A-List Turns out for Biden-Harris
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Brexit hikes costs, hassle for UK musicians Music stars slam UK’s ‘shameful’ failure on EU touring rules LONDON, Jan 21, (AP): Dozens of UK music stars including Elton rock band Runrig, said Tuesday in the House of Commons that musi- as a carnet - for the movement of equipment, and the possibility of ad- John, Ed Sheeran and conductor Simon Rattle say musicians have been cians and artists were “mere collateral in this government’s obsession ditional work permits required in certain countries. “shamefully failed” by the British government, which has left them in ending freedom of movement” and controlling immigration once it British Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s spokesman, Jamie Davies said facing post-Brexit restrictions on touring in the European Union. left the EU. London had sought reciprocal rights for musicians and support staff to In a letter published Wednesday in the Times of London, more than Culture Minister Caroline Dinenage acknowledged the situation was tour without work permits, “but that offer was rejected by the EU.” 100 musicians including Sting, Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters and Roger “incredibly disappointing,” but said “the door is open” to talks with the “We will continue to make the case for an arrangement that makes Daltrey of The Who, along with the heads of major arts institutions, EU on a deal for musicians. She resisted calls from the opposition to touring easier, and our door remains open to the EU if they change their said the new UK-EU trade deal that took effect Jan. 1 has “a gaping publish details of the proposals made by the UK during negotiations mind,” Davies said. hole where the promised free movement for musicians should be.” that the bloc allegedly rejected. Even though the pandemic is currently preventing tours, the ability Britain’s departure from the EU means that UK citizens can no to plan now is vital, said Paul Pacifi co, CEO of the Association of Inde- longer live and work freely in the 27-nation bloc. Tourists do not need Regulations pendent Music, which represents the UK’s independent music sector. visas for stays of up to 90 days, and some short business trips are also British musicians are demanding that the UK government faces the Red tape around sales tax alone will force smaller outfi ts to face a allowed. But artists and musicians have not been included in the deal. music after new post-Brexit regulations failed to consider their unique mountain of additional bureaucracy and expense, Pacifi co said. Britain and the EU disagree about who is to blame for the omission, work lives and left them in the lurch. “If you’re a band on tour and you sell a CD in Germany, you’re go- each accusing the other of rejecting a deal for touring artists. Nearly 260,000 people - including UK artists Laura Marling, Louis ing to have to make a sales tax return in Germany,” he said. “Same for The new rules mean UK performers have to comply with differing Tomlinson and Biffy Clyro - have signed a petition for the British gov- France, Italy, Croatia, Belgium, Luxembourg, etc.” rules in the 27 EU nations, negotiating visas for musicians and permits ernment to negotiate a review of the rules for musicians touring in the European bands hoping to play in the UK will also be affected. Music for their equipment. Many say the costs and red tape will make it im- 27-nation European Union. Swedish punk band The Hives frontman Pelle Almqvist said his possible for British artists to perform on the continent, endangering the After Brexit UK citizens can no longer live and work freely in the group, which fi rst found international fame in Britain, will now have to country’s status as a cultural powerhouse. bloc. Tourists don’t need visas for stays of up to 90 days, and some think twice before playing live there. The musicians’ letter said the new expense and bureaucracy will short business trips are allowed under a new deal between Britain and “We’ll probably end up doing (fewer) shows in the UK because make “many tours unviable, especially for young emerging musicians the EU. But artists and musicians have not been included - incurring there’ll be less of an economic incentive,” Almqvist said Wednesday. who are already struggling to keep their heads above water owing to extra costs and hassle - and both sides disagree about who is to blame. “I don’t know, worst case scenario playing in the UK turns into hobby.” the COVID ban on live music.” British musicians wanting to perform in Europe face a range of hur- British composer and House of Lords member Michael Berkeley, is Scottish National Party lawmaker Pete Wishart, a former member of dles, including the extra cost of buying a customs document - known also calling for a return to the negotiating table. Variety s e r u t a In this image from video, Katy Perry performs during the Celebrating America event on Wednesday, Jan 20, following