The dominant narrative about independent music in the UK is one of seemingly endless hardship. Touring has been impacted by rising fuel costs and Brexit bureaucracy, with pricey Carnets (basically: a passport for guitars, etc) required to get equipment over to mainland Europe. Meanwhile, the cost of living crisis has made daily life harder for everyone in general. It’s an extremely difficult time to be a musician right now – but beyond all the bullshit is the remarkable fact that DIY and independent artists have had such a notable year in spite of it.
