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Fears Brexit could have impact on live music scene in Kent

06:00, 31 October 2019

updated: 07:14, 31 October 2019

There are concerns leaving the European Union could have a significant impact on Kent's live music scene.

Music industry professionals across the county have reacted to a report published this week, which claims a post-Brexit drop in music tourism could cost the UK economy hundreds of millions in lost revenue.

It is feared bands will be put off from visiting the county post-Brexit
It is feared bands will be put off from visiting the county post-Brexit

The outcome of Brexit could result in less people visiting the UK from EU countries to see bands perform, as well as bands from Europe being less able to easily travel to the UK during their tours.

Andre Dack, manager of the Ramsgate Music Hall, regularly books bands from Europe and around the world.

He said: "A lot of bands come from Belgium or France, and the first stop is Ramsgate.

"That is one of the easiest and coolest aspects of our venue, and if that is to change, then yeah, for us particularly is going to be a huge thing."

Mr Dack added: "I've already had a lot of agents say, 'let's get our last tour in the UK before we can't do it.

Andre Dack has been booking bands from all over the world
Andre Dack has been booking bands from all over the world

"There might be a sense of humour behind that, but also there is a degree of seriousness because a lot of these agents don't know what's going to happen either."

Bands from Europe booked to play the venue include the Swedish electronic artist The Field and experimental band Raketkanon from Belgium.

Mark Davyd is the CEO of charity Music Venue Trust and owner of the Tunbridge Wells Forum.

It supports grassroots independent venues like the Ramsgate Music Hall and Elsewhere in Margate.

Mr Davyd believes the fears of potential impact on live music in Kent are justified.

He said: "The current plan for the UK from the UK government, the deal the Johnson government's brought forward and before that the one that was brought forward by the May government, does inevitably mean that it will be significantly more difficult for artists to tour.

Watch KMTV's report on the Ramsgate Music Hall's mission to attract artists from all over the world

"And then when it comes to audiences, anything that has the potential to make it more difficult for people to come to see gigs in the UK is obviously a concern."

The report was produced by Aston University in Birmingham, and also suggested the 2020 festival season could be affected by post-Brexit rules.

This year in Kent there have been successes with festivals like Ramblin' Man in Maidstone, and Black Deer Festival, both of which booked a high number of international acts.

Others have failed to get off the ground, such as Wheels and Fins festival in Broadstairs which was cancelled and went into liquidation.

Patrycja Rozbicka, lead on the report, believes the Musicians Union campaign to establish a working visa for touring musicians could help deaden the impact, but other touring staff alongside artists would also need to be included.

She said: "It's not only the bands who travel, it's the tour managers, the sound engineers, video engineers, guitar support, and so on."

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