Trump’s visa policies have foreign musicians on edge. How will they affect Coachella and touring?

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As a seasoned movie-goer, I recently found myself in an unexpected predicament reminiscent of a plot twist straight out of a film noir. Last month, just before gracing the stage for a highly anticipated performance in sunny Los Angeles, I – Alvin Gibbs, bassist of the legendary British punk band U.K. Subs – was denied entry at the border. The ensuing confusion and disappointment left me feeling like a character in a movie, only this time, I was on the losing side of the storyline.

In his Facebook post, he stated that upon arrival at LAX, the band was held in a chilly detention area with a mix of Colombian, Chinese, and Mexican individuals who were also being detained. His luggage, phone, and passport were taken away. According to Gibbs, he and most of the band members were then deported back to the U.K., as they had an invalid visa. However, he expressed doubts about whether other circumstances might have played a role in their predicament.

He questioned if his repeated, often critical, public statements about the government might have had an impact,” he said. “Alternatively, he mused that it could just be me being overly suspicious.

As the Coachella festival approaches, international artists are meticulously verifying that there are no issues with Gibbs’ visa and other potential problems, to ensure they can perform smoothly in the United States.

Touring in this country has always been challenging and costly for international artists, as visa fees have increased significantly and waiting times have grown longer over the past year. Under the current Trump administration, there have been numerous anecdotal accounts of foreign tourists, researchers, and activists being denied entry or detained by federal authorities, which has sparked concern among outspoken individuals.

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On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Naomi Reice Buchwald decided that Yunseo Chung, a 21-year-old legal resident, cannot be kept in detention as she challenges her deportation.

I’m closely watching the evolving policy landscape that could potentially impact the live music market within the U.S., but it’s still early days to predict the exact outcomes. However, from what I can gather, artists are quietly conferring with their legal advisors in anticipation of any changes.

Matthew Covey, the head of Tamizdat, a New York-based organization that assists global artists in obtaining performance and residence visas, mentioned that so far, they haven’t encountered many issues. However, he cautioned against assuming everything is smooth sailing because it isn’t. The artists have valid concerns. The current touring environment is tough, and adding a layer of political anxiety only makes it more challenging. There’s a possibility that artists might opt for other markets over the U.S. instead.

Despite the Trump administration grabbing media attention regarding the border, issues related to travel and residence visas have also intensified during the Biden administration.

In January 2023, the government suggested significant raises in fees for artists seeking O and P visas to reside or perform in the U.S. The increases in cost were lessened for arts nonprofits and small businesses, but now range from $510 to $2,805 per applicant, contingent on the type and speed of the visa.

The significant issue, as reported by insiders, surfaced in 2023 following the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ decision to redirect all artist visa applications through a central office in Texas, with the option of being processed at facilities in Vermont or California. Insiders claim that USCIS states the Vermont facility typically handles most applications within 2.5 months. However, the California office takes approximately nine months – a substantial hurdle that necessitates paying thousands extra to expedite them quickly.

In simpler terms, when people face such a situation, they might question whether they can afford the $6,000 cost, and if their budget is tight, they might decide that it’s not a wise investment.

A spokesperson for USCIS declined an interview request.

Sports

Will the Trump administration manage to clear up the delayed visa application process so that sports enthusiasts from various nations can secure visas in time for both the FIFA World Cup and the Los Angeles Olympics?

Touring the United States presents additional difficulties such as rising inflation and currently, a robust U.S. dollar. Covey noted, “There’s weariness due to escalating costs and speeding expenses. Legal fees and administrative fees are merely a part of this.” He added, “The exchange rate is harsh for those not earning substantial income from tours. I worry that the decline in international bookings at major festivals will intensify significantly.

Multiple prominent artists booked for Coachella, along with their management teams, chose not to discuss any visa-related issues.

A high-ranking official at a well-known talent agency, who requested anonymity due to potential repercussions, commented that “the artist visa process has historically been disorganized, and it’s become increasingly confusing in recent times. The person reviewing your application can exercise considerable discretion on a whim. If they assess a band based on artistic merit and deem it unsatisfactory, the application could be rejected. In situations where two bands are identical in every aspect – same record label, promoter, booking agency, earning the same income and paying the same taxes – the outcome can be purely random, like flipping a coin.

They mentioned that they recently handled visas for a Coachella band, which cost around $8,000. However, this has turned into a significant financial challenge due to the lengthy process via traditional means. As a result, they often need to resort to expedited services, which can be quite expensive.

The United States continues to be a significant market for travelers, particularly distinguished by its world-class festivals such as Coachella, boasting an international following that attracts top artists from Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Africa.

Lorraine D’Alessio, founder of D’Alessio Law in Beverly Hills, which focuses on U.S. immigration, particularly for the entertainment industry, stated, “The U.S. remains the largest market globally. No one wishes to shut out opportunities in the U.S.,” she added. “There’s substantial wealth here, and the key locations in entertainment haven’t shifted. Hollywood, Atlanta, and Nashville continue to be hotspots offering immense visibility.

The booking representative acknowledged, “Uncertainty hasn’t altered our client perspective. We won’t refuse a group from Turkey just because obtaining visas is inconvenient.

Nevertheless, a number of prominent instances where foreign musicians, students, and permanent residents were detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have sparked fear, particularly among those in the musical community who have been vocal critics of the Trump administration or supporters of Palestine.

