Booking acts

A revival of interest in live entertainment has increased the availability of acts which are suited to the pub circuit - but how do you go about finding the right one for your venue?

Blame Stars in Their Eyes - the success of the TV talent show which gives aspiring entertainers the chance to perform as one of their idols has led to a huge upturn in the popularity of "tribute" bands and performers.

For every Bootleg Beatles or Bjorn Again (an Abba tribute band) which become popular enough to sell out large music venues, there are hundreds of tribute acts looking for bookings - every artist from Meat Loaf to Englebert Humperdinck, every band from the Seekers to the Sex Pistols.

What it all means for pubs is that the revival in interest in live entertainment has created a increase in the availability of acts which are suited to the pub circuit - tribute bands are a good example, as are the many types of alternative cabaret act which have sprung up to provide a bit of variety from endless stand-up routines in the comedy clubs.

A good place to start is the "bible" of the cabaret circuit, Showcall. Published by the Stage newspaper, this listing of entertainers now has its own website, www.showcall.co.uk. Here you will find details of just about every type of speciality act on the market, including tribute acts, solo singers, duos, comedians and cabaret performers, along with contact details.

Public Entertainment Licences​

The Government is committed to making it easier for pubs to provide customers with live entertainment. The big question, as with every other aspect of licensing reform, is just when that will happen.

The decision not to include a licensing reform bill in the current session of Parliament, despite reform being part of Labour's "sales pitch" at the General Election, leaves most pubs limited in the types of entertainment they can provide due to the much-criticised system of Public Entertainment Licences (PELs).

PELS are granted by local authorities, rather than licensing magistrates. The charges levied for them vary wildly, from £50 to as much as £20,000. This has led to accusations that some authorities use them as a means of raising income from the licensed trade rather than charging a reasonable fee to cover the administration costs.

In cities, which tend to be where the heftiest PEL fees are levied, that effectively prevents smaller pubs from booking live bands and similar acts, because the cost of a PEL would not be justified by the income generated.

Campaigners recently lobbied Parliament for an early change in the law - with the Parliamentary Jazz Club, led by Lord Colwyn, as well as Lord Redesdale and the English Folk Dance and Song Society, putting on an "illegal" performance at Westminster's Red Lion pub to draw attention to the ridiculous nature of the law.

Punch Retail has also supported calls for an early change in the regulations. Commercial director Andrew Knight says: "The existing law is yet another example of the red tape pub operators and individual licensees have to put up with. Pubs have always provided a platform for up-and-coming musicians to perform, and live music often adds to the customers' enjoyment."

At the Labour conference in October, tourism minister - and live jazz fan - Dr Kim Howells told a fringe meeting that he had "never understood the lunacy of the rules", and pledged the Government's support for an early end to PELs through the reform of the whole licensing system.

However, campaigners and critics have said that unless the Government can fast-track the process, its current timetable means that it will be 2004 before reform can be implemented.

What acts can perform without a PEL? ​

The Licensing Act states that where premises have a justices' licence in place there is no need to obtain a PEL for entertainment by way of reproduction of radio or television broadcasts, or of entertainment by way of "music and singing only which is provided solely by the reproduction of recorded sound, or by not more than two performers, or sometimes in one of those ways and sometimes in the other."

This means that pubs can have either background music playing or up to two performers. Clearly, solo performers such as comedians, singers, as well as duos are permitted without a PEL - however, many performers like to sing to a backing tape, which is not permitted.

Some other categories of performance which sometimes catch pubs out are:

• Karaoke - even if there are less than two customers "performing" at any time, karaoke systems use a recorded backing tape. This is currently the subject of a court appeal against a ruling in favour of Southwark Council, but as the law stands, a PEL is required
• Discos - although DJs are solo performers playing recorded music only, discos are not "background music", especially if dancing takes place
• Dancers - exotic, erotic or otherwise: public dancing requires a PEL, even if there is only one dancer involved. In addition, many local authorities impose additional restrictions on acts which could be considered lewd or obscene, or which involve nudity.

Tips for booking acts​

• Use a recognised agent - directories and websites such as Showcall list agents for particular acts, and local agents will be able to provide acts tailored to your needs. A contract with a agent should cover you in case a booked act cancels, either with a replacement or compensation.
• Ensure the act booked is suitable for your customers - different venues require different approaches
• Agree payment terms in advance - it might be a flat fee or a share of ticket sales.
• Remember that the rule of live entertainment is usually "cash on the night" rather than a "cheque in the post"
• Check that your licence covers the type of act booked - if you haven't got a PEL, there are severe limits on the types of entertainment you can offer
• Even if you've got a PEL, remember that there are other restrictions placed on certain types of act by some local authorities. Examples include hypnotists, erotic dancers, wrestling and animal acts - if in doubt, check
• Contact local music clubs and associations to suggest they use your pub for events

Market Report 2001 ​

A significant number of pubs are looking to increase their entertainment offer over the coming year, according to the survey carried out for the Publican's Market Report 2001.

Pubs which expect increase turnover generated by​entertainment​