British music industry reacts to EU referendum result

The UK went to the polls on Thursday to decide its future with the European Union, with the results showing that a majority of 51.9% opted to leave the EU.

While Britain waits to see the impact this decision will make, what does this mean for British music? Artists from the UK enjoy global success, and have fanbases in EU countries, and visit them on tour. Will anything change?

Geoff Taylor, the Chief Executive of the BPI, which is the trade body representing the UK music industry, said in a statement:

“The outcome of the EU referendum will come as a surprise to many across the music community, who will be concerned by the economic uncertainty that lies ahead and the impact this may have on business prospects.

"However, the UK public has spoken, and once the short-term political and macro-economic consequences have played out, this decision will mean new priorities for the music industry in our work with Government. We will, of course, press the Government to swiftly negotiate trade deals that will ensure unimpeded access to EU markets for our music and our touring artists. Our Government will also now have the opportunity to legislate for stronger domestic copyright rules that encourage investment here in the UK and which will protect UK creators from piracy and from tech platforms siphoning off value through copyright loopholes. We are confident that British music will remain hugely popular across Europe and we will work hard to make sure UK labels are able to capitalise on that demand."

Alison Wenham, CEO of AIM, the Association of Independent Music, said: “Following today’s result on Brexit AIM will liaise closely with our members, other trade bodies and colleagues across the music industry to ensure that the strength and standing of the independent music community in the international marketplace is not diminished by these events.”

Image: REX