Barriers to UK artists touring the EU have cost European countries £1.04 billion in two years, new report finds

LIVE has been on the front line when it comes to raising awareness of the problems UK artists are facing with EU touring post-Brexit. From cabotage charges to visa restrictions, many artists are being priced out of taking their music to the continent.

New research from DCMS, Ipsos UK and Nordicity has revealed that the lack of UK artists touring in the EU is a massive loss to European nations – coming to an estimated total of £1.04 billion in GVA in 2022-2024 alone. In addition, it’s estimated that 17,010 FTE jobs have been lost. Germany, Denmark and France are among the countries hardest hit, with small and mid-size venues disproportionately affected.

The report’s findings clearly support the case that LIVE has been making all along: touring barriers are not solely a UK problem. They’re a shared one. The UK is one of the largest exporters of music in the world and when the number of our musicians that can afford to tour in Europe dwindles so significantly, it means fewer gigs, less spend on local hospitality and retail, and fewer opportunities for cultural exchange.

Read the full report here or explore the key stats through our recent Instagram post.

LIVE continues to push for business rates review
 

On 24 August, Government announced that it’ll review the pub and hotel business rates valuation method. LIVE is encouraged by this positive step forward but continues to make the case for a distinct valuation classification for live music venues. In July, LIVE, NAA and MVT met with Director General of the Valuation Office Agency, Jonathan Russell, where we explained how the current valuation system does not adequately reflect the operational difficulties of running a venue. We hope to see this addressed when LIVE joins future discussions related to business rates valuation.

LIVE Trust continues to support the music scene - across the genre spectrum and across the UK
 

As summer comes to a close, festival stages are being dismantled and tents packed away for another year. But LIVE Trust has plenty of work to be getting on with and we’re busy continuing to support the music scene across the UK – and further expanding our reach across the full spectrum of genres as we do so.

Just last week, Sub Focus became the first electronic DJ to support LIVE Trust, announcing his support as he takes to the decks at The O2 Arena and Co-op Live in 2027. We’ve also gained the support of promoters Broadwick Live, who are co-promoting house producer Sonny Fodera’s show at The O2 this autumn. We’re thrilled to have these artists on board with our mission. Grassroots music is for everyone, whether you’re more into bass drops or double bass.

Looking ahead, there'll be no shortage of live music in September. A new batch of artists take to the stage and support LIVE Trust in the process by opting in to the £1 ticket contribution this month – including Niall Horan, Evanescence, First Aid Kit and Snow Patrol. View the full list of September shows on our Instagram.

We’re continuing to see the positive impact of the £1 million in Phase Two funding we announced earlier this summer, as money lands with dynamic, expert programmes that will support artists, promoters, festivals and venues. We’re excited to share more about the direct impact of our funding in the near future.

LIVE submits Make Work Pay consultation response
 

LIVE responded to Government's consultation on its proposals to address one-sided flexibility in zero-hours and similar contracts. Our response brought together feedback from across our membership, which provided us with a uniquely holistic view of the needs of our sector – accounting for venues, festivals, production, promoters, artists and more.
 
We urged Government to develop a framework that strengthens protections for workers while remaining workable for the businesses that make up the UK live music and events sector.

Government appoints Freelance Champions to advocate for creative industry’s 700,000+ self-employed workers
 

Government this week appointed Leila D’Aronville and Lizzie Crump in newly created Freelance Champion roles. Both appointees are freelancers themselves with 40+ years of combined experience and will be tasked with advocating for self-employed creatives across the UK as they sit on the Creative Industries Council.

D’Aronville and Crump will support industry’s work to address the findings of the Good Work Review, which investigated working conditions across the creative sector and highlighted issues with unpaid work, limited opportunities for professional development and difficult working environments. A key concern from the report was job quality for freelancers – so the creation of these Freelance Champion roles comes at an important time. They’ll work alongside the freelance community to help Government build its understanding of an often-overlooked section of the workforce and consider freelancers’ needs when thinking about policy.

Know somebody who deserves recognition for their work? Nominate them for a LIVE Award!

That includes yourself, too. Nominations are open for the LIVE Awards, in association with Skiddle – and the ceremony takes place on 9 December at the iconic Troxy in East London.

There’s a range of categories you can submit a nomination for – from our Backstage Brilliance award to the Grassroots Champion, we’re recognising the people who keep every corner of our industry running.

What’s more, our host has just been announced – and it’s the one and only (drumroll, please...) Huw Stephens! As a true champion of grassroots music across the UK, we can’t think of anybody more up to the task.

Don’t miss out. Submit a nomination here – and don’t forget to purchase your ticket, which includes a sit-down dinner, a fantastic selection of complimentary alcoholic and low-and-no alcohol drinks, and access to the afterparty, here.

Want to sponsor a category? Find out more here.