Ten years after the referendum that shook the United Kingdom, what impact has Brexit had on one of its greatest exports: music? From major festivals in the UK to the grassroots venues in Europe determined to host British bands, FRANCE 24’s Olivia Salazar-Winspear sets out to meet the people keeping the music scene alive.
Musician Kate Nash tells us more about her “Butts for Tour Buses” campaign, as she chose a dramatic approach to sound the alarm about the crippling costs faced by touring artists.
We also hear from Liverpool‘s Sound City festival founder, Dave Pichilingi, on the red tape and logistical headaches involved for those hoping to develop a career beyond the British Isles, and how a new generation of musicians is having to adapt to a very different cultural ecosystem.
Live Trust CEO Jon Collins describes the seismic effects of both Brexit and Covid on the health of the UK‘s live music industry, when the sector contracted from £4.5 billion to £1.9 billion in the space of just two years.
We also discuss how artists and venues have struggled to stay afloat, as well as some of the new initiatives that should give the sector a helping hand.
Le POPUP du Label founder Louis Dumas tells us about the changes for promoters and venue managers, as he laments the political decisions that have resulted in logistical and financial challenges across the board.
And despite the fact that 60 percent of British acts say European tours are no longer viable, Liverpudlian band Stone tell us how building a fanbase across the Channel was key to their success, as they take to the stage in Paris.
