Small UK music venues have recently been given a huge boost by the passing of the Live Music Bill, which was cleared by the House Of Commons last Friday 20th January.
The new bill means that any venues with a capacity of under 200 will no longer have to apply for a license to host live music, or pay the cost to acquire one, as they were previously legally required to do from 2003. Now, small pubs and venues have a new lease of life that has to potential to revive the live music arena.
The Live Music Bill comes after a number of smaller, intimate venues across the UK, including Liverpool's Masque Theatre and Sheffield's Boardwalk have recently closed which led to music publisher, NME, launching a campaign in order to help raise awareness about the decline of small venues. According to Jo Dipple, the acting chief executive of UK Music has said that the passing of this bill will:
"definitely be a boost for small venues when the act comes into force. It'll give venues clarity to know that as long as they've got an audience of under 200, that they can put on live music without an additional cost. I think the 2003 Licensing Act created a stigma around live music and this will now take that stigma from live music in this country".
The 2003 Licensing Act was essentially a disaster for music. The long and tedious process of applying for a license put a lot of venues off from hosting live music and, more importantly, made it increasingly difficult for upcoming musicians to find places to play and hone their skills. This new bill will hopefully boost pubs and venues' takings, as well as giving artists and bands more opportunities to perform live.
What you do think? From my point of view this can only be a good thing. Our live music scene is something that the UK is renowned for and can do it very well. Or do you think that this new bill will bring an onslaught of poor pub bands to our watering holes leaving us with nowhere to go? Let us know.
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