British Acts at European Festivals Drop 25% Post-Brexit

Since Brexit, there has been a significant decline in the presence of British musicians at major European music festivals, with a 25% to 26% reduction compared to pre-Brexit years. Festivals such as Benicassim in Spain experienced the most severe drop, with British acts decreasing by 58%. Industry leaders and prominent musicians, including Sir Elton John, have described the situation as a "logistical nightmare," highlighting increased paperwork, costs, and red tape that hinder touring opportunities, especially for emerging artists. British venue operators have also reported difficulties attracting EU-based artists, exacerbating the challenges faced by the UK music ecosystem. In response, hundreds of music industry professionals have called on policymakers like Sir Keir Starmer and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen to address these issues and promote closer UK-EU ties to support the music industry. The British government has acknowledged these challenges and pledged to collaborate with EU partners to find solutions for touring musicians.