Brexit - impact on musicians, touring and the music/events industry

[beesonthewhatnow]

Take more than one UK truck. Only have some of them empty. Use them in rotation so they don't fall foul of the regs.

That certainly sounds like a good way to keep costs down.

 

[Pickman's model]

That certainly sounds like a good way to keep costs down.

It's what heath robinson would have done

 

[Sasaferrato]

A fantastic Brexit win for the UK haulage industry then.

Indeed. Just like the fantastic win for all UK industry.

 

[editor]

I've been chatting to friends in different bands recently and not one of them has any European dates booked - and it's the same for my band too.

The reason? Fucking shitty Brexit.

UK artists left in “limbo of chaos and confusion” in attempting to book post-Brexit European tours

UK artists have hit out at the government for leaving them in "limbo, chaos and confusion" in the wake of the Brexit touring fiasco.

www.nme.com

Musicians Forced To Cancel EU Gigs 'Every Day' Due To Brexit Demand Financial Support From Government

Exclusive: Music industry leaders have urged ministers to give financial help to performers who are unable to take bookings in the European Union d...

www.politicshome.com

Anger among UK musicians 'forgotten' in Brexit deal - France 24

Anger among UK musicians 'forgotten' in Brexit deal

www.france24.com

 

[Pickman's model]

I'd imagine the raging pandemic the other side of the channel had played no small part in this as no one has a scooby when any venues will be open again

There is on the one hand the shitty deal the Johnson government has got, which under normal conditions sets great hurdles for UK bands touring the EU

And on the other the shitty pandemic which stops conditions being normal and any bands reaching anything more than tentative arrangements to tour the EU atm

 

[The39thStep]

I'd imagine the raging pandemic the other side of the channel had played no small part in this as no one has a scooby when any venues will be open again

Has not had. The covid situation in most of Europe is dire . On a bright note Ed's band management might want to look at Portugal where things are slowly looking up for outdoor festivals.

 

[Pickman's model]

Has not had. The covid situation in most of Europe is dire . On a bright note Ed's band management might want to look at Portugal where things are slowly looking up for outdoor festivals.

Even has not had are sitting this one out

 

[editor]

I'd imagine the raging pandemic the other side of the channel had played no small part in this as no one has a scooby when any venues will be open again

Yes that has already been thoroughly discussed, but even for booking tours a year in advance in Europe, Brexit has introduced huge problems.

 

[editor]

Has not had. The covid situation in most of Europe is dire . On a bright note Ed's band management might want to look at Portugal where things are slowly looking up for outdoor festivals.

We're not really a festival band and generally preferred to do a proper tour, travelling by train through the countries.

 

[Pickman's model]

Yes that has already been thoroughly discussed, but even for booking tours a year in advance in Europe, Brexit has introduced huge problems.

As I noted

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

The governments own advice basically admitting that U.K. touring hauliers and bus companies are now fucked:

Working, performing and touring in Europe - guidance for musical artists and accompanying staff

A checklist for musical artists and accompanying staff working, performing or touring in an EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.

www.gov.uk

 

[ATOMIC SUPLEX]

Shit.

 

[editor]

The governments own advice basically admitting that U.K. touring hauliers and bus companies are now fucked:

Working, performing and touring in Europe - guidance for musical artists and accompanying staff

A checklist for musical artists and accompanying staff working, performing or touring in an EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.

www.gov.uk

We still haven't got a single European date in our diaries. It's a total disaster for musicians, road crew, promoters and venues.

 

[beesonthewhatnow]

“Risking it” – Not An Option, We Need Solutions

What are the consequences of being caught without the right authorisation. I am writing this article with the help of our legal advisor Samar Shams, Partner - Immigration & Global Mobility at Spencer West. I recently had a conversation with a senior official at a large company operating in the...

www.carryontouring.uk

 

[gosub]

Carry On Touring - Open Letter to Lord Frost

Carry on Touring is the umbrella campaign which all those who tour – and rely on touring - can support and sit under. It brings together voices from across the touring, cultural and creative industries sectors to secure cross-party support for Tim Brennan’s petition.

www.carryontouring.uk

 

[editor]

Carry On Touring - Open Letter to Lord Frost

Carry on Touring is the umbrella campaign which all those who tour – and rely on touring - can support and sit under. It brings together voices from across the touring, cultural and creative industries sectors to secure cross-party support for Tim Brennan’s petition.

www.carryontouring.uk

Touring artists and professionals now face unnecessary barriers which will mean that, for many, going on tour in Europe will no longer be viable. Having to navigate the differing requirements of 27 Sovereign EU states means getting work permits for crews (including dancers and performers, techs, video, sound and lighting crew, the riggers, special effects, set carpenters, automation, wardrobe, make-up and hair, the production team, catering, drivers, and anyone else working behind the scenes) for the various countries they visit and will have a huge impact and cost.

It's fucking ridiculous that this far down the line the music and entertainment industry has to keep begging for support.

 

[Saul Goodman]

It's fucking ridiculous that this far down the line the music and entertainment industry has to keep begging for support.

I do realise and appreciate that it's affecting you, but how are musicians any different from the multitudes of other people that Brexit is also affecting? Do you think musicians should be given preferential treatment simply because they're musicians? I'm not having a pop here, it's a serious question. We've all been affected by Brexit. I have a very close friend who runs an engineering company, and he has to bite the bullet and live by the new rules that Brexit has imposed on him, and he's losing lots of money as a direct result. It actually looks like he might have to close shop due to this, but it's a direct result of what the majority of voters voted for. This doesn't make it any more palatable for him but why should one segment of society be given priority over another?

