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. Harwich Arts and Heritage Centre A 120 capacity venue supporting both touring and local musicians, mainly suitable for acoustic acts. Essex Read more about Harwich Arts and Heritage Centre Metronome Nottingham city centre based venue hosting music and comedy nights up to 5 nights a week covering many genres. Nottingham Read more about Metronome The Etsome Arms A small, 80-cap venue in Somerton hosting live music in all genres. Somerset Read more about The Etsome Arms An Tobar and Mull Theatre An arts organisation with a theatre, gallery, performance space and studios for the production of new work. Isle of Mull Read more about An Tobar and Mull Theatre The Last Post A tiny micropub on the outskirts of the Derby city centre. Derby Read more about The Last Post Sudbury Sessions An intimate, not-for-profit live music venue located within Gainsborough's House in Suffolk. Sudbury Read more about Sudbury Sessions Bristol Beacon A music charity, renowned venue and music education hub, with four performance spaces and a capacity of 2,124 in the main auditorium. Bristol Read more about Bristol Beacon HOT BOX Live A centrally located, 110-capacity venue hosting live music and community events every night of the week, covering all genres. Essex Read more about HOT BOX Live 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
Harwich Arts and Heritage Centre A 120 capacity venue supporting both touring and local musicians, mainly suitable for acoustic acts. Essex Read more about Harwich Arts and Heritage Centre
Metronome Nottingham city centre based venue hosting music and comedy nights up to 5 nights a week covering many genres. Nottingham Read more about Metronome
The Etsome Arms A small, 80-cap venue in Somerton hosting live music in all genres. Somerset Read more about The Etsome Arms
An Tobar and Mull Theatre An arts organisation with a theatre, gallery, performance space and studios for the production of new work. Isle of Mull Read more about An Tobar and Mull Theatre
The Last Post A tiny micropub on the outskirts of the Derby city centre. Derby Read more about The Last Post
Sudbury Sessions An intimate, not-for-profit live music venue located within Gainsborough's House in Suffolk. Sudbury Read more about Sudbury Sessions
Bristol Beacon A music charity, renowned venue and music education hub, with four performance spaces and a capacity of 2,124 in the main auditorium. Bristol Read more about Bristol Beacon
HOT BOX Live A centrally located, 110-capacity venue hosting live music and community events every night of the week, covering all genres. Essex Read more about HOT BOX Live