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.

Explore membership benefits Join the MU

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.

Get involved

News

MU General Secretary Raises AI Concerns with Prime Minister

See all news & features

Member benefit

New Recording Studio Discount for MU Members

MU Announce ‘Money in the Mix Panel’ at Liverpool Sound City Conference Next Month

The MU will host a specialist panel discussion at the 2026 Liverpool Sound City Conference, bringing vital focus to rates of pay, rights, and royalties for session musicians working across the modern music industry. Members can also receive a discount on tickets.

Published: 22 April 2026

Greater Manchester Launches Music Plan Survey as MU Backs Creative Exchange

Calling all Manchester-based musicians: have your say on the future of the region’s music sector by completing GMCA’s new Music Plan survey. You can also attend a free creative industries event in the city-centre on 30 April for networking, discussion and live music.

Published: 20 April 2026

Blue sign at an airport saying 'Douanes francaises, French customs'.

France Confirms ELO Requirement from April 2026 But Uncertainty Remains for Musicians

France’s new Obligatory Logistics Envelope (ELO) — a digital customs system for declaring goods — will become mandatory from 20 April 2026. However, it remains unclear whether the rules apply to musicians taking merchandise into the country.

Published: 16 April 2026

Buskers and supporters, some wearing M U t-shirts, gathered around a singer, holding placards saying “Street Music is Not a Crime’. ‘Keep Music Live’, and ‘Westminster, Stop Killing Culture”.

Buskers Mark One Year Anniversary of the Leicester Square Busking Ban

Buskers are continuing their high-profile campaign, calling on Westminster Council to find new viable and accessible busking pitches in the borough to replace what was lost.

Published: 15 April 2026

Council of Music Makers Statement on the Role of Collective Licensing

All parts of the UK’s live sector must recognise and uphold the value of songs and songwriters, says a new statement from the Council of Music Makers.

Published: 15 April 2026

New ABO/MU Agreement Secured with Pay Increases and Strengthened Access Rights

Our new agreement with the Association of British Orchestras (ABO) includes pay increases and important contractual improvements for freelance orchestral musicians.

Published: 14 April 2026

Help Shape the Future of Music: Take the 2026 Music Creators’ Survey

Your insight powers the data behind industry change, from streaming and AI to funding and touring. Take part in UK Music’s 2026 Music Creators’ Survey to make a difference — and be in with a chance of winning a £100 Amazon voucher.

Published: 13 April 2026

Read all news

Upcoming events

Last chance to book

24 Apr 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

25 Apr 2026

WSWE Local Members' Day: Saltash

This free Members' Day in Saltash includes workshop sessions, portable appliance testing (PAT) and one-to-one advice sessions with MU Officials.

Saltash Member only

Last chance to book

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

25 Apr 2026

Free Portable Appliance Testing (PAT), Saltash

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 Wales and South West England.

Saltash

Last chance to book

Young women sat at an open laptop at home, holding a mug

29 Apr 2026

How to Get the Most out of Your MU Membership, North of England

New North of England members are invited to our online event where we explore how to make the most out of your membership.

Online

Upcoming

01 May 2026

Free Portable Appliance Testing (PAT), Glasgow - May

This is an opportunity to ensure that your equipment is safe and you are able to provide assurances for your insurance, venues and bookers. Available for all MU members based in Scotland.

Glasgow

Upcoming

01 May 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

07 May 2026

WSWE Local Members' Day: Wrexham

This free Members' Day in Wrexham includes portable appliance testing (PAT), one-to-one advice sessions with MU Officials, and a chance to build your local network.

Wrexham Member only

Browse all events

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.

young woman looking up against red spotlight

Search by name or keyword

Browse

#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 General Secretary Raises AI Concerns with Prime Minister

New Recording Studio Discount for MU Members

Members also viewed

News and features

MU Announce ‘Money in the Mix Panel’ at Liverpool Sound City Conference Next Month

Greater Manchester Launches Music Plan Survey as MU Backs Creative Exchange

France Confirms ELO Requirement from April 2026 But Uncertainty Remains for Musicians

Buskers Mark One Year Anniversary of the Leicester Square Busking Ban

Council of Music Makers Statement on the Role of Collective Licensing

New ABO/MU Agreement Secured with Pay Increases and Strengthened Access Rights

Help Shape the Future of Music: Take the 2026 Music Creators’ Survey

Upcoming events

Last chance to book

Feldenkrais: Move Better, Feel Better, Perform Better

Last chance to book

WSWE Local Members' Day: Saltash

Last chance to book

Free Portable Appliance Testing (PAT), Saltash

Last chance to book

How to Get the Most out of Your MU Membership, North of England

Upcoming

Free Portable Appliance Testing (PAT), Glasgow - May

Upcoming

Feldenkrais: Move Better, Feel Better, Perform Better

Upcoming

WSWE Local Members' Day: Wrexham

Join an MU Member Network

Find musicians:

This is not a hobby - it's our profession

Cookies on Musicians' Union

Popular searches

We Are Behind Every Musician

Change the Law to Fix Music Streaming

MU General Secretary Raises AI Concerns with Prime Minister

New Recording Studio Discount for MU Members

Members also viewed

News and features

MU Announce ‘Money in the Mix Panel’ at Liverpool Sound City Conference Next Month

Greater Manchester Launches Music Plan Survey as MU Backs Creative Exchange

France Confirms ELO Requirement from April 2026 But Uncertainty Remains for Musicians

Buskers Mark One Year Anniversary of the Leicester Square Busking Ban

Council of Music Makers Statement on the Role of Collective Licensing

New ABO/MU Agreement Secured with Pay Increases and Strengthened Access Rights

Help Shape the Future of Music: Take the 2026 Music Creators’ Survey

Upcoming events

Last chance to book

Feldenkrais: Move Better, Feel Better, Perform Better

Last chance to book

WSWE Local Members' Day: Saltash

Last chance to book

Free Portable Appliance Testing (PAT), Saltash

Last chance to book

How to Get the Most out of Your MU Membership, North of England

Upcoming

Free Portable Appliance Testing (PAT), Glasgow - May

Upcoming

Feldenkrais: Move Better, Feel Better, Perform Better

Upcoming

WSWE Local Members' Day: Wrexham

Join an MU Member Network

Find musicians:

This is not a hobby - it's our profession