A survey by the Musicians’ Union revealed that 59 per cent of its members and the wider music community no longer found touring Europe financially rewarding, according to The London Economic.
Three quarters of those who previously worked in the EU before the UK’s exit said their bookings had fallen, while 79 per cent claimed they were unable to compensate for the loss by touring elsewhere in the world.
Simon Wallfisch stated that the impact of Brexit had been devastating.
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.
Music contributes more than £10bn (€11.86bn) to the UK. However, many musicians rely on the freedom of movement to make a living.
The Thank EU for the Music group will return to the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday, 14 September, for a Last Night of the Proms concert to advocate for the abolition of visas for touring musicians. Leading British musicians including Nicola Benedetti, Sir Simon Rattle, and Tasmin Little backed the initiative by signing an open letter of protest to the UK government.
