Live music competition: get your MP involved

Licensees of live music pubs are urged to get their MP to nominate them for a new award.

It's part of the Rock the House campaign, which aims to raise music industry issues in the political agenda. The campaign is backed by The All Party Parliamentary Group on Music as well as major players from across the music industry, including campaign group UK Music plus Future Publishing and EMI.

Bands, artists and venues are invited to enter themselves, via their local MP, who will make nominations to a judging panel of experts from across the music industry, on behalf of their own constituencies.

"The MP has to engage directly with music venues and bands in their constituency," said Hove and Portslade MP Mike Weatherley, who is backing the campaign.

"It pushes the issues a bit more on their desk than it would be otherwise."

Prizes include master classes with top industry consultants.

The Coalition Government has promised "radical" reform of live music licensing. Weatherley, a rock and heavy metal fan who previously worked for record producer Pete Waterman, said: "I want to see less bureaucracy for putting on a band.

"I would like to see live music in pubs and suitable places being the norm, rather than the exception. There should be a presumption towards 'yes' rather than 'no' [when granting licences for music]."

The closing date for entries is 31 March. For an application form, visit www.rockthehouse.me.uk​.

The campaign will be launched this evening at the Sanctum Soho Hotel in London's West End.