The following from Hamish Birchall
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Feargal Sharkey, chair of the Live Music Forum, is calling on every local authority to donate rehearsal space for musicians. See DCMS press release yesterday (26 Jan 06):
http://www.culture.gov.uk/global/press_notices/archive_2006/dcms012_06.htm

In the press release, DCMS describes the LMF thus:
'As well as working with partners across the live music world to ensure they make the most of the opportunities offered by the Licensing Act 2003, the Forum is also looking at a range of ways to promote live music and foster grass roots talent.'

'Opportunities'?

Rehearsal spaces will be licensable if they are used for public performance, or for private performance if profit is the intention, or indeed for a private performance put on to raise money for charity. Most private gigs used to be exempt.

Some lawyers argue that the Act even catches private music-making for your own amusement, if the performers are charged with a view to profit.

The maximum penalty for providing an unlicensed performance, where a licence is required is a £20,000 fine and six months in jail.
ENDS
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If this really does result in more rehearsal spaces - that will be good thing. However I am still waiting for any sign of the 'explosion in live music' that was promised in Parliament by not replacing the 'two-in-a-bar' rule with a better exemption. Something that may provide all these acts that are now supposed to be able to find rehearsal space - with the places they need to learn to be able to perform.

It would be nice to see the Live Music Forum calling on every local authority to hold a sensible policy on all aspects of live music making.