Brexit Showbiz and Celebrity Breaking News

Blur frontman Damon Albarn has said that Brexit has been a “travesty” in a new interview.Speaking to Channel 4, Albarn explained that Brexit has been a “disaster” for younger musicians.“In the old days, pre-Brexit, you could be a young band and go over to Europe and play bottom of the bill at festivals. You wouldn’t be paid hardly anything but the experience was life-changing, whether you went on to do bigger and better things in the future [or not]. That’s a solid foundation for the rest of your life,” Albarn said.“That kind of creativity has very much been curtailed for people on this island, because it’s expensive to go over there now.

told Entertainment Weekly Monday. “But what I really see close up is that it’s almost impossible to actually get anything done. It’s just impossible.

Sex Pistols frontman John Lydon has said that immigration has created “division and animosity” in the UK.The London-born singer, whose parents were immigrants from Ireland, discussed the apparent effects of immigration and doubled down on his support for Brexit during an interview on LBC last night (March 7).“Britain today is so, so catastrophically disappointing,” said Lydon, who now lives in Los Angeles, California.He went on to talk about how some of the shows on his forthcoming spoken word tour – dubbed ‘I Could Be Wrong, I Could Be Right’ – would be taking place “in seaside towns” such as Brighton, Folkestone and Blackpool.“I mean, they really indicate how rundown Britain has become,” Lydon, aka Johnny Rotten, continued. “Those used to be fantastic places when I was a kid.

NME following the city’s inaugural Beyond the Music conference about how he hopes it will “galvanise” the music industry as issues affecting the industry fall on “deaf ears” at Westminster.Last month’s Beyond the Music explored multiple crises the music industry is currently facing, such as the future of grassroots venues and the continuing impact of Brexit on UK musicians struggling to tour Europe.On the latter, Burnham said “it’s just wrong” that the careers of young musicians are still suffering as they continue to face difficulties touring Europe post-Brexit.At the conference in October, Burnham discussed the “ridiculous” Brexit rules for artists travelling around Europe. Back in 2021, the UK music industry spoke out on how they had essentially been handed a “No Deal Brexit” when the government failed to negotiate visa-free travel and Europe-wide work permits for musicians and crew.Despite trying to raise these issues with ministers, Burnham told NME it’s still falling on “deaf ears” as the government continues to ignore the chaos Brexit has caused as artists struggle to navigate “all kinds of hidden obstacles” to performing in Europe.“It’s so frustrating, particularly given that Europe offered a better arrangement and in the rhetoric of Brexit, it got turned down,” he explained, referring to Boris Johnson’s rejection of a deal for artists proposed by Europe.

Beyond The Music‘ conference on Friday (October 13), Burnham said there needs to be a campaign to show how “critical” the situation has become for artists and venues alike.Back in 2021, the UK music industry spoke out on how they had essentially been handed a “No Deal Brexit” when the government failed to negotiate visa-free travel and Europe-wide work permits for musicians and crew.As a result, artists attempting to hit the road again after COVID found themselves on the predicted “rocky road” for the first summer of European touring after Britain left the EU – finding that the complications of Brexit were “strangling the next generation of UK talent in the cradle”.The government were then warned that musicians and crew “could find themselves unemployed en masse”, after a hearing at the House Of The Lords revealed the damage already being caused by Brexit on those wishing to tour Europe.Speaking alongside fellow northern mayors, Tracy Brabin of West Yorkshire and Steve Rotherham of the Liverpool City Region, Burnham said they all now need to work together to create a system that allows for musicians to travel freely throughout Europe.“I think as mayors we need to build this campaign really strongly from the bottom up to say this industry is critical to us, not marginal, critical, and we need an arrangement that allows for [the] free exchange of musicians touring here from Europe and for British musicians going [into Europe],” said Burnham.“For us, it’s absolutely critical to our visitor economy, but also just to the way our city regions are seen and known around Europe. It’s just a nonsense, isn’t it? You’re having to learn about ETIAS [visas to work in Europe] and all of this.

Brexit, according to a new report.The new Paying The Price report comes from the Independent Society of Musicians, and surveyed over 400 musicians.47.4 per cent of those surveyed said they had worked less in the EU after Brexit went through, with 27.8 per cent having no work on the continent at all. 40 per cent had work cancelled since January 1, 2021, with almost as many (39 per cent) having to turn down planned work.Independent Society of Musicians boss Deborah Annetts said of the findings: “UK music is a great success story and we are rightly proud of it. The Chancellor has correctly identified the creative industries as a potential growth market.

