Written by Tristan Taylor of Santoku
Ooh how we dreamed in between the years of 2016 to 2019, that the news would talk about something other than that undeserving subject BREXIT.
Well, we definitely got what we asked for! But has this horrific pandemic drawn our gaze from the critical parts of the Brexit negotiations (or lack of) leaving us, as musicians, in a very difficult situation indeed?
The lack of agreement between the EU and the UK could have catastrophic effects on music professionals, as the UK rejects visa free travel for musicians to Europe. To understand this, we need to remember that music as an industry relies heavily on globalisation, meaning quick and easy travel across borders so artists can make their living through touring. This is made very easy when artists are not confined by complicated applications, waiting lists and additional costs for visas.
Many non-musicians will argue that this is completely fine! And that acts should simply, “stop moaning“, “go write a song about it” and, “get a real job”. But let us not forget that music pre- COVID-19 was one of the United Kingdom’s biggest exports contributing over £5 billion pounds a year to the economy and while on the surface this only appears to affect a small group of people the roots of employment surround touring are ginormous.
Just to list a few:
Truck drivers, coach drivers, music technicians, lighting engineers, sound engineers, tour managers, stage managers, set designers, headline acts, support acts, catering the list just goes on!
So, the questions are: What differences will this make to British touring acts and their crews? Will this mean a less rich and diverse live music scene for the United Kingdom? And of course, why has this happened?
Well, it will mean that musicians and their entourages will have to apply and pay for visas. This large increase in expenses, time and hassle could make it utterly impossible for small bands and artists to tour internationally and also greatly reduce the size and extent to which larger acts can travel as well. Many public figures and industry professionals, such as comedian Dawn French and singer songwriter KT Tunstall, have shown their utter dismay at the government’s verdict and urging them to re-consider. Jamie Njoku-Goodwin, Chief executive of UK music stated, “There is a real risk that British musicians will not be able to bear the cost of extra bureaucracy and delays which would put some tours at risk.”
Jamie Njoku-Goodwin, head of UK Music
Of course, this is not just an issue facing British musicians/crews but also foreign acts trying to work within the UK. With the very same added costs being imposed on them, will this mean our live music scene (which has always been hailed as one of the very best) is going to be stripped of its range, diversity and soul? Mr Njoku-Goodwin also talks about this saying, “If musicians and creators from overseas face barriers and costs getting into the UK, audiences here could miss out on seeing some of their favourite acts.”
We must also consider how this will affect businesses that rely on international music trade. From the large corporate arenas to the small independent venues will we see a vast decline in demand for such spaces? In addition we should not forget festivals which not only bring in large quantities of money for the economy but also provide so much for the nation in terms of branding and as capsules of global history and culture.
credit: The Independent
Now, who’s to blame? The UK? The EU? Or perhaps a miss communication between the public and governing powers? Well, it’s certainly not the latter! As mentioned earlier many public figures have proclaimed their disgust at the government’s attitude towards musicians and to accompany this an ongoing nation-wide petition has grown to over 258,000 signatures in protest.
Sadly, the attitude from the political powers in charge seem rather typically childish as both seem to be blaming each other. The Independent reported that the United Kingdom claimed Brussels had rejected an “ambitious” reciprocal touring arrangement. Whereas the Guardian wrote that an EU source stated it was the UK that refused to accept European acts having 90 days of visa-free travel.
As more acts such as Biffy Clyro and Dua Lipa join the fight to gain visa immunity the enormity of this subject is very clear. And what ever the verdict may be the aftermath could dramatically re shape the industry for many years to come.
Link To Petition: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/563294
(The UK Goverment will be considering this for the debate, please keep signing the petition to show how significant this topic is.)
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