News & Stories for Musicians

Increase in National Insurance (NI) contributions for the self-employed announced

The Musicians’ Union (MU) will be arguing against measures announced in today’s budget that will see National Insurance Contributions by the self-employed rise.

Published: 08 March 2017

It’s Our NHS – a view from the demo

MU Midlands Organiser Stephen Brown shares his experience marching for the NHS and why all MU members should care about the fight to save our national health service from further cuts.

Published: 07 March 2017

BBC invests more in Scotland and Wales

The BBC has announced a new TV channel in Scotland and an extra £8.5m a year in English language television programmes for Wales.

Published: 02 March 2017

MU Supports WASPI Campaign

Are you a woman born in the 1950s? You may have been detrimentally affected by the 2011 Pension Act. WASPI is campaigning for fairer treatment.

Published: 02 March 2017

MU welcomes £1m National Endowment for Music Fund announced by the Welsh Government

The Welsh Government has announced a new £1m endowment fund to encourage more children to become musicians. This is very welcome news.

Published: 16 February 2017

Heart Unions Week: I've been a member of the MU for 10 years

To celebrate Heart Unions Week, we asked MU members what the Union means to them. Share the love using the hashtag #HeartUnions

Published: 13 February 2017

Heart Unions Week: “By standing together we can realise a future we can be proud of”

To celebrate Heart Unions Week, we asked MU members what the Union means to them. Share the love using the hashtag #HeartUnions

Published: 10 February 2017

Heart Unions Week: “Being involved in the Musicians' Union means that my voice is heard”

To celebrate Heart Unions Week, we asked MU members what the Union means to them. Share the love using the hashtag #HeartUnions

Published: 09 February 2017

Heart Unions Week: “Working together can take us all forwards”

To celebrate Heart Unions Week, we asked MU members what the Union means to them. Share the love using the hashtag #HeartUnions

Published: 08 February 2017

New Emissions Surcharge to be introduced in London

London mayor responds to the consultation on proposals to tackle air quality in London.

Published: 05 February 2017

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

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All News and Features

Increase in National Insurance (NI) contributions for the self-employed announced

It’s Our NHS – a view from the demo

BBC invests more in Scotland and Wales

MU Supports WASPI Campaign

MU welcomes £1m National Endowment for Music Fund announced by the Welsh Government

Heart Unions Week: I've been a member of the MU for 10 years

Heart Unions Week: “By standing together we can realise a future we can be proud of”

Heart Unions Week: “Being involved in the Musicians' Union means that my voice is heard”

Heart Unions Week: “Working together can take us all forwards”

New Emissions Surcharge to be introduced in London

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"