Brexit rule changes.“Today we got refused at the UK border for weird reasons,” the band wrote in a Facebook update. “We would have needed a special certificate of sponsorship but no one knew before, not even the venues, promoters, or the German customs authority.”“Brexit bureaucracy??? A post-Brexit nightmare,” they continued, adding that the whole ordeal at the UK border was “humiliating” and “sad”.They elaborated on the reasons behind their denied entry into the UK in another update, saying that the UK authorities expected them to have “a so-called certificate of sponsorship from all seven clubs,” – something which they claim even the organisers were unfamiliar with.“I think I’ve never felt so degraded, sad, and bad as I do today.

estimated £120m cost of the festival, planning took a step forward in 2020 when organisers called for “daring, new and popular” ideas that will unite the nation.

NME was invited to a hearing at the House Of Lords led by industry insiders and the #CarryOnTouring campaign earlier this month (Tuesday September 6), where the impact that new post-Brexit touring rules were having on the lives and jobs of UK musicians and road crew was revealed. Music fans are now being encouraged to write to their MPs to demand action.Last year, the UK music industry spoke out together on how they had essentially been handed a “No Deal Brexit” when the government failed to negotiate visa-free travel and Europe-wide work permits for musicians and crew.

NME about how the first summer of post-pandemic touring has shown that the complications of Brexit are “strangling the next generation of UK talent in the cradle”.Last year, the UK music industry spoke out together on how they had essentially been handed a “No Deal Brexit” when the government failed to negotiate visa-free travel and Europe-wide work permits for musicians and crew. As a result, artists attempting to hit the road again after COVID found themselves on the predicted “rocky road” for the first summer of European touring after Britain left the EU.As major touring across the continent returned after a two-year break due to the COVID pandemic, the spring saw artists, managers, and more tell us of how the “nightmare” of new red tape saw artists suffering due to “Brexit fuck-ups and a lack of government control” – with White Lies making headlines as one of the major acts forced to cancel dates in Europe due to their equipment being held up.Last month, a study by Best For Britain – a group “pushing for closer relationships with Europe and the world” – showed that the number of British artists scheduled to perform in Europe as part of this year’s festival season had fallen by 45 per cent when compared to 2017-2019 (pre-Brexit).Best For Britain CEO Naomi Smith told NME that the government needed to act now in order to open the pipeline of new UK talent to develop by being allowed to afford to tour in Europe.“Arguably, music is Britain’s most famous export, so it’s just insanity that the government is refusing to improve the Brexit deal for UK musicians and are strangling that next generation of talent in the cradle,” said Smith.

Wolf Alice guitarist Joff Oddie has written an op-ed for NME regarding the ongoing problems for UK artists wishing to tour Europe post-Brexit, arguing that action is needed now for Britain to retain it’s “world-leading position” in music.Last year, the UK music industry spoke out together on how they had essentially been handed a “No Deal Brexit” when the government failed to negotiate visa-free travel and Europe-wide work permits for musicians and crew. As a result, artists attempting to hit the road again after COVID found themselves on the predicted “rocky road” for the first summer of European touring after Britain left the EU.Last month, a study by Best For Britain – a group “pushing for closer relationships with Europe and the world” – showed that the number of British artists scheduled to perform in Europe as part of this year’s festival season had fallen by 45 per cent when compared to 2017-2019 (pre-Brexit).Today, NME published news of the industry insiders claiming that the first summer of touring post-pandemic proves that the ongoing situation is “strangling the next generation of UK talent in the cradle”, Wolf Alice’s Joff Oddie has written of the true scale of the problem and why the government should act on the recent report from the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Music.“Live music really matters.

Mixmag reports, Brits may be required to provide proof of a return or onward flight, and give details of accommodation while staying in the Balearics or Spain this summer.“At Spanish border control, you may need to show a return or onward ticket; show you have enough money for your stay; show proof of accommodation for your stay,” the UK Foreign Office said of the new rules set out by the Spanish government.“For example, a hotel booking confirmation, proof of address if visiting your own property (e.g second home), or an invitation from your host or proof of their address if staying with a third party, friends or family.”The outlet cites a report by the Express that states UK visitors may be asked to prove they have at least €100 to spend in Spain per day, and an additional minimum of €900 (£767). They could do so by showing cheques, cash or bank statements.The Spanish Ministry del Interior said people from third countries must prove that they have the “economic resources” for entering the country “which must also be proven to have sufficient funds available on them”.Travel companies have urged against the toughening of policies, arguing that Brits significantly boost Spain’s tourism sector.Many UK music fans visit Spain each year for major festivals such as Primavera Sound, Mad Cool and Bilbao BBK Live.

