Paid gigs aren't created equally - so what do musicians need to look out for? Read our blog on how to build a sustainable career in session work, following our recent 'Money in the Mix' panel at Liverpool Sound City Conference 🔗 https://ow.ly/7b9U50Z1wsS #SessionMusician

2.6.26 FREE Music Course @ Chapter, Cardiff w/ Tracey Kelly, songwriter with BBC airplay “Take On Me, Take On Cult Cymru” Tuesday 2nd June, 2:00-5:00pm www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cyfansoddi... Facilitated by Pete Bayliss @jamyama.bsky.social @wearethemu.bsky.social 6 places left! #CULTCymru

NUJ members at BBC Newshour and The World Tonight are on strike today over management's proposed changes to rotas - which effectively add up to an additional 26 office days per year with no extra pay. Live coverage⬇️ www.nuj.org.uk/resource/liv...

It's the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia! A day to recognise how far we've come in the fight for equality & inclusion + how far we still have to go Explore resources for LGBT+ musicians and for allies to better support colleagues 🔗 theMU.org/lgbt-musicians #IDAHOBIT

The King’s Speech took place this week, outlining the government’s plan for the next year But what was in there for musicians? 🧵

This week we're at The Great Escape Festival Conference, speaking on panels exploring: 🎤 AI, streaming, media & touring 🎤 Building safer music communities PPL and PRS will also hold an artist showcase celebrating 20 years of the International Showcase Fund 🔗 https://ow.ly/pBeI50YY6NN

Major labels say the UK is “on the cusp of an AI licensing boom” - but who for? It’s not a boom for the musicians and music creators whose work was used to train AI models without consent or fair pay

Key findings include: BAPAM delivered nearly 2,800 free specialist clinical consultations and gave support for 3,400 clinical episodes in 2025 Most patients presented with musculoskeletal (41%), mental health (27%) & voice concerns (20%) Since 2021 we have delivered 20,000+ psychotherapy sessions

2025 was the busiest year in our history. The BAPAM Impact Report underscores the importance of system‑wide approaches to health, and the value of the free clinical service at the core of our work. Download and read the report here: www.bapam.org.uk/impact-repor...

This week we're at The Great Escape Festival Conference, speaking on panels exploring: 🎤 AI, streaming, media & touring 🎤 Building safer music communities PPL and PRS will also hold an artist showcase celebrating 20 years of the International Showcase Fund 🔗 https://ow.ly/pBeI50YY6NN

Reform UK talk a big game on what they’d do to support working people at election time, but is that what they’re doing as elected MPs in Parliament? Sign up to our new regular Reform UK Watch email, keeping a close eye on Reform's MPs in Parliament. labourunions.org.uk/reform-watch/

⏰ It’s time for Labour to deliver on its promise to the UK’s touring musicians and crew - and make EU touring easier Read more from MU Campaigns and Social Media Manager Maddy Radcliff and @labourint.bsky.social Chair Imogen Tyreman in LabourList ⬇️

❗Northern Ireland’s restrictive alcohol licensing rules are making it harder for new music venues to open and for musicians to earn a living That’s why we’re supporting Free The Night Learn more about the campaign and sign their open letter 🔗 https://ow.ly/77t850YWEpy #FreeTheNight

It's almost been 10 years since the Brexit referendum For the Fabian Society, MU Gen Sec Naomi Pohl explores the impact of Brexit on musicians - and what the Government needs to do to honour its manifesto promise to get musicians touring in the EU again 🔗 Free download: https://ow.ly/EHaK50YWCQN

Across the UK, people have the chance to vote for councillors and governments that will stand up for better pay 💷, stronger rights at work ✊ and properly funded public services 🏥📚 #VoteLabour 🌹 📍 Find a campaign event near you! #VoteLabour events.labour.org.uk

We’re building the next chapter for Wales - together. Vote Welsh Labour today.

