We Are Behind Every Musician

We are a community of over 36,000 musicians working to protect our members' rights and campaign for a fairer music industry.

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Campaigns

Change the Law to Fix Music Streaming

2026's AI Bill is a chance to fix copyright law so musicians get a fair deal. Help us urge MPs to act now and change the law to make streaming work for everyone.

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News

MU Highlights Challenges Facing Freelance Musicians in Parliament

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MU Member benefit spotlight

Discounted Travel, Hotel and Holiday Bookings with utc Travel

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 rock musician performing with a microphone on an orange-lit stage with smoke in the air.

Arts Council England Launches New Music Creators Growth Fund

Experienced artists and music creators can apply for grants of £10,000 to £20,000 to support career development, touring and international opportunities. Applications open on 1 October 2026, with guidance webinars available to attend throughout September and October.

Published: 11 September 2026

Belfast Ulster Hall and Waterfront Hall to End Merchandise Commission for Artists

The MU welcomes the decision made by Belfast's Ulster Hall and Waterfront Hall to remove merchandise commission for artists, allowing them to keep all of their merchandise income from 1 October 2026.

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

MU Supports New Music Teacher Co-op in the Wirral and Cheshire

The Peninsula Music Co-operative is bringing independent instrumental and vocal teachers together, with support from the Musicians’ Union.

Published: 10 September 2026

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

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

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Upcoming events

Last chance to book

11 Sep 2026

Feldenkrais: Move Better, Feel Better, Perform Better

Free up your playing and singing using the Feldenkrais method, a sensory-motor learning system which looks at our mind and body holistically.

Online Member only

Last chance to book

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16 Sep 2026

Creative Freelancers’ Best Practice Guide: Workshop and Q&A

Explore CULT Cymru's new bilingual best practice guide, Engaging Creative Freelancers, at this free online workshop featuring expert presentations and an interactive Q&A on supporting freelance talent in the cultural sector.

Online, Zoom

Last chance to book

A young women in the middle of singing, in front of a mic and pop sheild in a dimly lit recording studio, holding a piece of paper with lyrics.

18 Sep 2026

Introduction to Vocal Massage

The MU is delighted to be working with Valentine Voice Care to offer a free online lunchtime session exploring the benefits of vocal massage and voice care. Available to members in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Online (Zoom)

Last chance to book

18 Sep 2026

Feldenkrais: Move Better, Feel Better, Perform Better

Free up your playing and singing using the Feldenkrais method, a sensory-motor learning system which looks at our mind and body holistically.

Online Member only

Upcoming

20 Sep 2026

Free Portable Appliance Testing (PAT), Birmingham

This event, run by Phil Docker's Guitar and Amp Workshop, is an opportunity to ensure that your equipment is safe, and that you are able to provide assurances for your insurance, venues and bookers. Available for all MU Midlands members.

Birmingham

Upcoming

21 Sep 2026

BAPAM: Managing Performance Anxiety

Part of our ‘Prioritise Your Wellbeing With the MU and BAPAM’ event series. Join us for this practical lunchtime session, exploring evidence-based techniques that can help you perform with greater confidence and control.

Online, Zoom

Upcoming

21 Sep 2026

North of England Regional AGM

Join your Regional AGM (Annual General Meeting) to hear about the work of the MU in your region, meet the regional team, and share your ideas and experiences.

Online (Zoom)

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Be better represented

Join an MU Member Network

Your opinions on equality and diversity issues are vital to the way the MU shapes its services, policies and campaigns. Sign up to our Member Networks to be better represented as a musician.

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#WorkNotPlayMU

This is not a hobby - it's our profession

No-one should feel guilty about turning down unpaid “opportunities". Have you been asked to work for no fee?

Tell us about it See all Campaigns

This is not a hobby - it's our profession

We Are Behind Every Musician

Change the Law to Fix Music Streaming

MU Highlights Challenges Facing Freelance Musicians in Parliament

Discounted Travel, Hotel and Holiday Bookings with utc Travel

Members also viewed

News and features

New Report Highlights £208 Million Cost of Brexit Touring Barriers

Arts Council England Launches New Music Creators Growth Fund

Belfast Ulster Hall and Waterfront Hall to End Merchandise Commission for Artists

New EU Packaging Rules for UK Musicians Selling Merchandise

MU Supports New Music Teacher Co-op in the Wirral and Cheshire

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

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

Upcoming events

Last chance to book

Feldenkrais: Move Better, Feel Better, Perform Better

Last chance to book

Creative Freelancers’ Best Practice Guide: Workshop and Q&A

Last chance to book

Introduction to Vocal Massage

Last chance to book

Feldenkrais: Move Better, Feel Better, Perform Better

Upcoming

Free Portable Appliance Testing (PAT), Birmingham

Upcoming

BAPAM: Managing Performance Anxiety

Upcoming

North of England Regional AGM

Join an MU Member Network

Find musicians:

This is not a hobby - it's our profession

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Popular searches

We Are Behind Every Musician

Change the Law to Fix Music Streaming

MU Highlights Challenges Facing Freelance Musicians in Parliament

Discounted Travel, Hotel and Holiday Bookings with utc Travel

Members also viewed

News and features

New Report Highlights £208 Million Cost of Brexit Touring Barriers

Arts Council England Launches New Music Creators Growth Fund

Belfast Ulster Hall and Waterfront Hall to End Merchandise Commission for Artists

New EU Packaging Rules for UK Musicians Selling Merchandise

MU Supports New Music Teacher Co-op in the Wirral and Cheshire

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

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

Upcoming events

Last chance to book

Feldenkrais: Move Better, Feel Better, Perform Better

Last chance to book

Creative Freelancers’ Best Practice Guide: Workshop and Q&A

Last chance to book

Introduction to Vocal Massage

Last chance to book

Feldenkrais: Move Better, Feel Better, Perform Better

Upcoming

Free Portable Appliance Testing (PAT), Birmingham

Upcoming

BAPAM: Managing Performance Anxiety

Upcoming

North of England Regional AGM

Join an MU Member Network

Find musicians:

This is not a hobby - it's our profession