LONDON (VIP NEWS) — The next of the excellent Music Tank debate sessions in London has particular relevance for small to mid level live music venues in the UK.
SEPT 22: Live Music: Licensed To Thrill?
This think tank double-header will take place on 22 Sept '09 | 18.30 – 21.30hrs, in the Basement Bar, PRS for Music, Copyright House, Berners Street, London W1T 3AB
Part 1: LICENSING ACT 2003 & FORM 696: This session will examine the effects the Licensing Act 2003 has had on the grassroots live music industry,
with Metropolitan Police Chief Inspector Adrian Studd, the officer behind the development and review of Form 696 confirmed to take part, and Chairman
of the Culture Media and Sport Select Committee John Whittingdale confirmed to keynote. Studd is head of the Met's Club and Vice Unit, and has been
a staunch public defender of Risk Assessment Form 696 since its introduction in 2006.
The event will give attendees from across the music and licensed trade industries the chance to confront him directly over the Met’s policies.
Whittingdale has been at the forefront of the growing voice demanding changes to the Licensing Act to exempt small venues for their requirements
as well as fronting the opposition to the controversial Form 696, which has been widely used by the Metropolitan Police and has been recommended to
forces across the UK.
In July the government ignored Whittingdale’s recommendations; this event will get the reasons behind the call for change, and the reasons behind the
resistance to it. Other speakers include Horace Trubridge (Musicians' Union) and John King (Musician & Independent Campaigner
Part 2: NOISE ABATEMENT; The live music business is in rude health. Despite the recession, record numbers of people are attending gigs, and last year
revenues from live music overtook those from record sales, with £1.39billion generated from live music – up 16% on 2007 – whilst record sales revenue fell 6% to
£1.309billion [source 'Adding up the Music Industry for 2008', Will Page,PRS for Music].
But it is strong roots that facilitate success further up the chain, and not all is rosy at the grassroots of our live music industry. In July the government rejected
widely supported recommendations from the Culture Media and Sport Select Committee regarding changes to the Licensing Act of 2003, including exemptions
for small venues and noise abatement orders are having a destructive impact on small venues across the UK.
This session will investigate the impact that the Licensing Act and noise abatement orders are having on small venues and music performers – and will
also hear from those who support the measures that are in place.
Cost: £25 MusicTank Members | £30 Trade Body | £35 Full Price – price includes drink on arrival and FREE event transcript.
All MusicTank events MUST be booked and paid for in advance – strictly no walk-up on the day! Full Details & Booking:
http://www.musictank.co.uk/events/live-music-licensed-to-thrill
