Live and Recorded Music in Licensed Premises

Live and Recorded Music in Licensed Premises

The Live Music Act 2012 and the Legislative Reform (Entertainment Licensing) Order 2014 brought in exemptions from Licensing for Licensed Premises in respect of live and recorded music.

A licence is not required to stage a performance of live music, or the playing of recorded music if:

• it takes place between 8AM and 11PM; and
• it takes place at an alcohol on-licensed premises; and
• the audience is no more than 500 people

You also don't need a licence:

•  to put on unamplified live music at any place between the same hours; or
• to put on amplified live music at a workplace between the same hours and provided the audience is no more than 500 people.

Premises Licenses do not need show these permissions as they have all been granted the above.

Some Premises Licences under the Licensing Act 2003 may contain permissions and conditions in relation to the playing of live or recorded music, as long as the above criteria are met, these no longer apply, and are therefore not enforceable by any of the responsible authorities, unless they have been subsequently added at a Review Hearing.

Environmental Health and Licensing can still deal with noise issues under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Licensing Act 2003, where they are able to obtain first-hand evidence e.g., witness any noise whilst it is happening from an affected premises. To achieve this the Council has an out of office hours on call service 0800 374485 available