Musicians petition against licence legislation

Date published: 07/05/2007

Local acoustic musicians are up in arms at the government's refusal to review the new legislation regarding music performance in public places.

The law used to exempt groups of two musicians playing in public, but this exemption was removed in the recent legislation.  Now, musicians playing in unlicensed premises risk fines and confiscation of equipment - even though licensing is the responsibility of the licensee, not the musician.  Even private functions are not exempt!

Local guitarist John Butterworth, of acoustic duo False Knight (www.false-knight.co.uk), said: "Musicians throughout the country are lobbying to have this idiotic legislation reversed to allow our heritage of public music to continue. To this end another petition is launched on the Prime Minister's consultation web site.  Previous ones have been ignored, but as soon as we stop signing them the government will say there is no opposition to the legislation.

"The government may respond "licensing is not burdensome, and research shows no damage to live music and dance’. This is spin. Ministers said the new Act would be "much better for live music’. But about 40% of bars have lost their previous automatic entitlement to one or two musicians, and yet are free to continue providing recorded music or broadcast entertainment with unlimited amplification.

"Despite the banter in Parliament, the government is extremely concerned about public opinion on this issue. It must be damaging that in so many circumstances, organising live music could be a crime.  The Act defines premises as "any place’ - it can apply almost anywhere, not just in pubs or bars. The maximum penalty for providing unlicensed live music, where a licence is required, is a £20,000 fine and six months in prison"

To sign the petition visit:

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/licensing