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:
Among the artists quoted alongside the stats is Katie Melua, who says âour 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.
Vincent Moss