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wearethemu.bsky.social
Musicians' Union (MU)
@wearethemu.bsky.social
5.7K followers 110 following 340 posts
The UK's trade union for musicians
A 36,000 strong community
Urgent enquiry? Contact the union at https://theMU.org/contact
🎨 Cover art by Malini Chakrabarty
Posts Replies Media Videos
wearethemu.bsky.social
Over 30 buskers went to the last full Westminster Council meeting to speak to councillors about finding new, viable busking pitches

🧵👇

#BackYourBuskers
November 21, 2025 at 3:05 PM
wearethemu.bsky.social
And 32% of music creators in 2024 were affected by Brexit - up 4% from 2023
November 17, 2025 at 1:36 PM
wearethemu.bsky.social
90% of music creators said we need protections from AI to stop their work being used without permission or payment
November 17, 2025 at 1:36 PM
wearethemu.bsky.social
🚨 It’s the first year that the Trafalgar Square pitch is closed for Christmas without Leicester Square to fall back on

This means there are no high-profile, viable, accessible and safe amplified busking pitches in Westminster
Text on a textured yellow background. At the top, blue highlighted white text says "Westminster Council: back your buskers!" Below, the main text says: "The Trafalgar Square busking pitch is now closed until Wednesday 7 January 2026." Smaller black text underneath says: "As a result, right now, there are no high profile, viable and accessible amplified busking pitches in Westminster." Along the bottom is a white line and our logo in black: "M U Musicians' Union" followed by a right arrow for more information
November 11, 2025 at 11:24 AM
wearethemu.bsky.social
As the music industry starts to sign major AI deals, we need to put human creators at the centre of the AI opportunity

The Council of Music Makers (CMM) is calling for an industry wide standard guaranteeing music-maker consent, control and compensation
November 6, 2025 at 2:38 PM
wearethemu.bsky.social
❓Did you know AI is already affecting job security for creative workers?

68% of creative workers surveyed felt their job security was reduced as a result of generative AI

🔗 https://ow.ly/gsCG50Xlaon
November 2, 2025 at 1:00 PM
wearethemu.bsky.social
🍿Calling all MU members!

We’ve teamed up with Vue to get you up to 30% off standard cinema tickets in time for the holiday season

🔗 http://musiciansunion.org.uk/news/love-movies-mu-launches-discount-vue-cinema-tickets-for-members
November 1, 2025 at 9:00 AM
wearethemu.bsky.social
📣 Are you a creative freelancer in Scotland?

@scottishtuc.bsky.social have created the Fair Work for Freelancers Checklist, calling for

✅Greater pay security
✅ Clearer guidance on royalties
✅ Better access for trade unions
October 31, 2025 at 2:31 PM
wearethemu.bsky.social
💛 It's World Menopause Day

How can workplaces support those experiencing menopause?

Join our informal session for MU members and staff next week to chat, ask questions and share experiences

#WorldMenopauseDay

theMU.org.uk/events/mu-menopause-cafe
October 18, 2025 at 8:00 AM
wearethemu.bsky.social
Are you a performer, songwriters or composer in Scotland? UK Music want to hear from you!

Join an online roundtable next week to help develop their Manifesto for Music ahead of the Scottish Parliament elections in 2026

🔗 Sign up: https://luma.com/yjk8zgdc

#ScotlandMusic
October 17, 2025 at 9:59 AM
wearethemu.bsky.social
📣 Calling all performers, songwriters and composers in Wales!

Contribute to the development of UK Music policy and the creation of the Manifesto for Music for the Welsh Parliament elections in 2026

👉 RSVP to secure your place: https://luma.com/m7390jyf
October 13, 2025 at 4:04 PM
wearethemu.bsky.social
We're proud to sponsor the 2025 Black Welsh Music Awards!

