Press coverage
Read our recent press coverage below.
If you have any questions, please email our Senior Communications and Policy Officer Bruce Rothberg at [email protected]
March 2021
- Brexit: Harriet Harman proposes plan for UK musicians to tour EU - Newstral
- Harriet Harman sets out 10-point plan for post-Brexit touring - Classical Music
- Harriet Harman Proposes Plan For Post-Brexit EU Touring - The Quietus
- Could This Labour-Backed Plan Save Post-Brexit Touring...? - Clash Music
- Harriet Harman proposes plan for UK musicians to tour EU post-Brexit - The Guardian
- Music education must be "front and centre" as schools return - Arts Professional
- Musicians still ‘falling through the gaps’ as £400m announced for struggling arts sector - Classic fM
- Budget: £400m for arts and culture and an extension of SEISS - Classical Music
- Music industry calls lack of insurance scheme in 2021 Budget “disappointing” - Crack Magazine
- Budget 2021 receives a warm welcome from arts sector (freelancers excluded) - Arts Professional
- Put away your wellies – Rishi Sunak's Budget spells doom and gloom for summer festivals -The Telegraph
- ISM responds to new funding for the Arts - The Strad
- ISM responds to new funding for the Arts - Music News
- Dozens of MPs join MU and ISM calling on the Chancellor for help for freelancers - Music:Ed
- 3 million ‘excluded’ from pandemic support demand help in Spring Budget - The Big Issue
February 2021
- British musicians warn of devastating impact of new Brexit rules - The Week
- We must have a consistent plan for reopening, says ISM - Classical Music
- ISM responds to Prime Minister’s roadmap for COVID restrictions in England - The Strad
- Scrapped Plans for London Concert Hall Sour Mood for U.K. Musicians - New York Times
- Music industry welcomes Government commitment to save touring in Europe following Commons evidence session - Music News
- Music industry welcomes UK Government’s commitment to save touring in Europe - The Strad
- Music industry welcomes Government firm commitment to save touring in Europe following Commons evidence session - Record of the Day
- Prioritise arts education post-lockdown or risk lasting damage, leaders warn - The Stage
- UK to appeal to individual European countries over arts touring 'crisis' - BBC News
- National Theatre shelves European touring after Brexit - BBC News
- 'They're thinking of giving up' - could Brexit force Yorkshire's musicians to quit? - ITV News
- Talks on UK-EU artists visa yet to start, admits minister - Financial Times
- Creative industries treated as 'afterthought' by UK government after Brexit - The Guardian
- Talks to ease pain of ‘no deal Brexit’ for musicians yet to start, minister admits, as tours are cancelled - The Independent
- UK performers say post-Brexit visa rules spell disaster - Japan Today
- Musicians in ‘quite desperate’ position over post-Brexit travel rules - The Press & Journal
- UK Government not negotiating with EU over touring restrictions - Access All Areas
- U.K. performers say post-Brexit visa rules spell disaster -CTV News
- Artistas británicos temen desastre post Brexit - Chicago Tribune
- Musicians in ‘quite desperate' position over post-Brexit travel rules - The Irish News
- UK will deal with EU states one by one on free movement of artists - The Brussels Times
- Musicians in ‘quite desperate’ position over post-Brexit travel rules - Aberdeen Evening Express
- British minister blames EU countries for UK artists’ post-Brexit visa troubles - Politico
- Musicians in ‘quite desperate’ position over post-Brexit travel rules - Oxford Mail
- UK government criticised for not negotiating with EU countries on touring despite music industry being “in crisis - NME
- UK has three months to save touring, sector warns - Arts Professional
- As artists endure a no-deal Brexit, Culture Minister says EU countries need 'efficient' visa systems - Music Week
- MPs to quiz Culture Minister on failure to secure visa-free touring in EU trade deal - CMU
- UK-EU artist visa talks have not yet begun, Minister admits - London News Today
- CULTURE MINISTER TO FACE MPS OVER FAILURE TO REACH AGREEMENT WITH EU ON VISA-FREE TOURING - Access All Areas
