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wearethemu.bsky.social
Musicians' Union (MU)
@wearethemu.bsky.social
5.9K followers 150 following 390 posts
The UK's only trade union for musicians
A community 36,500 strong
‼️ Urgent enquiry? Contact the MU at https://theMU.org/contact
🎨 Cover art by Malini Chakrabarty
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wearethemu.bsky.social
Musicians' Union (MU) @wearethemu.bsky.social · Dec 16
✊ People want strong and effective AI regulation!

That's the message from Government's artificial intelligence regulation consultation - with more than 11,500 responses...
Ggraphic with a white background. At the top is black text with yellow highlight that says "It's a clear message for government:" In the middle, smaller white text with black highlight says "people want strong and effective A.I. regulation." Underneath that is a centred yellow line. Below left is the logo "M U Musicians' Union" and right is a black arrow indicating more.
wearethemu.bsky.social
How can Scotland protect musicians, strengthen communities and support Scotland’s economy at the same time?

🌟 The Musicians' Manifesto for Scotland 🌟

🧵
February 6, 2026 at 12:24 PM
Reposted by Musicians' Union (MU)
cultcymru.bsky.social
9.2.26 1900-2100 #HeartUnions Discussion on #AI.

An opportunity to network :One free drink for everyone who registers in advance through the Eventbrite link!

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/dewch-i-dr...

@bectu.bsky.social @equityuk.bsky.social @wearethemu.bsky.social @writersguildgb.bsky.social
Dewch i drafod Deallusrwydd Artiffisial/ Let's Talk Artificial Intelligence
Sesiwn banel ar Ddeallusrwydd Artiffisial a chyfle i rwydweithio/ Panel discussion on Artificial Intelligence and a chance to network.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
February 5, 2026 at 8:58 AM
wearethemu.bsky.social
Why is touring in the EU important to UK musicians - and what's it been like since Brexit?

MU General Secretary @naomipohl.bsky.social is speaking to MPs on the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee alongside musician Kate Nash

Watch live!
🔗 parliamentlive.tv/Event/Index/...
Parliamentlive.tv
Culture, Media and Sport Committee
parliamentlive.tv
February 3, 2026 at 11:08 AM
Reposted by Musicians' Union (MU)
naomipohl.bsky.social
On my way to speak to the Culture, Media & Sport Select Committee on behalf of @wearethemu.bsky.social and with a busy touring artist, colleagues from @equityuk.bsky.social & the Association of British Orchestras.

We’ll be talking about the barriers to touring in the EU & how to fix them
February 3, 2026 at 8:39 AM
Reposted by Musicians' Union (MU)
naomipohl.bsky.social
Record payments to rightsholders from Spotify is positive, except that a big chunk of that goes to labels rather than musicians.

We're campaigning to fix streaming so that all musicians get a fair and guaranteed royalty. Sign and share the petition to show your support!
🔗 bit.ly/FixStreaming
January 29, 2026 at 6:05 PM
wearethemu.bsky.social
🔌What's PAT testing - and why do you need to get your instruments and equipment tested?

Read more in the latest issue of Amplify!

Download your copy or listen to the audio version at theMU.org/Amplify (for MU members only)
January 30, 2026 at 8:00 AM
wearethemu.bsky.social
💸 Spotify has announced "the largest annual payment to music from any retailer in history"

It sounds like exciting news – but how much of that is going to musicians?

🧵👇
January 29, 2026 at 11:54 AM
Reposted by Musicians' Union (MU)
tuc.org.uk
Suella Braverman has joined Reform, saying "I feel like I've come home."

Suella voted against

* Banning exploitative zero-hour contracts
* Banning fire and rehire
* Sick pay from day one
* Improved parental leave
January 26, 2026 at 3:34 PM
Reposted by Musicians' Union (MU)
cultcymru.bsky.social
"a very engaging & valuable course, taught very well"

30.1.26 FREE Mental Health Risk Assessments training

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/asesiadau-...

sponsored @cymrugreadigol.bsky.social

@bectu.bsky.social @equityuk.bsky.social @wearethemu.bsky.social @writersguildgb.bsky.social

#CULTCymru
Asesiadau Risg Iechyd Meddwl/ Mental Health Risk Assessment
Asesiadau Risg Iechyd Meddwl/ Mental Health Risk Assessment
www.eventbrite.co.uk
January 28, 2026 at 8:18 AM
wearethemu.bsky.social
🌱 Want to expand your skillset and grow your career?

Explore upcoming career development and funding opportunities for musicians and MU members

🧵👇
January 28, 2026 at 9:22 AM
wearethemu.bsky.social
Today is Holocaust Memorial Day

It marks the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau, and is a day to remember those murdered in the Holocaust and all genocides
January 27, 2026 at 2:32 PM
Reposted by Musicians' Union (MU)
tuc.org.uk
Nigel Farage has said he's “not making any money as a result of being an MP”.

MP's salary is £94k, putting him in the top 5% of earners.

Meanwhile he votes to keep workers on exploitative zero-hours contracts and denies them sick pay.
January 21, 2026 at 4:10 PM
wearethemu.bsky.social
Government has announced a 5% funding uplift for arts organisations in England – part of a £1.5bn package to protect arts and culture venues 🧵👇
Background photo of Culture Minister Lisa Nandy and Musicians' Union General Secretary Naomi Pohl smiling to camera, with grey and yellow text “We are the M.U.” and “Behind every musician” behind them. In the lower half, black text with yellow highlight says “Government announces £1.5bn for arts & culture venues in England.” Below that, smaller white text says “It includes £80 million capital funding over four years for Arts Council England’s regularly funded organisations.” Underneath is a yellow line. Below that is the logo “M U Musicians’ Union” on the left and an arrow indicating more on the right.
January 22, 2026 at 3:41 PM
wearethemu.bsky.social
✈️ How will the recent US visa bans impact artists?

