Musicians and industry leaders from the UK and Europe have joined
forces to demand urgent action to remove the barriers to touring
across the EU.
They are warning political leaders that the current arrangements
for UK acts touring the EU and EU acts touring the UK are “not
working” and are depriving millions of music fans of the chance
to see their favourite acts perform live.
Backed by thousands of people working across the UK and EU music
industries, an open letter to UK Prime Minister Sir , European Council President
António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der
Leyen, has been organized by the Musicians' Union, the
Association of British Orchestras, LIVE, Pearle*, the Independent
Society of Musicians and UK Music.
The open letter – which has more than 550 signatories from
organisations and individuals - outlines how the barriers of
soaring costs and red tape means “audiences, artists and venues
in the EU and UK are missing out on the enormous benefits which
closer cultural exchange would bring”.
The letter concludes: “Our strong collective desire to share,
learn and inspire in the creativity from both the EU and the UK
is united. As our political leaders, we call on your
combined efforts in these important talks to overcome any
obstacles and barriers affecting the economic and cultural growth
of this important sector, that currently stand in the way of
fulfilling this relationship.”
Their call for action to remove the barriers facing those seeking
to tour and work across the EU comes ahead of the key EU-UK
Summit to be held in London on Monday May 19.
It also comes ahead of the annual celebration of European music
this week which culminates with the 2025 Eurovision final on
Saturday May 17 in Basel, Switzerland.
Among those supporting the letter - signed by more than 550
individuals and organisations - are Blur drummer, , British mezzo-soprano Dame
Sarah Connolly, broadcaster and LIVE chair Steve Lamacq, British
conductor Sir Mark Elder and British oboist and conductor
Nicholas Daniel, OBE.
Since the UK's exit from the EU in January 2020, the music
industry has faced a number of challenges. These include
increased costs and bureaucracy due to requirements for visas,
work permits and carnets for touring UK artists, merchandising
costs and the need to navigate complex cabotage requirements for
trucks and hauliers that support UK tours in the EU.
Sir Elton John is among those who warned of the “brick wall” of
extra bureaucracy and paperwork faced by UK acts touring the EU
to be torn down. He also joined the campaign to improve
post-Brexit arrangements for younger stars and crew.
According to the latest UK Music figures, the UK music industry
contributed £7.6 billion in terms of Gross Value Added (GVA) in
2023 to the economy. The sector also delivered exports of £4.6
billion and provided employment for 216,000 people.
Pre-Brexit, in 2019, the EU was the UK's largest live music
market, worth four times the size of the US - the UK's second
largest market.
Tom Kiehl, Chief Executive, UK Music, said: “The
ability to tour the EU free from barriers and restrictive red
tape has been central to the UK music industry's incredible
success for decades. And it is absolutely essential to its future
prosperity. This country continues to produce swathes of amazing
artists who are being deprived of the opportunity to build
crucial new international audiences, while fans are missing out
on the chance to discover some of the most exciting talent
emerging from the UK.
“The costs of touring the EU are challenging for the entire UK
music ecosystem, from artists and musicians to engineers and
technicians, but at a grassroots level they are posing an
existential threat, with many artists prevented from growing the
kind of global fanbase they need to survive. It is vital that
these barriers to our nearest neighbours are removed so that our
world class talent is free to flourish.”
Naomi Pohl, General Secretary, Musicians' Union,
said: “We believe there is a genuine will from the UK
Government to remove barriers to touring in the EU for UK
musicians and their crew. It must be a priority in trade
negotiations if we are to see a resurgence in touring activity
and our members' businesses thrive. Touring internationally and
domestically is a key part of the music business; crucial to
musicians' livelihoods and their relationship with fans. The
costs and admin currently faced by our members working in Europe,
which are frankly nonsensical in some cases, disproportionately
impact grassroots artists with small teams and limited resources.
We look forward to a resurgence of touring and revitalised
cultural exchange in our closest neighbouring market.”
Jon Collins, CEO, LIVE, said: “The breadth of
companies, organisations and individuals that have signed this
letter is clear evidence that the importance of resolving touring
issues crosses borders, genres and functions. To have leading
European promoters line up alongside venue operators, artists,
crew and more is testament to the widespread desire to unlock the
economic, cultural and societal benefits that will come for all
concerned if the EU Commission and UK Government can deliver
improved touring arrangements.”
Anita Debaere, Director, Pearle*, said: “We, at
Pearle* – Live Performance Europe, support strong cultural
partnerships and easier mobility between the EU and UK for
musicians, performers and technical workers across the live
performance sector. Removing touring barriers is vital to foster
artistic collaboration, economic growth and cultural exchange,
benefiting professionals of the sector and audiences
alike.”
Judith Webster, Association of British Orchestras (ABO)
CEO, said: “Our celebrated, world-leading orchestras
have used their international renown to take the best of British
culture across Europe year on year. The EU remains UK orchestras'
largest foreign market. It is absolutely critical to resolve
ongoing touring barriers which will enable UK orchestras to drive
growth, create opportunities for future generations and deepen
the strategic relationship between the UK and the EU.”
Deborah Annetts, Chief Executive, Independent Society of
Musicians (ISM), said: “A better arrangement for our
touring artists and creative industries is in the best interests
of both the UK and the EU. The wide-ranging support for this
letter demonstrates that the creative industries are united
across borders on this issue. All these years after Brexit, I
really hope that the upcoming summit is the beginning of a
process which ends with a better deal for musicians, the music
sector and the creative industries not just for the UK but also
the EU.”