- Musicians call on government to restore EU liberties lost to Brexit - Jazz Journal
- Music industry responds to government’s latest statement on post-Brexit touring - CMU
- Music industry says government response to Brexit touring mess is “not good enough - NME
- Artists hope for Brexit touring solution as MPs debate petition on free EU movement - Music Week
- Key post-Brexit touring issues highlighted ahead of Parliamentary debate - CMU
- DCMS looks at the invisible freelancers behind live events - British Theatre Guide
- Musicians sing the blues as Covid and Brexit devastate sector - Financial Times
- They screwed up’: Elton John demands government renegotiate Brexit deal for musicians - The Independent
- ‘They screwed up’: Elton John demands government renegotiate Brexit deal for musicians - News Chant
- Joint attack on behalf of musicians’ touring - Arts Industry
- Music industry unites to save touring in Europe, ahead of crucial Parliament debate - Music News
- Arts sector campaigns for continued VAT reduction on ticket sales - The Stage
- Brexit: The impact on music touring - Sound Shots
- Dissecting The Streaming Inquiry #06: Transparency - Complete Music Update
- Brexit: What next for UK DJs and performers? - Attack Magazine
- Donald MacLeod: Visa row could sink gigs for music fans - Herald Scotland
- Virtual choir launches in Ealing proving Zoom is no barrier to a good sing along - Ealing Times
January 2021
- IFS report cites ‘clear injustices’ in the exclusion of UK freelancers from SEISS - Music Education
- Theatres warn of ‘devastating’ Brexit impact as pressure grows over touring visas -City AM
- Survey suggests Brexit will stop UK musicians performing in Europe - Jazz fM
- The day the music died - Arts Industry
- Roger Daltrey responds to backlash over post-Brexit music touring comments -Sky News
- What will Brexit really mean for touring UK and EU artists? - DJ Mag
- Ed Sheeran, Elton John, Sting Say Brexit Deal 'Shamefully Failed' Them - Billboard
- Elton John and Sting sign open letter to U.K. government after it fails to reach E.U. touring deal - Music News
- Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden to meet music industry amid Brexit concerns - Music Week
- Liam Gallagher, Ed Sheeran and Elton John slam Brexit deal shunning visa-free travel for musicians - NME
- Musicians sign letter calling for government to renegotiate EU work permit rules -Gramophone
- Musicians including Roger Daltrey, Ed Sheeran and Elton John attack Brexit deal over impact on touring - Evening Standard
- UK stars from Ed Sheeran to Elton John raise alarm over post-Brexit music tours - Reuters
- Ed Sheeran, Elton John, Sting Say Brexit Deal "Shamefully Failed" Them -Hollywood Reporter
- ‘Shamefully Failed’: Elton John, Ed Sheeran Among Top U.K. Musicians Demanding Government Action on EU Touring -Variety
- Millionaire British music stars blast Boris over Brexit: Elton John, Bob Geldof and Ed Sheeran are among 110 artists demanding visa-free tours of EU due to 'costly work permits' -The Mail Online
- UK government rejects 'musician passports' as stars attack 'shameful' touring deal -The Guardian
- Musicians 'failed by government' over EU touring, stars say -BBC News
- Ed Sheeran and Elton John attack ‘Brexit deal that fails musicians’ -The Times
- ISM launches new Visa and Work Permit Advice Service for members -The Strad
- ISM launches visa and work permit advice service -Classical Music
- Opposition parties hit out at government’s handling of Brexit touring row -NME
- Further post-Brexit musician touring discussions proposed by UK Government following EU visa stalemate -DJ Mag
- Calls for clarity and resolution over post-Brexit touring bureaucracy continue as UK government concedes the EU did offer a solution -CMU
- How Boris Johnson’s government “took a wrecking ball” to the music industry -New Statesman
- ‘The EU rejected visa-free tours for musicians, not us’ – culture secretary Oliver Dowden -Classic fM
- EU proposal for visa-free tours by musicians despite Brexit was rejected, No 10 admits -The Independent
- Artists will need to obtain a visa to perform in Europe -Canada 24 News
- AIM and IMPALA call on UK and EU officials to regroup to ensure visa-free touring across Europe -CMU