Brexit, according to new research.Campaign group Best For Britain – which is “pushing for closer relationships with Europe and the world” – shared the figures today (July 21). They showed that the number of British artists scheduled to perform in Europe as part of this year’s festival season had decreased by 45 per cent when compared to 2017-2019 (pre-Brexit).Naomi Smith, CEO of Best For Britain, explained of the findings: “The Beatles famously made their name in Europe and it’s on tour that many musicians gain the formative experiences and audiences they need to take off.“With their dud Brexit deal, our lame duck Government has not only robbed emerging British talent of these opportunities abroad, but has also made international acts think twice before including Glasgow or London in their European tours.”Chief Executive of the Incorporated Society of Musicians and UK Trade and Business Commissioner, Deborah Annetts, added: “Previous witnesses to our commission have described how, if you’re a festival organiser in Barcelona who needs to fill a last-minute slot, British bands will be at the bottom of your list due to new barriers created by this botched Brexit deal.“Whoever ends up replacing Boris Johnson must commit to removing this needless bureaucracy which is stifling the prosperity and creativity of the next generation of British musicians.”Earlier this year, artists, management and politicians spoke to NME about the ongoing issues of performing live in Europe post-Brexit.It came over one year on from the music industry essentially being handed a “No Deal Brexit” when the UK government failed to negotiate visa-free travel and Europe-wide work permits for musicians and crew.

Brexit that urges the government to appoint a “touring tsar” to address various issues.The Let The Music Move report was created by more than 100 government officials and warns that UK music workers are “facing more costs, more complications and getting fewer opportunities” since the UK left the EU at the end of January 2020.The report also calls for the appointment of a “touring tsar to steer the government’s response to the crisis” alongside “the creation of a temporary support fund to help the industry deal with increased costs (and) an expansion of the number of border points where goods passports and music instrument certificates can be checked”.The Let The Music Move roadmap urges the government to work with the EU to “create a cultural touring agreement that would exempt musicians and their crew from red tape”.Today @UK_Music and the cross-party APPG on Music are launching a new report on the impact of Brexit on touring musicians and crew.

Brexit rules for some music truckers following a number of tour cancellations and delays.Earlier this month, White Lies were forced to cancel the opening night of their 2022 European tour in Paris due to “Brexit legislation” seeing their equipment held up for two days.Since January of 2021, when the post-Brexit trade deal between the EU and the U.K. came into force, truckers in both regions are now subject to “cabotage rules”, which require haulers to return to the EU or the U.K.

Brexit fuck-ups and a lack of government control” as they return to playing in Europe again as pandemic restrictions ease, artists, management and politicians have told NME.Now over one year on from the music industry essentially being handed a “No Deal Brexit” when the UK government failed to negotiate visa-free travel and Europe-wide work permits for musicians and crew, artists are attempting to hit the road again after COVID previously prevented them from touring – only to find that themselves on the predicted “rocky road” for the first summer of playing shows in Europe post-Brexit.Just last week, White Lies were forced to cancel the opening night of their 2022 European tour in Paris due to “Brexit legislation” seeing their equipment held up for two days. Speaking to NME, drummer Jack Lawrence-Brown the situation as “incredibly frustrating”.“It’s tricky for us because we’ve been doing this for quite a while and to our minds, we were pretty well-prepared for what was to come,” he said.

revealed earlier this month ahead of the Chancellor’s Spring Statement on March 23.VAT is currently charged at 12.5 per cent on tickets for live events but Rishi Sunak is restoring the tax return to its pre-pandemic level of 20 per cent.Music Venue Trust boss Mark Davyd wrote on Twitter: “Super soar-away non-sale sale final closing day! Tomorrow the U.K. Government will return to taxing live music gigs with one of the highest rates of VAT on tickets in the world.

