Statement from the LIVE on visa-free touring

05 August 2021 - Press release

Following yesterday announcement from the Government, on visa-free touring in 19 EU member states, please find below a statement from the LIVE (official representative of the UK live music industry). Background information is also below.

 Greg Parmley, CEO of LIVE said: “While we are grateful for the Government for clarifying the pre-existing arrangements on travel to a number of EU countries – something that we as an industry have been untangling ourselves for some time now – there is nothing new in their latest announcement and we are still some way from visa-free travel in the EU.  

“There are no new ‘frictionless’ agreements and in reality, this is only a very small piece in a much bigger touring puzzle, and substantial financial and bureaucratic barriers remain that disproportionately disadvantage smaller and emerging artists. We fully support the Government's ongoing negotiations, but until then they must introduce a Transitional Support Package, to safeguard the future of the live music industry while we wait for their ‘ambitious proposals’ to be realised.” 

Background 

The news from DCMS merely clarifies the existing positions of a number of member-states. Access to the European market is essential for live music touring, and we are therefore calling for the long-term return of frictionless, cost-free arrangements for short-term paid work across the EU.

LIVE is also calling for the urgent introduction of a Transitional Support Package (TSP), to safeguard the future of the live music industry in the short term. This should provide:

 

• Financial support to help touring artists with new additional costs.
• Research, information, and expert advice to help navigate the new arrangements.
• Lobbying and negotiation with EU Member States to secure the longer-term future of touring.

 

Further detailed guidance can be found below and attached on the current arrangements confirmed yesterday and the reality of the current visa situation:

• https://livemusic.biz/touring-in-the-eu/
• https://www.ism.org/images/images/ISM-visa-and-work-permit-guide-updated-1-June-2021.pdf