http://www.liveblues.info/home/2010/10/05/shelflife-productions-live-event-and-artists-promotion/
Tuesday, October 5th, 2010
Shelf-Life-Productions Artists & entertainment Roots Blues & Jazz
Archive for the ‘music’ Category
Five years since the Licensing Act came into force, and no sign of a let up for live music.
Wednesday, September 29th, 2010Five years since the Licensing Act came into force, and no sign of a let up for live music.
Earlier this year the government revealed in answers to questions from Lord Colwyn that only about 25% of bars and restaurants could lawfully host live music (because they don’t have authorisation for ‘entertainment facilities’):
But many councils still treat the minority of venues where live music is legal as potential sources of mayhem, crime and disorder. Consider this premises licence condition for a venue in Brent:
‘… Live bands and solo musicians may not perform on the premises unless 14 days written notice is provided to the police licensing officer and the police licensing officer have given his/her prior written approval for the performance to take place…’
Or this criminal prosecution of a pub by Dacorum Borough Council for not having their windows closed while jazz was being played:
These are just two of many examples reported by campaigner John King on The Publican’s ‘Listen Up!’ Facebook page – where the pub trade campaigns for more live music:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=141223114767&ref=ts#!/group.php?gid=141223114767&v=wall&ref=ts
The impression is that councils and nimby local residents would rather promote the sale of alcohol than the playing of innocuous live music. And that is indeed what happened to a Dorset Tea house earlier this month:
The irony is that the social and economic cost of alcohol abuse to local authorities and the police must exceed by several orders of magnitude the cost of occasional noise nuisance enforcement against live music.
For a new and up-to-date investigation into the shrinking infrastructure for live music as a consequence of entertainment licensing, see the ‘Three Rivers Case Study’ link on the Live Music Forum website: www.livemusicforum.co.uk
It would seem that none of the area’s 34 restaurants can legally host live music.
Hamish Birchall
Closure threat to 100 Club
Thursday, September 23rd, 2010
100 Club Sign
ITS stage has seen the West End debuts of Oasis, the Sex Pistols, The Clash and The Buzzcocks, while Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Mick Jagger and Paul Weller can still sometimes be glimpsed in the audience.
Yet the 100 Club in Oxford Street – described by Aerosmith‘s Joe Perry as “the finest rock’n'roll club in the world” – could close within a few months because of soaring overheads unless it can find a buyer. Its rates bill has hit £4,000 a month and landlord Lazari Investments now charges rent, with VAT, of £166,000 a year.
The cellar club’s owner, Jeff Horton, said: “It makes me so angry. The Government, Westminster council and even some of the commercial landlords say they want to help small businesses, they say they want to preserve London‘s uniqueness, they want to help multi-cultural venues.
“Yet we’re all that and all these organisations have all dumped on us from a great height.” His father started running the venue in 1964, but it opened in 1942 as a jazz club.
Mr Horton sees few alternatives to closure after Lazari raised the rent by 45 per cent. “In 1985, when I took over, the rent was barely £11,000 In the US the rents are frozen at certain venues that have a bit of heritage. Here it’s a total free-for-all.”
He added: “What the 100 Club needs is a buyer or major sponsor to step forward. Barring that, we’re closing at Christmas despite being as popular as ever. It really is insane.”
Phil Strongman
22.09.10
Join the face book group.
The easy way to learn piano. Over 85,000 people have learned to play with Rocket Piano. Isn’t it time you got the structured learning you’ve been missing?
Friday, September 17th, 2010The easy way to learn piano.
Over 85,000 people have learned to
play with Rocket Piano.
Isn’t it time you got the structured learning you’ve been missing?
Delta Ladies gigs for September 2010
Sunday, September 12th, 2010Delta Ladies (Vicky Martin & Diana Stone) play an encore of Riders in the Sky & Hey Joe at Round Midnight Islington.
Take two brilliant entertainers,
add an amazing range of instruments
and a stunning array of songs and
you have the DELTA LADIES.
‘Lady’ Diana Stone and ‘Miss’ Vicky
Martin. To lovely lilting leggy London
Ladies of somewhat doubtful origin.
They bring you an evening of songs
and music including just about
everything:-
Bluegrass / Stephan Grappelli style
Jazz / Blues / Rock ‘n Roll /
Pub sing-a-long / Songs from the
shows / Klezma & much else.
Shows may include -
Hey Good Looking /Orange Blossom
Special / My Old Man’s a Dustman /
Hey Joe / All Along the Watchtower /
Cheek to Cheek / Night & Day / Dark
Eyes /Dedicated Follower of Fashion,
Hava Nagila / Maybe it’s Because
I’m a Londoner / Mystery Train and
more, more, more…
Mon 13th 93: Feet East
Tue 14th Sep: The Cats Back, Putney
Fri 17th Sep: Oliver’s Jazz Bar, Greenwich
Sun 19th Sep: The Retreat, Reading
Sat 25th Sep: Oliver’s Jazz Bar, Greenwich
Mon 27th Sep: Round Midnight Islington
New Acoustic Blues & Roots Venue in Putney @ the Cats Back Point Pleasant
Monday, August 23rd, 2010One of London’s quirkiest pubs ‘The Cat’s Back’ in Point Pleasant London SW18 will be starting regular acoustic Blues & Roots music nights from September. The pub has a long history of presenting live music and is regularly frequented by musicians and people from all walks of the music business. Among up and coming acts who have played there are 24 Pesos and Elephant Shelf, the venue also achieved local notoriety when the Popes played an anniversary gig there. An in-house PA system and lighting is to be installed and the appointed bookers will be looking for acoustic (electro acoustic) duos, trios and solo artists. Music will take place on Tuesday’s, Thursday’s and Saturdays. The music will include all aspects of acoustic blues / roots / and Americana. Artists interested in performing should email bookings@catsback.liveblues.info
The Cats back Putney
Round Midnight Bar Islington Anniversary celebration Interview.
