Save live British music!

[Killyp]

I'm sure a lot of you are aware of the new legislation coming into power which severely prohibits live performances. I'm not sure what the terms are, or indeed what it does, so if anybody could explain (couldn't find any articles on the net) it would be great. However, LOADS of musicians I know of have complained about it, and it's causing really big problems.

Sign a petition against it here (http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/licensing/).

:)

[Scarlet Fever]

a restriction on live music? how did that ever leave parliament?

The Poms have put out some awesome live acts, such as Muse. It'd be bonkers to take them off the stage, where they really show their talents.

If I was a UK citizen, i would sign the petition.

[Killyp]

Thanks dude, yeh you guys have given us some of the best live bands ever (going to see The Cat Empire this Sunday!!), it's a real shame that it's being restricted in the UK.

A band I know (called The Kiwis) weren't allowed to play at their own gig because one of their band members was 17, not 18. :mad: It's ridiculous.

[iGav]

I'm not sure what the terms are, or indeed what it does, so if anybody could explain (couldn't find any articles on the net) it would be great.

You've signed something that you have no idea what it's about? :p :p :p :p :p :p

But I can't say I've heard anything about it either... so it can't be that restrictive. Though if it does anything to stop the influx of whingers with an acoustic guitar, I say bring in the legislation... as quickly as possible. ;) :p

Anyway... it's probably a storm in a tea cup, like the Criminal Justice Bill was when that was bought in back in 1994. That didn't stop those white glove, glo-stick ridden raves and all that techno crap either. :p

[21stcenturykid]

Heres the laws....
Ø For the first time, private performances raising money for
charity are illegal unless licensed.

Ø School performances open to friends and family are licensable
they count as public performances.

Ø The unlicensed provision of even one musician is a potential
criminal offence - although some places are exempt, including places
of public religious worship, royal palaces and moving vehicles. Max
penalty: £20,000 fine and six months in prison.

Ø The rationale is to prevent noise, crime and disorder, to
ensure public safety, and the protection of children from harm!

Ø But broadcast entertainment, including sport and music, is
exempt no matter where, and no matter how powerfully amplified.

Ø In the transition to the new regime in 2005, bars with
jukeboxes, CD players etc were automatically granted a licence to play
recorded music; but their automatic entitlement to one or two live
musicians was abolished.

Ø Under the old regime all premises licensed to sell alcohol for
consumption on the premises were automatically allowed up to two live
musicians (the 'two in a bar rule').

Ø Last December, DCMS published research confirming that about
40% of these have lost any automatic entitlement to live music as a
result of the new Act: 'Very few establishments that wanted a new
licence were denied it, and many who were previously limited to
2-in-a-bar now have the ability to stage music with 2 or more
musicians Š This contrasts, of course, with the fact that 40% of
establishments now have no automatic means of putting on live music
(i.e. they would have to give a TEN).' ['Licensing Act 2003, The
experience of smaller establishments in applying for live music
authorisation', December 2006', paragraphs 6.1.1 and 6.1.2
'Conclusions', p54; Caroline Callahan, Andy Martin, Anna Pierce,
Ipsos-MORI] 'TEN' stands for Temporary Event Notice - in effect a
temporary entertainment licence. Only 12 are allowed per premises per
year. They cost £21 each. See the full MORI reports on this site:

Hope that's helpful! Basicly theyre making it harder for pubs to have the occasional live act without the right piece of paper! plus alot of other restricive laws It's a shame that it has come to this.:(

[iGav]

and the protection of children from harm!

Sounds good to me. Children shouldn't be exposed to crap music.

[21stcenturykid]

I think this one is disgusting! "The unlicensed provision of even one musician is a potential criminal offence - although some places are exempt, including places of public religious worship, royal palaces and moving vehicles:" I mean why should people have to have a licence to make music...there are people out there that live for music...and playing to people is one of the best feelings you get as a musician! Fair enuff have licensing for big acts that are palyin massive stages...but i don't see the need for licensing on say a jazz quartet playin small clubs and bars because they love doing it! Real musicians make music for the love of music not for money! By licensing this they are restricting peoples enjoyment. For example my brothers drum teacher is one of the best jazz drummers in the area i live in and his two sons are both brilliant players (the pianist is playing piano in the touring version of chicago in the UK at present) and the bassist they use is also easily one of the best in the country. They are at risk of not being able to play without a license and when they are playin small venues the cost of the license can outweight the amount they get payed so they can't even cover costs! Do the government have any real reason to license such things? NO!

[iGav]

I think this one is disgusting! "The unlicensed provision of even one musician is a potential criminal offence - although some places are exempt, including places of public religious worship, royal palaces and moving vehicles:" I mean why should people have to have a licence to make music...there are people out there that live for music...and playing to people is one of the best feelings you get as a musician! Fair enuff have licensing for big acts that are palyin massive stages...but i don't see the need for licensing on say a jazz quartet playin small clubs and bars because they love doing it! Real musicians make music for the love of music not for money! By licensing this they are restricting peoples enjoyment. For example my brothers drum teacher is one of the best jazz drummers in the area i live in and his two sons are both brilliant players (the pianist is playing piano in the touring version of chicago in the UK at present) and the bassist they use is also easily one of the best in the country. They are at risk of not being able to play without a license and when they are playin small venues the cost of the license can outweight the amount they get payed so they can't even cover costs! Do the government have any real reason to license such things? NO!

I especially dislike how places of worship are exempt. I hate that choir stuff. Never mind that harp *****. Bell ringing too. That's a b*stard on a Sunday morning.

[PreacherKane]

This is certainly very interesting. To be honest, I've never heard of this new bill and I do like to keep informed about music and politics.
Sounds like they are putting this bill for the sake of it.:(

Ø In the transition to the new regime in 2005, bars with
jukeboxes, CD players etc were automatically granted a licence to play
recorded music; but their automatic entitlement to one or two live
musicians was abolished.

How are they going to enforce the bill? Has the whole world gone red tape crazy?:confused:

Support Your Local Musician on MacRumors.com:apple: :D

[TheDance511]

i'm an american....can i sign it???:confused:

[BoyBach]

Bell ringing too. That's a b*stard on a Sunday morning.


Especially after a Saturday Night.

;)

[furcalchick]

this sounds stupid!!! so basically, if you aren't a big star, you can't play music and the only way to hear music is to be alone. sounds like something major us labels want us to do. if it passes in the uk, it won't be long before we're playing by these rules thanks to big labels.

so we have told everyone to forget playing music unless you fit the hollywood image with these laws. so all we get to hear are the britneys and such.