For Many International Music Acts, Touring the U.S. No Longer Feels Safe: 'We Weren't Confident With Crossing the Border'

Rising visa costs, unpredictable border enforcement, and political volatility during the Trump administration are prompting more international artists to cancel or avoid U.S. tours as even those with proper documentation, can no longer rely on safe and consistent entry into the country.

Canadian indie band Shred Kelly recently withdrew from their U.S. tour despite obtaining all necessary paperwork, including performance visas and union membership, as Rolling Stone revealed in a sprawling report on Wednesday. "We weren't confident with crossing the border," said keyboardist Sage McBride. "We couldn't take the risk." The group had already invested over $5,000 CAD in visa processing and documentation.

Their concerns are not isolated, the report reveals. British punk band U.K. Subs was denied entry in March after an 11-hour flight. Bassist Alvin Gibbs described being held in a "cold holding pen" at LAX, along with detainees from several countries. "My luggage, phone, and passport were confiscated," he wrote on Facebook, later speculating whether his outspoken views on U.S. politics played a role in the denial.

Under the Biden administration, artist visa fees rose significantly in 2024, from $460 to over $1,615 per application, increasing the cost of touring The application process is cumbersome, involving multiple agencies and steps—from union consultation to in-person interviews at consulates. Final entry decisions rest with Customs and Border Protection officers, making outcomes unpredictable. As one booking executive told The Los Angeles Times in a separate report about artist visas on Wednesday: "It's a coin toss."

The Trump administration's return, however has amplified fears of politically motivated visa denials. The Los Angeles Times notes that artists known for activism or criticism of U.S. policy are especially uneasy. The aforementioned Gibbs noted that he "couldn't help but wonder whether my frequent, and less than flattering, public comments regarding their president and his administration played a role," adding that perhaps he was "simply succumbing to paranoia."

Trans artist Aya told Pitchfork last week that she wouldn't consider U.S. shows: "I don't want to chance paying eight or 10 grand for a visa and then get turned away."

Tamizdat, a nonprofit supporting international artists, warns that executive orders and enforcement shifts could lead to exclusions on vague security grounds. In recent months, over 300 visas have reportedly been revoked, some linked to political expression. A Mexican band had their visas pulled after referencing a cartel figure during a show.

"It's hard to say everything is fine, because it's not," Matthew Covey, executive director of Tamizdat, told the LA Times. "They have reason to worry. You take an already difficult touring atmosphere, add now a layer of political fear. There's a risk of artists looking to other markets instead of the U.S."

Even for artists with the means, the process is increasingly uncertain. "You're putting yourself in a position where anything can happen," said a booking agent to the Los Angeles Times. "If any flags are raised, you could be in a dangerous position."

As global festivals like Coachella proceed, agencies are adjusting. Routes may now avoid Canadian cities like Toronto or Montreal to limit border crossings. Some export programs are shifting investment toward international showcases that attract U.S. industry professionals abroad.