Friday, August 6th, 2010Round Midnight Islington Anniversary celebration Interview.
Vicky Martin from Blues Matters! talks to Micheal and also to Martin Harley from the Martin Harley Band who performed for the anniversary gig.
Michael and the Missus
Martin Harley
Round Midnight Islington Anniversary Interview with Michael the bar owner & Martin Harley [8:52m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | DownloadElephant Shelf at the Hundred Club Friday 13th August
Thursday, August 5th, 2010Elephant Shelf are at the 100 Club Friday 13th August.
100 Oxford Street, London
On Stage at about 10.00 pm
Elephant Shelf
| Time: 7.30pm - |
| BEANO BAND NIGHT |
| Four totally different bands providing a varied and interesting evening for gig-goers following talented bands and artists.
ROD & DERRY / ELEPHANT SHELF / THE GOOD SHIP BAND / SWIFT+ Rob Munro Audio-Visuals + DJ between / after sets |
| www.wegottickets.com/event/86571 |
| www.myspace.com/beanonight |
About Elephant Shelf
In Trouble Again [Shelf Life Records 003] ; Now on Radio Playlists Europewide
Is this blues? Is it Jazz?, Is it rock? No, it is the music of
Elephant Shelf; a whole modern music for all audiences and all generations;
Indulge in numerous great pleasures; listen to Elephant Shelf; excellent!”
Serge Warin – RADIO CANAL BLUE France
“These guys have got I, the sound and feel of early Stones & the Facest!”
Larry Miller – Top UK Blues Rock guitarist
“Hey guys, you know what? This morning I was working in my garden,
My windows opened and listening to Elephant Shelf, it was a good moment – it sounded great!”
Cesar Sezer – RADIO COTEAUX France
‘A truly exciting live act’
Gavin Martin of the Independent
“Great original songs, really good production, captures the band’s exciting live sound and feel excellently, and really top-notch bass playing”
Jim Rodford – Zombies / Blues Bishops, ex Kinks, Lonnie Donegan
OFFICIAL PR – SLIM’S BLUES www.slimsblues.com
Also with BOOGALOO PROMOTIONS – www.boogaloopromotions.com
“…This great CD, strong powerful tracks, from the very strong & powerful’ Snakebite’ to the great song ‘Willow Tree, even a touch of Jazz, listening was a real pleasure’
Joost Van Steen – Jazz & Blues Tour Radio Show – Radio Alpenstad Holland
“Thanks very much for the CD, really great!”
Kjell Andreasson – Radio Holtesbro Denmark
“A really good effort and great artwork”
Pete Feenstra – Major London based Blues Promoter
“Just listened to it, lots of really good songs, and I’m making ‘When You Left Me”
My track of the week, that one really does it for me.”
Warren Knight – Jazz & Blues show Radio Verulam St. Albans UK
MORE QUOTES
“I really dig this, powerful, classic blues & up tempo rockers, really tight sound”
Przezemek Draheim Radio Bravo / Radio Torun, BluesPL magazine – Poland
“It’s great!”
Kronoslav Markutovitch – Radio Boom Boom VFM radio Vinkovci Croatia.
“Really good, 4 tracks are now on my play-list”
Bjorn Wiksaas -Radio Ung Norway
“I love ‘Squeeze Me Tease Me’, the guitar sound”
Gary Blue- Radio Star Blue 107FM Cambridge
“Elephant Shelf – A really fresh sound and a very exciting vibe…
Charles Foskett – Producer whose artist have included Elkie Brooks, Edwin Starr, Elvis Costello, Mick Taylor
“Great sound, its going on my playlist!”
Luc Brunot –Radio Blues Intense FRANCE
‘I really enjoyed playing with you guys’
Rafael Ravenscroft – Saxophonist on Gerry Rafferty’s Baker Street
and Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On Album’
“Vicky, some of the best slide playing I’ve heard, uncluttered, simple and you make every note count”
Louis Cenammo – Bassist ex Renaissance / Coliseum / the Herd
ADDITIONAL RADIO PLAY
La Hora del Blues – Barcelona
Dixie Rock – RCF Correze France
JAZZ & BLUES TOUR – Alphenstad FM – Holland
City of Light’s Radio Show – France
City of Lights Radio Show – Condat St. Vienne – France
L’Emmission the Wind of the Blues – Blues sur Radio Quartz – Belgium
All Blues 421 – France
Radio Blues Intense – France
MOJO BLUES – O2 Radio Tresse – France
Boogie Blues Radio – Roche la Moliere – France
The Blues Show GTFM – Wales – UK
Radio Mont Blanc – France
Biker Street Radio – France
Radio 666 Binmaison France
BLUES POWER RADIO – Radio Weser Bremerhaven Germany
Radio Srawa – Poland
Radio Brawo – Poland
Highway 61 Radio – San Michelle Italy
Rock & Blues Today – Umbertide Italy
And many more
Explosive indie soul rockers ‘ The Neutronics’ perform songs from their upcoming album “This Is Supa Soul Brotha Del”.
Sunday, August 1st, 2010Explosive indie soul rockers ‘ The Neutronics’ perform songs from their
upcoming album “This Is Supa Soul Brotha Del”.
07 August 2010 – Miss Q’s
180-184 Earl’s Court Road
SW5 9QG
Nearest tube: Earls Court, 8pm – free entry
Contact number: 07956907342
The Delta Ladies Sat July 31st at the Cherry Tree Southgate
Wednesday, July 28th, 2010
Delta Ladies plus 1
The Delta Ladies Sat July 31st at the Cherry Tree Southgate
Hi all we are at a new venue called the Cherry Tree in Southgate, we are starting quite early at about 19:30 for an evening of mellow tunes and stuff. Its a hew venture for this pub to have live music so it would be good to support it. they also do rather nice real ales as well.
