Musicians hail U-turn on licensing

Music venues today welcomed a proposed government U-turn on licensing rules.

Venue owners and musicians said it would put an end to a six-year battle against legislation they said stifled London's live music scene.

Ministers yesterday announced plans to allow small venues such as pubs and wine bars to put on live music without a licence for less than 100 people.

Currently, venues have to apply for a licence for any kind of performance, including a pianist playing background music in a restaurant. Owners and musicians say this puts venues off holding gigs.

The proposals were debated by chairman of the culture, media and sport select committee John Whittingdale, shadow arts minister Ed Vaizey and representatives from the Musicians' Union. During yesterday's meeting, ministers admitted the law had been heavy-handed.

If the proposed changes to the 2003 Licensing Act make it through a public consultation, they could take effect within months.

Phil Renaud, manager of The Slaughtered Lamb pub in Barbican, said the change would encourage more pubs to put on gigs. "It would make things a lot simpler," he said.

Charles Alexander, 63, of Tooting Bec, has played jazz guitar at small London venues for 35 years. He said the amount of work he gets fell by a third since 2003 as venues cannot afford to apply for a licence.

A Department for Culture Media and Sport spokesman said: "This could make it easier for small venues to make a contribution to London's night-time economy."

* Electric guitars designed by rock bands including The Young Knives, top, Glasvegas and Starsailor will go on sale today at the Tricycle Theatre in Kilburn as part of a music festival.

The Fender Stratocasters will be auctioned online in aid of Oxfam. The event is part of Oxjam Kilburn: Take the High Road, in which 30 bands will play at Kilburn High Road venues on Sunday.

The guitars are expected to sell for up to £1,000 each. The auction ends on Sunday.