Red tape cut for live music

Government backing has been given to a private members bill which proposes that small venues should be exempt from needing a licence for live music performance (AP197). In its second reading in the House of Lords, Baroness Rawlings gave support for the bill, subject to certain conditions, including a full impact assessment and an 11pm cut-off time for performances. The bill, proposed by Lord Clement-Jones, was also supported by Peers Michael Grade, Jenny Randerson, Robin Teverson, Anthony Colwyn, Joan Bakewell, Floella Benjamin, Rupert Redesdale and Merlin Hay. It will now be heard again in the House of Lords, to consider amendments, before progressing to the House of Commons. Commenting on the bill, Feargal Sharkey, Chief Executive of UK Music, said: “Cutting red tape around the performance of small-scale live music will have a major impact on the careers of fledgling artists and jobbing musicians. With Government now openly supporting the common sense measures in this Bill, there is growing confidence that we can move quickly forward to unshackle and promote one of this country’s greatest and most identifiable assets.”