- BBC Radio 5 Live: Deborah Annetts interview with Nihal Arthanayake - 2:05
- Fury and disbelief over claims UK rejected visa-free touring - Arts Professional
- Utter insanity': Furious reaction to claims that government rejected EU offer of visa-free touring -Music Week
- Outrage among musicians as Government's rejection of EU offer of visa-free tours emerges - Classical Music
- UK government denies claims it rejected EU offer of visa-free touring -The Stage
- Musicians’ fury at report UK ‘rejected visa-free tours’ for artists, despite blaming EU - Classic fM
- UK Government is quizzed over EU offer for musician visas - Slipped Disc
- UK ‘rejected offer’ of visa-free tours by musicians in EU, despite blaming Brussels for permit blow - The Independent
- BBC Front Row: Brexit and the impact of the trade agreement on UK musicians - 11:10
- Government faces fresh calls to support EU touring after Brexit deal blow - The Stage
December 2020
- Have touring artists been forgotten in the government's Brexit deal with the EU? -Music Week
- What does the government’s Brexit deal mean for touring musicians and orchestras? -Classic fM
- Music industry hits out at the impact of Brexit trade deal on touring musicians -CMU
- What UK musicians will need when they work in Europe - Slipped Disc
- UK performers raise alarm as Brexit deal threatens EU touring - The Guardian
- Musicians will abandon tours after huge new costs and bureaucracy of Brexit deal, ministers warned - The Independent
- Major government skills scheme criticised for excluding arts courses -The Stage
- Music and other arts excluded from government skills scheme -Music Teacher
- Covid squeezing music out of curriculum, Ofsted report confirms - Arts News
- Ofsted confirms damage to music education dues to COVID-19 - Music News
- Music education in schools is suffering, Ofsted report confirms - Music Teacher
- ISM music education report - Private Eye
- Ofsted confirms damage to music education from Covid-19 - The Strad
- ISM report highlights devastating impact of COVID-19 on music education - MIA
- 10% of schools aren't teaching music, survey suggests -Arts Professional
- 'Genuine cause for alarm' over music education - Independent Schools Management Plus
- Londoner's Diary: Make it easy to tour EU after Brexit, say musicians -Evening Standard
- What about freelancers? ISM responds to latest round of Culture Recovery Fund - Classical Music
- Royal Opera House and Albert Hall among struggling arts venues to receive £165m in emergency loans - Classic fM
- ‘Crown jewels of UK culture’ offered ‘lifeline’ in next round of CRF - Music Teacher
- ISM report says COVID has further cut music education and participation in UK schools -CMU
- Covid has had devastating impact on school music education, report finds - Music Teacher
- ISM report highlights devastating impact of COVID-19 on music education - The Strad
- Report highlights devastating impact of COVID-19 on music education - About Manchester
- Nearly 70 percent of primary schools have reduced music teaching because of COVID-19 -Classic fM
- Music education in UK schools devastated by pandemic, survey finds - The Guardian
November 2020
- Incorporated Society of Musicians responds to Spending Review - The Strad
- Spending review criticised for 'failing to recognise value of creative sector' - The Stage
- Music industry hopes UK government’s levelling-up fund might benefit local music industries -CMU
- Freelancers left out in cold in spending review - Arts Industry
- ISM LAUNCHES FREE ONLINE CONFERENCE: THE EMPOWERED MUSICIAN - Classical Music
- ISM launches free online conference: The Empowered Musician - Music Teacher
- ‘Diabolical’ – UK Cuts Funding for Arts and Humanities Teachers - Vice
- Music service launched for visually impaired children with neurodegenerative disease - WildKat PR
- Music service launched for visually impaired children with neurodegenerative disease - Music Teacher
- Singer Mary Bevan: 'Why have musicians been left out in the cold?' -The Guardian
- More calls for help for arts freelancers who 'face using food banks' - BBC
- 'Furlough extension welcome, but it's too late for many' – theatre figures react - The Stage