The Cherry Tree is at The Green, London, N14 6EN
http://www.vintageinn.co.uk/yeoldecherrytreesouthgate/findus/
Conservative MP John Whittingdale, chair of the all party Culture Media and Sport Committee, has tabled an Early Day Motion calling on the government ‘… to bring forward proposals for an exemption to the Licensing Act for audiences of 200 to tackle the negative impact with regards to small venues hosting live performances
Sunday, July 25th, 2010Conservative MP John Whittingdale, chair of the all party Culture Media and Sport Committee, has tabled an Early Day Motion calling on the government ‘… to bring forward proposals for an exemption to the Licensing Act for audiences of 200 to tackle the negative impact with regards to small venues hosting live performances.’
Intriguingly, Labour members make up the majority of the 21 MPs who have signed so far.
EDMs are rarely debated, but can generate useful publicity for a cause, especially if signed by a large number of MPs. Why not ask your MP to sign, if they have not already done so? Contact via www.theyworkforyou.com (identifies your MP from your postcode).
In May 2009 the CMS Committee concluded its public inquiry into the Licensing Act. It found that the Act had harmed small scale performances, and recommended that new exemptions should be introduced for live music in venues with a capacity of up to 200, and for one or two unamplified performers:
Lord Clement-Jones’ new live music bill would, if successful, implement an exemption for gigs with an audience of up to 200 and allow unamplified live music without a restriction on the number of musicians. Its 2nd reading debate has not yet been scheduled, but may take place later this year:
Cutting red tape for live music is a Coalition government commitment:
Responsibility for licensing is now shared between the Home Office (alcohol) and DCMS (regulated entertainment). DCMS licensing minister John Penrose recently hinted in Parliament at a ‘radical’ solution for live music (21 June):
Full text of John Whittingdale’s EDM 546 ‘Live performances’:
‘That this House celebrates the cultural value of live performances in enriching and entertaining communities; notes that small venues hosting live performances are the bedrock of the entertainment industry, providing opportunities for artists to begin their careers; is concerned that the implementation of the Licensing Act 2003 has meant that there has been a decline in the number of small venues wishing to put on live performances; and therefore calls on the Government to bring forward proposals for an exemption to the Licensing Act for audiences of 200 to tackle the negative impact with regards to small venues hosting live performances.’
General EDM info:
Explosive indie soul rockers ‘ The Neutronics’ perform songs from their upcoming album “This Is Supa Soul Brotha Del”.
Tuesday, July 20th, 2010Explosive indie soul rockers ‘ The Neutronics’ perform songs from their
upcoming album “This Is Supa Soul Brotha Del”.
30 July 2010 – 333 Mother Club
333 Old Street
EC1V 9LE
nearest tube: Old Street, 9pm -£5 all night
Contact number: 07956907342
Delta Ladies at The Cats Back Friday 16th July
Friday, July 16th, 2010The Delta Ladies are at The Cats Back Friday 16th July after their successful mini tour in the Tarn region of France.
Read more on this link http://www.deltaladies.com/blog/
Delta Ladies at Olivers Jazz Bar
This is a delightful and somewhat eccentric pub just on the fringes of Putney.
86-88 Point Pleasant
SWI8 1PP
London
Save the Cross Kings from Eviction !
Thursday, July 8th, 2010Save the Cross Kings from Eviction !
The Cross Kings
Entertainment & Arts – Performing Arts
Description:
This is almost certainly completely pointless. But in case there IS a rich benefactor out there we felt we should at least try.
Being tied to Enterprise Inns has bled us dry and our last ditch attempt to sell to a sympathetic entrepeneur has fallen through.
We’ve been served with a letter of eviction which means we have to leave the venue on Friday 9th July.
If there’s anything anyone can do to save this unique and brilliant venue, do not waste a moment…
Buffalo Star + Ned Walker Friday, 13 August 2010 St Matthews Church, The Crypt, Brixton Hill, London SW2 1JF
Wednesday, July 7th, 2010Buffalo Star live at ‘Hot Vox Promotions @ Babalou’
Friday, 13 August 2010
St Matthews Church, The Crypt, Brixton Hill, London SW2 1JF
Buffalo Star + Ned Walker
A great night of live music with some of the best up and coming bands in London. Buffalo Star are the stand out
act in a venue located in the crypt of a converted church in Brixton. £5 on the door not only gets you a night of
live music but also DJ’s playing until the early hours. For more info go to: www.myspace.com/buffalostarband
Elephant Shelf at Round Midnight 13 Liverpool Road Islington July 9 starting at 9.00
Monday, July 5th, 2010
Band-with-booze
Elephant Shelf is about songs, rhythms and entertainment. Their original songs embodying all that is best in Rhythm & Blues, Swing, Blues, Country, the great American songbook, and much else. In the band’s own words: “We draw on the classic well loved sounds from the 60’s 70’s and beyond, add our own touches to make it our own music. We never consciously copy anyone else’s arrangements. We deliberately do it different” and we add a large dash of good humour and a love of entertaining. That is us; Elephant Shelf.”
Round Midnight
13 Liverpool Road, Angel N1 0RW. It is really close to Angel Tube.
Blues Matters! Magazine
Thursday, July 1st, 2010Blues Matters issue 55
BLUES MATTERS issue 55 Magazine front cover
Comments Made About Blues Matters
BLUES MATTERS issue 55 Magazine front cover
“The Blues Revival is much heralded, but rarely seen, a bit like the 183 bus near where I live. It remains an underground music, a music of the people played by thousands of dedicated musicians who just want go out there and whip up a storm and with a bit of luck the eagle might fly on Friday. And cheering them on are the fans buying music, going to clubs, pubs, bars and festivals to support their favorites. And all this activity needs a focus – a place where enthusiasts and musicians can keep up with what’s going on and stuff what anybody else thinks. Blues Matters does this in spades, respecting the music with its professional production values, acknowledging the past while promoting the stars of tomorrow – something old, something new, something borrowed, but always the Blues.”
