An exemption is available if the musical entertainment is incidental to an event such as a garden fete.

I'd argue that a Morris side dancing outsidee a pub is very definitely incidental to the main activity that is going on there, which is drinking and socialising.

Can't see it standing up,in court - but then nor would any of this stuff limiting live sessions and so forth.

How it works is that when publicans are lent on by the authorities they, quite understandably, they tend to cave in. And in most cases they are tenants or managers, and don't even have the authority not to cave in, if the conmpany doesn't want to fight it out.

Any one planning to go to the music session action in London on 19th July?