skip to main content

Fair Play Venue Scheme

Whether you’re planning a tour or looking for venues in your area, finding places to play where musicians can be certain of getting a fair deal can be a trial and error exercise, and difficult to research.

Last updated: 13 September 2023

What is the MU Fair Play Venue Scheme?

The MU’s Fair Play Scheme was set up as a response to concerns from MU members about the poor treatment and pay that many musicians were experiencing when performing in grassroots venues. We invite independent music venues to declare their support for the fair treatment of musicians and their opposition to pay-to-play and unfair ticketing deals by signing up to the Fair Play Scheme.

A music venue may be considered a Fair Play Venue if it endorses the principles of our Fair Play Guide. The Fair Play Guide offers advice to musicians on co-promotions, ticketing deals, showcases and competitions so that musicians can identify when a deal is fair.

Find out more information for venues on why and how to become a Fair Play Venue.

How can musicians find a grassroots music venue that is part of a Fair Play Venue Scheme?

Fair Play Venues can be identified by the sticker displayed on the premises. Musicians can also search for Fair Play Venues online in your area, read about the kind of music they promote and find out how you go about getting a gig.

Browse Fair Play Venues

If you’ve been booked to perform at a Fair Play Venue recently please get in touch and let us know how you got on, particularly if you need any help or advice from us as your Union. You can email us at live@themu.org.

Have you played at a venue that's not on the Fair Play Venue list?

If you have played a gig that went well, at a venue where you were treated fairly and had a positive experience, let us know about the venue and who runs it.

If you would like to nominate a venue to be added to the Fair Play Venue database, email us at live@theMU.org.

Nominate a Fair Play Venue

Fair Play on Tour events for gigging musicians

Find a Fair Play Venue

Village Underground

A medium-sized venue which prides itself on programming artists from around the world and across different genres.

London
Read more about Village Underground

Troubadour

A historic, intimate venue offering emerging musicians a chance to showcase their burgeoning talent.

London
Read more about Troubadour

Trinity Bar

Live music venue and late night bar in Harrow, North West London. Welcoming live music of any genre.

London
Read more about Trinity Bar

Tower of Song

An artist-run venue with music to suit all tastes and each night of the week has a different theme.

Birmingham
Read more about Tower of Song

Toulouse Lautrec

Small to medium sized venue consisting of two music rooms with a piano bar for jazz soloists and duos.

London
Read more about Toulouse Lautrec

Thekla

A medium city centre venue that was once a cargo ship with live music and club nights throughout the week.

Bristol
Read more about Thekla

The Windmill

An independent live music venue which aims to put on quality live music seven nights a week.

London
Read more about The Windmill