News & Stories for Musicians

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Westminster on a sunny day viewed through railings

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

Save Womanby Street march to Cardiff City Hall

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

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

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

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

Delegation from the MU at the Save Womanby Street march to Cardiff City Hall

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Save Stephen Campaign Raising Money to Help Musician Beat Cancer

Musician Stephen Sykes was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma in February 2016. Donate via GoFundMe ot sign up to be a potential blood stem cell donor.

Published: 10 April 2017

MU success at TUC Young Workers’ Conference

TUC Young Workers’ Conference supports MU motion on protecting freelance workers.

Published: 07 April 2017

Music industry lobby government over Ivory Ban

An exemption for musical instruments has been proposed to the planned ivory ban, which will be under consultation in April.

Published: 07 April 2017

Management Agreement Launched for New Artists and Managers

The MU has joined forces with FAC and the MMF to create an example management agreement for use by newer artists and managers entering the industry.

Published: 31 March 2017

MU responds to Planning Application Adjacent to Iconic Cardiff Venue

The MU has written to Cardiff Council expressing its concern over a planning application that puts iconic live music venue Clwb Ifor Bach at risk.

Published: 31 March 2017

Support Our Dirty Dancing Campaign on World Theatre Day

MU members and live theatre fans are continuing to protest the current touring production Dirty Dancing. Support the campaign #KeepMusicLive

Published: 27 March 2017

Horace Trubridge wins MU General Secretary election

Horace Trubridge has today been confirmed as the next General Secretary of the Musicians’ Union (MU).

Published: 27 March 2017

MU welcomes NUT/ATL merger

The Musicians' Union (MU) looks forward to working with the new National Education Union (NEU) - the union formed by the NUT and ATL.

Published: 22 March 2017

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All News and Features

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

Take Action for Free Movement in the EU post-Brexit #WorkingInTheEU

Fair Remuneration from Streaming

MPs & Peers: Please Support Musicians Working in the EU

MU included in The Short Guide to Accessible Music Education

Trade unionism in action at the Royal Opera House

General Election 2017

Edinburgh’s Studio 24 Closes its Doors

Memorial Service for Tom Edwards

Beginner’s Guide to Brexit at The Great Escape

Save Womanby Street Campaign Victory

MU Success at TUC Disabled Workers’ Conference

Air Canada Wins International Federation of Musicians Award

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia & Biphobia

The Musicians’ Union Attends Save Womanby Street March to City Hall

MU Success Supporting Precarious Workers at STUC 2017

May Day Marches in Scotland & Northern Ireland

Midlands TUC Cultural Manifesto

Cardiff AMs call for Agent of Change to save city centre live music

Naomi Pohl becomes the Union's first female Assistant General Secretary

TUC Black Workers Conference Supports Stop Rainbow Racism Campaign

Save Stephen Campaign Raising Money to Help Musician Beat Cancer

MU success at TUC Young Workers’ Conference

Music industry lobby government over Ivory Ban

Management Agreement Launched for New Artists and Managers

MU responds to Planning Application Adjacent to Iconic Cardiff Venue

Support Our Dirty Dancing Campaign on World Theatre Day

Horace Trubridge wins MU General Secretary election

MU welcomes NUT/ATL merger