The #LetTheMusicMove campaign has expanded to oppose proposed changes to US visa regulations that would affect touring musicians.
Last week, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced plans to increase tourist visa fees for overseas acts by more than 250%.
DHS said in its proposal that P visa applications, which relate to acts coming to the United States to act temporarily, would drop from the current rate of $460 (375.23 pounds) to $1,615 (1,317 pounds).
For its part, the long-term work visa O would go from $460 (375.23 pounds) to $1,655 (1,349 pounds).
Since then, some artists have spoken out against the plans, saying it would be “a huge difficulty to pay such high visa fees”. However, DHS argued the increases were necessary due to high demand and understaffing at the Department of Citizenship and Immigration.
Today (February 9), the Music Managers Forum (MMF) and Featured Artists Coalition (FAC) launched their #LetTheMusicMove campaign to oppose the potential changes.
The organizations pointed out that the measure could mean “exorbitant costs for British artists wishing to tour North America”.
“In the midst of the current cost of living crisis and with the live industry still reeling from the repercussions of COVID-19, it would be unaffordable for many emerging and mid-level artists to perform in the larger market. musical world”, they explained. .
DHS and US Citizenship and Immigration Services have opened a comment period that will remain active until March 6. In this document, US citizens can send their comments, which will be reviewed and further adjustments will be considered.
In an attempt to stop the plans, the MMF and FAC are urging artists and their sales representatives to commit to three simple actions:
Numerous musicians have already raised objections to the DHS plans, including Primal Scream bassist Simone Marie Butler.
“To suddenly increase the cost of a US work visa by 250% is totally unheard of and unwarranted,” he explained.
“This will make touring the US prohibitively expensive and in many cases impossible for many bands, artists and DJs. live music, which would affect people’s careers and income.”
Solo artist Howard Jones commented, “A 250% increase in US visa fees will have a devastating effect on emerging artists looking to tour the US, the world’s largest entertainment market. .
“This, coupled with rising transport costs and wages, while ticket prices remain static, will mean artists struggling just to break even will be forced to forfeit their greatest opportunity to build a base. of fans”.
John Robb, music journalist for The Membranes, added that the “draconian” increase in US visa fees would deal “another blow to British music and culture”.
“For decades, the American-British alliance has been at the heart of musical culture, and the ability for musicians on both sides of the Atlantic to tour their respective territories has been key to the heart of the culture. modern music,” Robb said.
Annabella Coldrick, executive director of the Music Managers Forum, said: “These proposed visa fee increases would be catastrophic for UK artists and would make it unaffordable for many to tour the US.
“By reviving and expanding our #LetTheMusicMove campaign, we hope to convince the Department of Homeland Security to rethink its culturally destructive proposals.”
David Martin, CEO of the Featured Artists Coalition, added: “#LetTheMusicMove provided artists with a unified campaign where they could voice their concerns about post-Brexit touring challenges.
“However, these new proposals for US touring visas are equally worrying and, if passed, will only exacerbate the seismic challenges facing UK artists today.”
The #LetTheMusicMove initiative was originally launched in 2021 to campaign to reduce post-Brexit costs and red tape for British artists and musicians touring Europe.
Over 200 artists expressed their support, including Radiohead, Wolf Alice, IDLES and Annie Lennox.
In another part of its proposal, DHS says consideration should be given to extending premium processing times. The service, priced at $2,500 (£2,039), currently takes 15 calendar days, but it has been suggested that this be reduced to 15 working days.
In 2020, DHS proposed to increase rates by 50% and other measures, but those changes never went into effect. The last time artist visa fees increased was in 2016.