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Live Music Bill Passes, For Better Or For Worse

Brian McKay takes a look at the new legislation.

Posted 8th February 2012, 1:01pm in Blogs by Brian McKay
Brian McKay

Brian McKay

Live Music Bill Passes, For Better Or For Worse The recent passing of the Live Music Bill by the House of Commons and ‘rubber stamping’ by the House of Lords should have local promoters and bands alike rubbing their hands with glee. However, is there a genuine concern that there are those in the music industry who will look to exploit it to their own ends?

In a nutshell, the bill looks to revoke and undo much of the legislation implemented as a result of the 2003 Licensing Act, allowing small venues such as pubs, restaurants and community halls to no longer need a licence from the local authority to host events from 8pm to 11pm.

Both promoters and artists have long found the red tape accompanying putting on an event/playing in one, to be a hindrance when in essence all both parties want to do is to get ‘the music out there’. For as long as artists have sought to make their livelihood from music, local venues have been an integral part on their road to success. From the Beatles and the Cavern Club to The Rolling Stones and the 100 Club – certain venues are intrinsically linked to the careers of some of the UK's most successful bands. As small venues have found it increasingly hard to put on shows and promote local talent, so have those artists found it increasingly hard to find available venues to perform at as more and more close down under the heel of the recession.

The Live Music Bill should readdress this balance. On face value, this bill looks to be a ‘win-win’ situation. Promoters no longer constrained by imposed legal guidelines should be able to once again showcase the best of the local talent. The local talent will no longer feel compelled to enter reality TV in order to gain recognition, and will find outlets for their music to create an essential ingredient for any band – a fanbase. Venues should see an increase in ‘event’ nights & an increase in trade – and therefore revenue - as bands/artists bring with them their supporters.

Joe Schiavon, artist manger from the Idle Hands Club, agrees: ”Given that sales of rock music were lower than pop last year for the first time in seven years, the timing of this bill passing is more important than ever. Small venues are essential in building the careers, and more importantly the fanbases of aspiring musicians, so it’s pleasing to see the government are doing their bit to help facilitate this process. Hopefully they can back this up by limiting some of the cuts to arts funding, and allow the next generation of performers to be supported and flourish.”

However, the music industry is a massive business and in every business, there will always be opportunities for abuse. After a decade of growth, in 2010 the revenue from live music fell for the first time by 6.8% to £1.48bn. The fact that the industry can still suffer a loss but still be worth over a billion pounds should be an indication of the sheer size of it. Sales revenues from festivals grew by 20%, with some festivals expanding and new festivals being created. With business of this size and the introduction of the new Live Music Bill, there must be the very real threat of exploitation. Be it venues over-charging, bands being under paid or promoters increasing their margins, the opportunities for making excessive amounts of money now look to be greater than ever for those unscrupulous enough to seek them out. Bands keen for the exposure of playing their first gig at a new venue will often do so for free on the promise of future paid work, only to never receive future bookings. It's a familiar story in the industry and one that may be set to increase in frequency with the introduction of this Bill, as venues who previously had not put on gigs now look to cash in on this opportunity. John McCooke from The Good Ship pub in Kilburn, a venue who host numerous small gig nights, shares this view:

“What new bands need are a reasonable number of quality venues that are well programmed. What they do not need are a load of pubs trying to be a venue without the commitment that that idea really needs.”

Certainly this isn’t the objective of the bill but it nevertheless brings rise to the question about the need to regulate and police not only this new legislation but also the industry at large. In a sector that still bears the hallmarks of yesteryear with payment in cash, ticket sale dependent payments and ‘cuts’ for those involved throughout the chain, this Bill brings with it many positives. It also brings with it hidden dangers though, and how bands and artists deal with these might well determine who we see on bigger stages in the future...
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