The video is a fair reminder that musicians like to share what they create and aren’t great fans of political barriers.
Recent articles in the British and French media mentioned the plight of UK musicians touring Europe. At first glance, they appeared similar but are not drawn from the same source and mention data from different surveys of musicians.
The French version focused on 25% of British performing artists and musicians stating they have been put out of work. An additional 47% say they now have less work, with 39% mentioning they regularly decline offers from Europe.
The UK article stated that 82% of 1,460 responders said their earnings have decreased. A further 43% felt touring EU nations was no longer viable, with 65% mentioning they now receive fewer invites to perform in the EU.
Differences exist but the surveys are not so far apart and share the substantial impact Brexit has had on the music industry.
The Practical Impact
How individual performers, or groups are affected will vary. A fair proportion will be impacted by having to limit their stay to 90 days in a 180 day period, most will have to deal with specific requirements.
If instruments, or related items contain material from endangered species, a Musical Instrument Certificate must be obtained and stamped at the border.
Work rules across the EU are not consistent, UK touring musicians can in a sense be foreigners in 27 different countries. They have to deal with variable requirements on visas, or work permits, local taxes, or social security payments.
Travelling and carrying personal musical instruments is now generally accepted but again, not 100% consistent. Shipments beyond this are likely to need temporary export cover, with ATA carnets the most viable option.
The additional requirements mean preparation and travel time become extended, incurring additional costs, from vehicle, or equipment rental, to extra wages for employees.
Why The Position Exists
Those involved and their representative bodies have not been silent since Brexit but promises made haven’t turned into reality. Most issues were raised before we left the EU but conflicted with political principles.
The EU did offer a reciprocal visa waiver for performers as part of the Brexit agreement. Those negotiating on behalf of the UK felt this conflicted with the Conservative Party’s commitment, to take back control of UK borders.
Many musicians feel that in reality they were given a no deal Brexit, leaving them unable to work productively in a key market.
Feasible Solutions
Creative industry bodies keep lobbying, 300 of them signed an open letter to the Prime Minister. Others have quoted opinion polls, which suggest support for Brexit has waned, one musicians union describing the Brexit vote as an “obsolete benchmark”.
The problem is that even if this were desirable, or possible, there is no political will to rejoin the EU. The party in government would clearly not and the main opposition is intent on not rocking the boat whilst they hold a poll lead.
Further negotiation is the only possibility, yet that takes two and the EU are not at present too distraught. Their own musicians suffer to a degree and will more so when all rules are applied but this involves smaller numbers than in the other direction.
We do appreciate the musicians position and try to help, by telling them when a carnet is not needed, or supplying a fault free ATA carnet for the EU. Seeing the situation they are in improve would be welcome but seems unlikely by itself.
There are other aspects of Brexit which don’t function well, or at all. International systems such as carnets are working but much else needs a rethink. Only when politicians sit down with a serious, wider wish for change will solutions arrive.