Brexit has made touring in Europe “simply not economically viable” for many artists, a minister has admitted.
In a damning assessment of the impact on musicians of leaving the EU, Chris Bryant, creative industries minister, said the government recognises the scale of the challenges facing professionals who want to tour in Europe.
“Many have concluded it is simply not economically viable or logistically possible to tour in Europe,” he said.
His comments are the most stark assessment of Brexit’s impact on the music industry by a member of Sir Keir Starmer’s top team, and comes as the prime minister is seeking to rebuild ties with Brussels in a post-Brexit “reset”.
The admission came after a parliamentary question by SNP MP Stephen Gethins, who asked what the impact was of leaving the EU on touring artists.
Mr Gethins told 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.
“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 found that almost every artist was suffering from the impact of Brexit, with leading musicians describing life outside the EU as “hell”.
A survey by the industry body showed the number of artists saying Brexit had hit their income rose to 87 per cent in the last 12 months, compared with 82 per cent a year earlier.
And its annual economic report said Brexit has been a “catastrophe” for the sector, with artists still seeing fewer invites to perform in the EU because of the difficulty of bringing UK artists to the EU.
The end of EU free movement at the start of 2021 reintroduced costly bureaucracy and paperwork for UK musicians wanting to perform on the continent and vice versa.
Regulations included so-called “cabotage” rules that restrict UK lorries to just three stops while touring, as well as work permits and visas for some countries.
Customs paperwork and “carnets” are also required to transport instruments and equipment – a formality last seen decades ago before the foundation of the bloc.
UK-based songwriter Victoria Canal said: “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 said: “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 since the UK left the EU.
And Dr Mike Galsworthy, chair of European Movement UK, said: “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 said: “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, said: “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.”
