Quarter of British musicians lose all EU work after touring collapse

Britain’s music industry is sounding the alarm after a new report revealed that more than a quarter of UK musicians have lost all their European Union work since 2021, while average touring earnings have fallen by almost half. Once seen as an essential route to building audiences and careers, European touring is now considered financially unviable by nearly six in ten musicians. With rising costs, complex visa requirements, customs paperwork and transport restrictions making overseas tours increasingly difficult, industry leaders warn that Britain’s £8 billion music sector risks losing talent, jobs and global influence unless barriers to cultural exchange are reduced.

A QUARTER OF UK MUSICIANS HAVE LOST ALL EU WORK

Tour earnings have collapsed, bands have ditched Europe and venues warn of a cultural wipe‑out

The UK’s world‑famous music scene is facing a full‑blown crisis, with a shocking new report revealing that more than a quarter of UK musicians have lost ALL their EU work since 2021.

Average tour earnings have collapsed by 45%, and nearly six in ten musicians say touring Europe, once the lifeblood of British music, is now “no longer viable”.

For an industry worth £8 billion, this is nothing short of a disaster.

“It used to be easy: now it’s impossible”

The report, from European Movement UK, lays bare the brutal reality facing artists:

• Nearly half (48%) have seen EU work fall

• More than a quarter (27%) have lost EU work completely

• 6 in 10 musicians say touring Europe is financially impossible

Photo by Caleb George on Unsplash

There’s a crisis hitting every corner of the music economy from bands and DJs to film crews and theatre companies. It isn’t just music that’s affected but the entire creative sector being strangled by red tape.

Venues feel the pain:

Mig Schallache, who runs The Louisiana in Bristol, which once hosted Coldplay and Amy Winehouse, is reported to have said the impact is devastating.

“Because of Brexit, we’re getting fewer and fewer European artists, but the real problem is there aren’t enough UK acts to fill the gaps meaning:

• cancelled tours

• empty venues

• lost jobs

• fewer opportunities for new talent

• audiences missing out on the next big thing

“Pre‑Brexit, bands would tour the UK then hop over to Europe. Now it’s just not cost‑effective. It’s heartbreaking.”

The killer costs choking British music

The report lists the eye‑watering bills hitting UK artists:

• Customs documents: £400+

• Security deposits: up to 40% of equipment value

• Orchestra carnet costs: £2,000–£5,000 per tour

• Cabotage rules: limiting how many stops UK tour trucks can make

• Different visas for every EU country

• Schengen 90‑day rule: slashing time artists can work abroad

For small bands and emerging artists, these costs are a tour‑killer.

EU artists are blocked from coming here too

It’s not just Brits losing out.

EU musicians now face:

• UK visas

• work permits

• extra fees

• new admin barriers

The flow of talent which was once effortless has slowed to a trickle.

Loss of Creative Europe funding hits hardest

Between 2014 and 2020, the UK received €111 million from Creative Europe to support:

• festivals

• co‑productions

• touring

• research

• cultural exchange

That money is gone and independent producers and small businesses are feeling the blow.

A cultural crisis Britain can’t afford

Music alone contributed £8bn to the UK economy in 2024 including nearly £5bn in exports.

The performing arts added £11bn.

But unless mobility barriers are removed, the report warns the UK risks:

• losing global influence

• shrinking its creative workforce

• damaging exports

• weakening its cultural identity

Britain’s creative crown jewels are at risk

British music, once the envy of the world, is being strangled by red tape, rising costs and impossible touring rules. If nothing changes, the next Adele, Ed Sheeran or Coldplay might never get their break and Britain’s stages, studios and venues will fall silent.