Celebrating the exceptional talent, creativity and contributions of Black musicians and artists across Wales

Learn more and look out for the winners at https://blackwelshmusicawards.org.uk/

#BlackWelshMusicAwards
Promo poster for the Black Welsh Music Awards. The background is black with gold sparkles and spotlight effects at the top and bottom. At the top is a logo with “Black Welsh Music Awards” in white text encircled by red, green, and gold rings. Below, large gold text says “Join us as we launch Black Welsh Music Awards.” Below, smaller white text says "4 October 2025, 12pm – 5:30pm." Underneath, black text on gold says "Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama" followed by the address in white text. At the bottom, there is a list of supporting organisation logos: Cymru Greadigol/Creative Wales, act, UK Government Wales/Llywodraeth y DU Cymru and PRS for Music
October 4, 2025 at 9:00 AM
wearethemu.bsky.social
Major corporations and big tech companies are making billions of pounds, while nearly half of musicians earn less than £14k a year

MU General Secretary @naomipohl.bsky.social explains...
October 2, 2025 at 10:03 AM
wearethemu.bsky.social
⚠️ Big tech eats art

Labour Conference passed a motion on AI and Our Rights this week – including specific policy measures to strengthen copyright and fix music streaming

They include fair pay, consent, labelling, contract adjustment and rights reversion

🎨 Simon Heard for the Musicians' Union
Yellow, pink, teal and black artwork featuring a robotic skull with crossbones made of robot and instrument parts. It is wearing headphones and biting a mic. Its fists are up with "Big text eats art" tattooed across its fingers. A yellow logo that says "M U Musicians' Union" sits in the lower right corner.
October 2, 2025 at 10:03 AM
wearethemu.bsky.social
MU General Secretary @naomipohl.bsky.social also joined Minister for EU Relations Nick Thomas-Symonds MP and Minister of State Chris Bryant MP to spotlight the barriers still faced by our members touring in the EU

Thanks to @labour4europe.bsky.social for the invite ✊
Photo of a panel event. In the background to the left, a table of speakers and moderators including Nick Thomas-Symonds and Chris Bryant. Behind them is a window with a thin white curtain closed. In the foreground to the right, Musicians' Union General Secretary Naomi Pohl speaks at a metal podium with roller banners behind her that say "the Labour Movement for Europe"
October 1, 2025 at 1:59 PM
wearethemu.bsky.social
🗳️ Secretary of State for Education, Minister for Women and Equalities, and the union’s nominee for Deputy Leader @bphillipsonmp.bsky.social

🎸 Secretary of State for Health and Social Care @rthonwesstreeting.bsky.social

🎵 Scottish Labour Leader Anas Sarwar MSP

Photos: Gus Campbell Photography
Wes Streeting holding a yellow and fuchsia electric guitar cutout that says “#WeAreTheMU” and “keep music live.” To his left is our North of England Regional Organiser Paul Reed, wearing a yellow t-shirt featuring an amp and the text “Keep Music Live.” To Wes’ right, Assistant General Secretary Matt Wanstall holds a blue sign with a guitar case covered in travel stickers and the text, “It’s time to fix E.U. touring. In the background is a black stand with curved text “Behind every musician” above the trio’s heads. To the left is a white t-shirt with text “Musicians’ Union says Keep Music Live” in yellow, red and blue draped on a chair
October 1, 2025 at 1:59 PM
wearethemu.bsky.social
It's been a busy few days at #Lab25!

We're calling on MPs to change the law to protect musicians from the impacts of music streaming and AI

And we’re making sure touring in the EU stays on the agenda

Thanks to everyone who’s stopped by the Musicians’ Union stand, including 👇
Bridget Phillipson holding a yellow and fuchsia electric guitar cutout that says “#WeAreTheMU” and “keep music live”. She’s smiling at the camera. Behind her is a black backdrop with “behind every musician” in curved yellow text above her head and more placards on touring in the E.U and fixing music streaming. To her right, a colourful t-shirt featuring a robot skull eating a mic and the text “big tech eats art” sits on a chair
October 1, 2025 at 1:59 PM
wearethemu.bsky.social
There’s money in music – but it’s not going to musicians

