What the report says — key findings & worsening trends
- In its 2025/2024 survey of music creators, UK Music found that 32% of respondents said they were adversely affected by Brexit — up from 28% in 2023. (UK Music)
- Among those affected, 95% reported a decrease in earnings in 2024, compared with 87% in 2023. (UK Music)
- For many artists, touring the EU has become “no longer viable.” According to the survey: around 43% of Brexit-hit artists said EU touring is no longer viable for them. (CMU | the music business explained)
- Among the major barriers cited: visas and work permits (≈ 59% said this was a major issue), transport/logistics costs including shipping equipment, customs “carnets,” new paperwork, and complications from cabotage restrictions on transport vehicles. (UK Music)
- There has also been a sharp decline in the number of UK artists playing at European festivals: one study noted a 26% drop compared with pre-Brexit levels (2017–19 average) at certain major festivals. (Best for Britain)
- According to UK Music’s 2025 “This Is Music” report: while the UK music industry overall contributed a record £8 billion to the economy in 2024, the report explicitly warns that “the picture is still bad and is getting worse” for EU touring under post-Brexit conditions. (NME)
Bottom line from the report: Brexit-related barriers — higher costs, red tape, logistic constraints, visas, transport difficulties — remain entrenched, and in many cases are increasing, making EU touring much less viable for a substantial portion of UK musicians, especially mid-level or emerging ones.
Real-World “Case Studies” / Effects on Artists & Industry
Based on the numbers and testimony collected by UK Music + other industry-bodies, these reflect actual or plausible scenarios artists now face:
- Mid-level band cancels European tour — A band that used to play clubs across Germany, France and Spain finds that the costs for visas, equipment transport (carnets), crew travel, and paperwork now double their expense estimates. With ticket prices unlikely to cover costs, they cancel their EU leg. Result: lost exposure, lower income, fewer fans abroad.
- Technicians, crew & back-line staff lose income — Touring requires not just artists but sound & lighting engineers, road crew, back-line technicians. Since many tours are dropped or shrunk, support staff find fewer gigs. For some, the reduced demand makes sustaining a living from touring impossible.
- Emerging/grass-roots artists struggle to advance — New or smaller-scale artists used to rely on EU tours and festivals to build audiences and reputations. The increased barriers and costs cut off this pipeline, making breakthrough harder. UK Music warns this may damage long-term “talent-pipeline” for UK music. (NME)
- Reduced music-culture exchange between UK and EU — Fewer UK acts at EU festivals simultaneously means fewer European artists playing in the UK (and vice versa), reducing cultural exchange. Several industry-wide alliances of UK and EU music orgs have called this a worry for the broader cultural ecosystem. (UK Music)
- Economic strain on grassroots venues and music-industry ecosystem — With fewer EU tours, venues, promoters, and other ecosystem stakeholders (agents, back-line providers, local promoters) suffer from reduced activity and revenue, which threatens the sustainability of smaller music businesses. (Economics Observatory)
These cases illustrate how Brexit-related constraints are not just statistical — they translate into real-world barriers, career disruptions, lost income, and weakening of the grassroots and mid-level music scene.
Commentary & Reactions from Industry Leaders
- The chief executive of UK Music, Tom Kiehl, has repeatedly described the “rising costs and extra red tape involved in touring the EU post-Brexit” as a “huge challenge” for the music ecosystem. (UK Music)
- In 2025, UK- and EU-based music organisations formed a joint alliance calling on political leaders to “tear down barriers to EU touring” — underscoring that the issue affects not just UK artists but the broader Europe-UK creative exchange. (UK Music)
- Some veteran artists and music-industry insiders have warned that ongoing constraints risk “permanently damaging” the UK’s global music export strength and cultural soft-power. One column describing the 2024 tourism-and-gig-decline blamed the “collapse in touring” for threatening the sustainability of grassroots venues and future talent growth. (NME)
- On the broader economic side: even though the overall music industry contribution rose (to £8 bn in 2024), UK Music stressed that without action on EU touring, “future growth cannot be guaranteed” — signalling deep concern that gains driven by a handful of massive acts don’t offset the widespread decline at grassroots and mid-level tiers. (NME)
In short: The industry increasingly frames Brexit-related touring obstacles not as temporary teething problems, but as structural barriers that threaten the long-term health, diversity, and sustainability of UK music — especially beyond a few major headline acts.
