Canada To Charge Aussie Musos $425 Per Gig

Canada's fees surrounding international artists touring have increased, with acts required to pay $425 per band member at each venue they play.

According to the Calgary Herald, the new regulations came into effect on Wednesday 31 July. The change will see any venue whose primary business is not music, but does also book artists to perform, impacted. The new rules include an application fee of $275 per musician and crew member, as well as an extra $150 for each touring member's work permit.

Previously, performers paid a one-off fee of $150 to enter the country, with venues and bookers sharing the cost.

The new regulations are set to heavily impact the smaller venues across Canada, like pubs, coffee shops and restaurants.  

A petition has been set up to challenge the new law, with local metalcore band Northlane urging their Canadian fans on their Facebook page today to sign it.

“Canadians, sign this petition if you want us to be able to play for you again, and most other international bands too for that matter,” the band wrote earlier.

Here's a link to the petition.