Harry Shapiro, journalist and author of biographies including Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton. His authorized biography of Jack Bruce is published in November“
Blues Matters has become a vital component in the British Blues scene. It’s wide ranging features and glossy approach are essential to give this genre of music vitality & credibility.” – Alan Robinson, Manhaton Records
By far the best blues publication in the UK, Blues Matters!” – Martin Vowles, recording artist (The Wildcards)
“Blues Matters has become a vital component in the British Blues scene. It’s wide ranging features and glossy approach are essential to give this genre of music vitality & credibility.”Alan Robinson, Manhaton Records Read More!
Blues Top Ten Albums Here In Blues Matters HQ – (In no order)
FOGHAT – LAST TRAIN HOME
HARPER – STAND TOGETHER
JIMMY WARREN BAND – NO MORE PROMISES
GEOFF ACHISON – ONE TICKET, ONE RIDE
ANN SCOTT – FLO
JOHN NORUM – PLAY YARD BLUES
JAY TAMKIN BAND – SORTEDTREVOR FINLAY – BOOTLEG
MARK DOYLE AND THE MANIACS – COMIN’ HOME
WILSON T. KING – FOLLOW YOUR FIRST MIND
With the average of over 28,000 unique visitors per month you should have YOUR advert here.
Copyright of BM©2010
Larry Miller is launching his latest album “Unfinished Business” at the Bush Hall on 30th June 2010
Saturday, June 12th, 2010Larry Miller is launching his latest album “Unfinished Business” at the Bush Hall on 30th June 2010 in London. This is a special event where you will rub shoulders with top journalists, and enjoy a night of fun with Larry.
Larry Miller
Every ticket holder will receive a FREE copy of the new album, and a limited edition golden VIP ticket upon arrival at the venue.
The limited edition golden VIP ticket allows the bearer access to one Larry Miller gig of their choice absolutely free. This ticket will have no end date, so you can use it to get access to any Larry gig at anytime in the future. Once you have used it, it will be yours to keep as a souvenir.
Each ticket will have a unique code that is traceable back to the ticket holder, and to use it, you will have to confirm that you are the original owner of the ticket.
We suggest you hold onto your ticket until Larry plays Wembley!
Tickets are priced at £18.00
Ticket only option: £10.00
There are less than 50 tickets left, so book yours early to avoid disappointment!
The address of the venue is as follows:
The Bush Hall, 310 Uxbridge RD, London, W12 7LJ
The doors open at 7:30 pm, and the Album launch will finish at 11pm.
To Get tickets << click here >>
Elephant Shelf Radio interview on St FM
Saturday, June 12th, 2010Elephant Shelf Radio interview on St FM
Thursday 6th of May 2010 at Annie’s Bar, 180 Kentish Town Road, NW5, a high quality open mic with a sense of humour, an opportunity to show off your musical and other talents…
Wednesday, April 28th, 2010Electric Mardiland
Starting 8pm, Thursday 6th of May 2010 at Annie’s Bar, 180 Kentish Town Road, NW5, a high quality open mic with a sense of humour, an opportunity to show off your musical and other talents.
Night kicks off with Rosie Swan, a big fat soul diva hiding in a lil white chick…
Alastair Campbell prosecuted for organising an unlicensed gig?
Wednesday, April 28th, 2010Alastair Campbell prosecuted for organising an unlicensed gig?
The prospect is no doubt enticing to many, but it has receded now that Corby Borough Council (CBC) has bent licensing rules for Labour’s Elvis stunt last Saturday, 24 April.
The lunchtime performance by Brighton-based Elvis impersonator Mark Wright took place at Lodge Park Technology College, Corby. It came as a show-biz style finale to Gordon Brown’s big NHS speech and was widely reported in the national media. See BBC tv news: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/election_2010/8641849.stm
But according to the council, the venue’s premises licence only allowed entertainment between 6pm and midnight. It seems no-one had checked with the council beforehand about the intended lunch-time gig.
Campbell trailed Mr Wright’s appearance on Twitter. At the event, former culture secretary Andy Burnham told the assembled Labour faithful that a tweet by Campbell was broadcast on Radio 5 live saying that ‘somebody bigger than Gary Barlow would be here today.’
Tv coverage shows ‘Elvis’ taking centre stage, singing initially to a seated audience. He is well amplified.
Campbell wrote on his blog the following day: “… many thanks to Mark Wright AKA Elvis for putting a bit of life into the campaign coverage yesterday. ‘Best pictures of the campaign so far,’ said ITV’s reporter, so we’ll live with that especially as they got GB [Gordon Brown] to the top of the news talking about the future of the NHS.”
http://www.alastaircampbell.org/blog.php?id=405 [use the search facility on the page for 'elvis']
Questioned yesterday about licensing arrangements, CBC officers asked local Labour MP Phil Hope for more information. The initial defence was that this was a private, not-for-profit event, and therefore exempt. However, that was quickly dropped – possibly because of Campbell’s Tweets, and because the event was open to the press. Under the Act, entertainment may be licensable if it is ‘to any extent for members of the public or for a section of the public’ (LA2003, Sch. 1 para 1(2)(a)).
Today CBC decided that Elvis was not licensable because he was exempt as ‘incidental music’.
This may be a common sense position, but in adopting it CBC has bent, if not broken the law. Under the Act, the exemption is disapplied if facilities are provided to enable people to be entertained by music-making, including amplification and a stage (see Licensing Act 2003, Sch. 1 para 3, and para 7(b)).
The government is aware of this problem. Only a couple of months ago DCMS ran a public consultation conceding this was an ‘unintended’ effect of the Act, and proposing to amend the Act accordingly:
http://www.culture.gov.uk/images/consultations/091020PN_FACILITIES_clarification_condoc.pdf [see para 1.6]
It was this consultation which prompted LACORS to call for instruments to be illegal unless licensed, including brass, drums and bagpipes.
