Well this thread is surely not the place,but surely you must have noticed there are two classes of humanity - them and us .

You really think The Beatles and all those groups in Hamburg were denied access co we weren't in the EEC. You think that the tourists in Spain are going to be contented with Manuel and Juan singing Viva Espana as they drink themselves into insnsibility. These little bars will always get the acts that please their customers, and they will always pay as little as possible!

Its supply and demand. The MU, the Arts Council, BBC are all on planet posh.

THe tax situation regarding record royalties couldn't really be more labyrinthine outside than it is inside the EEC. Because I was unable to tour because of ny domestic situation, I did apply to the German authorities to pay my tax in England. It turned out I was the only persom who had ever applied for the form - which took them six months to locate,

The Spanish are a law unto themselves. One week (it made the front page of THe Stage). They turned round every English act who was heading downcoast. I was headed out next week - tell them you're playing for a private party, you Dad's wedding - the agent advised. No English acts are permitted to play on the front at Benidorm. That's reserved for Spanish acts. The English acts work the bars in side streets, or on a street called The Strip.

Either way, I know enough about the Spaniards to know they they won't give a shit what Boris or Brussels decide - they will do their own thing. Which is something I rather respect them for. Would that our own government had the same cavalier attitude to EU regulations - it might be worth remaining.

Tell me, I noticed that every street corner in St Petersburg has an Irish bar - are there many Irish blokes over there gigging? I never considered Russia as a possible source of revenue.