Elton John's augmented reality performance at Hyde Park
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Sir Elton John, 75, has issued a warning that musicians, particularly younger and less-established artists, could find themselves “stranded in Dover” if Brexit barriers continue affecting those touring the European Union.
Elton’s comment comes as a group of more than 100 MPs and peers issued a report calling on the government to remove red tape facing those in the music industry.
The report, from the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Music (APPG on Music), warns that the “UK music industry faces a touring crisis in Europe” due to “more costs, more complications and fewer opportunities after leaving the EU”.
Issues laid out in the report include visa restrictions, new costs, transport difficulties and the shortage of drivers to haul event equipment.
Elton told the APPG that these issues are problematic for rising stars in music and that the government missed a “golden opportunity” to fix things during Covid.
He said in a statement: “The government has had a golden opportunity to fix the problem while Covid was closing down touring.
“While some progress has been made, that opportunity has been allowed to slip.
“The heartbeat and future of our vibrant industry face finding themselves stranded in Dover through no fault of their own.”
British Punk band White Lies – whose debut album To Lose My Life reached number one in 2009 – say they had to cancel a gig in Paris in April because their equipment was “detained by Brexit legislation leaving England”.
They told APPG: “It cost the band (and our fans) financially and emotionally, and shouldn’t have happened.
“We have the resources to pay experienced professionals to guide us through the red tape, but the reality for newer acts is that touring in Europe could become an impossible dream.”
The band backed calls for a touring tsar to help solve the issues and prevent the music industry becoming a “cultural casualty of Brexit”.
In response to the report, a government spokesperson told Express.co.uk: “We are supporting the UK’s brilliant musicians to adapt to the new arrangements and make touring easier.
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“Following our engagement, 24 EU member states including the biggest touring markets such as Spain, France, Germany and the Netherlands have confirmed they offer visa and work permit-free routes for UK performers and other creative professionals.
“We continue to engage with the few remaining countries which do not offer visa or work permit-free routes.”
Members of the APPG include Labour MP Kevin Brennan as Chairman, and his Labour colleagues including Dawn Butler, Sharon Hodgson and Alex Sobel.
Conservative MPs are also in the group, including Sir Greg Knight, Dehenna Davison, David Morris and Jack Lopresti.
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