FEARGAL SHARKEY turned back the clock yesterday to belt out Teenage Kicks near the House of Commons, as a demonstration of the benefits of live music.
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The Undertones’ singer was at the seat of power to help persuade the government to loosen up its rules on playing live.
For the last six years, all venues including small bars and pubs have had to get a special licence and go through layers of bureaucracy to have the right to host live music.
Now, after a plucky campaign from Sharkey, currently head of industry body UK Music, and his allies, an influential Commons committee has come out in favour of relaxing those rules.
“I am delighted with the Committee’s report,” said Sharkey.
“There is little doubt that the Licensing Act 2003 has hindered the staging of live music and created unnecessary barriers to the promotion of live events.”
Among other ideas, the committee came out in favour of scrapping the need for licences for venues with a capacity of under 200.
This measure alone would likely provide a huge boost to below-the-radar performers, such as unsigned bands like the ones playing in London picked by our own Christine Turner.
The next stage in the live music campaign is to get the government to accept the committee’s report.