What should happen now is just as simple - and we are not getting it, and when, inevitably, noise complaints go through the roof we will get something totally shitty back again. This is a poisoned chalice.

The reaction against generally sensible alcohol serving hours shows us that there is some danger in this but that does not mean that we have to continue to accept the current over-regulation of live music and the strange and unequal concepts on which it is based.

We may expect a knee-jerk reaction from those who cannot tell the difference between encouraging free expression in music and encouraging noise pollution. We are already seeing this being encouraged by the LGA Group lobby.

But those of us who do know the difference should not encourage the widely accepted concept to be held, that music and noise pollution are one and the same thing and that additional entertainment licensing permission can be of any use in dealing with noise pollution. The only thing acheived by this assumption is the current confusion.

We should also not encourage the concept that complaints about actual noise pollution, whether this emanates from live music or from any other source, are the same as objections that are encouraged to be made during planning and licensing processes about live music and often before a note has been sounded. Often by those who will use anything available - whatever the cost may be.

No one should be subjected to actual measuable noise pollution, from whatever source this may emanate from.

There needs to be no panic. Should there be any increase in actual noise complaints, which are arising from any source and at any time - this should be investigated to establish if this is really reflecting an increase in noise pollution. Then any shortcomings in the abilty of existing anti-noise legislation to deal with noise pollution should be addressed. We could even have a Govt consultation on it.............

What cannot be permitted to happen again is for all live music (whether it is likely to cause noise pollution or not) - to be limited and used as a scapegoat in the vain attempt to placate the very vocal few, who will not be placated by anything anyway and who assume that they have some right to prevent the enjoyment of others and who will grasp any excuse in order to do this.

The main opposition to any further reform comes from the LGA Group lobby who have their own agenda for covering us all in red tape but will also grasp anything which may support their ends, whilst maintaining to be ensuring only the interests of the public.

A public that (up to now) does seem not include those who make and enjoy live music. It is up to us to continue to show otherwise.