skip to main content

Take Action for Carry on Touring Campaign’s Call for Visa Free Travel

Umbrella campaign Carry on Touring are calling touring professionals and artists to join their mass action over social media, by posting a touring ready selfie on Twitter.

Published: 13 May 2021 | 4:51 PM Updated: 13 May 2021 | 5:43 PM
Photograph of some touring equipment, a box for packing and parts of a stage frame.
Bringing together representatives from across the UK and European Union to participate in a day of action. Photo credit: Shutterstock

The ‘Carry on Touring’ Campaign was established to secure cross-party support for Tim Brennan’s petition that asked the UK Government to negotiate a free cultural work permit to give touring professionals visa free travel throughout the 27 EU states.

Tim’s petition very clearly chimed a chord with the public and many UK artists and professionals who tour in the cities and nations across Europe, with over 280,000 signatures.

This umbrella campaign, that all who work in and rely on touring can sit under, brings together a coalition of voices from across the touring, cultural and creative industries sectors, campaigning for a realistic solution. The strength of this campaign is that it is inclusive, reaching across the sector, industry, and political parties, securing support from 43 MPs and 23 members of the House of Lords.

Check out Carry on Touring’s website to find out more about the campaign.

Take action for the Summit

On Thursday 20 May Carry on Touring will be holding a UK/EU Summit which will bring together representatives from across the UK and European Union to participate in a day of action and to demonstrate support for creative touring professionals and artists.

Throughout the day, they would like as many touring professionals and artists as possible to post a picture of themselves on Twitter and other social media, ready to go on tour with their suitcase, passport and tool / instrument case.

If you take a photo and simply send it to Carry on Touring, they will do the design for you and send it straight back to you – ready to post on your social media feeds!

A step by step guide to taking part

1. Take a picture of yourself ready to go on Tour, preferably in portrait, jpg. A phone camera is sufficient.

2. Send it to Tim Brennan by 4:00 pm on Wednesday 19 May (at the LATEST!) on email - timmob2021@gmail.com (Please note the earlier, the better!)

3. Wait for Tim to send it back to you

4. On Thursday 20 of May, simply post it on your social media alongside one of the drafted tweets below

Tweet 1: I’m supporting Real People, Real Lives, Real Jobs. Are you? We need to #CarryonTouring! Find out more: https://www.carryontouring.uk/pages/uk-eu-summit #UKEUSummit @CarryonTouring_

Tweet 2: I support the @CarryonTouring_ Campaign! Touring isn’t working. No tours = no work We need certainty and we need clarity from the Government. Find out more: https://www.carryontouring.uk/pages/uk-eu-summit #UKEUSummit @CarryonTouring_

Continue reading

Daniel stood against a tree at sunset, holding a flute, with a forest and lake in the background.

How I Use AI as a Professional Musician — and Why I’m Still Cautious

In this honest and informative blog, composer, post-production specialist, tutor, flautist, and MU member Daniel Finch explores how musicians are using AI in their work—sharing insights from his own research and outlining the potential benefits, risks, and ethical challenges.

Published: 27 May 2025

Read more about How I Use AI as a Professional Musician — and Why I’m Still Cautious
Birdseye view of feet staring down at an EU flag on the ground, representing a border.

EU-UK Summit: Early Outcomes and What it Means for MU Members

The MU welcomes early signs of progress on cultural mobility at the first EU-UK Summit, including youth mobility and faster border access, but calls for further action to ensure musicians are properly supported in post-Brexit negotiations.

Published: 21 May 2025

Read more about EU-UK Summit: Early Outcomes and What it Means for MU Members