- ISM seeks government clarification on lockdown measures for music teachers - Music Teacher
- Music trade bodies react to extension for furlough scheme - Music Week
- MU and ISM welcome increased COVID support for freelancers, but say more still needs to be done - CMU
- Musicians' Union calls on government not to 'abandon' self-employed musicians - Music Week
- Increase to freelancer scheme will not help thousands of arts workers, unions warn - The Stage
- New lockdown ‘devastating’ for museums and venues - Arts Industry
- Venues, music bodies respond to lockdown announcement - Music Week
- Music industry calls for more clarity and financial support as new lockdown is announced for England -CMU
October 2020
- Unions call for targeted government support as UK enters second Covid-19 wave - The Stage
- Music industry calls for ‘urgent action’ after teacher training funding cuts - Music Teacher
- Arts students to be excluded from Initial Teacher Training bursaries - Arts Professional
- Music initial teacher training funding withdrawn by Department for Education - Music Teacher
- Music not included in DfE teacher training bursaries, ISM reveals - Classical Music
- ‘We risk losing a generation of talent’ – 1,200 musicians urge chancellor to save freelancers - Classic fM
- Culture secretary says artists should ‘hang on in there for as long as they can’- Classic fM
- Lesley Riddoch: Why Rishi Sunak picked the wrong fight this time - The National
- ISM announces partnership with Musicians Movement - Classical Music
- Music industry partnership announces new campaign to #MakeMusicWork - Music Teacher
- Campaigning intensifies to secure a future for musicians - Arts Professional
- ISM announces strategic partnership with the Musicians Movement #MakeMusicWork - Music News
- ISM gibt strategische Partnerschaft mit dem Slogan der Musicians Movement #MakeMusicWork - SIING
- ISM announces partnership with the Musicians Movement #MakeMusicWork slogan - Steerpop
September 2020
- Letter calling for music education funding signed by more than 25 organisations - Classical Music
- Industry responses to the UK government’s latest COVID support measures - CMU
- Nearly half of UK musicians forced to quit industry amid coronavirus crisis - Classic fM
- Government help needed urgently for self-employed - British Theatre Guide
- Sales of musical instruments surge during lockdown as home learning booms - The Telegraph
- UK Music Responds to Chancellor’s Emergency Jobs Package - Record of the Day
- Playing a different tune – Music education in a post-COVID world - Teachwire
- Leading UK music industry bodies pledge gender equality on boards - The Guardian
- Trade bodies sign up to new Keychange gender equality pledge - CMU
- KEYCHANGE PLEDGE: ATC LIVE AMONG NEW SIGNATORIES - IQ
- Chancellor accused of neglecting arts community in latest round of Covid support - The Stage
- Unholy row as leading London church axes musicians, 'using Covid as a cover' - The Observer
- ‘Unchristian act’: historic London church axes 200 musicians in coronavirus crisis - Classic fM
- ISM stresses 'urgent need' to support UK music community amid Operation Moonshot plans - Music Week
- Operation Moonshot could get full-capacity gigs back up and running – but experts question how realistic plans are - CMU
- MPs call for U-turn on targeted furlough extension to avoid jobs disaster - The Stage
- Scottish recovery fund 'aims to protect jobs' - Arts Professional
- ISM welcomes government efforts to fully re-open concert halls, but warns financial support for musicians still necessary - CMU
- The ISM has commented on media reports that the Government is working on a plan to reopen theatres - Fairy Powered Productions
- Theatres could reopen on Nov 1 - Arts Industry News
- ISM responds to government’s ‘Seat out to help out’ proposal - Wildkat PR
- ISM responds to government’s ‘Seat out to help out’ proposal - Classical Music
- 23 percent of the UK arts sector is at risk of insolvency - Music:Ed
- The day the music dies - British Theatre Guide
- Singing softly could cut Covid risk - Arts Professional
- Urgent need for music education guidance - Arts Professional
- Arts sector continuing to suffer worst Covid-19 effects – ONS - The Stage
