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

Afternoon shot of Liverpool's Cavern Quarter with bars and music venues lit up.

MU Welcomes Major Regional Creative Industries Funding Boost

The MU welcomes a new £27 million government funding package, with regions across the UK invited to bid for investment aimed at strengthening creative industry clusters and building on Liverpool City Region’s success in music innovation and growth.

Published: 26 January 2026

Back of a women playing acoustic guitar on an outdoor stage.

MU Responds to New Report on Women’s Experiences of Sexual Violence and Harassment in Scottish Folk Music

A new report has been published by researchers at the Scottish Centre for Crime and Justice Research at the University of Glasgow, representing the largest evidence base on harassment within Scottish Folk Music.

Published: 22 January 2026

Inside a small dark venue with vibrant rainbow lights, the crowd and band on stage are in silhouette.

Government Announces 5% Funding Uplift for Arts Organisations – Part of a £1.5bn Package to Protect Cultural Venues

New funding for cultural organisations aims to save and protect 1,000 local arts and culture venues across England, with a focus on pride in place and national renewal.

Published: 22 January 2026

A famous, vibrant street in Commercial Court in the Cathedral Quarter of Belfast. The street is lined with historic pubs, benches and flowers, with umbrellas and neon signs hanging over the alleyway.

Help Shape Support for Music Businesses in Belfast

Music professionals and businesses in Belfast are invited to have their say via a short survey as the Council develops a new free Business Accelerator Programme for the city’s music sector. The deadline for responses is 31 January 2026.

Published: 20 January 2026

Three young musicians, collaborating on music composition, sitting on a carpet with string instruments and sheet music discussing ideas.

UK-Wide International Fund Opens to Support Cross-Border Collaboration

The new Four Nations International Fund invites applications from artists and creative practitioners across the UK who wish to work with partners in Europe and beyond. The deadline to apply is 2:00pm on Wednesday 25 February.

Published: 19 January 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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