No-deal Brexit on 31 October could make life "very difficult" for the UK music industry says the
BPI.
The organisation, which represents UK record companies - including Warner, Sony and Universal - believes copyright laws might be "thrown in the air."
They say "chaos" could ensue for British artists touring in Europe too.
"Planning for a whole range of possibilities which we are not sure will ever materialise is extremely difficult," says the BPI's Ian Moss.
At the most basic level, Brexit raises concerns about the ability of musicians to tour overseas. And unless you're The Rolling Stones or Beyonce, touring teams don't come much bigger or work more often than orchestras.
Classical musicians agree no-deal could mean uncertainty over work permits, delays at European borders and complications with moving instruments across the continent.
"The nice and simple crossing at Calais, with 100 musicians and no obstacles," could instantly become a thing of the past by Halloween, says Mark Pemberton, director of the
Association of British Orchestras.
Orchestral manoeuvres in the dark
"We've got orchestras that are going on tour in November who do not know what the work permit restrictions and extra costs are going to be in, say, France or Germany. In terms of their preparation, there are some very big unanswered questions."
Even if work permits are granted, he believes European concert halls may look elsewhere as "there's only so much they're prepared to spend on booking an orchestra".
"If we become more expensive [extra costs-wise] than a German or Italian orchestra then guess what? We're going to lose the work."
"The saving grace for us, ironically," he laughs sardonically, "is the is the weak pound, because we're all now cheaper! [performance fee-wise]"
