Petition: help touring musicians in Europe

[CaledonianGonzo]

Seeking Europe-wide Visa-free work permit for Touring professionals and Artists

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/563294

[jannybruck]

This is really important to sign for any music fan who's even remotely a fan of any British artist, particularly smaller ones that don't have huge label or management. Behind the scenes they're all dreading the extra layers of bureaucracy and cost touring the EU will have now.

[SwedgeAntilles]

Done 👍

[Crazyfool01]

I did it yesterday... worth sharing on twitter accounts for those that have them too ... 

[Zoo Music Girl]

Signed and shared!

[waltere]

Signed it 👌

[gigpusher]

Already done and shared on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

[zzzfest]

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/uk-visa-free-work-musicians-eu-brexit-b1784600.html?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_content=Echobox&utm_source=Twitter#comments

[Zoo Music Girl]

I'm sure those that signed also received it, but I got this government response today (calling bullshit somewhere along the line as the EU is saying it's our fault: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-55654386) 

The Government has responded to the petition you signed – “Seek Europe-wide Visa-free work permit for Touring professionals and Artists”.

Government responded:

During our negotiations, we proposed measures to allow creative professionals to travel and perform in both the UK and EU, without needing work-permits. Unfortunately, the EU rejected these proposals.

The UK Government supports ambitious arrangements for performers and artists to be able to work and tour across Europe. In the negotiations with the EU, we were determined to get a good deal for British music because we recognise the value of this industry.

As negotiations began, we consulted extensively with the sector to find out what they needed from the negotiations. We listened to the experts in British music, including bodies like the Musicians Union, and reflected their views in our proposal to the EU.

During our negotiations with the EU, we sought a mutually beneficial agreement that would have allowed performers to continue performing across the continent without the need for work permits. Specifically, we proposed to capture the work done by musicians, artists and entertainers, and their accompanying staff through the list of permitted activities for short-term business visitors. This was a straightforward solution for our creative industries which would have benefited all sides.

The EU turned down our proposals on the basis that musicians were providing a service which they viewed as necessitating a work permit and/or visa.

This outcome is regrettable, however there is scope to return to this issue in the future should the EU change its mind. Meanwhile the UK Government will make the case for arrangements that make touring easier in the EU and also seek to signpost to guidance which will help UK business travelers navigate individual Member States’ immigration systems.

The UK remains open for musicians to tour here. Musicians and artists (and technical staff) traveling to the UK from non-visa national countries, which includes but is not limited to EU nationals, are able to carry out a number of activities relating to the music and touring industry without a visa. Visiting musicians to the UK may perform at events, make personal appearances, take part in competitions, promotional activities and auditions, for up to 6 months without the need for formal sponsorship or a visa if they are not being paid beyond expenses or prize money. They can also receive payment for appearances at permit free festivals for up to 6 months, or for up to one month for a specific engagement. Musicians and support staff who are being paid in the UK may also qualify for entry under the Tier 5 Creative Worker route, if they are sponsored by a UK entity licensed with UK Visas and Immigration for this purpose. Entry is for up to 12 months and the relevant rules also provide for accompanying dependents. Entry under the Tier 5 Creative Worker route is visa-free for non-visa nationals where entry is for no more than three months.

The deal delivers on the Government’s promise to take the UK out of the EU’s customs territory and to regain control of our borders. This means there will be new customs processes on goods headed from GB into the EU and vice versa. These processes ensure that customs authorities remain able to protect their regulatory, security and financial interests. As part of this, ATA Carnets can be used for temporary imports of some goods, including professional equipment, as an alternative to facing full customs controls. This is already an option for temporary goods movements from the UK to many other non-EU countries. It reflects the established international approach in line with the ATA and Istanbul Conventions.

The Government recognises the importance of touring for UK musicians and other creative professionals, and has engaged extensively with the creative industries and arts sector since the announcement of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement to ensure they are aware of the new requirements. Going forward, we will continue our close dialogue with the creative and cultural sectors to ensure that they have the support they need to thrive.

We are also taking all steps we can to make the new processes as straightforward as possible for UK artists performing across the continent. Through negotiations with the EU we secured Transparency and Procedural Facilitation measures that will help ensure visa processes are as prompt and smooth as possible. The Agreement also contains provisions that promote efficient customs arrangements and we are working to make it easier to apply for and use ATA Carnets.

Furthermore, the Government is taking unprecedented action to help the music sector during the crisis. We’ve provided £1.5 billion of direct support for arts across the UK, the biggest one off investment ever, and a sum that far exceeds what’s been provided in other countries. That builds on billions more coming from furlough, the self-employed income support scheme and other government support.

Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport

[eFestivals]

An EU spokesperson said "The UK "refused to include a chapter on mobility in the agreement" and "refused to include a commitment on visa-free short stays".

[eFestivals]

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/jan/14/brexit-touring-row-uk-proposals-not-fit-for-purpose-says-eu?utm_source=sendinblue&utm_campaign=15_January_2021_-_Full__Trial&utm_medium=email

[jump]

I signed it already.

