Young Musicians

What challenges do you face as a young person building a sustainable music career? Explore our advice, resources and campaigning for musicians aged 30 and under.

Cost of living advice and resources

MU Rates

Union rates of pay for gigs, residencies, orchestras, session players, and teaching work.

Protecting your mental health

Mental health and wellbeing resources for musicians, and specialist sources of support.

Stay protected with insurance

Check what cover and discounts you're entitled to through your MU membership.

Get royalties from your recordings

The MU collects close to £2 million a year for musicians for the secondary and further use of recordings. Check if you are owed royalties.

Recover your unpaid fees

We help our members to get what they deserve. Make sure you're paid throughout the cost of living crisis.

Trade union support wherever you work as a musician

Explore all the benefits and services included in your MU membership.

DIY Musicians

Mentoring in Music

Create your own opportunities to get mentoring or be a mentor with this DIY mentoring guide. It covers finding a mentor, setting goals, the mentoring process, and more.

Learn more

Allyship

Being Anti-Racist and How to be an Ally

Explore what it means to be anti-racist and how to be a good ally with musician and broadcaster Linton Stephens and Blue Moon founder Dr Joanna Abeyie.

Dos and Don’ts of Working with Trans Colleagues

Musician, writer and activist CN Lester discusses how you can better support trans colleagues in the arts.

What is an Access Rider and what do you do with it?

Open the conversation about accessibility for musicians with the Access Rider.

Inclusion and Diversity in Your Teaching Work

Make sure that you integrate equality, diversity and inclusion in your music teaching.

Free Refugee Membership

Musicians seeking sanctuary can get one year of free and full MU membership to help build their music careers in the UK.

Campaign news

MU Motions on Music Education and Keep Music Live in Theatres Passed at TUC Conference 2026

At the 2026 annual Trades Union Congress (TUC), motions on the accessibility and affordability of music education and the importance of live music in theatre were unanimously voted through.

Published: 15 September 2026

A suitcase with an EU and UK flag sticker on, covered in red tape.

New Report Highlights £208 Million Cost of Brexit Touring Barriers

Research commissioned by the Government estimates that Brexit-related touring barriers cost the UK touring sector £208 million and nearly 2,500 jobs between 2022 and 2024, prompting renewed calls for practical solutions to make EU touring more viable.

Published: 11 September 2026

A wooden gavel on a desk in front of the European Union flag. Image credit: Shutterstock.

New EU Packaging Rules for UK Musicians Selling Merchandise

Musicians in the UK shipping merchandise to EU fans may need to reconsider how their products are packaged, following the new EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).

Published: 10 September 2026

Small, dark, empty stage at a grassroots basement style venue. Instruments are ready and fairy lights line the back wall of the stage.

Second Phase of UK Artist Touring Fund Opens with £300,000 Boost

The UK Artist Touring Fund (UKAT), backed by the MU and funded by the LIVE Trust, has expanded its support for UK artists, with an additional £300,000 added to the fund and successful applicants now able to apply for up to £8,000. Applications for this round close on 11 September.

Published: 03 September 2026

Merch tent at a festival with a crowd lined up in front of it.

Get Paid for Merch on EU Tours: ZAZZpay Opens Trial to MU Members

UK artists touring Europe are losing vital merch revenue to post-Brexit payment gaps. Now, a new service streamlines the acceptance of payments at the merch table.

Published: 03 September 2026

#KeepMusicLive

Can a UBI keep music live?

The idea of a universal basic income has been around for centuries. Now, the MU and many others believe its time has come.

Join the conversation See all Campaigns

The MU gave me a huge amount of support at a crucial point in my career.
Scott Bowley13XL

Being a part of the MU really made me realise that we could fight for change, and that with collective effort we could actually make things happen.
Diljeet BhachuFlautist and MU ED&I Officer

I think it feels like belonging to a community, a genuine family of musicians.
Jess GillamSaxophonist

You have to be the change you want to see. It's our business. We need to shape it.
Amanda DalSession drummer

Fight for a fairer music industry

Have you been asked to work for no or low pay?

We regularly hear from musicians asked to work for free. Asking musicians to work for free is unacceptable at any time.

#FairScore

Take action against composer buyouts

Media composers should get a fair share of the value they create.

#FixStreaming

Fix Streaming and Keep Music Alive

Record labels, streaming platforms and other internet giants have exploited musicians and songwriters without rewarding them fairly for too long.

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