Music Industry Reacts To UK EU Brexit

It is too early to know the full affect of yesterday’s vote by Britains to leave the European Union, but its almost universally believed that the musicians and the music industry will be hit hard. Here’s the latest Brexit reaction from across the music industry.

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The Music Industry Reacts To Brexit

Independent Companies Hit Hardest

“There could be countless implications for the UK media and sectors but smaller companies such as independent labels, independent production companies and tech start ups look set to be hardest hit.” – Mark Mulligan, MiDA

Music companies liked being based in Britain because that gave them a friendly beachhead into Europe in a stable English-speaking country. Not anymore. What about all the British music companies with offices in Europe and vice versa? There are hundreds, if not thousands, of employees involved. – A Journal Of Music Things

Musicians Could Be Forced To Move

“As things stand, musicians from all 28 EU countries can live and work in the UK without prior condition. After Brexit, they will have to prove they are earning £35,000 a year. Many, including regular players in the London orchestras and most outside London, do not achieve that income. – Slippedisc

Trouble For Live Music

“Getting visas an absolute minefield and it costs a lot of money, and it’s the reason that a lot of people don’t get to tour America. Even going to a country like Japan where visas are quite easy to get, I know how difficult it is having to factor in the cost and the time to acquire a visa.” – Colin Roberts, Big Life Management (Bloc Party) via Pitchfork

“Currency fluctuations between the pound and the euro will make touring harder to plan.” – A Journal Of Musical Things

And then there are fans crossing borders to attend festivals.

UK Music Trade Groups Project Postivity

“Following today’s result on Brexit AIM will liaise closely with our members, other trade bodies and colleagues across the music industry to ensure that the strength and standing of the independent music community in the international marketplace is not diminished by these events.” – Alison Wenham, CEO, AIM

“The outcome of the EU Referendum will come as a surprise to many across the music community, who will be concerned by the economic uncertainty that lies ahead and the impact this may have on business prospects. However, the UK public has spoken, and once the short-term political and macro-economic consequences have played out, this decision will mean new priorities for the music industry in our work with government.

We will, of course, press the government to swiftly negotiate trade deals that will ensure unimpeded access to EU markets for our music and our touring artists. Our government will also now have the opportunity to legislate for stronger domestic copyright rules that encourage investment here in the UK and which will protect UK creators from piracy and from tech platforms siphoning off value through copyright loopholes”.

We are confident that British music will remain hugely popular across Europe and we will work hard to make sure UK labels are able to capitaliZe on that demand.” – Geoff Taylor, BPI

• “Change is on the way that’s for sure, but one thing is clear. The UK music sector will remain a fundamental player in Europe, which of course goes beyond the EU and we will continue to work hard to ensure that Brexit doesn’t interfere with the ability of European citizens to continue to enjoy UK music and vice versa. Breaking borders is what our labels do with their artists on a daily basis and that will continue.

We are all Europeans and AIM’s role within IMPALA will remain key – we have so much to achieve together.

We are the European Music Union and we will work hard to make it flourish.” – IMPALA

Music Says It Best