MUSICIANS have been hit by a “double whammy” of coronavirus restrictions and the impact of Brexit, MSPs have been told.
Holyrood’s Culture and Tourism Committee heard that performing and touring in European Union countries has been made “significantly more expensive and more complicated administratively”, and the changes could make it unviable for all but the biggest artists.
During an evidence session about the impact of coronavirus on the cultural sector, music unions also argued that swathes of performers and industry professionals are missing out on financial support.
Asked about how the UK’s departure from the EU has affected the sector, Musicians’ Union Scottish organiser Barry Dallman said: “It’s a double whammy at the moment for the music industry, particularly the live sector which has been absolutely destroyed by Covid-19.
“On top of all the problems that the pandemic has caused, we’re now faced with the implications of Brexit.
“[This] means that touring in the EU is going to be significantly more expensive and more complicated administratively in a way that will probably preclude a lot of the lower-level work that happens from being able to take place, as we emerge from this.
“For musicians in the UK, Europe is effectively the domestic market for live work.”
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