Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Queen, The Who members attack British government over EU deal

[Stevicus]

Boris Johnson’s government has ‘shamefully failed’ British musicians say Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Queen members | Louder

They want paperwork-free travel in the EU for British artists and their equipment.

Members of Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Queen and The Who have joined Iron Maiden, Radiohead, Sex Pistols, Sir Elton John and a host of leading figures from the music industry in accusing Boris Johnson’s government of “shamefully” failing British musicians in striking a Brexit deal which could make European tours “unviable.”

Robert Plant, Roger Waters, Brian May and Roger Daltrey have co-signed an open letter attacking the British government’s “negotiating failure” in Brexit talks with the EU, as anger mounts over revelations that the UK rejected a visa-free touring plan for musicians and their crew offered by the EU.

Over the past week, the UK government and the EU have offered conflicting reports of the conversations which took place in regards to the paperwork and permissions deemed necessary for British musicians to perform across Europe. A degree of clarity emerged this week, however, when the Conservative MP for Gosport and Minister of State (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport) Caroline Dinenage admitted that there had been a “very broad” offer” from the EU, which “would not have been compatible with the government’s manifesto commitment to take back control of our borders.” Now leading British musicians have issued a strongly-worded open letter to Boris Johnson’s government demanding that it “urgently do what it said it would do and negotiate paperwork-free travel in Europe for British artists and their equipment”.

In a letter published in The Times, also signed by Brian Eno, The Darkness, Glastonbury festival chief Michael Eavis and Sir Simon Rattle, the musicians wrote: “British musicians, dancers, actors and their support staff have been shamefully failed by their government. The deal done with the EU has a gaping hole where the promised free movement for musicians should be: everyone on a European music tour will now need costly work permits and a mountain of paperwork for their equipment.

“The extra costs will make many tours unviable, especially for young emerging musicians who are already struggling to keep their heads above water owing to the COVID ban on live music. This negotiating failure will tip many performers over the edge,” the letter continues.

“We urge the government to do what it said it would do and negotiate paperwork-free travel in Europe for British artists and their equipment. For the sake of British fans wanting to see European performers in the U.K. and British venues wishing to host them, the deal should be reciprocal.”

Back in June 2016, on the eve of the Brexit vote, the Musicians Unions explicitly warned that exiting the EU could have exactly these consequences for British musicians.

I wonder if they face the same kinds of restrictions and fees in the U.S. British musicians have traveled and toured the U.S. quite frequently, but I wasn't sure about Europe.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

That's crap. One of few things that actually unites us and brings us together and Bozo threw up a huge obstacle.

 

[Secret Chief]

Roger Daltrey responds to backlash over post-Brexit music touring comments

Never did like the Who. Another ignorant brexiteer assuming he could have his cake and eat it. Still, that's exactly the phrase Johnson has used.

 

[Estro Felino]

As far as I know there are no travel limitations for any British citizen as for Italy.
So I want to know of which EU country we are talking about

 

[Stevicus]

Roger Daltrey responds to backlash over post-Brexit music touring comments

Never did like the Who. Another ignorant brexiteer assuming he could have his cake and eat it. Still, that's exactly the phrase Johnson has used.

I saw that in the OP article. But I still like The Who. In fact, I was just listening to "Quadrophenia" the other day.

 

[Estro Felino]

I guess Germany, France and Benelux have something to do with this.

 

[Altfish]

Boris Johnson’s government has ‘shamefully failed’ British musicians say Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Queen members | Louder

They want paperwork-free travel in the EU for British artists and their equipment.


I wonder if they face the same kinds of restrictions and fees in the U.S. British musicians have traveled and toured the U.S. quite frequently, but I wasn't sure about Europe.

Daltrey has made a total fool of himself as he was an ardent Brexiteer, "We toured Europe before we joined the EU what's the problem" - or something similar was his comment. Now when Project Fear turns into Project Reality, he is upset. Idiot

NB These when put on YouTube were pro-Brexit posts - they have not aged well

 

[Altfish]

I guess Germany, France and Benelux have something to do with this.

No, it is what is known as 3rd Country status. The UK were offered an exemption but turned it down.

 

[Estro Felino]

No, it is what is known as 3rd Country status. The UK were offered an exemption but turned it down.

What I meant is that when the situation is back to normal, British citizens will need no visa to travel to here.

 

[Altfish]

What I meant is that when the situation is back to normal, British citizens will need no visa to travel to here.

Back to normal, does that mean rejoining the EU?

 

[Estro Felino]

Back to normal, does that mean rejoining the EU?

No...I meant...after the global health Emergency

 

[Altfish]

No...I meant...after the global health Emergency

The one the UK is a world beater at?

 

[Mock Turtle]

Jimmy Page has a book out apparently:

Jimmy Page on the true story behind Stairway To Heaven

 

[exchemist]

That's crap. One of few things that actually unites us and brings us together and Bozo threw up a huge obstacle.

Hooray, I'm delighted to see you too have adopted the Bozo terminology.

 

[exchemist]

As far as I know there are no travel limitations for any British citizen as for Italy.
So I want to know of which EU country we are talking about

Any of them, including Italy. The point is that they will be working. They are professional musicians, right? So they will now need a work permit, if they perform work duties in the EU for more than a certain limited number of days.

The EU offered an exemption deal for performing artists, but the UK rejected it as not good enough. So now there is no deal at all on this.

 

[Martin]

Just a thought, are these wealthy rock stars personally contributing to new talent, and working musicians?

 

[Estro Felino]

The EU offered an exemption deal for performing artists, but the UK rejected it as not good enough. So now there is no deal at all on this.

Because there is no need of a deal.
No EU country will impose travel limitations to British citizens. Singers or non.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Hooray, I'm delighted to see you too have adopted the Bozo terminology.

I've basically always have seen him as a second-rate Trump (when its just a picture of one I often get them mixed up). And I've often said "at least he's taking covid more seriously after his run with it." Too late, but the UK made the effort to join the rational parts of the world rather keep speeding towards a cliff.

 

[ratiocinator]

Because there is no need of a deal.
No EU country will impose travel limitations to British citizens. Singers or non.

So you're suggesting all these musicians are lying? The things is, this isn't about just going for a visit, it's about taking a lot of equipment in and doing paid work (performing concerts).

 

[exchemist]

Because there is no need of a deal.
No EU country will impose travel limitations to British citizens. Singers or non.

Yes they can travel , but they can't perform without a work permit. So no concerts.