UK music industry pressurises government to resolve post-Brexit touring restrictions

After EU documents indicated that Brussels was not “prepared” to change the regulations, industry insiders have called on the UK government for a solution.

Keir starmer promised in Labour’s manifesto to improve trade and investments relations with the EU “to help our touring artists”. Since Brexit, musicians who tour the EU face barriers in the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement. The TCA allows musicians to work 90 days out of 180, but this can be problematic for those on longer tours or who are part of multiple bands and orchestras.

Touring in the EU is also more expensive and time-consuming due to customs documents, transportation problems and restrictions on merchandise sales. The EU has different visa and work permit requirements.

The Financial Times reported last week, that Brussels had said the Prime Minister’s desired agreement is unrealistic as it would require rewriting of the TCA. In internal documents, the European Commission said it was not “prepared to consider” the many changes that the industry believes are needed.

Insiders in the industry said that this was a pressing issue. Tom Kiehl said, “The UK Music umbrella body’s chief executive, Tom Kiehl stated that the new UK government is welcome in its resolve to tackle these issues.

Deborah Annetts is the chief executive of Independent Society of Musicians. She said: “Post Brexit regulations make touring in Europe costly, complicated, and sometimes impossible for musicians. It is vital that we remove the barriers.

ISM’s 2023 study showed, that since Brexit, nearly half of UK music and industry workers had less work and more than quarter had no work at all.

Kiehl said, “The UK leaving the EU has resulted in significant barriers which have made live music tours more expensive, confusing and bureaucratic for musicians, artists, and crew.” This is preventing our £6.7bn (£6.8bn) music industry from growing. The number of British musicians booked to perform at EU-based festivals has dropped by a third compared to levels before Brexit.

The Featured Artists Coalition, a trade group, played a key role in the campaign to fight post-Brexit bureaucracy. David Martin, chief executive of FAC said, “It is a fundamental issue.” “To put this into perspective, the EU was in 2019 the largest touring market for British artists. Next biggest was the US, which was only a quarter the size.

Martin stated that the costs and time added to the UK’s musicians by post-Brexit regulations has resulted in a loss of jobs, a deterioration of the “cultural exchange” with the EU, as well as fewer opportunities for UK artists to gain experience on the road, and grow their fan base.

The Labour manifesto’s promise sparked hope for the industry. With the previous government it was like we had to convince them about the importance of the issue. Martin said that the current government has made this issue a priority. “That’s different, but that doesn’t mean it is time to stop highlighting its importance.”

The EU briefing materials have not been a total surprise. Martin said that they had no illusions about how easy it would be to get this done from the first day. “I don’t think this is a deflation moment but it highlights the reality of how complex the negotiations between the EU and the government are. It underscores the need to sit down at the table. It’s not good news, but it may make people realize that things won’t go as smoothly as they thought.

Kiehl suggested that a separate agreement for “cultural tours” might be an option, which wouldn’t need to change the TCA.

Martin stated: “The FAC, as well as the music industry in general, will hold the government accountable on this.”