Join Tamizdat's webinar and Q&A session to learn more
📆 Wednesday 21 January, 4pm

👇Sign up for free
January Office Hours: Who is banned? How new travel restrictions and bans impact US visa eligibility – Tamizdat
tamizdat.org
January 20, 2026 at 3:26 PM
wearethemu.bsky.social
Are you a member of PRS in need of support?

PRS Members’ Fund offers a wide range of support services for eligible PRS members, including financial support, mental health and wellbeing support, and more

👉 Details and eligibility criteria: https://ow.ly/WHvW50Y065O
From Winter Relief to Wellbeing: Spotlight on Support Offered by PRS Members’ Fund
MU members are encouraged to explore PRS Members’ Fund’s wide range of support services for musicians.
ow.ly
January 20, 2026 at 2:39 PM
Reposted by Musicians' Union (MU)
cultcymru.bsky.social
26.11.26 FREE Mental Health First Aid certificated course for Wrexham venues @typawb.bsky.social

To book:

www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wrecsam-cy...

#CULTCymru = Creative Unions Learning Together Wales

@bectu.bsky.social
@equityuk.bsky.social
@wearethemu.bsky.social
@writersguildgb.bsky.social
Wrecsam! Cymorth Cyntaf Iechyd Meddwl / Mental Health First Aid ( Wrexham)
Mental Health First Aid (2 day) / Cymorth Cyntaf Iechyd Meddwl (2 ddiwrnod)
www.eventbrite.co.uk
January 19, 2026 at 9:08 AM
wearethemu.bsky.social
📣 Shape the future of music!

Put yourself forward or nominate someone you know for our new Music Industry Advisory Boards
January 16, 2026 at 4:34 PM
wearethemu.bsky.social
❗The right to protest is precious and should be defended

We've signed this statement calling on the Government to uphold our rights to freedom of expression, peaceful protest and assembly

Read more via @theguardian.com:
Civil society groups condemn ‘dangerous’ plans for more anti-protest powers
Dozens including TUC join force to oppose ‘wide-ranging’ move to increase police powers in England and Wales
www.theguardian.com
January 14, 2026 at 4:08 PM
wearethemu.bsky.social
The music industry can be a difficult environment to have the conversations that you want and need in the workplace - especially if you're a freelancer

Read about how our workshop helped empower both salaried and freelance musicians to face challenging scenarios

🔗 https://ow.ly/fxkN50XU94V
Lessons from the MU’s Courageous Conversations Workshop
The music industry can be a difficult environment in which to have the conversations that you want and need in the workplace, but a one-day course hosted by the MU has offered a way forward.
musiciansunion.org.uk
January 11, 2026 at 11:30 AM
wearethemu.bsky.social
📣 MU Future Leaders applications are open!

A new training programme for women members, disabled members, LGBT+ members, young members & members from the Global Majority

Build essential leadership skills to help you move forwards at work and in the union

⏰Apply by 30 Jan
🔗theMU.org/FutureLeaders
January 7, 2026 at 2:53 PM
wearethemu.bsky.social
Are you thinking about working in the EU this year?

Explore all of our advice and services for touring musicians at https://theMU.org/working-overseas

#EUTouring
Graphic of a notebook front cover at a jaunty angle on a yellow background. At the top of the notebook page is the logo "M U Musicians' Union." Below is a title in black text with yellow highlight that says "Working in the E.U. in 2025." Underneath, black text says: "What every musician needs to know" with a yellow underline. Across the bottom is the url in black text with yellow highlight "TheMU.org" and a black arrow pointing right.
January 6, 2026 at 5:22 PM
wearethemu.bsky.social
Working freelance is tough enough as it is. How can you protect yourself legally against unpaid fees and other common issues?

MU Solicitor Dawn Rodger shares some practical tips in the latest edition of the MU journal, Amplify
🔗 https://www.theMU.org/Amplify (MU members only)

#FreelanceShoutOut
January 4, 2026 at 10:00 AM
wearethemu.bsky.social
The BBC should be the gold standard on employment rights

We’ve joined forces with arts and entertainment unions to write to Secretary of State for Culture Lisa Nandy outlining core principles that should guide the BBC Charter review

Read the letter in full
🔗 https://ow.ly/uWaF50XN6oc

#BBCCharter
BEAU Statement on BBC Charter Review Launch
The MU has joined sister unions in writing to Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Lisa Nandy to reiterate the key principles that should underpin the BBC Charter Review process.
ow.ly
December 28, 2025 at 12:00 PM
wearethemu.bsky.social
New Arts Council England review backs expanding the theatre tax relief to touring, longer funding cycles, and ditching “Let’s Create”

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl explores the report’s key recommendations for musicians – and where more work is needed
🔗 https://ow.ly/qEAR50XN674

#MusiciansUnion
MU Welcomes Arts Council England Review
We broadly welcome Baroness Margaret Hodge’s review of Arts Council England, which reflects many of the concerns raised by the MU and other creative unions. We will now press the government to respond positively to its recommendations.
ow.ly
December 23, 2025 at 8:25 AM
wearethemu.bsky.social
✊ Access isn't a luxury - it's the standard

Whether you're a performer, teacher, or industry professional, access and inclusion in the music industry is always important

🧵
December 22, 2025 at 2:51 PM