Hello friends,
Well wishes to you wherever you are.
Far from being a break from the grim reality of 2020, 2021 seems to have started as an out-of-the-frying-pan-into-
As you might be aware, one of the results of Brexit is that UK bands, particularly those at our level, will no longer be able to afford to tour Europe. As it stands, UK artists touring Europe will now need to pay for work permits, ATA Carnets (£360), EORI numbers to sell merchandise and much more.
This is devastating news for bands like us. Touring is freedom and liberation. It offers us the chance to meet new people and forge new friendships. It gives bands like us the opportunity to try and reach new audiences and to break down borders and barriers in a way that only music can. Music unites us in a way that politicians and bureaucrats never can.
We have written to our local MP Rachel Reeves to ask her to put pressure on the UK government to enter into urgent negotiations with the EU regarding the introduction of a Musician’s Passport; a reciprocal, free, work permit-free, carnet-free, EU-wide touring arrangement that covers musicians and crew.
If you would like to show support and write to your local MP you can copy and paste this email template from the Musicians Union.
In other news, Bandcamp Fridays are back in 2021 and we’ll be doing our bit to support other bands and artists on the 5th of February. We released a new album Chemical Reaction on double vinyl and download in June 2020. We also have a range of new tees available, featuring a design by artist Rosie Rackham.
You can find all of these on our Bandcamp.
Love & peace.
GLXNS
