A new group called ‘Save Live Music!’ has been established to campaign against the Government’s proposed Licensing Bill. Join the discussion list to hear about or help plan future protests by sending a blank email to  savelivemusic-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

If it becomes law, this Bill will require any venue hosting live music (even if it’s only for one night) to buy a licence. This will not only apply to actual gig venues, but to pubs, churches, schools, universities and perhaps your home, that is, anywhere that any number of musicians perform for any amount of time, whether or not they are paid. In order to obtain a licence, a venue must comply with health and safety regulations. Many smaller pubs and other venues will be unable to afford to do this and therefore will not be allowed to purchase a licence. The maximum penalty for breaking the new law is a £20,000 fine or six months in prison. This Bill could potentially kill live music.

This is an important campaign, not only for musicians but for pub and venue owners, music fans and anyone who has ever enjoyed live music.

Please forward this to anyone who might be interested.

For more information email  savelivemusic@yahoo.co.uk or call 07810 192 905.