Rachel Chinouriri Cancels US Shows Over Touring Costs

British artist Rachel Chinouriri has canceled several festival appearances and her planned support slots on Remi Wolf’s US tour due to the overwhelming financial burden of touring. This decision sheds light on the ongoing struggles faced by musicians who aren’t yet superstars when it comes to planning tours and live performances. British artists performing in the US now face significantly higher visa fees, with some experiencing nearly a fourfold increase in costs. Chinouriri took to social media to express her disappointment, stating, “I’m deeply saddened to announce that I have to withdraw from the Remi Wolf tour and several festivals. This year I’ve invested all my savings and earnings into my shows, styling and band to be able to tour”. “While my debut album has opened many amazing opportunities”, she added, “the financial strain on touring has become too much. Despite my best efforts to secure funding for this incredible opportunity, it hasn’t been possible. This is the tough reality of the music industry, whether you’re signed or independent”. She continued, “While my debut album has opened many amazing opportunities, the financial strain on touring has become too much. Despite my best efforts to secure funding for this incredible opportunity, it hasn’t been possible. This is the tough reality of the music industry, whether you’re signed or independent”. Touring has always been financially challenging, especially for smaller acts or support slots, which are often more about exposure than profit, and rising travel and production costs since the COVID pandemic have made it increasingly difficult for artists to turn a profit from tours, even at mid-sized venues. A report from the UK Parliament’s Culture, Media & Sport Select Committee earlier this year highlighted that “performing artists are facing a ‘cost-of-touring crisis,’” leading to a reduction in the number of artists touring within the UK and abroad by as much as 74% compared to pre-pandemic levels. For British artists touring internationally, additional challenges arise from the expenses and bureaucracy associated with visas and permits. In Europe, these issues have become more complicated due to Brexit.