 

[scifisam]

I do realise and appreciate that it's affecting you, but how are musicians any different from the multitudes of other people that Brexit is also affecting? Do you think musicians should be given preferential treatment simply because they're musicians? I'm not having a pop here, it's a serious question. We've all been affected by Brexit. I have a very close friend who runs an engineering company, and he has to bite the bullet and live by the new rules that Brexit has imposed on him, and he's losing lots of money as a direct result. It actually looks like he might have to close shop due to this, but it's a direct result of what the majority of voters voted for. This doesn't make it any more palatable for him but why should one segment of society be given priority over another?

Industries that involve people travelling across multiple European countries should have been considered when negotiating Brexit. Music isn't the only industry affected by that, but it's one of them, and it's not a minor one.

 

[Saul Goodman]

Industries that involve people travelling across multiple European countries should have been considered when negotiating Brexit. Music isn't the only industry affected by that, but it's one of them, and it's not a minor one.

Industries that send goods to multiple European countries are surely no different? In fact, I can guarantee that its costing my mate a lot more than the price of a carnet.

 

[Supine]

I do realise and appreciate that it's affecting you, but how are musicians any different from the multitudes of other people that Brexit is also affecting? Do you think musicians should be given preferential treatment simply because they're musicians? I'm not having a pop here, it's a serious question. We've all been affected by Brexit. I have a very close friend who runs an engineering company, and he has to bite the bullet and live by the new rules that Brexit has imposed on him, and he's losing lots of money as a direct result. It actually looks like he might have to close shop due to this, but it's a direct result of what the majority of voters voted for. This doesn't make it any more palatable for him but why should one segment of society be given priority over another?

The arts are considered differently to other industries and generally given more freedom to travel. This was offered to the UK but turned down as brexiteers didn’t want reciprocal rights for European artists.

 

[Badgers]

This should help...

Home Office considers charging EU citizens to visit Britain

The new Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme would be based on the US model, which costs £9

www.independent.co.uk

 

[kabbes]

Industries that send goods to multiple European countries are surely no different? In fact, I can guarantee that its costing my mate a lot more than the price of a carnet.

It doesn’t help your mate for British musicians to not complain about the problem. In fact, British musicians complaining can only be of benefit to your mate in the long run, as it keeps the issue alive of how businesses are affected by the Brexit arrangements.

 

[ska invita]

Industries that involve people travelling across multiple European countries should have been considered when negotiating Brexit.

They were considered. Musician Union has been lobbying on this issue for years now. Reports are that the Tories went out of their way NOT to accept an agreement on this issue with the EU. The current state of affairs is entirely deliberate

 

[littlebabyjesus]

I do realise and appreciate that it's affecting you, but how are musicians any different from the multitudes of other people that Brexit is also affecting? Do you think musicians should be given preferential treatment simply because they're musicians? I'm not having a pop here, it's a serious question. We've all been affected by Brexit. I have a very close friend who runs an engineering company, and he has to bite the bullet and live by the new rules that Brexit has imposed on him, and he's losing lots of money as a direct result. It actually looks like he might have to close shop due to this, but it's a direct result of what the majority of voters voted for. This doesn't make it any more palatable for him but why should one segment of society be given priority over another?

Did the 'majority of voters' vote for this kind of Brexit, though? Isn't it time to stop mentioning the referendum as a justification for this fuck up?

As for your friend, I would guess that editor and all the other musicians pushing for rule changes to help them would also support rule changes to help him. Time for a bit of solidarity, no?

 

[TopCat]

Did the 'majority of voters' vote for this kind of Brexit, though? Isn't it time to stop mentioning the referendum as a justification for this fuck up?

As for your friend, I would guess that editor and all the other musicians pushing for rule changes to help them would also support rule changes to help him. Time for a bit of solidarity, no?

A call from a non union member to have solidarity with musicians who also refuse to join a union.

Middle class solidarity is a funny thing.

 

[killer b]

I think not being able to afford the subs to join a union because work is too sporadic and poorly paid is hardly a middle class problem tbh

 

[TopCat]

I think not being able to afford the subs to join a union because work is too sporadic and poorly paid is hardly a middle class problem tbh

Less than a pint of beer per week is not unaffordable. This don’t join because solidarity ain’t on the agenda. Can’t pay or won’t pay MU rates was a bigger issue than the subs.

 

[Pickman's model]

Industries that involve people travelling across multiple European countries should have been considered when negotiating Brexit. Music isn't the only industry affected by that, but it's one of them, and it's not a minor one.

tbh industries that don't involve travelling across multiple european countries should have been considered during the negotiations. but look at eg the silversmiths whose hallmarks are no longer recognised in europe. when the pm is on record as being of the opinion "fuck business" it's hardly a great surprise the entire thing's a clusterfuck for a whole host of activity is it

 

[killer b]

I'd guess 20 quid a month might feel pretty unaffordable if you've not worked for a year, especially to join a union which isn't set up to represent the kind of work you do as a musician

 

[editor]

A call from a non union member to have solidarity with musicians who also refuse to join a union.

Middle class solidarity is a funny thing.

Oh that's nice and sneery. Instead of projecting your damning opinions on the failure of working musicians to join the MU, why don't you ask them why they're not interested and why the union has such a low take up in smaller bands?

Not sure where middle class comes into it either.