Getting ready to vote in the Scottish Parliament elections? Check out Culture Counts' manifesto tracker, tracking arts and culture commitments from all the main political parties 🔗 culturecounts.scot/news/2026/4/... #ScottishElections

📣 Copyright law must keep pace with technological change @ukmusic.bsky.social research shows that 91% of musicians and music creators believe consent should be sought before musical compositions and recordings are used to train AI models – going up to 94% among music writers 🧵👇 #AIMusic

The MU stands in solidarity with Jewish communities following the recent attack in Golders Green, and we extend our deepest condolences to the victims and their families Read the union's full statement:

Today is International Dance Day! 🩰 Did you know the MU represents orchestras working with major ballet companies in the UK? From ballet companies to the Strictly band, explore our advice and agreements for members at theMU.org/rates

Today is International Workers' Memorial Day A day to remember those who have lost their lives at work and commit to organising collectively so that it never happens again ✊No one should have to risk their life or health to do their job 🕯️ Submit a tribute to the Workers' Memorial Wall #IWMD

❗Battery Studios in London is under threat of being demolished and redeveloped into flats It has been a creative home to world-renowned artists for decades – we must protect it as a vital cultural asset and a living part of Britain’s music history ✍️Sign the petition and help save Battery Studios

Very few places left on our Collaboration Course @volcanotheatre.bsky.social #Swansea : 27.4.2026 1000-1600 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/y-grefft-o... #CULTCymru = Creative Unions Learning Together Wales: @bectu.bsky.social @equityuk.bsky.social @wearethemu.bsky.social @writersguildgb.bsky.social

We're in Dundee for @scottishtuc.bsky.social's Annual Congress! Our motions focus on music as a human right, international solidarity, and how Fair Work applies to creative freelancers #STUC26

🎭 Musical Directors in theatre – do you know your rights? Our new guide covers fees, buyouts, recordings and wellbeing, and how to make sure your contract recognises the full scope of your role 🔗 Full guide at theMU.org/MusicalDirectors #TheatreMusician

🔇 Today marks 1 year of the Leicester Square busking ban Since then, buskers have been building a positive, grassroots community campaign and we are proud to have their backs 📸: Jeff Spicer/PA Media Assignments

🗳️ The biggest set of elections since 2024 are taking place on Thursday 7 May It includes elections to the Scottish Parliament, Senedd, 136 local councils and six mayoralties ⏰Register to vote in person before Monday 20 April Register to vote 🔗 https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

❗All parts of the UK’s live sector must recognise and uphold the value of songs and songwriters The Council of Music Makers has issued a statement rejecting any proposals for a reduction in licensing fees or collections for the use of music

📢 Scottish Labour pledges £30m to ensure artists and creatives get a living wage Anas Sarwar has announced a Creative Enterprise Allowance pilot scheme – a weekly payment to top up the incomes of up to 1,000 artists and creatives to a living wage

The Musicians' Union is calling on political parties to include Fair Work for musicians and important rights for freelance cultural workers in their manifestos. Let's get this to every MSP and candidate: themu.org/ManifestoSco...

How can we better support creative freelancers? Our new guide helps employers and freelancers create healthier environments, reflect union good practice and communicate openly 💛 👇 Free download: theMU.org/EngagingCreativeFreelancers #FreelanceMusicians

We’re proud to launch Ways of Listening, a new partnership with @evelynglenniefd.bsky.social that is open to everyone. This unique global project asks you to share your answer to one simple question - “What does listening mean to you?” @dameevelynglennie.bsky.social citiesandmemory.com/listening

🎭 Happy #WorldTheatreDay! Are you a musician working in theatre? Check out our resources for theatre work, including West End agreements, regional touring guidance, tips on navigating the pit and more 👉 theMU.org/theatre-work

✊3 days to go until we march together 📅 Saturday 28 March, 12pm start 🗺️ Assembly at Park Lane, Central London 📍 The MU is in the Trade Union Bloc C, Position 8 More info at theMU.org/TogetherMarch #Together

