How Brexit Has Destroyed UK Artists’ Ability To Tour The EU – A Musician Speaks Out!

Fish has posted a detailed statement on his social media platforms, explaining how the new regulations UK musicians face to be able to tour across Europe as a result of the government’s Brexit deal are going to cripple the industry.

His examination of it, both as a solo artist with decades of success, and also as the ex-frontman of a global band – Marillion – makes for devastating reading.

The full statement can be read via this Link https://www.facebook.com/derek.dick/posts and an abridged version of it is included below.

”My heart goes out to musicians starting out in small clubs and at the beginning of their careers. I’m not in a new band making its first forays into Europe, taking the big jump and betting on a chance to break into what is still the third biggest music market in the World, just a few miles on a ferry across the Channel.

How does the next young Rock band, break into the EU market now? From where is the UK government going to replace those potential future tax revenues from successful bands? Do they care? It certainly doesn’t appear so.

I genuinely despair at the current state of the music industry and the dreams that are being broken on these rocks. I’m 63 this year and immensely grateful for what the music industry and the fans of my music have given me over the last 40 years. I just can’t imagine what it’s like for a young artist in these present times.

We, the music business, and industry of the UK are currently in a perilous state. We deserve better than this from our elected government. We need a rethink, and we need it sooner rather than later as our future is in jeopardy.”