Working as a Live Performer Everything you need to know about performing live, across a wide range of venues and locations. Last updated: 15 April 2026 The MU is here to support live musicians and performers across the music industry. We can help you to make the most of your gigs and assist in fixing any problems you might come up against along the way. We are also big supporters of the grassroots live music scene and recommend that all musicians check out our Fair Play Venue list featuring the best small music venues that treat gigging musicians fairly. Be selective with your live engagement offers and arrange to play gigs where you can attract a suitable audience. Browse for MU quick guides to help your gigging career. Live guides Last updated: 16 October 2020 Fair Play Guide guide Read more about Fair Play Guide Last updated: 16 October 2020 Engagement Booking for Unsigned and Emerging Artists guide Read more about Engagement Booking for Unsigned and Emerging Artists Last updated: 19 October 2020 Performing and Touring with Featured Artists guide Read more about Performing and Touring with Featured Artists Last updated: 25 February 2022 The Unsigned Guide’s Essential Guide to Music Funding guide Member only Read more about The Unsigned Guide’s Essential Guide to Music Funding Last updated: 19 October 2020 A Young Freelancer's Guide to Mental Health and the Music Industry guide Read more about A Young Freelancer's Guide to Mental Health and the Music Industry Last updated: 11 June 2025 Emerging and Independent Artists’ Festival Code of Conduct guide Read more about Emerging and Independent Artists’ Festival Code of Conduct Last updated: 05 December 2023 Eurostar Luggage Office Maps guide Read more about Eurostar Luggage Office Maps Last updated: 25 February 2022 The Unsigned Guide’s Essential Guide to Music Funding guide Member only Read more about The Unsigned Guide’s Essential Guide to Music Funding Last updated: 19 October 2020 Performing and Touring with Featured Artists guide Read more about Performing and Touring with Featured Artists Member benefits for live musicians Access Expert Contract Advice The MU can help you make sure the contract you sign is fair and includes all of the necessary clauses Read more about Access Expert Contract Advice Receive £10m in Public Liability Insurance Protection against legal liability for damages following injury to a third party person or damage to property at work Read more about Receive £10m in Public Liability Insurance Get Legal Advice for Bands Protect yourself and your band mates with our Partnership Advisory Service. Read more about Get Legal Advice for Bands Protect Your Hearing Health Access musician-specialist audiologists and bespoke hearing protection at an affordable price Read more about Protect Your Hearing Health Recover Unpaid Fees Advice on how to approach an engager, legal assistance and more Read more about Recover Unpaid Fees Get £3K Cover for Your Instruments or Equipment MU members can protect their music instruments and equipment anywhere in the world Read more about Get £3K Cover for Your Instruments or Equipment Contact the Musicians' Union today The MU has a network of experienced teams available to help musicians in all areas of the industry. If you have any questions about our services, membership or how the MU could help you, please don't hesitate to get in touch. Contact the MU Find a Fair Play Venue Browse grassroots music venues where musicians can be sure of securing a fair deal. The Black Box An arts venue with two rooms for hire, The Black Box with standing capacity of 240 and The Green Room with capacity for 60 standing and 45 seated. Belfast Read more about The Black Box The Deer's Head Music Hall A 200-capacity venue hosting a wide variety of live events, situated on the first floor of a historic and characterful brewpub. Belfast Read more about The Deer's Head Music Hall The Court House A 200 capacity, central independent venue, which offers paid weekly or monthly residencies, support and headline slots. Bangor Read more about The Court House Nerve Centre A multi-functional creative media arts centre, with 550-capacity music venue and lounge. Derry Read more about Nerve Centre Oh Yeah Music Centre A 300 capacity live venue for hire with rehearsal studio. Belfast Read more about Oh Yeah Music Centre The Pavilion Bar A 160-capacity venue available for gigs and functions, with opportunities for musicians to participate in battle of the band competitions. Belfast Read more about The Pavilion Bar The MAC A cultural hub and arts centre with two seated theatre spaces to hire, with capacities of 118 and 343. Belfast Read more about The MAC New Gate Arts & Culture Centre An intimate venue in Derry with 150 capacity, hosting live music in a range of genres. Derry Read more about New Gate Arts & Culture Centre See all venues
Last updated: 16 October 2020 Engagement Booking for Unsigned and Emerging Artists guide Read more about Engagement Booking for Unsigned and Emerging Artists
Last updated: 19 October 2020 Performing and Touring with Featured Artists guide Read more about Performing and Touring with Featured Artists
Last updated: 25 February 2022 The Unsigned Guide’s Essential Guide to Music Funding guide Member only Read more about The Unsigned Guide’s Essential Guide to Music Funding
Last updated: 19 October 2020 A Young Freelancer's Guide to Mental Health and the Music Industry guide Read more about A Young Freelancer's Guide to Mental Health and the Music Industry
Last updated: 11 June 2025 Emerging and Independent Artists’ Festival Code of Conduct guide Read more about Emerging and Independent Artists’ Festival Code of Conduct
Last updated: 05 December 2023 Eurostar Luggage Office Maps guide Read more about Eurostar Luggage Office Maps
Last updated: 25 February 2022 The Unsigned Guide’s Essential Guide to Music Funding guide Member only Read more about The Unsigned Guide’s Essential Guide to Music Funding
Last updated: 19 October 2020 Performing and Touring with Featured Artists guide Read more about Performing and Touring with Featured Artists
Access Expert Contract Advice The MU can help you make sure the contract you sign is fair and includes all of the necessary clauses Read more about Access Expert Contract Advice
Receive £10m in Public Liability Insurance Protection against legal liability for damages following injury to a third party person or damage to property at work Read more about Receive £10m in Public Liability Insurance
Get Legal Advice for Bands Protect yourself and your band mates with our Partnership Advisory Service. Read more about Get Legal Advice for Bands
Protect Your Hearing Health Access musician-specialist audiologists and bespoke hearing protection at an affordable price Read more about Protect Your Hearing Health
Recover Unpaid Fees Advice on how to approach an engager, legal assistance and more Read more about Recover Unpaid Fees
Get £3K Cover for Your Instruments or Equipment MU members can protect their music instruments and equipment anywhere in the world Read more about Get £3K Cover for Your Instruments or Equipment
The Black Box An arts venue with two rooms for hire, The Black Box with standing capacity of 240 and The Green Room with capacity for 60 standing and 45 seated. Belfast Read more about The Black Box
The Deer's Head Music Hall A 200-capacity venue hosting a wide variety of live events, situated on the first floor of a historic and characterful brewpub. Belfast Read more about The Deer's Head Music Hall
The Court House A 200 capacity, central independent venue, which offers paid weekly or monthly residencies, support and headline slots. Bangor Read more about The Court House
Nerve Centre A multi-functional creative media arts centre, with 550-capacity music venue and lounge. Derry Read more about Nerve Centre
Oh Yeah Music Centre A 300 capacity live venue for hire with rehearsal studio. Belfast Read more about Oh Yeah Music Centre
The Pavilion Bar A 160-capacity venue available for gigs and functions, with opportunities for musicians to participate in battle of the band competitions. Belfast Read more about The Pavilion Bar
The MAC A cultural hub and arts centre with two seated theatre spaces to hire, with capacities of 118 and 343. Belfast Read more about The MAC
New Gate Arts & Culture Centre An intimate venue in Derry with 150 capacity, hosting live music in a range of genres. Derry Read more about New Gate Arts & Culture Centre