More links:
Lodge Park principal’s blog:
Elvis was the finale of the event – Northampton Chronicle
“Mr Brown told the rally in Corby, Northamptonshire: ‘I am just the warm-up speaker, I am going to be introducing Britain’s Elvis Presley.’”
The space in which event was held was on open view to the public – see the opening seconds of this video footage:
Delta Ladies at Olivers Music Bar Nevada St Greenwich 24/04/2010
Saturday, April 24th, 2010
Vicky and Di @ Round Midnight
Picture by Helen Love
www.deltaladies.com
The Delta Ladies are at:
Oliver’s Jazz Bar
Bar Nevada
9 Nevada Street
Greenwich
London
SE10 9JL
Its £6 to get in….
Starts about 10.00 …
Evidence DCMS misled small gigs exemption respondents
Friday, April 23rd, 2010Evidence has emerged that DCMS use of Alcohol and Entertainment licence statistics has misled respondents to the public consultation on an exemption from entertainment licensing for small gigs. Environmental Protection UK (EPUK), formerly the National Society for Clean Air, has submitted a strongly negative response to the consultation: http://www.environmental-protection.org.uk/assets/library/documents/DCMS_-_Licensing_Act_Reform_(2).pdf It is based in part on a misinterpretation of DCMS Alcohol and Entertainment licence statistics – an almost inevitable result of the way the statistics were presented by DCMS within the consultation. In para 4.3 of the consultation document, published on 31 December 2009, DCMS reported that local authorities and the police believed ‘… there was no statistical evidence that the Act was restricting live music’, and that LACORS believed that ‘very few applications for live music were refused. The Government’s Licensing Statistics bulletin 2008 showed that the number of authorisations for live music had risen by 7% during 2007/8 and although this did not reflect the number of live music events staged in practice, it was nevertheless an indicator that live music was thriving.’
http://www.culture.gov.uk/images/consultations/condoc_exemptsmall_livemusicevents.pdf In para 4.4 DCMS describes these as ‘very serious objections’, and the reason the government had previously deferred this consultation. By this devious means, DCMS avoided making such claims directly but implied misleadingly that they had considerable merit. Thus DCMS gave weight to the ‘live music thriving’ interpretation of the licence statistics, when they knew that no such conclusion could be drawn. DCMS made no attempt within the consultation to prevent such a misinterpretation. Nor did they mention their own evidence that live music was not thriving: the BMRB live music survey of 2007 that found a 5% fall in live gigs since the Licensing Act had come into force. On 28 January 2010, in the report ‘Changes in Live Music 2005-2009′, DCMS acknowledged that the Alcohol and Entertainment licence statistics could not be used to draw conclusions about the state of live music: ‘It is hard to say conclusively that the number of premises with a live music licence indicates more live music venues or more live music gigs…’ [updated March/April 2010, p2]
http://www.culture.gov.uk/images/research/Increases_in_live_music_between_2005_and_2009updated.pdf Unsurprisingly, this escaped the attention of EPUK who took the DCMS bait when responding to the small gigs exemption consultation: ‘The Department’s statistical bulletin suggests that the number of licences granted for live music continues to grow, contradicting the claim that the Act is inhibiting applications’. [response to DCMS Consultation Question 1, p1] It seems EPUK was unaware that the Licensing Act had dramatically increased the scope of entertainment licensing, making increased applications inevitable, or that licence conditions may restrict or even prevent live music. Their response also suggests that in their view live music is doing fine, and this is a key reason for opposing any new exemption. Apparently they were ignorant of the DCMS caveat about licence statistics, and of the DCMS/BMRB survey. Right at the start of their response they state: ‘… there is no evidence that live music performance is in decline’ [EPUK 'Summary View', p1]. Why would DCMS want to influence their own consultation in this underhand way? My own view is that the senior civil servants most closely involved are not acting neutrally, but are in fact active opponents of relaxation of entertainment licensing for live music. There are also good reasons why DCMS might want to exaggerate the success of the music industry and play down the flaws in the Licensing Act. The government is anxious to be perceived as switched on to live music and a friend of the industry – particularly with a general election imminent.
This plays well to younger voters. And senior DCMS licensing team civil servants, on whom ministers rely for briefings about the working of the Licensing Act and the credibility of their live music research, are fighting to preserve their reputations. ENDS
Hamish Birchall
Drum & Monkey are happy to present Quimby’s first ever show in London to you.
Monday, April 19th, 2010Drum & Monkey are happy to present Quimby’s first ever show in London to you.
Gates open at 6:30 at HUB CLUB, the evening starts soon after with a Hungarian Stand up Comedy, performed by Quimby’s Livius and Edu! (they are planning to do a kind of duel or what)
The recently formed British-Hungarian Mindpilot will take over then, with Andras Simonits in their lines, to warm up the atmosphere. After Quimby, well, it’s Dino! 
And of course… QUIMBY! In between and all along…
Early Bird tickets are on sale for £17.50 in Nemesis Tattoo – Camden Town
or for online purchase visit
http://www.dontstayin.com/uk/london/hub-club-formally-sub-club-in-e1/2010/may/23/event-235512
Date: Saturday, 17 April 2010 Time: 21:00 – 23:30 Location:’Blues at the Maynard’ The Maynard 70 Park Road, Crouch End N8 8SX
Friday, April 16th, 2010Returning to the places where they had so many great gigs ELEPHANT SHELF returns to Crouch End.
The Maynard is launching a monthly Rhythm & Blues night ‘Rhythm & Blues at the Maynard’, sponsored by BLUES MATTERS magazine – this gig is prelude to what is hoped will become one of the best R&B Blues gigs in North London.
