We are the original Live Music Forum, established in 1993, to campaign for a relaxation of laws that restrict the performance of live music. Our mission became even more urgent and compelling when the UK Government brought in legislation in 2003 which licensed virtually all public performances of live music in England and Wales.
Broadcast entertainment, such as that which sparked riots in Manchester is still exempt from the regulations which restrict the comparatively harmless art of live music. Even a piano played in a pub needs a Premises License, otherwise the chap playing it is committing a criminal offence and could possibly end up in jail.
Hamish Birchall's latest circular reports on the latest statement from the Government, but, questions just who the Government is consulting with inside the music profession.
Phil Little
24th July 2008
Recent News
Thursday 24th July 2008 - Small gigs exemptions 'by spring 2009'
Friday 18th July 2008 - New inquiry into effect of Licensing Act on live music
Wednesday 16th July 2008 - Consultation on small gigs exemption delayed?
Saturday 21st June 2008 - Busking in Haltemprice and Howden - Hamish Birchall
Monday 16th June 2008 - Nigel Kennedy to busk against 42 days detention without trial? - Hamish Birchall
Friday 6th June 2008 - Noise controls irrespective of entertainment licensing - Hamish Birchall
Wednesday 4th June 2008 - Licensing - big screen broadcasts to remain exempt - Hamish Birchall
Friday 16th May 2008 - Manchester big screen football violence raises licensing questions - Hamish Birchall
Monday 12 th May 2008 - Lord Clement-Jones' licensing questions answered - Hamish Birchall
Friday 9th May 2008 - Parliamentary Jazz Awards - unlicensed - Hamish Birchall
Wednesday 7th May 2008 - Licensing - more Lords questions - Hamish Birchall
Saturday 3rd May 2008 - Nigel Kennedy performance tests licensing experts - Hamish Birchall
Wednesday 9th April 2008 - Confusion On Busking Laws Persists - Hamish Birchall
Thursday 10th January 2008 - Blood Sweat and Tears (Part One) - Phil Little
Thursday 10th January 2008 - Small gigs exemption - no date yet for consultation - Hamish Birchall
Monday 17th December 2007 - Decrease in live music says latest DCMS live music research - Hamish Birchall
16th October 2007 - Government admits Licensing Act disappointing for live music - Hamish Birchall
Thursday 18th September 2007 - LMF replaced by live music 'experts' - Hamish Birchall
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This Live Music Forum was established in 1993 when it launched a campaign to review the laws restricting live music in England and Wales.
The post 1997 Government responded by implementing legislation which represented a death blow to many forms of live music in pubs, restaurants and outdoor events. The laws mean that most, if not all, solo and duo performances have to be licensed under the new regime. So now, tens of thousands of small pubs no longer have any form of live music. No piano in the pub on a Sunday, no sing alongs, no New Years Eve's knees ups.
This website is dedicated to pressing for a review of the negative impact of the legislation and includes frequent news bulletins from Hamish Birchall, who has lobbied the live music cause in both the House of Commons and The House of Lords over the last five years. His bulletins are accurate and factual. The information contained in the 160' odd documents represent three years reporting on the implementation of the licensing act and forms the only true picture of the entire affair.
Here you can also read about the history of the Live Music campaign and find out what you can do to change things. If you are a licensee or musician with your own horror story of the effects of the legislation, e-mail and tell us about it.
The battle to save live music is here. Become aware so that you can discuss and argue the case for live music.