ADVERTISE
CONTACT US
SUBMISSIONS
  • News
    Cover image

    The Colour takes us back with dreamy 2-step soul / Sweet Illusions

    Three girls

    [WATCH] Funky Finns keep fun in Funky / Do It Like You Wanna

    Norwegian soul band eight people

    Three Souls and Adama Janlo release stimulating single / Dopamine Activism

    Booby Oroza

    [WATCH] Bobby Oroza / My Place, My Time

    Juviia

    [WATCH] Juviia colorizes her sumptuous R&B with blue

    Nana Rashid

    [WATCH] Nana Rashid’s bluesy single releases her pain / They Call It Love

    Yoël and Majabou serve mood-lifting summery soul / Stick Around

    Les Imprimés

    Les Imprimés impresses with late-night retro soul / If I

  • Reviews
    • All
    • Album Review
    • Live Review
    • Single / EP Reviews
    Album cover design muscular

    On the One – Muscular

    Elna Romberg christmas

    Christmas – Elna Romberg 

    Try Again Tomorrow – Jean Root

    Try Again Tomorrow – Jean Root

    Lost EP - AME ARDAI

    Lost EP – AME ARDAI

  • Features
    • All
    • Interviews
    • Scandinavian Soul Sessions
    • Soul Talk
    Black & white soul singer

    Soul music – the sound of societal change

    Johan Nilsson

    [INTERVIEW] Behind the groove with Band of Pockets

    Aureola

    I wanted it to sound like the feeling of running your hand over silk – Aureola

    Naomi Vaughn

    ‘We just broke out laughing and kept laughing’ – Interview with Naomi Vaughn

    Fredrik Hjulmand

    Behind the groove with FHIO and his debut single – I Never Knew

  • Events
    • Scandinavian Soul Music Awards
    • Scandinavian Soul Festival 2013
  • Artists / Bands
  • Videos
    • Playlists
  • Shop
    • SOUL SHOP
      • STYLE
      • MERCHANDISE
      • VINYL
      • BOOKS
      • SALE
No Result
View All Result
0

No products in the basket.

  • News
    Cover image

    The Colour takes us back with dreamy 2-step soul / Sweet Illusions

    Three girls

    [WATCH] Funky Finns keep fun in Funky / Do It Like You Wanna

    Norwegian soul band eight people

    Three Souls and Adama Janlo release stimulating single / Dopamine Activism

    Booby Oroza

    [WATCH] Bobby Oroza / My Place, My Time

    Juviia

    [WATCH] Juviia colorizes her sumptuous R&B with blue

    Nana Rashid

    [WATCH] Nana Rashid’s bluesy single releases her pain / They Call It Love

    Yoël and Majabou serve mood-lifting summery soul / Stick Around

    Les Imprimés

    Les Imprimés impresses with late-night retro soul / If I

  • Reviews
    • All
    • Album Review
    • Live Review
    • Single / EP Reviews
    Album cover design muscular

    On the One – Muscular

    Elna Romberg christmas

    Christmas – Elna Romberg 

    Try Again Tomorrow – Jean Root

    Try Again Tomorrow – Jean Root

    Lost EP - AME ARDAI

    Lost EP – AME ARDAI

  • Features
    • All
    • Interviews
    • Scandinavian Soul Sessions
    • Soul Talk
    Black & white soul singer

    Soul music – the sound of societal change

    Johan Nilsson

    [INTERVIEW] Behind the groove with Band of Pockets

    Aureola

    I wanted it to sound like the feeling of running your hand over silk – Aureola

    Naomi Vaughn

    ‘We just broke out laughing and kept laughing’ – Interview with Naomi Vaughn

    Fredrik Hjulmand

    Behind the groove with FHIO and his debut single – I Never Knew

  • Events
    • Scandinavian Soul Music Awards
    • Scandinavian Soul Festival 2013
  • Artists / Bands
  • Videos
    • Playlists
  • Shop
    • SOUL SHOP
      • STYLE
      • MERCHANDISE
      • VINYL
      • BOOKS
      • SALE
No Result
View All Result
0

No products in the basket.

No Result
View All Result
Graphic image of travel pass

Ann Weberg releases soothing soul debut / Fell In Love

Shenie Fogo deserves attention / Midnight feat. MadeinTYO 

Could the GECAT Pass open doors for touring artists and bands?

IMPALA and IAO propose an idea that involves forming a new cultural area accessible with a single touring permit.

Andy Collins by Andy Collins
22/07/2021
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Pinterest

Music is a fundamental part of our cultural enjoyment and live gigs provide an indispensable source of income for bands, artists and crew; however, Covid and Brexit have exposed the extreme vulnerability in the music industry. Touring Europe has always required paperwork and with individual countries rules changing almost daily, it now involves greater risks and increased bills.

Therefore getting ALL European artists back on the road as quickly as possible is essential. Two European organisations, IMPALA and IAO have suggested a proposal for making touring easier with a permit to allow gigs across multiple geographic groupings in Europe.

THE GECAT PASS

The GECAT Pass (Geographical European Cultural Area Touring), aims to help get small and medium-sized music tours back on the road efficiently. It would cover all countries, including the EU, EFTA, interested EU neighbouring countries like the Western Balkans, and individual countries such as the UK.

