Working as a Live Performer Everything you need to know about performing live, across a wide range of venues and locations. Last updated: 13 March 2024 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: 05 June 2023 Guide for Musicians With Pernambuco Bows guide Read more about Guide for Musicians With Pernambuco Bows 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: 03 April 2024 Flowchart Guide to Working in Europe guide Read more about Flowchart Guide to Working in Europe 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: 19 October 2020 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. Bristol Beacon A music charity, renowned venue and music education hub, with 2,124 capacity over four performance spaces. Bristol Read more about Bristol Beacon The Sound Lounge A 120 (mixed seated and standing) capacity venue for roots music, with full backline in Surrey. Surrey Read more about The Sound Lounge Esquires A multifunctional live music venue with a capacity of 280 in the main room, and 180 in the smaller room. Bedford Read more about Esquires The Artful Dodger A small, 60-capacity venue in York for local and national bands to perform intimate, acoustic sets. York Read more about The Artful Dodger Bush Hall Music A 400 capacity venue in Shepherd's Bush hosting a range of live music throughout the week. London Read more about Bush Hall Music The Studio Widnes A 300 capacity community arts venue featuring global music headliners and showcases for original music. Widnes Read more about The Studio Widnes SEALL A rural performing arts promoter which works across different venues on the Isle of Skye. Isle of Skye Read more about SEALL The Met A centre of live music incorporating two performance spaces, a restaurant and a recording studio. Manchester Read more about The Met 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: 05 June 2023 Guide for Musicians With Pernambuco Bows guide Read more about Guide for Musicians With Pernambuco Bows
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: 03 April 2024 Flowchart Guide to Working in Europe guide Read more about Flowchart Guide to Working in Europe
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: 19 October 2020 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
Bristol Beacon A music charity, renowned venue and music education hub, with 2,124 capacity over four performance spaces. Bristol Read more about Bristol Beacon
The Sound Lounge A 120 (mixed seated and standing) capacity venue for roots music, with full backline in Surrey. Surrey Read more about The Sound Lounge
Esquires A multifunctional live music venue with a capacity of 280 in the main room, and 180 in the smaller room. Bedford Read more about Esquires
The Artful Dodger A small, 60-capacity venue in York for local and national bands to perform intimate, acoustic sets. York Read more about The Artful Dodger
Bush Hall Music A 400 capacity venue in Shepherd's Bush hosting a range of live music throughout the week. London Read more about Bush Hall Music
The Studio Widnes A 300 capacity community arts venue featuring global music headliners and showcases for original music. Widnes Read more about The Studio Widnes
SEALL A rural performing arts promoter which works across different venues on the Isle of Skye. Isle of Skye Read more about SEALL
The Met A centre of live music incorporating two performance spaces, a restaurant and a recording studio. Manchester Read more about The Met