29.05.2025: Ever since the UK voted to leave the EU back in 2016, artists – particularly those at grassroots level – have been facing an existential threat as a result of the huge costs and extensive red tape that now come with performing to their nearest international neighbours. What once served as a major opportunity to build new audiences and gain invaluable touring experience has become both a logistical nightmare and a luxury few can afford without jeopardizing their futures.

And it’s not just the performers who have been feeling the pinch. Tour managers, sound and lighting engineers, production crew – all have been significantly impacted by the costly barriers that now blight EU-UK touring. As such, figureheads from across the music industry ecosystem have consistently lobbied Government to find a solution that eases the process for all concerned. And in May of this year, Musicians and industry leaders from the UK and Europe joined forces to demand urgent action to remove the barriers to touring across the EU.

They warned political leaders that the current arrangements for UK acts touring the EU and EU acts touring the UK are “not working” and are depriving millions of music fans of the chance to see their favourite acts perform live.

Backed by thousands of people working across the UK and EU music industries, an open letter to UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, was organised by the Musicians’ Union, the Association of British Orchestras, LIVE, Pearle*, the Independent Society of Musicians and UK Music.

The open letter – which has more than 550 signatories from organisations and individuals and can be read in full at the link below – 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.”

Among those who supported the letter are Blur drummer Dave Rowntree, 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.

UK Music Chief Executive Tom Kiehl said: “The ability to tour the EU free from barriers and restrictive red tape has been central to the UK music industry’s incredible success for decades. And it is absolutely essential to its future prosperity. This country continues to produce swathes of amazing artists who are being deprived of the opportunity to build crucial new international audiences, while fans are missing out on the chance to discover some of the most exciting talent emerging from the UK.

“The costs of touring the EU are challenging for the entire UK music ecosystem, from artists and musicians to engineers and technicians, but at a grassroots level they are posing an existential threat, with many artists prevented from growing the kind of global fanbase they need to survive. It is vital that these barriers to our nearest neighbours are removed so that our world class talent is free to flourish.”

UK Music also reinforced the call to the UK Government and EU leaders by taking a giant postcard to the 2025 Great Escape Festival highlighting the urgent need to remove the obstacles facing UK acts touring the EU and EU acts touring the UK.

Among the music industry leaders who showed their support by signing the postcard at the Brighton festival were AIM (Association of Independent Music) CEO Gee Davy, FAC (Featured Artists Coalition) CEO David Martin, Ivors Academy Chair and member of Gomez Tom Gray, MMF (Music Managers Forum) CEO Annabella Coldrick, MPG (Music Producers Guild) Executive Directors Cameron Craig and Matt Taylor, and Musicians’ Union General Secretary Naomi Pohl.

They were joined by music industry icon and chair of LIVE Steve Lamacq, Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix, Labour MP and co-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Music Alex Sobel, PRS Foundation CEO Joe Frankland, and artists Huia and Van Der Rose.

Earlier this year, at a meeting hosted jointly by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Music and the APPG for Freight and Logistics, Parliamentarians and industry experts met to discuss the pressing issues surrounding touring in the EU.

The meeting provided a frank, in-depth look at the regulatory and logistical hurdles facing musicians and hauliers attempting cross-border touring. It built upon many of the findings and recommendations from the APPG on Music’s 2022 report on EU touring and marked the first time the two influential APPGs had come together for a joint meeting.

Opening the session, previous Shadow Minister for the Arts and Co-Chair of the APPG for Classical Music, Baroness Barbara Keeley, reflected on the impact the evolving regulatory landscape has had on live performance in the EU, particularly for orchestras. She emphasised that while the challenges are significant, collaborative solutions will benefit the entire cultural and haulage sector.

The session then moved on to an expert panel featuring APPG on Music co-Chair Pete Wishart MP, APPG for Freight and Logistics Chair Rachel Taylor MP, Managing Director at Brian Yeardley Continental Limited Kevin Hopper, Senior Public Affairs Lead at the Road Haulage Association (RHA) Ashton Cull and UK Music’s Director of Campaigns and Engagement, Olga FitzRoy.

Chairing the panel, Rachel Taylor MP shared how the freight industry employs 20% of her constituency of North Warwickshire and Bedworth, making this a key priority of hers as a new MP.

Opening his remarks, Pete Wishart MP stated he was “Surprised this is the first meeting we’ve managed to arrange together.” He praised the unique ability of musicians as multi-skilled professionals to navigate the continent despite the issues in the EU. However, he expressed disappointment at the rejection of the youth mobility scheme, which he believes is crucial for encouraging cultural exchange.

While the future for EU-UK touring remains unclear, UK Music has welcomed UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s “reset” deal with the EU following the conclusion of a UK/EU summit in London, which featured the announcement of a wide-ranging agreement in a number of key areas including fishing, defence, food and passport checks.

Point 15 of the nine-page Common Understanding document deals with the issue of EU touring. It says:

“The European Commission and the United Kingdom recognise the value of travel and cultural and artistic exchanges, including the activities of touring artists. They will continue their efforts to support travel and cultural exchange.

Responding to the commitment, Tom Kiehl said: “Commitments made to support cultural exchange for touring artists are an important first step on the road to what we hope will ultimately become a new deal between the EU and UK. Musicians and crew effectively suffered a “no deal Brexit” once the UK left the EU and it is high time this is tackled.

“Labour was elected on a manifesto to help touring artists and while we seek more concrete commitments, we welcome their efforts to ensure it is included in these important discussions.”