Brexit – began in Wales next week despite numerous objections.Commissioned in 2018 by then-UK Prime Minister Theresa May, the event was described as a showcase for the nation’s “unique strengths in creativity and innovation” after leaving the EU – with comparisons being made to the 1951 Festival Of Britain.While critics have consistently questioned the hefty estimated £120millon cost of the festival, planning took a step forward in 2020 when organisers called for “daring, new and popular” ideas that would unite the UK.Last October, the Festival Of Brexit rebranded as Unboxed and outlined details of its 2022 inaugural edition.As BBC News reports, the festival kicked off at Caernarfon Castle in Gwynedd, Wales yesterday (March 30). Its first event, ‘About Us’, saw live music being performed outside the castle while various artworks were projected onto its walls.Sam Hunt, Unboxed’s programme director, said the event highlights the “ambition” of creative people from across the UK.

the much-criticised Brexit deal – which, former minister David Frost recently admitted, presents “a whole set of problems” for touring musicians and their crew – and to help reset the live music industry following the COVID-19-enforced shutdown of recent years.Help Musicians has today (March 29) announced that it will be providing £250,000 in financial support for touring musicians, with artists eligible to receive up to £5,000 each towards “their plans to drive their careers forward and propel their forthcoming releases”.The financial support is expected to help cover touring expenses, session musician and crew fees, PR and marketing, merchandise, a proportion of international administration fees (such as visas and carnets) and more.Help Musicians is also seeking to provide advice to musicians by funding 30-minute consultations with Viva La Visa, a service pioneered by the Incorporated Society of Musicians and The Musicians’ Union.“Through this support, the charity aims to help musicians re-build their careers post-restrictions and provide practical advice to musicians wishing to tour,” a press release further explains. “The service will help them better understand the complex requirements from working/traveling abroad, and mitigate against the financial risks now associated with touring, especially in Europe.

Brexit minister David Frost has admitted that the Brexit deal he helped negotiate presents “a whole set of problems” for touring musicians and their crew.The deal was on the receiving end of a huge backlash from across the music industry last year. The UK government has been accused of jeopardising the future of touring for UK artists due to their failure to negotiate visa-free travel and Europe-wide work permits for musicians and crew, which could make future tours of the continent unaffordable for many artists.Lord Frost, who was Chief Negotiator of Task Force Europe from January 2020 until he handed in his resignation back in December, was among the chief defenders of the deal, saying in June that he “felt sorry that [creative workers] have to face this situation”.“The country took a decision to leave the European Union and to end freedom of movement, but that brings with it big change,” he told MPs.

has written to the Chancellor ahead of the mini-Budget in a bid to get the tax hike scrapped.“The planned hike in VAT could not come at a worse time for millions of music fans and the live music industry, which was shut down for almost two years due to the pandemic,” he wrote.“Pushing up VAT to 20 per cent would be hugely damaging for the music industry and leave music fans facing a cost of gigging crisis. The rise would come at a time when we are rebuilding post-COVID-19, with hundreds of concerts planned over the next few months.”He continued, addressing Sunak: “We would urge the Chancellor to give people who already face rising prices and grim headlines every day a little lift by ditching the ticket tax and abandoning the VAT hike.

Brexit, is likely to impact this summer’s events season.The warning comes from the Association of Independent Festivals, ahead of the AIF Festival Congress 2022 taking place in Bristol today (February 15).AIF CEO Paul Reed made the comments during his opening remarks to indie festival promoters, arguing that while there is widespread optimism about the full return of the festival season, there will be trouble and challenges ahead for the live music industry as a whole.Reed said that while the UK “may be emerging from the shadow of the pandemic, this year will not be a case of ‘back to business as usual’ without critical support for festival organisers”.“We are facing a perfect storm in many ways,” he said. “I’ve spoken with many [festival organisers] in the last few weeks about supply chains, loss of skilled workforce, 20-30 per cent increase in costs across the board and a government-backed insurance scheme that isn’t simply isn’t fit for purpose despite our best efforts.”The AIF echoed fears that the government’s £750million Live Events Reinsurance scheme “simply isn’t fit for purpose”, with many festival organisers not taking it out due to “limited scope and excessive cost, so isn’t enabling organisers to plan with confidence”.Reed and the AIF are calling on the government for further support, with suggested measures including continued VAT relief on tickets beyond the end of March, a backed loan scheme for suppliers and to remove tax incentives to use certain biofuels to allow for use of greener fuels at festivals.Among the other main issues, Reed noted that suppliers lacked cash reserves to invest into inventory in a year when there will be near “unprecedented demand and event activity”.

COVID-19 restrictions were lifted over the summer.According to UK charity Help Musicians, almost nine in 10 musicians were earning less than £1,000 per month, and 22 per cent were considering giving up music altogether in a survey conducted in August.The charity also said 83 per cent of professional musicians have been unable to find regular work.Help Musicians said it had seen a 60 per cent increase in people getting in contact for mental health support, with one in eight saying they were

Brexit, in a deal hailed as “a big victory”.Last month, a number of figures from the music industry spoke to NME about how new visa rules, as well as prohibitive costs and admin rules, meant that many UK artists could no longer afford to tour in Spain – cutting off one of the biggest markets for UK talent.In a tweet posted last night, new Department Of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) head, Nadine Dorries, said: “Really great news.