Raw Gems Monday, 19 April 2010 Time 20:30 – 23:30 Location:ZENITH BAR Street:125 Packington Street, Angel/Islington
Friday, April 16th, 2010BRILLIANT RAW GEMS
Raw Gems
What is RAW GEMS? Scroll and it shall all become clear ;-D
THE ZENITH BaR
125 Packington Street
Angel/Islington N1 7EA
MONDAY 19th of APRIL 8.30pm
After an amazing audience participation and fantastic acts at the March and April RAW Open Mic events; here are this time’s top brilliants:
Ernesto Sarezale
www.myspace.com/sarezale
Causing a literary stir on his travels around stages, a scientist,
published poet, poetry and stand-up performer.
Ernesto is the promoter of yearly Glam Slam UK and will be performing at 2010 Edinburgh Fringe festival.
Black Sparrows
www.facebook.com/theblacksparrows
This is the second time this year that these brilliant post-punky guitar-driven
get-up-and-go guys triumphed with sacks of gems.
Black Sparrows are just polishing and finalizing their forthcoming album.
Katie Keys
www.myspace.com/katie_keys
A brilliantly balanced act of fine songs and witty ‘tiny poems’
She also runs a poetry workshop at the Collective in Camden.
Talk to her on the night or
e-mail katiekeys@myartsmail.com
for more information
David Studdert
www.myspace.com/davidstuddert
Pure rock’n blues man; the boots, the jeans, the guitar and the smoked out voice with brilliant entertaining lyrics – a character of calibre.
David runs a weekly free open mic on Sundays at the Torriano pub in Kentish Town. He also co-organizes ‘Backfire Cool’ – a monthly event at the 12BAR, Denmark St
An event with very special guests.
RAW GEMS
Every first Monday of Every Month there’s a prebooked Open Mic (and poetry workshop before the open mic) event called RAW. At RAW, the audience give 1-5 GEMS (votes) to the acts (both spoken and sung words). Those acts who get most GEMS win a gig at RAW GEMS.
RAW GEMS is every second month at the ZENITH BAR in Angel/Islington
RAW is every month at the CENTRAL STATION in Kings Cross
RAW is organized by CT who also holds poetry workshops and presents RAW on REEL REBELS RADIO.
www.reelrebelsradio.com Every Tuesday 7pm with repeats Every Wednesday 12noon
LINKS & contact
07908 472 908
rawpoetry@rocketmail.com
www.myspace.com/rawpoetry.ct
www.facebook.com/rawpoetry
www.myspace.com/rockyvoodoo
Pass the information on
to everyone who loves music and poetry. ;-D
NAMASTE
CT
xx
Elephant Shelf @The Blues Room St Albans Friday 9th April
Friday, April 9th, 2010This week, due to a long standing private engagement The BLUES ROOM will be on Friday and will feature local favourites ELEPHANT SHELF with a rocking selection of rootsy rhythm and blues.
Elephant Shelf
Live music exemption is election issue
Thursday, April 8th, 2010Entertainment licensing for small gigs has become an election issue. On Tuesday, a Labour party spokesperson suggested that licensing minister Gerry Sutcliffe had already made up his mind to proceed with an entertainment licensing exemption for 100-capacity gigs – even before DCMS had evaluated the 800 exemption consultation responses. Last October Sutcliffe suggested that the figure would be open to negotiation when the DCMS exemption consultation was over (it closed on 26 March).
http://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/news.ma/article/86573 Today, both trade papers report renewed Conservative backing for a 200-capacity exemption: http://www.thepublican.com/story.asp?sectioncode=7&storycode=66789 Shadow Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt told The Publican: “We support the campaign to extend the exemption from requiring a licence for live music performances to 200 people. The Licensing Act was meant to support the live music industry, but has turned out to be a disaster. Extending the exemption to 200 people will reduce the burden of bureaucracy on pubs, and provide a much needed boost to the live music industry.”
The Publican itself is among those campaigning for a 200-capacity exemption: http://www.thepublican.com/section.asp?navcode=399 Today’s Morning Advertiser coverage: http://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/news.ma/article/86594 Lord Clement-Jones’ live music bill, which made it to the Commons, has now fallen. It was not included in the secretive and undemocratic Parliamentary ‘wash up’ that finishes today. This is where last minute deals are done to get some bills through before an election. An excellent article today by Alex Stevenson of politics.co.uk sheds more light on the wash-up: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/elections/talking-elections-post/post/talking_election/11/lost-in-the-wash-up-behind-closed-doors/ Lib Dem shadow culture secretary Don Foster has suggested that they would consider bringing back a bill after the election.
compagnie dernière minute and the Gate Theatre present MICRO
Sunday, April 4th, 2010WORLD PREMIERE
compagnie dernière minute and the Gate Theatre present
MICRO
A Physical Concert by PIERRE RIGAL
7 April – 8 May 2010 | Monday – Saturday 7.30pm
Cymbals storm the stage, a pair of drums fall in love, two musicians tussle to play the same guitar. MICRO
combines the raw power of live music with the delicate beauty of theatre and dance to create an electrifying
physical concert that defies classification.
Following the sell-out success of PRESS, Pierre Rigal returns to Notting Hill to transform the Gate into a
renegade rock venue.
“Laugh-out-loud funny, tragic, breathtaking and hugely uplifting. PRESS seamlessly blends contemporary
dance with physical comedy.” 5 STARS – TIME OUT on Pierre Rigal’s PRESS
TICKETS £16 | £11
£8 GATECRASHER TICKETS – 7/8/9 April
Direction & Choreography Pierre Rigal
Design & Lighting Frédéric Stoll
Cast Mélanie Chartreux, Malik Djoudi, Gwenaël Drapeau, Julien Lepreux
TALKBACKS 20 & 29 April
Bea and the Honeytones 13th April Ain’t Nothin But… The Blues Bar
Friday, April 2nd, 2010Bea and the Honeytones whup up three sets of devilishly sassy blues in the centre of town, with Bea Appleby (vocals), Stuart Dixon (guitar), Dave Shannon (harmonica and vocals), Chris Hilliard (drums), Jamie Lawrence (bass) and Janos Bajtala (keyboards).
