How Scottish musicians are still suffering from the Brexit effect ten years after referendum
European tours are no longer worthwhile for many musicians as a result of Brexit, but the Scottish Government is looking for ways to mitigate the damage
Scottish music is a dynamic blend of traditional and modern influences, with a rich history that continues to evolve and resonate with audiences around the world. But the barriers created by Brexit have had devastating consequences, both to established and emerging artists.
As we reach the tenth anniversary of the UK Government referendum that took Scotland out of the European Union against our will, our cultural and creative sectors, which contribute about £4.3 billion to our economy, are missing out on vital opportunities to showcase their talent abroad.
The rest of Europe has long been one of the most important audiences for touring Scottish artists, and freedom of movement was critical in helping them to generate income, reach new audiences, collaborate across borders and build vital professional networks.
With so much of that now lost, a recent report by European Movement UK found that since 2021 more than a quarter of British musicians have lost all of their work in the European Union.
Higher costs and more bureaucracy
Average tour earnings had fallen by 45 per cent, with 59 per cent of musicians saying European tours just aren’t worthwhile. For Scottish artists competing with Irish counterparts at European festivals and venues for Celtic, folk and traditional music, the disadvantage is keenly felt.
Organisers have to consider that Scots bring additional paperwork, work-permit checks, customs risk, 90-day restrictions and higher travel or freight costs. Irish artists, by contrast, remain EU citizens and do not face the same Schengen mobility restrictions when working across much of Europe.
As part of the Scottish Government’s International Culture Strategy, we are carrying out a feasibility study into establishing a support service for cultural export and exchange. We have provided £300,000 to Creative Scotland to set up a pilot ‘International Touring Fund for Music’, as a rapid-response to support musicians facing rising costs.
As well as visas, these costs include customs documents needed to take instruments and equipment across borders. For orchestras, this can amount to between £2,000 and £5,000 per EU tour. Rules limiting the number of stops UK hauliers are allowed to make within the EU have also sent transport costs soaring.
Easing the burdens
There is no doubt Scotland’s future is as an independent nation and member of the European Union.
But at present the Scottish Government is pressing the UK Government for targeted support for touring artists and an EU mobility agreement. With the loss of EU programmes such as Creative Europe – an important funding stream for many Scottish-led projects – we are also keen to join its replacement programme, Agora EU.
A visa waiver for creative professionals working between the UK and EU, along with measures to ease the burden of customs requirements and restrictions on haulage, would go a long way to mitigating the damage inflicted by Brexit.
With about 10,000 people employed in the music industry in Scotland – more than 40 per cent of them freelancers or in small businesses – it’s clear that restoring Scotland’s place at the heart of Europe is crucial.
Màiri McAllan MSP is Scotland’s Culture Secretary
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