Grassroots music venues in the UK have said that the mix of the cost-of-living crisis, Brexit and cancelled shows have created a ‘perfect storm’. Talking to NME, Gareth Barber, owner, promoter and a band manager at Esquires in Bedford, said: “COVID’s not gone away, everyone’s feeling the pinch, there’s a cost of living crisis and …
MPs call on UK Government to remove EU touring barriers
A cross-party group of MPs and Peers have released a report calling on the UK Government to remove barriers faced by UK musicians when touring the European Union (EU). The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Music (APPG on Music), which incorporates more than 100 MPs and Peers, published the ‘Let Music Move – A New Deal …
UK artists and crew able to tour Greece visa-free
Artists and their crews from the UK will no longer need a visa to tour in Greece. Greek Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Miltiadis Varvitsiotis made the announcement that the ruling will come into effect from Monday. The Greek Government and figures from the UK and Greek music industry including LIVE members such as United …
UK Government set to introduce specialist haulier changes
The UK Government has made it easier for live music and touring industry specialist hauliers to move more freely between Great Britain and the European Union (EU) from late summer. Hauliers that serve music concerts, sports and cultural events will be able to move more freely due to new measures such as dual registration. Drivers …
LIVE invited to join UK Government’s UK-EU advisory group
LIVE, a live music and entertainment business trade group for the UK, has been invited to join the UK Government’s UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) Domestic Advisory Group (DAG). LIVE will be representing the entertainment and cultural industries, and its application was supported by UK Theatre/Society of London Theatre (SOLT), Association of British Orchestras …
Temporary trucking legislation to help ease Brexit touring pains
The Department for Transport (DfT) in the UK has organised a temporary fix to the issues that have surrounded British artists touring in Europe due to Brexit and the moving of equipment. The issues related to trucks carrying tour equipment over 3.5 tonnes between the UK and the EU, which were limited to three stops …
Promoter Harvey Goldsmith to appear before MPs to aid touring inquiry
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 …
Spain backs down on touring visas for UK musicians
Artists touring Spain will no longer require visas for short-term work, after the UK’s exit from the European Union has caused issues for musicians touring within Europe. Music organisations LIVE and The Association of British Orchestras worked alongside Spanish counterparts Asociación Promotores Musicales to flip the rules, and allow musicians and crew to tour the …
MPs call for Prime Minister to step in over EU touring issues
Members of Parliament (MPs) have demanded action from Prime Minister Boris Johnson over the issues faced by musicians and crew when it comes to touring within the European Union. The All Party Parliamentary Group on Music has revealed plans to hold a cross-party inquiry into the barriers and delays facing musicians. A letter has also …