Promoter Harvey Goldsmith is set to appear before UK Members of Parliament (MPs) to aid with the Inquiry into EU Touring Crisis Facing Musicians and Crew.
Senior Parliamentarians from the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Music are due to hold the next stage of their inquiry, which is looking into the barriers facing UK artists when touring the European Union, on February 7.
Goldsmith has worked with some of the world’s biggest artists including The Rolling Stones, The Who, Bruce Springsteen, The Eagles, Sheryl Crow and Shania Twain, and has helped to produce historic shows such as Live Aid.
He will join a panel of experts from across the industry, including chief executive of the Association of British Orchestras Mark Pemberton and Craig Stanley, chair of LIVE Touring Group. The rest of the panel will be made up of Anita Debaere and Silke Lalvani, director and head of public affairs, PEARLE* – Live Performance Europe.
The first evidence session was held in November last year, with presentations given by Jeremy Pritchard, who is in the band Everything Everything, manager Paul Crockford and Fiona McDonnell, head of artistic planning at the Academy of Ancient Music.
The three highlighted the challenges that musicians and music workers are facing when it comes to touring in the EU, including issues with visas, carnets and further bureaucratic barriers.
Iconic artist Sir Elton John has also previously warned that the UK music industry was at risk of losing a “generation of talent” if the Government does not step in.
The second session will continue to highlight these issues, with the MPs intending to publish a full report later this year.
The group of MPs have also already written to Prime Minister Boris Johnson about the problems facing musicians and crews when touring Europe.
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