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Musicians' Union
The UK musicians' union: contract vetting, free legal advice, £10m public liability insurance, instrument cover, hardship support and collective bargaining, for about £23/mo. Unsexy, and one of the best per-pound deals in UK music.
- Best for
- UK musicians gigging, teaching or signing anything. UK-based freelance, employed, gigging or teaching musicians who regularly handle contracts, carry equipment or need support with payment and workplace disputes.
- Skip if
- You never perform or contract in the UK. You primarily want gig bookings, promotion or project funding, work mainly outside the UK, or are unlikely to use the insurance, legal and union protections enough to justify recurring dues.
- First move
- Join before your next contract needs vetting, not after. Compare the dues with standalone insurance costs; if joining, register your instruments separately and send unsigned contracts to the MU for review.
- Watch out
- The £1 offer requires a non-refundable 12-month commitment and renews at the full rate. Instrument insurance is not automatic, coverage has exclusions and higher-value equipment needs additional paid cover.
- Reach
- Established
- When
- Worth it once you have releases out.
- Based in
- United Kingdom