Sir Elton John and Brian May call on government to support musicians in visa-free travel after Brexit

They have joined other musicians in signing an open letter to the government

Author: Natalie ReesPublished 20th Jan 2021
Last updated 21st Jan 2021

Brian May, Roger Daltrey and Sir Elton John have joined more than 100 others to criticise the Brexit deal that didn't permit visa-free travel for musicians.

Music stars have signed an open letter calling on the government to support musicians and “urgently do what it said it would do and negotiate paperwork-free travel in Europe for British artists and their equipment”

The letter, which criticises the UK government’s Brexit Deal and it's treatment of the music industry, has been signed by more than 100 musicians.

Liam Gallagher has also backed the letter, which was published in The Times just hours after government ministers rejected pleas for them to fight for a visa-free touring plan for bands and artists in the EU.

The statement, which was partly organised by the Incorporated Society of Musicians, says stars feel ‘shamefully failed’ by the government who have insisted that the signatories should be asking the EU why they in fact rejected the UK’s proposal.

The statement said, 'The reality is that British musicians, dancers, actors and their support staff have been shamefully failed by their government.'

'The deal done with the EU has a gaping hole where the promised free movement for musicians should be. Everyone on a European music tour will now need costly work permits for many countries they visit and a mountain of paperwork for their equipment.'

'We call on the government to urgently do what it said it would do and negotiate paperwork-free travel in Europe for British artists and their equipment.'

'For the sake of British fans wanting to see European performers in the UK and British venues wishing to host them, the deal should be reciprocal.'

Other names on the letter include: Sting, Radiohead and Kim Wilde.

Take a look at some of Elton John's previous tours...

Elton John - 1970s

In 1970, Elton John embarked on a world tour to support his self-titled second album.
Elton started the tour in March and finished in December 1970.


Watch Elton John performing in 1970.

Elton John - 1974

Elton John on his North American Tour in 1974.
Despite having a year 'off' in 1973, Elton and his band launched their biggest American tour yet, which was his eighth in just four years.


Watch Elton John performing in December 1974.

Elton John - 1974

In 1974, his tour set list included:
'Funeral For A Friend'/'Love Lies Bleeding'
'Candle In The Wind'
'Grimsby'
'Rocket Man'
'Take Me To The Pilot'
'Bennie And The Jets'
'Daniel'
'Grey Seal'
'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road'
'Burn Down The Mission'
'You're So Static'
'Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds'
'Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me'
'Honky Cat'
'All The Girls Love Alice'
'Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting)'
'Crocodile Rock'
'Your Song'
'The B--h Is Back'

Elton John and John Lennon at Madison Square Garden, NYC

Two iconic singers, Elton John and John Lennon, are pictured here at The Record Plant, NYC, where they recorded their track 'Whatever Gets You Thru The Night' - two days before the Madison Square Garden show on 28th November 1974.


Watch Elton John and John Lennon perform at Madison Square Garden in 1974.

Elton John - 1976

Elton John gave a spectacular performance at the Capitol Center, Washington DC, in July 1976.

Elton John at Princess Diana's funeral - 1997

Following the death of Princess Diana in 1997, Elton John re-wrote his iconic song 'Candle in the Wind' and performed it at her funeral which was held at Westminster Abbey.


Watch Elton John perform at Princess Diana's funeral in 1997.

Elton John - 2006

In 2006, Elton John was on tour in Europe, performing a string of 19 shows in Ireland, Germany and France with the majority in England.


Watch Elton John performing in 2006.

Elton John - 2008

After finishing his European tour in 2006, Elton went on to start an epic tour in September 2006, continuing until January 2008.
The tour called 'The Captain and the Kid Tour' saw him performing in the USA and Canada before going on to Europe and then to South Africa.

Elton John and Lady Gaga stop traffic in West Hollywood - 2016

The Elton John stopped traffic in California in 2016 performing at a pop-up concert where he brought out Lady Gaga as a special guest.
Performing a whole host of hits including 'Rocket Man' and 'Saturday' Elton John held the concert to thank the city of West Hollywood for supporting the Elton John AIDS Foundation and its Academy Awards Viewing Party over many years.


Watch Elton John and Lady Gaga perform together in 2016.

Elton John and Olly Alexander - 2021

Elton John took to the stage alongside Years & Years star Olly Alexander at the 2021 BRIT Awards, with the pair performing a rendition of Pet Shop Boys' hit song 'It's A Sin'.


The star-studded performance reportedly came about after Elton was inspired by Olly's performance as Ritchie Tozer in Channel 4's hard-hitting drama It's A Sin earlier this year.


Watch Elton John and Olly Alexander perform together in 2021.

2023: Glastonbury Festival

Sir Elton gave the performance of a lifetime at Glastonbury 2023 - somehow having never played there before! The incredible two-hour set marked Elton's final live performance in the UK, featuring all his classics as well as some duets with other artists.

Watch Elton John perform 'Rocket Man' at Glastonbury 2023.

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