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The Live Music Forum delivers its verdict
"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
