Festivals With 500+ festivals taking place in the UK every year, it’s a great opportunity to get your music in front of a huge crowd. Last updated: 27 March 2024 Many of the more mainstream events are largely dominated by established acts. However, festivals offering slots to emerging artists will often have their own application process stating what their requirements are. Festival Code of Coduct for emerging and independent artists The MU and AIF agreement outlines key conditions for emerging artists and independent festival operators in areas such as remuneration, promotion, logistics and advance information required from artists and festivals, alongside performance details. The agreement aims to assist independent artists to formalise festival bookings and to understand what is expected of both parties in order to encourage good relationships and trouble-free festival experiences. Artist submission sites Sonicbids allows artists to apply to play at large scale festivals and events. Essentially, it’s a way for promoters to farm out the application process to a third party and it is widely used for US industry events, such as South By Southwest (SXSW). A fee is payable for Sonicbids membership. In addition to the membership fee, you may be required to pay an application fee for some of the listed events. See the MU Fair Play Guide for further advice on artist submissions. Competitions Many of the bigger festivals now run competitions with slots for an unsigned act as the top prize. Glastonbury’s ‘Emerging Talent’ contest is one such notable springboard. ‘Latitude’ has a similar scheme for emerging acts, offering a number of places on the Alcove stage. Rates of pay Rates can vary and it's important that you contact the MU for advice on what you should be paid. We oftern hear of ticketed festivals where music is the main draw, yet the professional musicians are not compensated for their work. If you are asked to work for little or no fee, get in touch and we can provide you with festival advice and talk you through your options. Related resources 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 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 Career as a live musician 6 Top Tips on Negotiating Your Gig Fee Negotiating the right fee for your next gig can be a tricky business, but can also be an essential part of your career as a musician. Read more about 6 Top Tips on Negotiating Your Gig Fee Getting the Most Out of Music Festivals How to apply for and get the most out of music festivals. Read more about Getting the Most Out of Music Festivals Working with Agents and Managers Learn about working with others in the music industry and what you need to look out for. Read more about Working with Agents and Managers Starting Out Gigging How to start playing live music, from rehearsals to your first gig. Read more about Starting Out Gigging Working in a Wedding Band For good function bands, weddings can offer an abundant and decently paid source of work. Read more about Working in a Wedding Band A Guide to Freelancing Learn how to manage your work and navigate aspects of the music industry when working as a freelance musician. Read more about A Guide to Freelancing How to Capitalise on Your Success Some takeaways from a masterclass on how to do capitalise on your success with advice from Dave Murkage, Olly Ward The Agency Group and Kweku 'Que' Quakyi. Read more about How to Capitalise on Your Success Latest news and features MU Partners with Clermont Hotels to Offer Members Discounted Rooms in London Our new partnership with Clermont Hotels means MU members can book discounted hotel rooms at various locations in London, as an exclusive membership benefit. Published: 01 May 2025 Read more about MU Partners with Clermont Hotels to Offer Members Discounted Rooms in London Watch Arts Info Point’s Advice Webinar on Touring and Travelling in the USA Members wishing to understand more about entering the US, following recent press reports and administrative changes, can now watch the recording of a recent webinar hosted by Arts Info Point. Published: 24 April 2025 Read more about Watch Arts Info Point’s Advice Webinar on Touring and Travelling in the USA MU Protests Against Potential Busking Ban in Leicester Square The MU and buskers gathered in Leicester Square to mark what could be the last day of busking in the area, following a noise abatement notice from the City of London Magistrates' Court. Published: 17 April 2025 Read more about MU Protests Against Potential Busking Ban in Leicester Square New Workshops and Forums for Jazz Musicians in the North of England Jazz North has announced a series of free, online workshops and forums exclusively for artists based in the North of England. Published: 14 April 2025 Read more about New Workshops and Forums for Jazz Musicians in the North of England Government Trials Pilot Scheme to Boost London Night-Time Economy London councils that block pubs, restaurants and music venues from opening later could see their decisions overturned by the mayor of London under new powers from the Government. Published: 09 April 2025 Read more about Government Trials Pilot Scheme to Boost London Night-Time Economy Read more
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
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
6 Top Tips on Negotiating Your Gig Fee Negotiating the right fee for your next gig can be a tricky business, but can also be an essential part of your career as a musician. Read more about 6 Top Tips on Negotiating Your Gig Fee
Getting the Most Out of Music Festivals How to apply for and get the most out of music festivals. Read more about Getting the Most Out of Music Festivals
Working with Agents and Managers Learn about working with others in the music industry and what you need to look out for. Read more about Working with Agents and Managers
Starting Out Gigging How to start playing live music, from rehearsals to your first gig. Read more about Starting Out Gigging
Working in a Wedding Band For good function bands, weddings can offer an abundant and decently paid source of work. Read more about Working in a Wedding Band
A Guide to Freelancing Learn how to manage your work and navigate aspects of the music industry when working as a freelance musician. Read more about A Guide to Freelancing
How to Capitalise on Your Success Some takeaways from a masterclass on how to do capitalise on your success with advice from Dave Murkage, Olly Ward The Agency Group and Kweku 'Que' Quakyi. Read more about How to Capitalise on Your Success
MU Partners with Clermont Hotels to Offer Members Discounted Rooms in London Our new partnership with Clermont Hotels means MU members can book discounted hotel rooms at various locations in London, as an exclusive membership benefit. Published: 01 May 2025 Read more about MU Partners with Clermont Hotels to Offer Members Discounted Rooms in London
Watch Arts Info Point’s Advice Webinar on Touring and Travelling in the USA Members wishing to understand more about entering the US, following recent press reports and administrative changes, can now watch the recording of a recent webinar hosted by Arts Info Point. Published: 24 April 2025 Read more about Watch Arts Info Point’s Advice Webinar on Touring and Travelling in the USA
MU Protests Against Potential Busking Ban in Leicester Square The MU and buskers gathered in Leicester Square to mark what could be the last day of busking in the area, following a noise abatement notice from the City of London Magistrates' Court. Published: 17 April 2025 Read more about MU Protests Against Potential Busking Ban in Leicester Square
New Workshops and Forums for Jazz Musicians in the North of England Jazz North has announced a series of free, online workshops and forums exclusively for artists based in the North of England. Published: 14 April 2025 Read more about New Workshops and Forums for Jazz Musicians in the North of England
Government Trials Pilot Scheme to Boost London Night-Time Economy London councils that block pubs, restaurants and music venues from opening later could see their decisions overturned by the mayor of London under new powers from the Government. Published: 09 April 2025 Read more about Government Trials Pilot Scheme to Boost London Night-Time Economy