Brexit.While so much has been said and written about the “devastating” result of the UK’s musicians and road crew being dealt a “no deal” when it comes to touring Europe in the new Brexit landscape – as well as ongoing criticism of government inaction – a number of post-Brexit factors and regulations have also led to a great deal of money being lost from independent artists and labels who have struggled in getting records and other products to their fans on the continent.A lot of products are

Brexit deal, calling it “so fucking disgusting”.The comments come after a number of leading organisations in the music industry penned an open letter to the government criticising “misleading” new claims about the status of post-Brexit touring in Europe.Last week (October 19), figures from the live music industry hit back at the government for another “non-announcement” of “spin and misinformation” concerning the ability for British musicians to tour on the continent.Speaking to NME for a new

Brexit touring in Europe.Last week (October 19), figures from the live music industry hit back at the government for another “non-announcement” of “spin and misinformation” concerning the ability for British musicians to tour on the continent.Back in August, the government ‘announced’ that “short term” visa-free travel without work permits will be allowed for musicians and performers in 19 European countries, while talks are ongoing with the remaining nations.This led to a huge backlash from the

Brexit has rebranded as Unboxed as it reveals details of its 2022 event.The event, which was first touted under Theresa May’s government, is described as a showcase for “the UK’s unique strengths in creativity and innovation” after leaving the European Union – with comparisons being made to the 1951 Festival of Britain.While critics have consistently questioned the estimated £120m cost of the festival, planning took a step forward last year when organisers called for “daring, new and popular”

Brexit touring fiasco.Criticism continues after the government jeopardised the future of touring for UK artists when the Brexit deal secured with the EU failed to negotiate visa-free travel and Europe-wide work permits for musicians and crew.Problems remain 10 months on when it comes to new rules and red tape, creating huge costs to future live music tours of the continent for both musicians and crew – which could create a glass ceiling that prevents rising and developing talent from being able

Friendly Fires have criticised the Tories for using their 2011 single ‘Blue Cassette’ during Boris Johnson‘s speech at the party conference today (October 6).The track, from their second album ‘Pala’, was used as the Prime Minister walked out on stage ahead of his address in Manchester.Its use sparked an angry response on social media from the St Albans band.“We do not endorse the Conservative party’s use of our track ‘Blue Cassette’.

NME about how new visa rules in Spain mean that many UK artists can no longer afford to play there, as anger and frustration at the post-Brexit touring situation continues.There have now been nine months of very loud criticism from across the music industry, after the government jeopardised the future of touring for UK artists when the Brexit deal secured with the EU failed to negotiate visa-free travel and Europe-wide work permits for musicians and crew.One particularly sore spot to emerge is

visa-free touring in 19 EU countries will be possible for UK artists post-Brexit.Earlier this year, the music industry heavily criticised the UK government after the Brexit deal secured with the EU failed to negotiate visa-free travel and Europe-wide work permits for musicians and crew.This came with fears and predictions that new rules and red tape would lead to musicians and crew facing huge costs to future live music tours of the continent – which could create a glass ceiling that prevents

Bruce Dickinson has hit back at his critics in a new interview after he was criticised over the summer for his position on Brexit.The Iron Maiden frontman, who previously revealed that he voted for the UK to leave the European Union in the 2016 referendum, told Sky News back in June that the UK government needed to “get your act together” in regards to UK musicians being able to tour in Europe post-Brexit.Dickinson’s comments were met with scrutiny and ridicule at the time, with Johnny Marr

“short term” visa-free travel without work permits will be allowed for musicians and performers in 19 European countries, while talks are ongoing with the remaining nations.

Elton John has criticised the government’s latest announcement on post-Brexit touring rules, calling it a “rehash of what we already know”.Yesterday (August 4), the government announced that “short-term” visa-free travel without work permits will be allowed for musicians and performers in 19 European countries.

Brexit deal secured with the EU failed to negotiate visa-free travel and Europe-wide work permits for musicians and crew.The government then announced yesterday (Wednesday August 4) that “short term” visa-free travel without work permits will be allowed for musicians and performers in 19 European countries, while talks are ongoing with the remaining nations.However, the music industry are angry at their attitude – arguing that much more still needs to be done.