MU To Put On Incidental Music

LONDON, UK (Top40 Charts/ Musicians Union) - The Musicians' Union (MU) will be having a live band at its London Region's AGM on Monday 28 September 2009 in order to illustrate that, under the incidental music provision in the Licensing Act 2003, live music can be put on without the need to apply for or vary a licence.

The strings and sax quartet Sahara will be playing after the AGM at about 5.30pm at 60-62 Clapham Road, London SW9 0JJ. The live music has been cleared with Lambeth Council, who confirmed that no temporary event notice or licence was required due to the fact that the music would be 'incidental' - i.e. that the music was not the reason people were being invited to the AGM. Incidental music is allowed under the guidance for the Licensing Act.

Horace Trubridge, MU Assistant General Secretary, says "Pubs and restaurants are often wary of putting on live music at their venues because they think that they will need to change their licence or fill in a lot of paperwork. In reality, the guidance for the Licensing Act 2003 allows for music to take place without a variation of the licence where it is not the main reason people are attending the venue.

"Any premises that would like to take advantage of the incidental music exception should talk to their licensing office, as they will be able to offer advice and guidance as to how the exception works."

Dave Webster, London Regional Organiser for the MU says "By putting on this band we are hoping that we will encourage pubs, restaurants and other venues to consider putting on live music. We are demonstrating that it doesn't have to be a bureaucratic nightmare. It may well be that a venue that tries out live music through the incidental music provision then decides it is worth applying for a licence, but we want them to realise that this is not necessary from the start."