26.05.2020: The head of UK Music has called for more to be done to help artists tour after the UK leaves the EU

Tom Watson has called for the government to back a plan for a Musicians’ Passport, allowing bands and artists to tour freely and without visas after Brexit.

As part of ongoing Brexit negotiations, the Home Office previously revealed that musicians from outside the UK will need to apply for a visa and pay to perform in the country from 2021, with EU and non-EU based creatives who wish to travel to the UK needing to prove they have nearly £1000 in savings in their account some 90 days before applying for the visa.

A number of industry figures also spoke out about how the extra expense that would fall on UK artists wishing tour through Europe after Brexit would prove “devastating” and make it “financially impossible” for smaller acts.

A petition was subsequently started by the Musicians’ Union, calling for a Musicians’ Passport to support artists and crew working in the EU after Brexit. It has since been signed by over 82,000 people.

Now, former Labour Deputy Leader and Shadow Culture Secretary Watson, who became the new Chair of the body UK Music back in March, has called for more to be done to help artists tour after the UK leaves the EU – especially due to the extra pressure on the live music industry thanks to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Read the full interview in NME here.