More than 100 British musicians, from pop and rock idols including Ed Sheeran, Sting and Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters to classical stars such as conductor Simon Rattle, have said tours of Europe by British artists are in danger because of Brexit.
In a letter to the Times newspaper, the stars accused the government of “shamefully failing” the country’s performers with its Brexit deal and the government’s “negotiating failure” threatens the future of cultural exchange with the Continent.
The letter says musicians are already struggling because of the Covid-related ban on live music, adding that the lack of a special arrangement “will tip many performers over the edge”.
“The deal done with the EU has a gaping hole where the promised free movement for musicians should be: everyone on a European music tour will now need costly work permits and a mountain of paperwork for their equipment,” they wrote.
“The extra costs will make many tours unviable, especially for young emerging musicians who are already struggling to keep their heads above water owing to the COVID ban on live music.”
