Quarter of UK musicians lost all EU work since 2021, report finds

More than a quarter of British musicians have lost all their work in the EU since 2021, and nearly half have seen the amount of work there reduced. Average tour earnings fell by 45%, and 59% of musicians said touring in Europe is no longer viable. Tom Kiehl, chief executive of UK Music, said the findings reflect a wider crisis across the creative economy and warned that obstacles to mobility affect not just music — a sector he described as worth £8bn and supporting 220,000 jobs — but also film, TV and video.

He noted that under the UK–EU "common understanding" agreed in 2025 both sides committed to supporting travel and cultural exchange, yet many performers still find touring financially unviable. Venue owner Mig Schallache said fewer European acts are now appearing in UK venues, leaving gaps in booking calendars and prompting cancelled tours, reduced exports and weakened collaboration.

United Kingdom

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