Read on Twitter
A short but really important thread about musicians, free movement, and the Swiss border.
I went canvassing today in my local constituency, and was very honoured to be warmly welcomed into the home of @Organjosh from @ProcolHarumband.
I went canvassing today in my local constituency, and was very honoured to be warmly welcomed into the home of @Organjosh from @ProcolHarumband.
(I was only three when Procol Harum's 'A Whiter Shade of Pale' became one of the best selling singles in history. But I have vivid memories of it being played by my parents during my childhood).
See end of thread for some exciting news.
See end of thread for some exciting news.
Josh told me about when they go on tour.
Band members, roadies, manager and others - big truck with all the equipment and merchandise.
On their latest European tour they went to Portugal, Denmark, France and Switzerland.
Next year they plan to go to Italy, Denmark and Norway
Band members, roadies, manager and others - big truck with all the equipment and merchandise.
On their latest European tour they went to Portugal, Denmark, France and Switzerland.
Next year they plan to go to Italy, Denmark and Norway
He told me how straightforward it was, touring through all these countries.
Except Switzerland.
Remember how many leading Brexiteers told us how smooth and frictionless the EU-Swiss border was? https://twitter.com/DanielJHannan/status/988873506904592384
Except Switzerland.
Remember how many leading Brexiteers told us how smooth and frictionless the EU-Swiss border was? https://twitter.com/DanielJHannan/status/988873506904592384
So when it came to the Swiss border:
ALL their equipment had to be unloaded and checked, serial numbers noted down etc.
ALL their equipment had to be unloaded and checked, serial numbers noted down etc.
They would have had to pay 20% tax up front on all their merchandise. So instead one of their crew unloaded all their merchandise into a separate van, and spent the night in a hotel in Germany.
Less hassle that way.
Less hassle that way.
Ending free movement 'ONCE AND FOR ALL' - as Theresa May and Priti Patel love to say with gleeful relish - will be devastating for UK bands and UK musicians. (Not just those living in the UK, also those British musicians living in the EU - @BritishInEurope)
The EU Youth orchestra has already quit the UK to move to Italy. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/oct/11/eu-youth-orchestra-to-quit-uk-for-italy-over-brexit
The European Union Baroque Orchestra has already moved from Oxfordshire to Belgium. https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/feb/18/baroque-orchestra-eu-britain-brexit-immigration-free-movement
No-deal Brexit (remember, despite 'Get Brexit Done', no-trade-deal-Brexit at the end of 2020 is still very much on the cards) could make life 'very difficult' for the UK music industry. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-49239002
But anyway, now for the exciting news.
Tomorrow - Sunday 8th December, the anniversary of John Lennon's assassination - Josh is releasing a new charity single, proceeds going to war child. A cover of John Lennon's "Gimme Some Truth" is very apt for today's election debate.
And it's gorgeous. https://twitter.com/Organjosh/status/1203013587679227906
And it's gorgeous. https://twitter.com/Organjosh/status/1203013587679227906
