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14 May 2025 12:43 PM
By Nick Reilly
Musicians and industry bosses from the UK and Europe have united to demand urgent action to remove the challenges of touring across the continent.
READ MORE: Why it‘s time for Keir Starmer and Labour to face the music
Key figures including Blur‘s Dave Rowntree and UK Music Chief Executive Tom Kiehl have warned that the current arrangements are “not working” – resulting in a situation where musicians are hit financially by not touring and music fans are being robbed of the chance to see acts across the continent.
The open letter, addressed to figures including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, comes ahead of a key EU-UK Summit which is being held in London on Monday May 19.
The new letter also boasts more than 550 signatories and outlines how the barriers of soaring costs and red tape means “audiences, artists and venues in the EU and UK are missing out on the enormous benefits which closer cultural exchange would bring”.
The letter concludes: “Our strong collective desire to share, learn and inspire in the creativity from both the EU and the UK is united. As our political leaders, we call on your combined efforts in these important talks to overcome any obstacles and barriers affecting the economic and cultural growth of this important sector, that currently stand in the way of fulfilling this relationship.”
Also supporting the letter are British mezzo-soprano Dame Sarah Connolly, broadcaster and LIVE chair Steve Lamacq, British conductor Sir Mark Elder and British oboist and conductor Nicholas Daniel, OBE.
Since the UK left the bloc in January 2020, musicians have faced a tangled web of red tape, including but not withstanding visas, work permits and carnets — a sort of instrument passport that musicians must have for every bit of gear they’re taking on the continent.
According to the latest UK Music figures, the UK music industry contributed £7.6 billion in terms of Gross Value Added (GVA) in 2023 to the economy. The sector also delivered exports of £4.6 billion and provided employment for 216,000 people.
Elton John is among the high profile acts to previously champion the cause, warning that post-Brexit touring regulations are “crushing” young artists.
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