What’s Being Called For — Actions & Possible Solutions
Based on UK Music’s report and allied industry calls:
- A new “Cultural Touring Agreement” with the EU — reworking visa/work-permit, cabotage, carnet, and customs-related rules to make EU tours viable again. (Independent Society of Musicians)
- Government support (financial & regulatory) for grassroots venues, promoters, smaller artists — to help absorb increased costs and barriers, and protect the “pipeline” of talent. (NME)
- Simplified administrative and customs procedures for instrument/equipment transport, work permits, merchandise, travel — to reduce burdens on touring crews and promote cross-border cultural exchange. (The Guardian)
- Recognition that one-size-fits-all free-movement won’t return — but a bespoke sectoral agreement may — many in the industry argue for tailored mobility solutions for creative professionals, not general immigration free-movement. (Independent Society of Musicians)
What This Means — Broader Implications for UK Music & Culture
- The decline in EU touring and associated income for many artists could reduce the diversity and vibrancy of the UK’s music ecosystem — fewer emerging artists, less grassroots development, fewer cross-cultural collaborations.
- The industry may become more polarised: a few big-name acts (with resources to manage bureaucracy) succeed globally, while mid-tier and emerging musicians struggle — undermining long-term industry health and renewal.
- UK cultural “soft power” in Europe may shrink: reduced touring means fewer UK artists on European stages, less cultural exchange, fewer British voices reaching EU audiences, which could erode the UK’s international cultural influence over time.
- Economic contributions (jobs, festivals, venues, related services) may stagnate or contract beyond headline numbers — especially if grassroots venues continue to close and mid-level tours disappear.
- Here’s a case‑study and commentary breakdown on the UK Music report highlighting how Brexit is worsening the EU touring situation for UK artists, written in a safe and practical style.
Key Themes from the UK Music Report
- Touring barriers are increasing: 32% of surveyed musicians report being adversely affected by Brexit, up from 28% in 2023.
- Financial impact: 95% of affected artists reported decreased earnings in 2024.
- EU touring viability: 43% of Brexit-hit artists said EU touring is no longer viable.
- Main barriers: visas/work permits, customs paperwork (carnets), transport/logistics costs, and cabotage restrictions.
- Broader ecosystem: Reduced touring affects grassroots venues, promoters, crew, and cross-cultural exchange.
Case Studies: Real-World Impacts
Case Study 1 — Mid-Level Band Cancelling EU Tour
- Scenario: A UK band previously toured clubs in Germany, France, and Spain.
- Impact: Increased costs for visas, equipment transport, and crew travel doubled their expenses.
- Result: Tour cancelled; lost income and fan engagement.
- Lesson: Brexit barriers can directly threaten artists’ livelihoods and audience growth.
Case Study 2 — Support Crew Losing Work
- Scenario: Touring crew (sound engineers, roadies, backline technicians) relied on regular EU tours.
- Impact: Tours dropped or shrunk due to red tape.
- Result: Reduced gigs, income instability, and career uncertainty for technical staff.
- Lesson: Brexit’s effects ripple beyond artists, impacting the broader music industry ecosystem.
Case Study 3 — Emerging Artists Struggling to Break Through
- Scenario: Small or emerging artists used EU festivals to gain exposure.
- Impact: Travel restrictions and paperwork costs hindered EU appearances.
- Result: Slower career growth; decreased audience reach.
- Lesson: Structural barriers threaten the UK’s future music talent pipeline.
Case Study 4 — Festivals Losing UK Acts
- Scenario: Major EU festivals previously featuring UK bands.
- Impact: 26% drop in UK acts performing compared with pre-Brexit levels.
- Result: Reduced cultural exchange; diminished UK presence in EU live music scene.
- Lesson: Brexit has long-term cultural and soft-power implications for the UK.
Industry Commentary
- Tom Kiehl, CEO UK Music:
“Rising costs and red tape make EU touring a huge challenge for UK artists, especially mid-level and grassroots acts.”
- UK & EU music alliance statement:
“We urge political leaders to remove barriers to touring; the issue affects artists, venues, promoters, and audiences on both sides of the Channel.”
- Independent industry analysis:
“Without action, Brexit may permanently damage the diversity and sustainability of the UK music sector, even if a few major acts still thrive.”
Key Takeaways
- Structural barriers are entrenched: visas, customs, and transport issues make EU tours increasingly costly and complicated.
- Impact is broad: affects artists, support crew, promoters, festivals, and venues.
- Emerging talent at risk: the pipeline for new musicians is being weakened.
- Call to action: industry leaders recommend sector-specific mobility solutions, government support, and simplified administrative procedures.