Major corporations and big tech companies are making billions of pounds, while nearly half of musicians earn less than £14k a year
October 1, 2025 at 11:13 AM
wearethemu.bsky.social
“AI generated music will not only devalue MU members’ work, it could replace it”

MU General Secretary @naomipohl.bsky.social seconded the composite motion on AI and the creative industries at @tuc.org.uk Conference 2025

✅ Motion passed
Naomi standing on a stage and speaking at a podium. She is wearing a red dress. Behind her are two large screens and to the left of her is a top table.
September 9, 2025 at 3:41 PM
wearethemu.bsky.social
Do you run a music business in Wales? @ukmusic.bsky.social want to hear from you!

Join an online roundtable tomorrow to help develop their Manifesto for Music for Wales ahead of the Welsh Senedd elections in 2026

🔗 Sign up: lu.ma/rldxf1wl

#MusicBusiness #WalesMusic
September 2, 2025 at 9:49 AM
wearethemu.bsky.social
Meet the Musicians' Union at your AGM!

🔎 Find out what the MU is working on where you are
👋 Network with other musicians
🎤 Enjoy guest speakers and live performances
Graphic with a pink and black photo background featuring an audience with their backs to the camera, looking towards a stage. In the centre is a white rectangular speech bubble with centred text. Pink highlight white text says: "Attend your 2025 regional A G M." Plain black text says: "Your Regional AGM is in September. Discover what’s happening locally, have your say, and connect with other members — sign up today!"
August 26, 2025 at 3:56 PM
wearethemu.bsky.social
🤘 Back your buskers!

Buskers are campaigning for new pitches in Westminster to replace those lost in Leicester Square

It follows a court ruling that described busking as a “statutory nuisance” and compared it to “psychological torture techniques” - effectively banning busking in the area
Group photo of buskers and supporters with Naomi and Zack in the centre. People are holding yellow signs with blue, white and black graphic elements that say "Westminster Council: back your buskers! Sign the petition" with a Q.R. code and link to www.megaphone.org.uk/p/back-Westminster-buskers
August 8, 2025 at 12:44 PM
wearethemu.bsky.social
“I want to thank the MU for the work you do to make sure that musicians are properly remunerated, that everyone feels able and safe to perform, and for the work you do to make sure live music is a part of towns and cities”

Minister for Employment Alison McGovern MP is our 1st speaker

#MUConference
Photo of Alison McGovern speaking from a lectern on the right side of the stage. Behind her to her left is a red screen that says, "Alison McGovern MP". Immediately behind her is a screen with live captioning of her speech. To her right is yellow and pink staging that says "M U Musicians' Union, Welcome to Delegate Conference 2025 #MUConference". Alison is in the centre. To her right is the top table with six people listening, and in the foreground are members sitting at rows of tables
July 23, 2025 at 8:19 AM
wearethemu.bsky.social
“Protecting musicians and preserving their jobs in the face of this technology is probably the biggest challenge for musicians' unions worldwide”

Tino Gagliardi brings solidarity from the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (@afm-union.bsky.social)
Photo of Tino speaking from a lectern on the other side of the stage. Behind him to the left is a screen with an illustration of Liverpool's waterfront that says "41st Delegate Conference 2025", to the centre is a screen with live captioning of his speech and to the right is yellow and pink staging that says "M U Musicians' Union, Welcome to Delegate Conference 2025 #MUConference". Tino is in the centre. To his right is the top table, and in the foreground are members sitting at rows of tables
July 22, 2025 at 3:19 PM
wearethemu.bsky.social
Today, Government and record labels have announced a package of principles and commitments that they say will better remunerate musicians and music creators

But the package announced is tangential at best
"The fundamental problems with music streaming economics remain - Naomi Pohl, Musicians’ Union General Secretary" in black, yellow and white text in the centre. Top left is a large yellow quote mark. Below right is a photo of Naomi Pohl looking to camera
July 22, 2025 at 2:40 PM