Freelance Musician Guide

Tips and guidance for self-employed musicians.

Last updated: 03 October 2023

Career tips

A Young Freelancer's Guide

Mental Health and the Music Industry

Find helpful insight and advice as you navigate the industry as a young freelance musician.

The basics

Starting Out as a Freelancer

Learn how to get work and build relationships with the people you want to work with

How to Prioritise Your Freelance Work

Tips on dealing with being provisionally booked for new work

Funding and Financing Your Music and Projects

Latest news and features

A young man in a wheel chair writing in his journal and working on his computer.

What Could a UBI Do For My Trade Union?

Catch up with musician Balraj Samrai, Labour MP John McDonnell and others on why unions should support a universal basic income (UBI), plus find out how you can be part of the movement too.

Published: 13 May 2024

Close up of a hand holding a pencil, resting on a blank music sheet on top of a piano.

The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music Invites Applications for Composer Mentoring Programme

The programme is free and a bursary of £750 will be provided to each participant. Emerging educational composers should apply by 24 June.

Published: 08 May 2024

Female musician busking, playing acoustic guitar and singing outdoors in the street.

MU Writes to Government Over its Failure to Address Misogyny in the Music Industry

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl has contacted Kemi Badenoch, the Minister for Women and Equalities, to express our concerns about the Government’s response to the Misogyny in Music Enquiry.

Published: 07 May 2024

Blue suitcase with EU stars on. A yellow banner reads

Working in the EU: Share Your Experiences and Views

Are you touring in the EU? Are you facing challenges with confusing rules and red tape? We want to hear from you.

Published: 02 May 2024

A female electric guitarist performing live on stage at a festival, with a drummer in the background and audience members onlooking.

Applications Open for European Artists to Showcase at ESNS 2025

European artists can now apply to perform at ESNS (Eurosonic Noorderslag), a key exchange for emerging European music.