I still find it mental that live music was completely overlooked by the Government for smaller industries. I did find it funny during the Government committee about festivals a week or two ago it was suggested that countries like Germany could over take the UK as a leading market as a reason to sort these issues out.

[maelzoid]

I've signed it and I agree with it.

But... Part of me thinks that this is exactly what Brexit is about - reducing free movement of people between the UK and the EU. This is exactly what the leavers wanted and what the majority voted for.

[SwedgeAntilles]

 

 

[maelzoid]

I think it bears mentioning that the UK 'export' far more live music than we 'import'. Just check the number of UK musicians on any bill at MadCool, NosAlive, Werchter, Pukkelpop, Pinkpop, Roskilde, and compare it with the amount of European artists we have at our festivals. Allowing a supposedly equal exchange of visas would massively bennefit our side of the equation.

It also bears mentioning that Roger Daltrey is a dicksplash.

[eFestivals]

3 minutes ago, maelzoid said:

Allowing a supposedly equal exchange of visas would massively bennefit our side of the equation.

the problem is: it's free movement of workers.

Something the govt said it was going to end, and has ended.

[Brave Sir Robin]

On 1/15/2021 at 3:04 PM, maelzoid said:

I've signed it and I agree with it.

But... Part of me thinks that this is exactly what Brexit is about - reducing free movement of people between the UK and the EU. This is exactly what the leavers wanted and what the majority voted for.

This being what Brexit is about and this being shit are, er, not exactly mutually exclusive.

It's clear the problem can be resolved and will be if enough noise is made about it. Who's the musical equivalent of Rashford to lead the campaign? Forget Daltrey and Sting, we need the likes of Chris Martin, Dua Lipa and Stormzy pushing this.

[Brave Sir Robin]

2 hours ago, SwedgeAntilles said:

 

 

On Daltrey, a classic from Cold War Steve:

[Yoghurt on a Stick]

Signed.

[Bad Man MC]

This is a topic I'm passionate about- and one which has brought me to this website, i cant understand why in the spirit of Brexit we can simply rely on homegrown musical talent for at least a few years, whilst the visa stuff gets sorted out? 

This country is well renowned for having the best music scene in the world, both legacy and currently, so i reckon we could do a Glastonbury without the need of any foreign acts or bands, like it probably was when it first started.  I think it would be a great advertisement for the nation- we can still hold the best festival in the world without any outside assistance.  Besides, im really not bothered if Kylie Minogue or Taylor Swift cant play the Pyramid stage, hardly a loss. 

[Quark]

5 minutes ago, Bad Man MC said:

This is a topic I'm passionate about- and one which has brought me to this website, i cant understand why in the spirit of Brexit we can simply rely on homegrown musical talent for at least a few years, whilst the visa stuff gets sorted out? 

This country is well renowned for having the best music scene in the world, both legacy and currently, so i reckon we could do a Glastonbury without the need of any foreign acts or bands, like it probably was when it first started.  I think it would be a great advertisement for the nation- we can still hold the best festival in the world without any outside assistance.  Besides, im really not bothered if Kylie Minogue or Taylor Swift cant play the Pyramid stage, hardly a loss. 

The biggest issue is the limits it puts on us exporting that musical talent.

You're right, it is world renowned.  So why the hell would we make it harder to get it out there to a global market?

Edited January 20, 2021 by Quark

[Quark]

And beyond the economic aspects of limiting the export potential of such a massive industry, why on earth would anyone want to do it "without the need of any foreign acts or bands" or hold the festival without any outside assistance? Why would you want to limit your exposure to fantastic music and performance from all over the world?

Glastonbury did have mainly homegrown acts when it started. It was small and music festivals weren't well established. As it got bigger and better, it included more acts from (shock) outside the UK.  It's a massive globally-renowned event, so why the hell would we want to damage that by turning it insular? 

Have you been?  

[Crazyfool01]

8 minutes ago, Quark said:

And beyond the economic aspects of limiting the export potential of such a massive industry, why on earth would anyone want to do it "without the need of any foreign acts or bands" or hold the festival without any outside assistance? Why would you want to limit your exposure to fantastic music and performance from all over the world?

Glastonbury did have mainly homegrown acts when it started. It was small and music festivals weren't well established. As it got bigger and better, it included more acts from (shock) outside the UK.  It's a massive globally-renowned event, so why the hell would we want to damage that by turning it insular? 

Have you been?  

I think this might be one of our regulars ... with a new username 

[Quark]

I have my suspicions but benefit of the doubt to new posters and all that.

[waltere]

3 hours ago, Brave Sir Robin said:

It's clear the problem can be resolved and will be if enough noise is made about it. Who's the musical equivalent of Rashford to lead the campaign? Forget Daltrey and Sting, we need the likes of Chris Martin, Dua Lipa and Stormzy pushing this.

Pushback is starting.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-55721729

Elton John, Liam Gallagher, Sting, Brian May, Radiohead, Roger Daltrey(!) and the Eavises amongst those involved