California

In simpler terms, approximately 300 visas issued to international students, some of whom participated in pro-Palestinian movements on campus, have been canceled by the U.S. Now, these students at universities like UCLA and USC are particularly watchful.

According to Tamizdat’s advice for artists seeking visas, President Trump’s executive order “Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and other National Security and Public Safety Threats” was found “frightening” and potentially used to reject entry into the U.S. based on broad, politically motivated, and subjective standards. This could indeed lead to the exclusion of artists who are deemed ‘dangerous.’

According to Covey, the political chill is more of a concern than an actuality so far. He mentioned that many artists have expressed their views on social media yet still managed to obtain visas, even transgender artists without any issues. However, he also emphasized that it’s understandable for agents, labels, and artists to feel anxious about the situation.

Covey remarked, acknowledging the weight behind his words, ‘It’s reassuring that the artist hasn’t faced disappearance so far.’ However, he stressed, ‘I won’t assure artists everything is alright.’

Neil Young, known for his vocal views, stated on his website, “When I perform music in Europe, discussing Donald J. Trump could result in my being denied entry or detained upon return to the U.S., potentially facing jail time and sleeping on a cold cement floor with an aluminum blanket. Such incidents are increasingly common.”

Aya, a well-regarded British trans electronic artist, spoke to Pitchfork about her travel plans, saying, “I won’t visit the U.S. until there are changes… I don’t want to risk spending thousands of dollars on a visa only to be denied entry at the border due to a discrepancy between my passport and their records.

The booking agent concurred, acknowledging a sense of ambiguity. “Given how vocal many artists are on social media,” he explained, “you’re exposing yourself to potential unpredictability. When crossing the border, they scrutinize your online presence. If any red flags appear, you might find yourself in a precarious situation.

What impacts could this have on this summer’s festival season and beyond?

This month, the State Department cancelled visas for a Mexican band, Los Alegres del Barranco, because they displayed images that celebrated “El Mencho,” a notorious drug lord who leads the extremely violent CJNG cartel. This information was shared by Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau on platform X.

Recently, the British artist FKA Twigs announced the cancellation of her long-awaited North American tour, scheduled for this month. Just days before her Coachella performances, she expressed her disappointment on Instagram, explaining that ongoing visa issues have prevented her from fulfilling the rest of her April tour dates across North America. She acknowledged that many fans had already made plans and spent money to attend these concerts.

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In response to the Mexican band, Los Alegres del Barranco displaying pictures of a well-known drug lord on a large screen at their performance, U.S. authorities have decided to cancel the visas that had been issued to them.

Additional musicians similar to her could unexpectedly discover that a previously costly and time-consuming formality for obtaining a visa has transformed into an unsurmountable hurdle for an extended tour. Globally recognized acts, particularly up-and-coming or vocal ones, might conclude that the costs and risks are not justified. Some may opt to reduce the number of performances to minimize border crossings.

For international artists, their tours in North America typically involve border crossings at cities like Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal. However, when it comes to booking these acts, there may be instances where I’d suggest avoiding Toronto and Montreal due to uncertainties that are beyond our control, even if everything appears straightforward.

Due to the Canadian Independent Music Association refusing to participate in the South by Southwest Film and TV Festival, it’s possible that other nations could choose to experience a similar approach towards U.S. events, as a response to their own policies.

In a statement released in February, CIMA’s CEO, Andrew Cash, explained their decision to cancel the Canada House showcase in Austin, stating that they were uncertain about the context and climate in mid-March, making it hard for them to move forward with confidence. Essentially, he said they didn’t know what unexpected challenges might arise.

Some people question the feasibility of a widespread boycott. A booking executive stated, “It’s premature to predict a significant, unified ‘we won’t visit the U.S.’ movement.” He added, “The machinery of capitalism tends to make such a large-scale boycott improbable. There are simply too many lucrative opportunities in the music industry, and ultimately, people find ways to navigate through difficulties when necessary.

Trump’s suggested travel restrictions or enhanced checks on approximately 40 nations haven’t been implemented yet, but they might have an impact. However, Covey doesn’t anticipate other countries will retaliate against American artists touring overseas. He stated, “It’s challenging to specifically target artists from one nation for a counter-retaliatory immigration policy.” Most nations understand that penalizing artists won’t lead to any significant advancement.

The potential effects of any issues on touring are likely to add a sense of uncertainty to what appears to be a precarious summer tour season, with even high-profile artists such as Beyoncé and Linkin Park reducing ticket prices for their unsold stadium shows. Major events in Los Angeles like the upcoming Summer Olympics and World Cup could encounter comparable difficulties.

Music

If Queen Bey can’t sell tickets, does it indicate oversaturation or an impending recession?

D’Alessio stated that the process remains valuable. She has been advising clients to organize their affairs, and some require a nudge to take action. As an immigrant, she emphasizes the importance of adhering to rules, which are now being enforced. However, she believes those choosing to shut the door are making a mistake. The U.S., she contends, remains the hub of the music industry.

The booking executive did have one grim piece of advice, though.

They mentioned they won’t share anything,” they stated. “In today’s highly sensitive environment, even small matters can escalate quickly. It’s not worth the risk. If you’re caught and your passport is marked, there’s no way to manage it from our end. You’re effectively out of the game.

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2025-04-09 13:34