A new bill introduced by a Liberal Democrat peer could see the current laws on licensing live music in small venues relaxed.
Britain has one of the most spectacular records for popular music of any nation on Earth. From The Beatles to Coldplay British acts have conquered the world through a combination of songcraft and fearless experimentation.
However current legislation on live music in small venues could potentially threaten that. Complex licensing laws mean that many smaller venues have stopped holding music events, with noise precautions designed to help local residents affecting many pubs and clubs.
But a new bill from Liberal Democrat peer Tim Clement-Jones could change that. “The essence of my bill is that if the public are unhappy about a venue putting on live music they can request a review of the license for that premises,” Clement-Jones told Music Week.
The new proposal comes in the wakes of the government rejecting a recommendation from its own Culture, Media And Sport Committee to amend the Licensing Act 2003 in order to strengthen live music.
The new bill has already passed its first test, with the amendment sailing through an initial reading. A second reading is due for December, with the Peer going on to criticise some members of the government’s Department For Culture Media And Sport (DCMS).
He said: “There are a number of DCMS people that show great antipathy toward live music, but they have to realise that historically the biggest British bands started out in their local pubs and if we take that away from young musicians, then the future of the UK music industry itself is jeopardised.”
The new proposals have received huge support from musicians, with Feargal Sharkey of the UK Music group claiming that the bill would solve the problems created by Form 696.
“What is most surprising is that British music must now rely on opposition parties to support the future of our industry,” Sharkey said.
“This is opposition legislation specifically designed to tackle the key issues which damage our industry, and which provide a platform for the unattractive and immoral principles of Form 696.”