Artists and tour managers would immediately appreciate the reduction in paperwork, visa applications and above all lowered cost.

The GECAT Pass involves four core elements:

1. Single travel permit for cultural touring for performers and support teams

  • Annual and renewable work permit for creative workers on tour
  • Multiple geographical groupings making up the Geographical European Cultural Area
  • Single application in the home country
  • Could limit the number of people per tour to cap eligible production size

2. Single customs licence for equipment (“carnet”)

  • Reduced admin burden with a single check at first and last border
  • Including a limited amount of stock to be sold at events without trading permits
  • Light touch regime, proportionate to the economic value
  • Let small scale tours happen easily – and legally

3. Allow multiple stops before going home

  • Unlimited stops for equipment and people who are involved in touring cultural activity – could limit the number and size of vehicles per tour for scale
  • Inclusion of dual-use vehicles for people and goods (eg’ splitter vans’)
  • Legalise normal cultural touring activity – especially for smaller tours

4. Home country VAT on merchandise sold at events 

  • VAT paid in the home country on return, for the small amounts included in customs licence

IAO Chair Nacho García Vega commented: “The idea of the GECAT permit scheme is a simple fix to the barriers faced by the music and cultural sector across multiple geographical blocs. The recent issues created by Brexit have highlighted the administrative problems relating to touring that were already faced by European artists based in non-EU countries. It’s not only about the transit of people and goods, but it’s also about the free flow of ideas and artistic expressions, essential for peace and co-operation in the whole region.”

Live band outside
Live music needs freedom to travel

IMPALA Executive Chair Helen Smith added: “The touring crisis creates new opportunities as long as we can provide the framework and assurances that different geographical blocs and countries need. The idea is to guarantee a level-playing field and make sure that all artists have access to the same touring opportunities, regardless of where they are based or their level of development. The European music market stretches beyond political and economic groupings, so the key is for all geographical blocs and countries in the region to participate.”

So, will it happen?

As a concept, the GECAT Pass ticks the boxes for an effective solution for streamlining artists back on the road. Anything that helps reduce admin costs, especially for smaller niche bands and artists, is especially welcomed. Though optimistic on this idea we contacted Didier Gosset from IMPALA, who explained the stages ahead.

“The next step will imply intense lobbying with both the EU and the other European countries. This is likely to start properly in late August, once the EU institutions return from their summer recess. It is always difficult to assess the chances of such a proposal being (quickly) adopted. Still, we are confident things can move, especially as we are not reinventing the wheel but focusing on possible exceptions to facilitate an existing process.”

Discover more. Visit Impala Music

Tags: IMPALALive gigstour
Retro Soul Playlist Retro Soul Playlist Retro Soul Playlist
ADVERTISEMENT

Related Posts

Hannes
Latest News

Hannes announces new autumn tour 2022

by Andy Collins
22/09/2022
Latest News

Seinabo Sey to tour with US Icon Ms. Lauryn Hill

by Andy Collins
11/02/2020
Load More

Discover more

Cover image
Latest News

The Colour takes us back with dreamy 2-step soul / Sweet Illusions

23/03/2023
Three girls
Latest News

[WATCH] Funky Finns keep fun in Funky / Do It Like You Wanna

23/03/2023
Norwegian soul band eight people
Latest News

Three Souls and Adama Janlo release stimulating single / Dopamine Activism

21/03/2023
Prev Next
MVH LIVE

Archives

FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM

  • In this clip, we didn’t even get to the part when she sings…wait for it…❤️❤️❤️❤️
This is @rumusicog and her debut single Zensations is out now. We’ve got a great feeling about her and when you hear the full song, you will too! 💕🔥
Strongly recommend following @rumusicog. This souful artist from Scandinavia is only just getting started! #scandinviansoul #newmusicalert #newartist #ru #rnb #90s
  • The soundtrack for memories of the night after or bear for the night ahead! Bug Eye the new video and single from @julicapelius has old school drum and bass beats we love ❤️.
It’s also her debut video too! Find it on our site, YT and follow @julicapelius  #scandinaviansoul  #julicapelius #newvideo #newmusic #drumnbass
  • If you found the image arresting just wait till you hear the track! @tildaallie dropped her single - Say No last month and it’s contemporary blend of soul and hip hop is just as captivating as the image! Expect the unexpected here! Love it! ♥️
Follow @tildaallie and discover this UK based Swedish artist/producer 
*Edited and reposted*
#scandinaviansoul #tildaallie #newmusic #contemporary #swedishmusic #soulful

Little extra details…

  • Our services
  • My account
  • Customer Service
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer

Behind the scenes

  • ABOUT US
  • EVERYTHING SCANDINAVIAN SOUL IS AND ISN’T
  • JOIN OUR TEAM

stripe

© 2023 scandinaviansoul.com. Design by 68-design.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Reviews
    • Single / EP Reviews
    • Album Review
    • Live Review
  • Features
    • Interviews
    • Soul Talk
  • Events
    • Scandinavian Soul Festival 2013
  • Videos
  • Playlists
  • Artists / Bands
  • SOUL SHOP
  • Cart
  • Advertise
  • Contact us
  • About us
Close