Bee and The Honey Tones
| Start Time: |
Tuesday, 13 April 2010 at 21:45
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| End Time: |
Wednesday, 14 April 2010 at 00:45
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| Location: |
Ain’t Nothin But… The Blues Bar
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| Street: |
20 Kingley Street
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| Town/City: |
London, United Kingdom
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Delta Ladies at the Cats Back Putney Thurs 1st of April
Wednesday, March 31st, 2010Take two brilliant entertainers,
add an amazing range of instruments
and a stunning array of songs and
you have the DELTA LADIES.
The Delta LadiesDelta Ladies
Imagine the high lonesome sound of a mountain fiddle and bluegrass guitar, the knife edge of Delta slide guitar, the fluid jazz violin of Stephan Grapelli, the songs of Hendrix & Dylan with the addition of Gypsy violin and flamenco tinged guitar, using guitars, fiddles, mandolin and the unique chromatic dulcimer…Imagine music that contains all of these magical elements, great songs like Hey Joe, but with Gypsy violin, Night and Day with dark passion…songs about the railway, about the devil and about life…Imagine all of this, then the added spice of startling original tunes..
From Delta blues to Jazz,
From Gershwin to grunge,
From Vaudeville to Voodoo child..
LGA response to DCMS reveals live music paranoia
Wednesday, March 31st, 2010The Local Government Association and its partner LACORS (‘promoting quality regulation’) have published their joint response to the DCMS consultation on an entertainment licensing exemption for small gigs:
The consultation closed last Friday, 26 March. Predictably, the proposed exemption is rejected by LGA/Lacors as ‘unworkable’ and ‘disproportionate’. But the document includes one notable concession: ‘The LGA Group does support exemptions for schools and hospitals…’. It then wrongly claims that these venues ’were not previously required to hold a live music licence.’
Under the previous entertainment licensing regime, public performances of live music were licensable in such places, and indeed almost anywhere else – as they are today. Private charity fund-raising gigs were exempt, however - unlike today.
But even this LGA concession is qualified: ‘We will work with government and partners to develop balanced exemption criteria.’ How gracious. The response continues in paranoid mode:
‘A poll of council licensing officers carried out by the LGA Group found that 9 out of 10 think the exemption would lead to an increase in complaints about noise and nuisance. More than half said they expected the increase to be considerable.’ [Key Messages]
No mention, of course, that noise nuisance is already regulated by separate legislation.
‘Councils’ role is to balance the needs of the whole community, including local businesses and local residents. Opposing this exemption is not about saying “no” to live music. Councils want to be able to say “yes”, confident that local people have been considered as part of the process.’ [Key Messages]
‘… the right of councillors to make decisions relating to local licensed premises is an important feature of local democracy and therefore the proposal may have constitutional significance in that it undermines local decision making.’ [Response point 17]
It is true then: councils want to micro-manage virtually all local live music, and they see this as their right.
One particularly batty LGA proposal is that premises already licensed for live music should be excluded from any exemption (response point 9). Many already licensed venues are subject to unjustifiably restrictive conditions, including 2- and 3-performer limits. If implemented, this LGA idea would create two classes of venue based on an arbitrary distinction: one subject to many unnecessary restrictions; the other free of those restrictions and with a potentially commercial advantage. This would inevitably lead to conflict and legal challenges.
The abiding impression created by the LGA is that relaxing licensing control for small gigs would unleash the four horsemen of the Apocalypse. But no evidence of the imminent stampede is produced.
Surprisingly, other evidence often cited by the LGA is also conspicuous by its absence. This is the DCMS ‘evidence’ that live music is ’thriving’. Until now, citing dodgy DCMS live music statistics has been a favourite LGA lobbying tactic. Could it be that the LGA knows something we don’t about the UK Statistics Authority investigation into recent DCMS live music claims?
The LGA response is …. more research! Yes, they call on the government to ‘commission further detailed research’ which would establish, among other things:
‘How much unmet latent demand for live music in small venues there is (amongst the public, performers and venue owners)’ (response point 14).
It is not clear what contribution this knowledge would make to the debate. Is the LGA is suggesting that if such demand is low, it would reinforce their case against a small gigs exemption, and justify a regulatory regime that criminalises the unlicensed provision of one musician in a bar or restaurant, even if there are no complaints?
Of course this LGA submission does not speak for all, or indeed any, individual local authority. It is based on the view of a relatively small number of licensing officers and a few officials within the LGA and Lacors.
In fact, there is support within some local authorities for a small gigs exemption, as this City of York council response demonstrates (see point 7):
ENDS
Hamish Birchall
Chicks rock Zenith Bar
Wednesday, March 10th, 2010Performance at ‘Chicks rock’
| Type: |
| Date: |
Thursday, 11 March 2010
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| Time: |
20:00 – 23:30
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Zenith bar, Packington st (off Essex rd), Angel
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The Delta Ladies @ Olivers Jazz Bar Nevarda St Greenwich Sat 27 Feb
Friday, February 26th, 2010Vicky and Di @ Round Midnight
Picture by Helen Love
www.deltaladies.com
The Delta Ladies are at:
Oliver’s Jazz Bar
Bar Nevada
9 Nevada Street
Greenwich
London
SE10 9JL
Its £4 to get in….
Starts about 10.00 …
BRE4TH: The Smell of the Crowd: Friday 26 February 2010
Wednesday, February 24th, 2010BRE4TH: The Smell of the Crowd:
Friday 26 February 2010 7 – 8.45pm
Members of the Grand Union Orchestra are playing and illustrating the art of circular breathing on Friday
night – get an insight into the physics and chemistry behind this amazing technique at an evening featuring
live music and new software offering real-time visualisations of the musicians’ exhalations.