the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th president of the United States. (AP) e Inauguration Gaga delivers powerful anthem LOS ANGELES: An unprecedented F Features impeachment hearing failed to keep TV viewers from settling back into familiar, escapist habits last week. NFL and college football and A-list turns out for Biden-Harris sturdy drama franchises including the “Chicago” shows on NBC and WASHINGTON, Jan 21, (AP): A full-throated, su- power, there was little question that a new star had A starry collection of Broadway’s most prominent the “NCIS” group on CBS were premely confi dent Lady Gaga belted out the national also emerged: 22-year-old poet Amanda Gorman, musical actors collaborated on a medley of “Seasons among the week’s ratings winners, according to Nielsen fi gures out anthem at President Joe Biden’s inauguration in a very whose poise and urgency as she recited “The Hill We of Love” from the show “Rent” and “Let the Sunshine Wednesday. Gaga way — with fl amboyance, fashion and passion. Climb” enthralled a global audience. In” from “Hair,” among them Christopher Jackson, NCIS is an American action The Grammy winner wore a huge dove-shaped None other than Bruce Springsteen launched the Renée Elise Goldsberry, Laura Benanti, Betty Buck- police procedural television series, brooch and an impressively billowing red sculpted evening’s entertainment: “Celebrating America,” a ley, Leslie Uggams and Javier Muñoz. “Hamilton” revolving around a fi ctional team skirt as she sang into a golden microphone, deliver- 90-minute, multi-network broadcast hosted by Tom creator Lin-Manuel Miranda recited from “The Cure of special agents from the Naval ing an emotional and powerful rendition of “The Star- Hanks that took the place of the usual offi cial inau- at Troy” by Irish poet Seamus Heaney. Criminal Investigative Service. Spangled Banner.” She was followed at Wednesday’s gural balls, with Biden and Harris watching along Reciting excerpts of notable past inaugural ad- The second impeachment of ceremony by Jennifer Lopez, dressed all in white, and giving brief remarks. Alone with his guitar, The dresses were basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, now-former president Donald who threw a line of Spanish into her medley of “This Boss sang his “Land of Hope and Dreams” in front labor leader Dolores Huerta and Kim Ng, the fi rst Trump drew viewers to news Land is Your Land” and “America the Beautiful” — a of the Lincoln Memorial. “I will provide for you, and female general manager in MLB history. Pepper- shows, but not in the numbers that ing musical performances among stories of ordinary tuned in the prior week to bear pointed nod to multiculturalism, just two weeks after I’ll stand by your side,” he sang. “You’ll need a good witness to rioting inside the US white supremacists and other violent rioters stormed companion, for this part of the ride.” Americans and their contributions, the show included the Capitol in an effort to undermine the peaceful tributes to a UPS driver, a kindergarten teacher and Capitol and gave CNN get its big- Rendition gest single-day audience ever. transfer of power. Sandra Lindsay, the fi rst in New York to receive the CNN had last Wednesday’s And country star Garth Brooks, doffi ng his black Hanks, also at the Lincoln Memorial, spoke of COVID-19 vaccine outside a clinical trial. most-watched impeachment hear- cowboy hat, sang a soulful a capella rendition of “deep divisions and a troubling rancor in our land” The proceedings ended with a lavish fi reworks ing coverage and again claimed show in the Washington night sky, watched by Biden FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JANUARY 22-23, 2021 “Amazing Grace,” his eyes closed for much of the over the past few years. “But tonight we ponder the the weekly lead among cable news song. He asked the audience to sing a verse with him: United States of America, the practice of our democ- (at the White House) and Harris (at the Lincoln Me- channels. “Not just the people here, but the people at home, to racy, the foundations of our republic, the integrity of morial) and their families to — what else? — “Fire- CBS’ news magazine “60 our Constitution, the hope and dreams we all share for work,” performed by Katy Perry. Minutes,” which included reports work as one united.” The three superstars were among a slew of glittery a more perfect union,” he said. The history of celebrities performing at inaugura- on the Capitol attack and secu- tions dates back to Franklin D. Roosevelt’s third inau- rity measures for President Joe celebrities descending on Washington — virtually Jon Bon Jovi contributed a rendition of “Here Comes Biden’s inauguration, was the or in person — to welcome the new administration the Sun” from Miami, and Ant Clemons and Justin guration in 1941, when a gala celebration the evening week’s top non-sports broadcast of Biden and Kamala Harris, a duo popular in Hol- Timberlake performed “Better Days” from Memphis.