Music reform health fears
A senior councillor has stoked controversy by saying young people will be put at risk if the Government grants live-music licence exemptions for crowds up to 200.
Local Government Assocication (LGA) chair for culture, tourism & sport Chris White also hit out at Live Music Forum members, saying they don't "know a lot about live music" and use "underhand, guerilla tactics to make personal attacks".
The Morning Advertiser spoke to White about the new Live Music Bill, which calls for music licence exemptions for venues hosting audiences of fewer than 200 people.
White told the MA: "If you want a crowd surge and injured teens, then go ahead (with the Bill)."
Responding to the view that pubs shouldn't need a licence for live music as they don't for football, White said: "A local pub that decides to show the World Cup final does not attract football-lovers from all around.
"But a band might announce on Facebook or Twitter that it's appearing at a certain pub, and fans will come for miles around.
"When do you know you're going to get more than 200 people in your venue? When the 200th person walks through the door, and then it's too late.
"Local authorities and police don't know what you're doing and you've got a crisis on your hands."
White said pubs could use minor variations to host music, although he admitted that "no more than a handful" had been submitted for this purpose.
Scare tactics
Hamish Birchall, of the Live Music Forum, said White's argument was a "new scare tactic" and wasn't "really credible".
Birchall said any potential risks were already covered by separate legislation on health and safety. "Someone putting on an event who had failed to carry out an adequate risk assessment would be prosecuted."
He added that applying for a minor variation was "not a viable alternative" to changes proposed under the Bill.
John King, musician and member of the Live Music Forum, called for White's resignation and labelled the LGA's support of live music restrictions "irrational".
