New Order join calls for government to scrap US visa changes

nme.com:

New Order have backed the #LetTheMusicMove campaign against proposed changes to US visa rules that would impact touring artists.Last month saw the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announce that it was planning to raise touring visa fees for foreign acts by more than 250 per cent.The DHS said in its proposal that applications for a P visa, which is for acts arriving in the states to perform temporarily, would increase from the current rate of $460 (£375.23) to $1,615 (£1,317).

Meanwhile, the longer-term O work visa would jump from $460 (£375.23) to $1,655 (£1,349).Numerous musicians have since spoken out against the plans, saying that it would be “a huge hardship to pay such high visa fees”.

However, the DHS claimed that the increases are required due to high demand and insufficient staff at the Citizenship and Immigration department.Recently, Leicester band Easy Life were forced to cancel their US tour due to “some insane costs”.

Frontman Murray Matravers was among the artists to speak to NME about the issue, explaining how “bleak” a picture there already was without the “crippling” visa price hike.Following a headline performance at SXSW in Austin, Texas on Monday (March 13), New Order criticised the visa proposal and highlighted the importance of being able to tour in the US and Canada.“The influence of New York club culture has been pivotal to the evolution of New Order, from our initial shows at legendary long-lost venues like Tier 3, Hurrah and the Peppermint Lounge to our recent arena tour with the Pet Shop Boys,” the Manchester band said in a statement.“Being able to perform to North American audiences has been absolutely crucial to us as a band.