After years of cancellations thanks to COVID, this summer sees the return of music festivals to the UK - but after leaving the EU, those involved with British events are facing challenges and calling for support.

The number of UK artists booked for European festivals this summer is down 45% compared to 2017-19, according to the group Best for Britain - which previously campaigned against Brexit.

The number of British musical acts appearing on the lineups of European festivals has dropped by nearly half in the post-Brexit world, per the findings of new research.

Betrayed’ artists offered only clearer guidance on ‘the bureaucracy involved’ in performing in EU, The Independent learns – not a solution.

UK musicians must now secure visa or work permit for each country they want to play in.

Figures seen as clear evidence of impact of ‘dud deal’ – now touring has recovered from Covid.

AS prominent British performers such as Ed Sheeran, Elton John, Joss Stone and Bob Geldof call for the UK government to make future touring in Europe easier for musicians, a Pembrokeshire venue has said that the mountain of paperwork faced by EU musicians playing in the UK is also having an adverse effect.

Boris Johnson vowed Brexit minister would ‘fix’ problem - but peer insists it’s down to more junior departments.

The singer said it is currently "financially impossible" for burgeoning British stars to tour in the European Union. / "The Rocket Hour has a special theme this week. Every artist that I’m going to play is a young British artist who at the moment is not able to tour because of what happened with the Brexit situation."

Representatives from the live music industry, and Elton John, have sharply criticised the Government’s handling of the post-Brexit crisis for the touring industry resulting from a lack of agreement with the EU over visa issues and movement of equipment.

Elton John on Thursday (10 June) warned of a lost generation in the UK’s music industry because of post-Brexit curbs on touring in the European Union.

The singer held nothing back as he lambasted the UK's plans to leave the EU. / Sir Elton John has lambasted the state of the UK in the wake of the 2016 EU Referendum, admitting that Brexit has made him “ashamed of his country”.

‘The government seems unable or unwilling to fix this gaping hole in their trade deal and defaults to blaming the EU rather than finding ways out of this mess,’ musician says.

“Despite this looming catastrophe, the government seems unable or unwilling to fix this gaping hole in their trade deal"

Elton John has accused Lord Frost and other ministers of being unwilling to fix the “gaping hole” in the current Brexit deal which means that artists must get visas and permits to go on tour in Europe.

He said there are ‘gaping holes’ in the Brexit deal.

The singer says Brexit has made him ashamed to be British, while performing in Verona during his final world tour.

Caroline Dinenage under fire for string of shaky explanations for throwing out a deal

The lead singer of the British heavy metal band Iron Maiden expressed frustration over U.K. travel restrictions in the aftermath of Brexit on Monday, despite voting for the measure in 2016.

Only Spain has signed agreement, leaving artists mired in ‘mountains of red tape’ – with pressure on new Brexit minister Liz Truss to change course.

Brussels will be asked to revive visa-waiver offer – to pile pressure on government to end its refusal to act.

Ministers are making “misleading” claims about the costs and red tape facing performers trying to tour the EU after Brexit, a parliamentary inquiry says.

Music stars including Sir Elton John and Radiohead are putting pressure on the government to resolve the problems around post-Brexit EU touring.

Some of the UK's biggest music stars have written to the government demanding action to ensure visa-free touring in the European Union.

Sir Elton John has described the government as "philistines", and accused them of failing to understand the implications of Brexit on music.

Sir Elton John has warned MPs that the UK music industry could lose "a generation of talent" because of post-Brexit restrictions on touring the EU.

New analysis suggests that in the first post-Brexit festival season, the number of British bands playing festivals across Europe has fallen by almost half.

Since Britain left the European Union in 2020, UK musicians have faced increased difficulties and costs when trying to tour outside of their country.

Musicians and music businesses warn of ‘time up’ for UK grassroots acts, and European orchestras being resistant to booking UK artists because of ‘paperwork and expense’.

Sir Elton John has branded the Government ‘philistines’ over the handling of the music industry post-Brexit.