- Frank Turner hails support for grassroots music venues as ‘positive step’ - Aberdeen Evening Express
- Frank Turner hails support for grassroots music venues as ‘positive step’ - The Belfast Telegraph
- Frank Turner hails support for grassroots music venues as ‘positive step’ - Press Association
- Grassroots venues fund and Singing study - Music Week
- Singing is no more risky than talking when it comes to spreading COVID-19, study claims - Classic fM
- Sunak warned of artistic ‘exodus’ without more help - Metro UK
- The creative industry lobby together in a joint letter to the Treasury - MIA News section
- Creative sectors rally to warn of coronavirus talent exodus - The Stage
- ISM lead open letter to the Chancellor - Music Week
- Arts GCSEs experience 37% drop in past decade - The Stage
- GCSE results day shows continual decline in music entries - The Strad
- Creative organisations warn Treasury of devastation of the performing arts and exodus of talent - About Manchester
- Industry bodies warn that UK risks devastation of performing arts - M Magazine
- Arts world warns of ‘exodus of talent’ from creative industries due to coronavirus - Classic fM
- Over 120 organisations call on government to extend freelancer support for creative sector - CMU
- Britain could see 'exodus of talent' unless actors and musicians are supported - Daily Telegraph
- Plea to save sector as support for freelancers ends - Arts Professional
- UK 'risks exodus of talent' from creative sector due to coronavirus -The Guardian
- Theatre sector welcomes progress on reopening but pushes for more- The Stage
- ISM responds to government announcement for indoor performances - The Strad
- Indoor gigs given green light to return in UK with social distancing - Music Week
- Live indoor performances can resume in England as lockdown rules are eased - Classical fM
- Performing arts unions condemn ‘one star’ government response to crisis - The Stage
- More A-level language students awarded A* - The Times
- Music A-level students have halved in the last decade - Classic fM
- A-level results: Music uptake continues to fall - Classical Music
- ISM, Music Mark and MTA launch #CanDoMusic campaign to protect music in schools - Classical Music
- Choristers need support urgently - Church Times
- Lords urge government to protect UK creative industries in post-Brexit trade deal - City AM
- Music industry responds as government postpones date for resuming indoor shows - Complete Music Update
July 2020
- Freelancers despair as emergency funding goes elsewhere - Arts Professional
- Concerns raised that Cultural Recovery Fund will not reach musicians - The Unsigned Guide
- Concerns expressed that government’s COVID funding won’t reach music-makers - CMU
- How to raise an alpha kid: the super-rich parent's guide to piano playing - The Telegraph
- Live industry welcomes DCMS report on Covid-19 impact - Music Week
- ISM responds to government's announcement for return to indoor live performances - Music News
- ISM responds to government’s announcement that indoor live performances can resume with socially distanced audiences - Colin's Column
- ISM updates UK live performance guidelines - the Strad
- Latest Covid guide on making music in public places - Slipped Disc
- How safe is your instrument? Here’s the science on singing, woodwind and brass so far - Classic FM
- ISM publishes review of research into Covid-19 transmission and the performing arts - Classical Music Magazine
- Musicians make urgent plea for help - Church Times
- Musicians lobby religious leaders to save the choral jobs - Arts Professional
- Exclusive: Religious music 'under threat' warn composers and musicians - The Telegraph
- Letters: Let the choirs sing or the whole tradition will crumble - The Telegraph
- The ISM calls on religious leaders to save the jobs of church and synagogue musicians - Music News
- Importance of music education - The Times
- UK Culture Secretary confirms VAT cut for theatre and concerts - The Strad
- Opinion | More support for the self employed is vital - Classical Music
- Will theatre and concerts be cheaper after lockdown, as VAT is slashed? - Classic fM
