15/05/2009 - 'Absurd' licences stopping new acts
MPs have warned that music stars of the future could have their careers stopped before they even start because of "absurd" Government regulations.
The Culture, Media and Sport committee warned that the Licensing Act is preventing small concert venues putting on live gigs and giving new stars much-needed publicity because of "unnecessarily draconian" red tape.
Committee chairman John Whittingdale said: "The licensing requirements are still too bureaucratic and costly - particularly for non-commercial groups such as sports clubs, not-for-profit establishments and organisers of occasional events."
The former Undertones lead singer Feargal Sharkey, now head of UK Music, criticised the process for applying for live music licences, saying that councils allowed the public to object to applications but not to show their support.
The committee has called for rules to be relaxed so that small venues across the country do not need a licence to put on a live music show.
It said that shows of up to two musicians playing unamplified music should be allowed to go ahead without the need for a licence and for the Metropolitan Police form 696, which require details of all performers, to be scrapped.
Copyright © Press Association 2009
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