There are many advantages to being able to breathe out in this way. But are our lungs getting a shot at
exchanging gases with our blood, or is this way of breathing bypassing them completely? Can this technique
help artistry?
Composer and director Tony Haynes and musicians Claude Deppa, Andy Grappy and Gerry Hunt present a
lively demonstration, discussion and performance event about breathing out for extraordinarily long periods
of time. Try it yourself in this participatory show, and be prepared to get a bit wet!
The evening concludes with a fantastic and unique improvisation with live circular-breathed music for your
pleasure!
Musicians:
Tony Haynes, Composer and Director, Grand Union Orchestra
Claude Deppa, Grand Union Orchestra
Andy Grappy, Grand Union Orchestra
Gerry Hunt, Grand Union Orchestra
Facilitators:
Gabi Braun, Bee Arts CIC
Terry Braun, Bee Arts CIC
Philip Brown, Molecular Physics Group, the University of Birmingham
Event Organised by: Bee Arts CIC and supported by the Wellcome Trust
There is a charge of £6.50 (£4.50 students and other concessions) for this event. Please go to
www.thesmellofthecrowd.eventbrite.com to book and pay.
Dana Centre Address:
The Science Museum’s Dana Centre is located at165 Queen’s Gate, South Kensington, London, SW7 5HD
Telephone – 0207 942 4040
Glenn Patrik’s first UK gig at The Blues Room St Albans Thurs 18th Feb
Monday, February 15th, 2010Music at Harry Smiths Bar St Albans
Glenn Patrik’s first UK gig at The Blues Room St Albans
Glenn Patrik
The Blues Room is proud to present the first ever UK gig by the esteemed US bluesman Glenn Patrik (www.glennpatrik.com), he comes to St. Albans the UK’s premier music with a pedigree that links back to some of the biggest names in Blues & Rock ‘n’ Roll, Albert King, Albert Collins and many more. Backed by St. Albans favourites Elephant Shelf with whom Glenn is recording – a red-hot grooving night is ensured.
18th Feb – From the USA Glenn Patrik with Elephant Shelf.
- Glenn Patrick
Glenn Patrick. is from Kansas City USA and I had the good pleasure to meet him recently when I interviewed him for Blues Matters Magazine. Glenn has been acquainted with some of great names of American music including Albert Collins, Albert King, Duane Eddy and many more. He has a band full of great musicians who’ve also played with some mega names – Marshall Tucker Band, Sister Sledge and many more. Glenn has a superb album ‘Nuthin’ but a Thang’ out on Shakehouse records. It’s an album that captures all that is best is in American music; true swing and great ensemble playing; so there’s an introduction. Tonight Glenn will be playing with Elephant Shelf as his band so expect something a little different 
- Elephant Shelf on Stage
London Lockout?
Wednesday, February 10th, 2010Think as a musician you may be the victim of a closed shop?
Done a really good show at a good London venue and find that you can’t get your band booked again?
You are not alone…. Is there a closed inner circle?
Dave Blues Smith thinks there is.
Article coming soon
Be Dave Blues Smiths friend on facebook.com
luxguestlist.com
Friday, February 5th, 2010Subscribe to “London Lux” mailing list for all best A-list venues in London
Find out more > here > http://www.luxguestlist.com/
Lord Clement-Jones’ live music bill will have its 3rd Reading in the House of Lords next Tuesday, 9th February
Thursday, February 4th, 2010Lord Clement-Jones’ live music bill will have its 3rd Reading in the House of Lords next Tuesday, 9th February:
If enacted the bill would exempt a range of venues up to 200 capacity from entertainment licensing for live music between 8am and midnight, and allow up to two musicians to perform anywhere unamplified or minimally amplified. The bill is supported by UK Music, the original Live Music Forum, the National Campaign for the Arts, Equity and the Musicians Union.
The Bill passed the Lords Committee stage on Monday 1st February without amendment or opposition:
If progress continues unobstructed, it will go to the Commons. Its success there is dependent on the government. In reality, it is unlikely that the Bill will receive Commons debate as the Government will be unwilling to find time before the general election for a Bill they do not support.
But as The Publican reported yesterday: ‘Although the bill is a private members’ bill and is unlikely to become law, it could help to effect the government’s final plans over live music licensing’:
Meanwhile the police have been making friendlier noises about live music. The original Live Music Forum, founded by campaigner Phil Little in the 1990s, has published a correspondence with the police in which they state:
‘The vast majority of live music events serve to provide considerable pleasure and social benefit without implication for policing or public safety. In a very small number of cases there is clear evidence of association of criminality with events or acts and that obviously needs to be dealt with as the intelligence and circumstances indicate, however, this is clearly the exception and not the norm.’
[Letter to Phil Little from Commander Paul Minton, Chief of Staff, Association of Chief Police Officers, received 13/01/2010
On 21 January Phil Little wrote back asking whether or not the police will support the exemptions in the live music bill and the government’s own consultation. A reply is expected soon.
Hamish Birchall
The Delta Ladies at Round Midnight Islington 7 Feb @ 07.00
Monday, February 1st, 2010Take two brilliant entertainers,
add an amazing range of instruments
and a stunning array of songs and
you have the DELTA LADIES.
The Delta Ladies
Delta Ladies
Imagine the high lonesome sound of a mountain fiddle and bluegrass guitar, the knife edge of Delta slide guitar, the fluid jazz violin of Stephan Grapelli, the songs of Hendrix & Dylan with the addition of Gypsy violin and flamenco tinged guitar, using guitars, fiddles, mandolin and the unique chromatic dulcimer…Imagine music that contains all of these magical elements, great songs like Hey Joe, but with Gypsy violin, Night and Day with dark passion…songs about the railway, about the devil and about life…Imagine all of this, then the added spice of startling original tunes..
From Delta blues to Jazz,
From Gershwin to grunge,
From Vaudeville to Voodoo child..
