Sep 8, 2023 2 min read

43% of Brexit-hit artists say touring EU is no longer viable, according to UK Music survey

UK Music has published the results of a new survey of 1461 music-makers about the impact of Brexit - with 30% stating that the UK leaving the EU has impacted on their income

43% of Brexit-hit artists say touring EU is no longer viable, according to UK Music survey

Cross-sector trade group UK Music has published the results of a new survey on the impact of Brexit on the music community. It says the study - which consulted 1461 music-makers - demonstrates how "restrictions on visas, work permits, truck hire and merchandise sales along with excessive red tape are making touring simply unviable for many".

Ever since the UK left the European Union, the music industry has been stressing that the trade deal agreed between the UK and EU did little to address the issues created by Brexit for performers and crew looking to tour around Europe.

Key stats from the new study include the following:

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30% of music-makers say their earnings have been affected post-Brexit.
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82% of those affected reported a decrease in earnings, while just 18% said their earnings had increased.
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43% of those hit by Brexit say touring the EU is no longer viable.
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59% say that the visas and work permits now required are a major issue.
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65% say they have received fewer invites to perform in EU countries since Brexit.
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57% say they have had to decline offers to perform due to increased costs.

Among the artists quoted alongside the stats is Katie Melua, who says “our costs of touring, especially for transport and accommodation, have risen by approximately 25-30% on previous years" and "there remain vague protocols around taxation and compliance which has generated increased accountancy fees".

Meanwhile, Jeremy Pritchard of Everything Everything notes how "young and developing artists benefit immeasurably from playing mainland Europe", but "excellent lower and middle tier UK artists are now excluded from European shows by the associated costs, admin and man hours [caused] by Brexit, which simply make European touring unviable".

UK Music also uses the new study to again call on government to address the key issues caused by Brexit. Among other things, it proposes a new Cultural Touring Agreement that could help reduce bureaucracy and cut the costs involved in EU touring.

The new UK Music study follows the recent publication of a report on the impact of Brexit by the Independent Society Of Musicians, which similarly outlined the many challenges music-makers now face when looking to work or tour in Europe.

Eight Out of Ten Brexit-hit Music Creators Say Their Earnings Have Plunged Since UK Left EU - UK Music Survey Reveals
07:09:2023: Eight Out of Ten Brexit-hit Music Creators Say Their Earnings Have Plunged Since UK Left EU – UK Music Survey Reveals The devastating impact of the UK’s departure from the European Union…
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