdeen

Sign the petition to support Aberdeen venues and call on the City Council to adopt the Agent of Change principle.

Published: 03 February 2016

Creative industries worth almost £10 million an hour to economy

UK’s Creative Industries are worth £84.1 billion a year to the UK economy, according to DCMS figures.

Published: 27 January 2016

Working for Longer

It is difficult to talk about health and wellbeing without touching on some difficult questions. We put some of those to the panel at our Orchestra Section Conference.

Published: 21 January 2016

Trade Union Bill in the House of Lords

Over the next few weeks the House of Lords will be discussing the Trade Union Bill, which amongst other things threatens the basic right to strike.

Published: 21 January 2016

MU supporting Bacc for the Future campaign

The MU is joining forces with 160 other organisations to protest against plans to make the British Baccalaureate virtually compulsory and further restrict the chances for young people to study creative subjects.

Published: 18 January 2016

Sustainable Orchestras: Securing the Future

Is there a long-term, sustainable model for financing an orchestra? Find out what the panel had to say at our first ever Orchestra Section Conference.

Published: 14 January 2016

FIM update: European regulation on air passengers’ rights

FIM is calling for musicians’ unions worldwide to put pressure on governments to support musicians flying with instruments, and will be asking musicians to get involved.

Published: 12 January 2016

The MU Pays Tribute to David Bowie

It is with great sadness that we learned about the death of David Bowie, a lifelong MU member and music legend.

Published: 11 January 2016

Disabled Artists Survey: what did we learn?

How easy is it for disabled musicians to do their job? The Musicians’ Union and Attitude is Everything investigate.

Published: 16 December 2015

#YWM15: How to Pitch for Work

Tips on how to pitch for work effectively, taken from our Young Workers’ Month ‘Get the best deal’ workshop.

Published: 26 November 2015

Insight Presentations: Artist Branding

Artist branding tips from Mr. Scruff manager Gary McClarnan.

Published: 24 November 2015

#YWM15: Starting out as a Freelance

Tips on how to get work and build relationships with the people you want to work with.

Published: 23 November 2015

Insight Presentations: Playlisting Strategies

Sammy Andrews considers playlists and playlisting strategies to get your music out there.

Published: 19 November 2015

Recommended Rates & How We Set Them

This Young Workers' Month (#YWM15), one of the issues we are talking about is pay.

Published: 10 November 2015

Tributes to Len Worsley

Tributes to Len Worsley, 29 June 1925 – 15 October 2015.

Published: 31 October 2015

Hague Court of Appeal: CBA applicable to freelance musicians

The Hague Court of Appeal this week struck down a ruling that would have put collective bargaining agreements covering freelance orchestral musicians across Europe under threat.

Published: 17 September 2015

Frances O’Grady at #MUconference: "Together we will win"

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady spoke to members at the MU Delegate Conference about the power of being in a union and the challenges facing us all.

Published: 30 July 2015

Never has collective strength been more important #MUconference

Jo Dipple, CEO of UK Music, spoke to members at the MU’s 36th Delegate Conference about our private copying exception win and the value of collective action.

Published: 27 July 2015

John Smith announced as new Chairman of PPL

John Smith, General Secretary of the Musicians’ Union (MU) and President of the International Federation of Musicians (FIM), will succeed Fran Nevrkla OBE as Chairman of PPL (which is a part-time position) on 1 January 2016.

Published: 22 July 2015

MU endorses Burnham and Flint

The Musicians' Union (MU) has today decided to endorse Andy Burnham for Labour Party leader and Caroline Flint for deputy.

Published: 20 July 2015

Private Copying Exception FAQ

Why the MU challenged the private copying exception and what next?

Published: 20 July 2015

Graphic Equaliser with red and green lights

Private Copying Regulations Quashed by High Court

MU delighted at today’s High Court decision to quash the Government’s private copying exception.

Published: 17 July 2015

MU joins debate on streaming services and remuneration for artists

The MU has joined the debate about streaming services and remuneration for artists that was recently highlighted by the row between Taylor Swift and Apple Music.

Published: 16 July 2015

Frances O'Grady speaking into microphone

MU condemns ‘unnecessary’ Trade Union Bill

The Government has now published its Trade Union Bill, which includes plans to criminalise picketing, permit employers to hire strike-breaking agency staff and a requirement that at least 40% of those asked to vote support the strike in most key public services.