London (Parliament Politics Magzine) – Industry insiders have insisted the UK government uncover a solution to post-Brexit regulations on live music touring after EU documents presented Brussels was “not prepared” to change regulations.
In Labour’s manifesto, Keir Starmer vowed to improve trade and investment ties with the EU to “help our touring artists”. Since Brexit, musicians travelling the EU have faced barriers introduced in the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). They can perform up to 90 out of every 180 days, which causes issues for longer tours, musicians who work in multiple bands or orchestras, and staff required on-site before and after performances.
Why are EU regulations problematic for UK music tours?
Customs documents for instruments, transportation problems and limits on merchandise sales have also made touring in the EU more time-consuming and less profitable. Visa and work permit conditions differ across EU member states.
Brussels has expressed the prime minister’s desired deal is unrealistic, as it needs rewriting the TCA. Internal briefing documents expressed the European Commission was “not prepared to consider” many of the differences the industry says are necessary.
What does the industry say about post-Brexit touring barriers?
Industry insiders expressed this was an urgent issue. Tom Kiehl, chief executive of the umbrella body UK Music, stated:
“The new UK government’s welcome resolve in tackling these issues must not be diminished.”
Deborah Annetts, chief executive of the Independent Society of Musicians (ISM), said:
“Post-Brexit regulations make touring in Europe expensive, complicated and sometimes impossible for musicians. Removing the barriers could not be more important for our sector.”
A 2023 study by the ISM indicated that, since Brexit, almost half of UK musicians and music industry employees have had less work in the EU, and more than a quarter had none at all.
“The UK’s exit from the EU has created significant barriers that have made live music touring more expensive, bureaucratic and confusing for musicians, artists and crew,”
stated Kiehl.
“This is hampering our £6.7bn music industry’s ability to grow. The number of British artists booked for EU-based festivals is down by a third on pre-Brexit levels.”
The Featured Artists Coalition (FAC), a trade body, was instrumental in the Let the Music Move campaign, which claimed against post-Brexit red tape.
“It’s a fundamental issue,”
stated David Martin, the chief executive of FAC,
“To put it into context, in 2019, the EU was the largest touring market for British musicians. The next most significant was the US and that was a quarter of the size.”
The prices and time added by post-Brexit conditions have meant a loss of work, a decline of “cultural exchange” between the EU and the UK, and diminished opportunities for UK musicians to get experience on the road and build their fanbase, Martin stated.