- Outdoor performances with socially distanced audience permitted from 11 July - Classical Music
- Outdoor events get go-ahead in England - IQ Magazine
- Deborah Annetts on BBC Front Row 10:15
- Has the government’s £1.5 billion for the arts come in time? - Classic fM
- Music industry reacts to government support package for live sector - Music Week
- Music industry calls for clarity on government’s £1.57 billion support scheme for sector - CMU
- Government announces £1.57 bn lifeline for arts and culture sector - The Strad
- Boris Johnson announces £1.57bn support package for the arts - Classical Music
- Freelancers overlooked in creative sector’s £1.57 billion lifeline - Freelance UK
- Music education’s leading representatives write joint letter to government - Classical Music
- Government says ‘no singing, wind or brass playing’ for older pupils in school choir or assembly - Classic fM
- Leaked documents reveal plans to suspend music and ‘non-core’ subjects from curriculum - Classic fM
- ISM warns government against dropping music from post-COVID school curriculum - CMU
- ISM warns against suspension of music education in post-lockdown schools - Classical Music
- Letter from ISM chief exec Deborah Annetts to Minister For School Standards Nick Gibb - CMU
June 2020
- UK opera singers tell UK Government: we are the worst affected - Slipped Disc
- Times Letters (Dame Sarah Connolly letter on the financial security of singers) - The Times
- Music Venue Trust responds to DCMS plan for phased return of live sector (ISM quoted at length) - Music Week
- ISM responds to government’s five-stage roadmap for performing arts return - Classical Music
- ISM responds to UK government’s ‘road map’ for return of performing arts - The Strad
- ISM Ambassador on the impact of COVID-19 on creative industries - Al Jazeera
- 'Music and creativity as we know it is under threat’ as new government figures show the dramatic impact of Covid-19 -Music News
- Post-lockdown cultural recovery plans still vague - Classical Music
- Coronavirus: Arts sector among hardest hit by lockdown – The Stage
- Three quarters of the Arts and Entertainment businesses impacted by COVID-19 - Music Week
- 75% of Arts and Entertainment businesses have temporarily closed or paused trading - Music News
- Opinion | Let’s not forget about Brexit - Classical Music
- Lobbying for creative workers falls on deaf ears - Arts Professional
- Music workforce faces ‘financial ruin’ without freelance support scheme - Classic FM
May 2020
- Music sector cannot cope with effects of Covid-19 and a hard Brexit, says ISM report - Classical Music
- Deborah Annetts interview on the extension of the furlough scheme - LBC News 13 May 01:34:00
- Delay Brexit or the music sector faces devastation, says report - Arts Professional
- Brexit is killing off music tours in EU and industry may not survive immigration crackdown, government warned - The Independent
- Coronavirus: Music sector 'facing ruin' from Covid-19 and Brexit new report claims - The Stage
- Music industry may not survive Brexit and coronavirus without help – report - Shropshire Star
- UK’s music society calls for government help - The Upcoming
- Chancellor Rishi Sunak extends furlough scheme - Music Week
- ISM calls for government to extend financial support schemes - Classical Music
- Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme inadequate for suffering music sector, ISM’s flash survey reveals - Classical Music
- Why don’t we just make music education compulsory? - Big Issue North
- Nearly half of UK recording studios face closure without government support - Complete Music Update
- National music role for Aberdeen university professor - Evening Express
- Aberdeen professor appointed head of national musicians body at ‘tumultuous’ time for artists - The Press and Journal
April 2020
- Professor Chris Collins appointed ISM president 2020-21 - Classical Music
- ISM release brand-new report - Music Week
- Bounce Back Scheme - Music Week
- Further government support needed for suffering music sector reports ISM - Music News
- Letters to the Chancellor - Arts Professional
- ISM calls for amendments to government support - Music Week
- Pandemic has ‘ripped apart’ church choirs - Church Times
