Without any financial leverage or connections to gatekeepers, it’s extremely hard to make a living in the creative industries.

I don’t have to tell you how bad the economy is. From the graduate job crisis articulated so well by Sambambo for Youth Music, to UK food prices on track to rise by 50% since 2021, according to the thinktank Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) (Guardian 2026). 

Or that in 2016, Prince’s manager shared with Vice that his label bidding strategy of “I could get three albums to develop Prince, which they (record labels) won’t do today”... Bear in mind Prince still holds the longest standing residency at O2 Greenwich for 21 consecutive days. You wonder, “When am I going to make a living?” to quote SADE. 

Even with all his fame, Prince was a Union Member; I think he knew songs alone couldn't protect the rights of working people. Unions provide members support, from collective bargaining with Governmental and Industry Organisations to insurance cover if you experience an injury at work. 

As a member of the MU, I have access to free tax guidance and legal advice at the exploratory level with options for further support at discounted rates. Rather than having that awkward dance of knowing when my late invoice would come through, I can use the MU Unpaid Fee Recovery Services.

Unions Allow Us To Imagine Otherwise

Unions enable members' political voices not to be drowned by the noise of algorithms. For example, last month, Equity (Performing Arts and Entertainment Union) donated £7,200 to Durham Pride after the council had cut the budget, alongside setting an agreement for minimum standards for payment and conditions for performers at Durham and Manchester Pride (Equity 2026). 

At my first MU delegate conference in late 2025, myself and co-signators were able to influence Musicians Union to endorse and donate to the Congo Week Campaign (Musician Union 2025).  I used my right as a member to campaign for the Union to “set up a political fund, authorised by a majority vote in a ballot of their members” (Parliament 2026) at conference. The petition was inspired by the fact MU in 57’ “banned its members from performing in South Africa to segregated audiences” in response to apartheid. 

The creative industry relies on freelancing labour and a globalised economy. We desperately need more collective organising - especially for grassroots to mid-tier artists, as grants and platforming opportunities aren’t financially enough to fill wallet holes from the structural damages created by streaming and the loss of venues. 

Joining a Union isn’t a magic wand. Only you can decide if it is right for you to join a union such as Equity, the MU, or Scottish Artist Union. But please don’t have to wait 5 years for political change to draw and distribute resources.