DEPARTMENT FOR
CULTURE, MEDIA AND SPORT News Release (LMF) issued by The Government
News Network on 4 July 2007
"Small scale
live music events impacted on by new licensing laws" - Sharkey
Some very small scale live music events have had to be cancelled
or had unnecessary restrictions placed on them following the
introduction of the new licensing laws, according to the
independent Live Music Forum's report published today.
The Forum states that the lack of clarity in the legislation
coupled with some over zealous local authorities is to blame and
recommends that small music venues and those putting on acoustic
gigs should therefore not have to acquire a licence to stage live music.
The Forum, set up in January 2004 and chaired by Feargal Sharkey,
was tasked by the Government to ensure as many venues as possible
took advantage of the new licensing laws, to monitor the Licensing
Act's impact on live music, and make recommendations to
Government on how it might further bolster the UK's live
music industry.
Overall, the Forum has found that the Licensing Act has had a
neutral effect on the UK's live music scene. Indeed, the new
laws have delivered many benefits - for example, by removing the
separate fee for live music and the annual renewal process.
But while larger venues have seen the benefits of the new laws,
some particularly small establishments have experienced difficulties.
In its report, the Forum makes 28 recommendations. Among them it
says the Government should:
* define 'incidental music' to exempt small venues
(less than 100 capacity) from needing a licence for live music, as
well as performances that aren't the main attraction at a venue;
* exempt venues putting on acoustic music from the need to obtain
a licence;
* ensure that existing music venues aren't liable to pay for
noise-related issues if new homes are built nearby - the building
developer should pay;
* collaborate with the music industry and the National Union of
Students to establish a new Live Music Network; and
* encourage more local councils to set up rehearsal spaces for
local musicians.
The Forum found that the vast majority of local councils were
very helpful when dealing with applications for live music. But
Forum members did identify several instances where they felt
councils had acted unreasonably and placed unnecessary conditions
on licences which have restricted the number of live events.
Feargal Sharkey, chairman of the Live Music Forum, said:
"The UK's live music scene is a massive success - just
look at the growth in summer music festivals and the speed at
which events sell out. But the Government needs to do more to help
grass roots musicians and particularly small venues.
"Of course public events do need to be properly controlled,
but we believe that a pub putting on an acoustic folk trio, for
example, should not need a licence. That small acoustic gig does
not impact on crime, disorder or public safety so should not fall
under the remit of the licensing laws.
"And we think more can be done to encourage grass roots
musicians such as creating more rehearsal rooms, putting
universities back on the live music circuit and creating a
database of live venues."
Notes to editors
1. The Live Music Forum (LMF) was set up by DCMS in 2004
following a Ministerial commitment made during the passage of the
Licensing Act to 'work with the music industry to ensure that
full advantage is taken of the opportunities offered by the
Licensing Act 2003 for the promotion of live music'. In
tandem, it has a remit to monitor and evaluate the impact of the
Licensing Act 2003 on the performance of live music. Chaired by
Feargal Sharkey, the LMF is comprised of representatives from
across the industry and non-commercial sectors, together with
local government, the Arts Council and the hospitality trade.
2. The Licensing Act 2003 came into effect on 24 November 2005.
It abolished the anachronistic 'two in a bar rule',
whereby a public entertainment licence was not required where only
one or two performers performed during an evening on licensed
premises. This restricted what entertainment was provided, and
acted as a disincentive to more diverse forms of music.
3. The Act also introduced a single, integrated premises licence
which permits premises to supply alcohol, to provide regulated
entertainment and to provide refreshment late at night. Details of
the single fees can be found at: http://www.culture.gov.uk/Reference_library/Press_notices/archive_2005/dcms005_05.htm?contextId={C59B4287-7256-46DE-A310-2F11E65971C9}
4. The first live music survey took place in summer 2004. The
full report can be found at: http://www.culture.gov.uk/Reference_library/Research/research_by_dcms/live_music_exec_summary.htm
5. Further research was carried out in 2006 which looked at
smaller venues experiences of the application process, and can be
found at: http://www.culture.gov.uk/Reference_library/Research/research_by_dcms/live_music_exec_summary.htm