Brexit makes touring Europe ‘simply not viable’ for musicians, minister admits | EUROtoday

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Brexit has made touring in Europe “simply not economically viable” for a lot of artists, a minister has admitted.

In a damning evaluation of the impression on musicians of leaving the EU, Chris Bryant, artistic industries minister, stated the federal government recognises the dimensions of the challenges going through professionals who need to tour in Europe.

“Many have concluded it is simply not economically viable or logistically possible to tour in Europe,” he stated.

His feedback are essentially the most stark evaluation of Brexit’s impression on the music trade by a member of Sir Keir Starmer’s high staff, and comes because the prime minister is looking for to rebuild ties with Brussels in a post-Brexit “reset”.

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The admission got here after a parliamentary query by SNP MP Stephen Gethins, who requested what the impression was of leaving the EU on touring artists.

Mr Gethins instructed The Independent: “For years we have known that a disastrous Brexit deal is damaging our important music industry. It makes music and promotion of our artists much harder and in particular difficult for new and emerging talent.

“This is an astonishing admission from the government that the Brexit deal is not sustainable.

“The question is what are they going to do about it? Labour have told us they it will continue to support a hard Tory Brexit and refuse to rejoin the single market or customs union. We know from the Treasury’s own analysis that this will continue to damage every sector.

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“I welcome the admission but unless the government does something about it, Labour now owns this horrific Brexit deal as much as the Tories.”

It comes after a report by UK Music discovered that just about each artist was affected by the impression of Brexit, with main musicians describing life exterior the EU as “hell”.

A survey by the trade physique confirmed the variety of artists saying Brexit had hit their revenue rose to 87 per cent within the final 12 months, in contrast with 82 per cent a 12 months earlier.

And its annual financial report stated Brexit has been a “catastrophe” for the sector, with artists nonetheless seeing fewer invitations to carry out within the EU due to the problem of bringing UK artists to the EU.

The finish of EU free motion at first of 2021 reintroduced pricey forms and paperwork for UK musicians eager to carry out on the continent and vice versa.

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Regulations included so-called “cabotage” guidelines that prohibit UK lorries to simply three stops whereas touring, in addition to work permits and visas for some international locations.

Customs paperwork and “carnets” are additionally required to move devices and tools – a formality final seen a long time in the past earlier than the muse of the bloc.

UK-based songwriter Victoria Canal stated: “Brexit is hell. It is expensive logistically, navigating routing and carnets, and it puts pressure on all of us. Whether you are an artist or crew, touring has a deep effect on mental health.”

UK Music stated: “A much more ambitious plan is needed to ensure the UK keeps pace with intensifying global competition.”

Labour’s election manifesto promised to “improve trade and investment relations with the EU… to help our touring artists”, after years of chaos because the UK left the EU.

And Dr Mike Galsworthy, chair of European Movement UK, stated: “We’ve long been saying that it isn’t the established artists who are suffering. It’s the ‘jobbing musicians’ – the backstage staff, the small bands who used to jump in a van and play a few European pubs every summer.

“The classical singers who would take last minute jobs in Berlin or Vienna. It’s the Ed Sheeran’s and the Coldplays of the future who are suffering now. Chris Bryant has simply said what our Face The Music campaign has been highlighting – the government needs to help our creative touring artists before it’s too late, and we permanently damage one of the UK’s best global exports – its culture.

“Brexit has made working in the EU so much harder for those working in the industry. We need the government to move forward as soon as possible with its pledge to cut the red tape around touring visas. It needs to be done now.”

Responding to Mr Gethins, Mr Bryant stated: “We are already working collaboratively with the live music sector to address these key issues for our brilliant musicians, artists and their support staff and are engaging with the EU and EU member states, with a view to improving arrangements for touring across the European continent without seeing a return to free movement. This is a priority for the whole ministerial team, the department and the government.”

But James MacCleary, the Liberal Democrats spokesperson on Europe, stated: “Artists and performers are cultural ambassadors, yet the barriers they face touring Europe post-Brexit are stifling creativity and costing livelihoods.

“In 2023, UK music’s contribution to the economy hit a record £7.6bn, proving just how vital this industry is to our nation’s prosperity and growth. It’s refreshing to hear a minister finally admit that musicians have been let down by this botched Brexit deal.

“We urgently need a better deal to make touring simple and affordable again – no more delays.”