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

Next year’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.

Get involved

News

Bring Busking Back to Birmingham City Centre

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Member benefit

Improved Parking Discount for MU Members

Close up on a map of South West England, a red pin is marking Plymouth.

Have Your Say: Help Shape the Future of Plymouth’s Creative and Cultural Sector

Musicians and other creative professionals in Plymouth are being urged to take part in a new survey that will help shape the future of the city’s creative and cultural industries.

Published: 23 October 2025

The five panellists stood together in front of the MaMA stage before the event.

Sustainable Careers for Artists in an Evolving Industry: Insights from the MU’s Panel at MaMA Festival

The MU panel at MaMA festival in Paris this year brought together a diverse group of musicians and activists to explore how artists can build lasting careers beyond traditional recording and touring models. Catch up on the highlights.

Published: 23 October 2025

Professional photo of London Mayor Sadiq Khan in front of the Thames waterfront.

Mayor Sadiq Khan Backs Access to Viable and High Profile Busking Pitches Across London

Mayor Sadiq Khan called buskers "integral to the city's vibrant culture" and backed "all efforts" to ensure access to viable busking pitches.

Published: 23 October 2025

Xidus Pain: Empowering Communities Through Music and Movement

Rap artist, educator, and MU member Xidus Pain marks Black History Month 2025 by reflecting on a year of musical growth, community impact, and an evolving journey within the Union.

Published: 23 October 2025

How Collective Action can Strengthen Connections with Colleagues - and Management

Welsh National Opera’s Llinos Owen shares her experiences campaigning to protect the orchestra – and how it’s strengthened her connection to both the company and the MU.

Published: 22 October 2025

Help Protect UK Recording Studios – Sign the Petition for Fair Business Rates

The MU backs calls for studios to be included in the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure business rates relief scheme and urges members to sign the petition to support reclassification.

Published: 20 October 2025

Culture, Media and Sport Committee Launches Fan-Led Review of Live Music

As part of the MP-led review, fans are invited to complete a survey about their live music experiences to help shape policy, support touring artists and grassroots venues, and secure the future of UK music.

Published: 16 October 2025

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Upcoming events

Last chance to book

Stacked rocks on the shore against a clear blue sky.

27 Oct 2025

Guided Meditation

An extremely efficient and powerful meditation practice, based on Ascension meditation techniques that are tailored to help musicians both in their professional and personal lives.

Online Member only

Last chance to book

People sat around a first aid training manikin taking notes as the person demonstrates.

30 Oct 2025

Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work (RQF) – 1 day

A one-day, in-person accredited course for members in London, where participants will receive a certificate upon completion.

London

Upcoming

03 Nov 2025

Guided Meditation

An extremely efficient and powerful meditation practice, based on Ascension meditation techniques that are tailored to help musicians both in their professional and personal lives.

Online Member only

Upcoming

A tiny guitar amp sits on sand with the sun setting behind it.

04 Nov 2025

Free Portable Appliance Testing (PAT), Edinburgh

This 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 members based in Scotland.

Edinburgh

Upcoming

04 Nov 2025

Introduction to Trade Unions , Northern Ireland

Find out the basics of what trade unions are, what the Musicians’ Union does and your role in an active union – for MU members in Northern Ireland.

Online (Zoom)

Upcoming

07 Nov 2025

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

10 Nov 2025

Guided Meditation

An extremely efficient and powerful meditation practice, based on Ascension meditation techniques that are tailored to help musicians both in their professional and personal lives.

Online Member only

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

Bring Busking Back to Birmingham City Centre

Improved Parking Discount for MU Members

Members also viewed

News and features

Have Your Say: Help Shape the Future of Plymouth’s Creative and Cultural Sector

Sustainable Careers for Artists in an Evolving Industry: Insights from the MU’s Panel at MaMA Festival

Mayor Sadiq Khan Backs Access to Viable and High Profile Busking Pitches Across London

Xidus Pain: Empowering Communities Through Music and Movement

How Collective Action can Strengthen Connections with Colleagues - and Management

Help Protect UK Recording Studios – Sign the Petition for Fair Business Rates

Culture, Media and Sport Committee Launches Fan-Led Review of Live Music

Upcoming events

Last chance to book

Guided Meditation

Last chance to book

Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work (RQF) – 1 day

Upcoming

Guided Meditation

Upcoming

Free Portable Appliance Testing (PAT), Edinburgh

Upcoming

Introduction to Trade Unions , Northern Ireland

Upcoming

Feldenkrais: Move Better, Feel Better, Perform Better

Upcoming

Guided Meditation

Join an MU Member Network

Find musicians:

This is not a hobby - it's our profession

Cookies on Musicians' Union

Use your voice

Popular searches

We Are Behind Every Musician

Change the Law to Fix Music Streaming

Bring Busking Back to Birmingham City Centre

Improved Parking Discount for MU Members

Members also viewed

News and features

Have Your Say: Help Shape the Future of Plymouth’s Creative and Cultural Sector

Sustainable Careers for Artists in an Evolving Industry: Insights from the MU’s Panel at MaMA Festival

Mayor Sadiq Khan Backs Access to Viable and High Profile Busking Pitches Across London

Xidus Pain: Empowering Communities Through Music and Movement

How Collective Action can Strengthen Connections with Colleagues - and Management

Help Protect UK Recording Studios – Sign the Petition for Fair Business Rates

Culture, Media and Sport Committee Launches Fan-Led Review of Live Music

Upcoming events

Last chance to book

Guided Meditation

Last chance to book

Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work (RQF) – 1 day

Upcoming

Guided Meditation

Upcoming

Free Portable Appliance Testing (PAT), Edinburgh

Upcoming

Introduction to Trade Unions , Northern Ireland

Upcoming

Feldenkrais: Move Better, Feel Better, Perform Better

Upcoming

Guided Meditation

Join an MU Member Network

Find musicians:

This is not a hobby - it's our profession

Introduction to Trade Unions , Northern Ireland