Live Music Bill battles on

The Live Music Bill has passed the stage of second reading in the House of Lords, gaining momentum and support from the Government. Liberal Democrat peer Lord Clement-Jones put the Bill together, with Baroness Rawlings confirming Government support during the reading on Friday 4 March.

The key point of the Bill is that if it becomes law it will exempt small venues with a maximum capacity of 200 from the need to obtain a license for live music, cutting some of the red tape surrounding the Licensing Act 2003.

UK Music CEO Feargal Sharkey (pictured), who has been extremely vocal in his support for the Bill, said: "Not for the first time, I think the entire music industry will want to show its gratitude to Lord Clement-Jones for his perseverance and support. Cutting red tape around the performance of small-scale live music will have a major impact on the careers of fledgling artists and jobbing musicians."

The Government confirmed that their assent of the Private Member’s Bill is subject to certain conditions such as a full impact assessment and an 11pm curfew across the board for live shows exempted. The small gigs exemption is broadly supported throughout the industry by the likes of the Musicians' Union, UK Music and the Live Music Forum, whose moderator Phil Little last week called on the Government to take action.

The Bill now moves forward to the Committee stage in the House of Lords, where amendments can be made, before it can move back to the House of Commons where it will need to attain the sponsorship of a Member of Parliament.