Have you ever faced violence, abuse or intimidation at work? @tuc.org.uk is collecting workers' experiences* to push for better protections from employers, regulators and government 👇Survey closes on 13 April *All responses anonymous with the option to share your contact details

📣 Calling all Glasgow artists! Financial insecurity holds artists back from their creative practice - but a basic income could change that Join us to explore what a basic income for artists could look like in Scotland 📆 Thu 26 Mar, 6:30–8:30pm 📍 Glasgow Collective 👇 Book your free place

📢 Free training for women and gender expansive people Want to take your music to the next level? Apply for Turn It Up, a 4‑day bootcamp led by women producers + engineers, offering hands‑on audio training, mentoring & industry networking 📍Platoon Studios, London 👇 Apply by 27 March

Did you know that about 400m people globally and 2m people in the UK have Long Covid? Explore our free resources, including ℹ️ guidance on your rights at work 📋 template Access Riders to help start conversations about your access needs 🔗 https://ow.ly/vE1M50YwSHg #LongCovidAwarenessMonth

We're heading to Launchpad Conference 2026! Join us on Friday 27 March at Leeds School of Arts for a panel on cultural diversity in music, and one-to-one advice sessions for musicians across the North of England Learn more 🔗 https://ow.ly/ilO750YwUlx #WeAreTheMU

A recent Scottish Trades Union Congress report found that 1 in 3 creative freelancers in Scotland have experienced non-payment for work ✊Musicians deserve binding contracts, fair pay, and quality of work and life ✉️ Email your MP using our template letter 🔗 theMU.org/MusiciansManifestoForScotland

✨Government announced its new position on generative AI this week Their original proposals placed the burden on you to 'opt out', effectively giving tech firms free rein to train their AI models on your creative work But people want strong and effective AI regulation 👇 (📸: Naomi Pohl)

🎉 I'm on the new Musicians' Union Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board! We’ll be looking at strategies to celebrate and encourage diversity, promote equality and challenge inequalities across the music industry invt.io/1bxbeopjzo5

The launch of the UK Artists Touring Fund is a moment of real significance - not just for artists, but for the whole music industry. Read more from our National Organiser for Live, Kelly Wood, in IQ Magazine 🔗 https://ow.ly/80Sp50YwLxL #WeAreTheMU @mmf-uk.bsky.social Featured Artists Coalition

✊We won't let the voices of division in our country drown out unity Join us in London for the Together Against the Far Right national demo 📅 Saturday 28 March 2026 📍 Central London 🔗 Find out how to join the MU delegation at theMU.org/TogetherMarch #Together

❗In Scotland, 83% of creative freelancers have experienced not being paid for their work Our Musicians’ Manifesto for Scotland sets out measures to help protect Scotland’s cultural assets 📣 Ask your MSP to support the manifesto 🔗 Use the template letter: theMU.org/MusiciansManifestoForScotland

Have you heard of Creative Europe? It's the EU's main funding programme supporting the cultural, creative and audiovisual sectors Sign the petition calling on the UK Government to rejoin the programme - and improve touring and cultural exchange between the UK and EU 🔗 https://ow.ly/lwQU50Yqocb

Are you preparing to travel to the US for SXSW 2026? Watch the video guide covering the key entry rules and processes you’ll need to understand before you go 🔗 https://musiciansunion.org.uk/news/new-video-guidance-on-us-entry-requirements-for-sxsw-2026 #SXSW

Government is consulting on the future of the single biggest employer and engager of MU members in the UK Take part using our template email 🔗 https://ow.ly/g0yU50YqkLU #ProtectOurBBC

📣 A new @cultcymru.bsky.social guide highlights how small changes can transform the working lives of creative freelancers in Wales

❗69% creative freelancers in Scotland have experienced issues relating to payment at work Have you? 📣 Ask your MSP to support the Musicians' Manifesto for Scotland! 🔗 Use our template letter: theMU.org/MusiciansManifestoForScotland #ScotlandMusic