British musicians are grappling with increasing difficulties when touring in the European Union due to post-Brexit regulations and financial burdens. Since the UK’s departure from the EU, touring artists have faced complex visa and work permit requirements, costs for transporting equipment, and restrictions on road crew and vehicle travel. These new barriers have disproportionately affected independent and emerging artists, many of whom are struggling to afford the additional costs.In September 2024, the “Cut the Red Tape” campaign was launched, urging the government to honour its manifesto commitment to facilitate easier access for UK creatives working in the EU. This initiative seeks solutions to reduce bureaucracy and costs associated with EU tours. Since then, there have been significant developments concerning the challenges UK musicians face when touring in the European Union. In November 2024, Creative Industries Minister Chris Bryant acknowledged that Brexit has rendered touring in Europe “simply not economically viable” for many UK artists. He emphasised the government’s recognition of these challenges and its commitment to collaborating with the live music sector to address key issues affecting artists and their support staff.
The Labour government has expressed intentions to reset relations with the EU, aiming to address trade and mobility issues affecting various sectors, including the creative industries. Labour leader Keir Starmer has acknowledged the challenges facing UK musicians and has pledged to work towards a bilateral agreement with the EU to remove excessive barriers. His proposed plan includes advocating for visa waivers for touring artists, streamlining customs processes, and collaborating with industry stakeholders to ensure UK talent remains competitive on the international stage.
A recent report by the UK Music industry body highlighted that many artists have been forced to cancel European tours due to financial constraints. Some festivals and venues in the EU are also reluctant to book UK acts, given the bureaucratic hassle of hiring British talent.
At this year’s Members Day, ISM President @nickythespence spoke to Katie Derham about the barriers musicians face with touring the EU post-Brexit.
Sharing personal experiences, Nicky explained how complicated red tape is ‘diminishing’ the UK’s musical exportpic.twitter.com/5Gz7dg0NhA
— ISM (@ISM_music) September 19, 2024
Several UK musicians have publicly expressed concerns about the challenges they face when touring in the European Union post-Brexit. For instance, Kate Nash and Lily Allen have both joined OnlyFans to help fund their musical careers. Additionally, internationally acclaimed baritone Simon Wallfisch said for Clash magazine: “I took it for granted as a young musician that I could work as easily in Munich as I could in Manchester. It is devastating to see how young British musicians today will never experience the world-is-your-oyster mentality I felt as a young musician.”
As the debate continues, musicians and advocacy groups are lobbying policymakers to find a solution that preserves the UK’s status as a global music powerhouse while ensuring fair access to international markets. While there is growing recognition of the challenges and efforts to address them, UK musicians still face substantial hurdles in touring the EU.
