Internationally acclaimed baritone Simon Wallfisch reflects on the challenges facing today’s young British musicians, stating: “I took it for granted as a young musician that I could work as easily in Munich as I could in Manchester. It is devastating to see how young British musicians today will never experience the world-is-your-oyster mentality I felt as a young musician, finding my feet in the mid-2000s.”
Thank EU for the Music
Formed in 2016, the group Thank EU for the Music continues its peaceful campaign to raise awareness of the post-Brexit challenges faced by the UK’s touring arts industry. The music industry, one of the country’s greatest cultural exports, has been hit hard by restrictions imposed since the UK left the EU. According to a recent survey by the Musicians’ Union, 75% of musicians reported a decline in EU touring bookings. The new Labour government has been in talks with the union to address these issues, but the path to restoring musicians’ freedom of movement remains uncertain.
Brexit
The music sector of the UK’s creative industry generates over £10 billion in revenue annually, making the impact of these restrictions even more significant. For 59% of musicians, touring in the EU is no longer financially viable. The original Brexit agreement included offers of visa waivers and musician passports from the EU, but these were rejected by the Conservative government, prompting an open letter of protest from prominent UK musicians like Nicola Benedetti, Sir Simon Rattle, and Tasmin Little.
As pressure mounts on the Labour government to address the situation, Thank EU for the Music will return to the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday, 14 September, for the Last Night of the Proms. During the event, the group will promote visa waivers for touring musicians, with activities planned throughout the day. Concertgoers will also be encouraged to hold up EU flags during the second half of the Prom in a show of solidarity with the musicians.
This article is based on a media review from Thank EU for the Music
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