‘This a great little venue with quality music, one of the best in South London; superb beer, good sound quality and a great host, well worth music fans taking a close look’, they won’t be disappointed’

Cypher’s Music bar takes place at The Blackheath Hockey club and The Catford and Cypher’s Cricket Club.The bar is run by Margeret and Bob and the quality of the beer is renowned.The venue features a wide range of Blues, R&B and Swing music and as such is not ‘purist’, the key is actsthat entertain and make you want to tap your feet and dance.

Become a friend on Facebook “CYPHERS BAR TONY” and check out the videos of some of our most recent bands.Directions -go down the side of Tesco Express on Perry Hill, sharp left and then right and the club is in front of you. Entrance to gigs is free to members and the membership which is due this month (March) is £5.00 for one year.

http://rootsandbluesuk.com/cyphers%20music%20bar/cyphers%20music%20catford.htm

 Gigs normally kick off just after 9.00  and run till midnight

Beer to die for at club prices, and great blues!’

LIVE BLUES INFO

 11th March   Urbane Gorillas 
18th March  King David Trio Royale 
25th March  J C Moody & the Usual Suspects 
1st April       The Mick Panos Band 
8th April       Elephant Shelf 
15th April     The Madison Blues Band (TBC) 
22nd April    The Ricky Martin Band 
 The best in Blues, R&B, Rock & Roots Music & real ale every Friday

Blackheath Hockey Club
Rubens Street ,Catford
SE6 4DH

MAMA ROSIN’S DOUBLE SUCCESS!

Swiss Cajun roots band Mama Rosin scored a double success in London last week. They played their biggest London show at the Borderline and were rapturously received by a packed house.

Mama Rosin at the Border Line

There were several musical highlights in a brilliant show but the biggest of was melodeon player / vocalist Cyril ‘Jeter’ Yeterian announcing to the crowd that his girlfriend had just told him he was going to be a father for the first time – this was also news to guitarist / vocalist Robin Girod as the girlfriend in point is his sister – it was truly a family affair and a magical moment as they band embraced on stage and the crowd roared their approval.

Mama Rosin at the Border Line

Government stalls on small venue exception

Penrose, whose brief also includes licensing, has said that if he goes down the route of deregulation – UK Music, the Musicians’ Union and others are advocating an exception from the Licensing Act for venues to put on gigs for 100 people or more – then he will be required to alert his colleagues in at least two other Government departments.

The move comes as the Lord Clement-Jones Live Music Bill gets a date for its second reading in the House of Lords.

Next week on FRIDAY 21 JAN Elephant Shelf is on a double bill with the BARE BONES BOOGIE BAND at the LIMELIGHT THEATRE – described by Live Music London as ‘Two of the best rising R&B acts in the UK’, BBBB have the wonderful HELEN TURNER as their front singer and she is something special – Each band will play an hour set and then come together for a jam at the end – our ‘Little’ Rosie & Helen Turner head to head is something to relish.

LIMELIGHT THEATRE Queens Park, Aylesbury Buckinghamshire HP21 7RT 01296 424332 £10 / £8 concessions

Pete Feenstra Talks about his long experience in promoting primarily Rock & blues music. What drives him to do  it and how he got into it in the first place. He is interviewed by Vicky Martin from Blues Matters.

www.feenstra.co.uk

Pete Feenstra

 

 Pete Feenstra music promoter interview [56:08m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

EATS SLEEPS DRINKS MUSIC VENUE 452 FINCHLEY ROAD, LONDON NW11 8DG 020 8455 3501

Jam on! If it was your first time seeing/hearing The Overtures on Friday… no doubt you’ll be a “convert” to their fan club! Look out for their two theatre tours in 2011 “The Bootleg 60′s”! this is both sound & vision and is a great show…. we hope they’ll be back at The Castle in 2011 as well! Great to have The Bizzarros back on Saturday night too! Sunday afternoon was a cracking affair too! – Dave Stark and the band played a blinding set then backed so many brilliant players/singers! We kicked off at 5:30pm and were still going way past 10pm! Great stuff and thanks to all! This Friday (10th) we have the first of our two pre-Christmas “We Got The Funk” Nights! Live music from “Earth Wind For Hire” – 10 piece Funk Soul PARTY Band with tributes to Stevie Wonder AND a Michael Jackson look-a-like-dance-a-like! Boogie from 9pm till 1am £5 before 9pm £7 after. Then … SATURDAY 11th We welcome local charity Resources for autism who are having their Christmas party here PLUS Edna’s 40th Birthday celebration! So if you fancy a boogie to Christmas/Party Tracks COME ON DOWN! FINALLY FREE TICKET DRAW WINNERS… ROBBIE@PRIMA…. TREADFERN.PRO….. ALEX@ROBIN……… EMAIL US TO CLAIM YOUR TICKETS & FOR MORE DETAILS!!!

venue@lovemymusic.com

Superb investment opportunity in North London

The Tropic: http://www.tropicatruislip.co.uk/…….Tropic at Ruislip is the club name for Friday and Sunday nights at Ruislip Social Club, Grosvenor Vale, Ruislip, Middlesex HA4 6JQ… Doors at 7pm, music until approx 10.40….club prices, discount with attached flyer……..see tropic website for advanced booking discount and prices… £1 off with attached flyer..

Roadhouse will be at full strength with 3 girl singers in our festival style line up

This is another big night for the band we’d love to see all out friends there

On Sunday the 28^th November we play the prestigious Clowne Blues Club, music from 21.00-23.00 –

http://www.clownebluesclub.co.uk/ Live music at the Clowne Community Centre near Chesterfield, Derbyshire every Sunday night

Cheers and see you there….(our agency) =  www.shelflifeproductions.com -  www.shelflifeproductions.com/roadhouse

Gary Boner

Roadhouse

(m) 07855-257728

(o) 0208-877-0164

(h) 0208-870-5546

www.roadhousegb.co.uk

SATURDAY 13 NOVEMBER – Elephant Shelf at the CASTLE ROCKS 452 FINCHLEY ROAD NW11 8DG, admission £5 (we think) this is a superb venue – 250 capacity, state of the art PA system – Georgie Fame, Chantel McGregor, Chas Hodges have all drawn good crowds there and Albert Lee is coming the on 21 Nov. But this Saturday its us so please come along – the venue is run by Denis Cook who built up the Horns in Watford – www.thecastlefinchleyroad.com.

If you want to hear more about the venue go to www.bluesmatters.com and click on Podcasts – you’ll hear our Vicky talking to Georgie Fame who spins some fascinating anecdotes about the Soho music scene back in the sixties.

STOP PRESS NEWS – ELEPHANT SHELF BOOKED AS SUPPORT FOR CHRIS FARLOWE & the NORMAN BEAKER BAND Music Palace Crouch End London N8– Crouch End Hooley Festival 5^th December – more details to follow.

SATURDAY 13 NOVEMBER – Elephant Shelf at the CASTLE ROCKS 452 FINCHLEY ROAD NW11 8DG, admission £5 (we think) this is a superb venue – 250 capacity, state of the art PA system – Georgie Fame, Chantel McGregor, Chas Hodges have all drawn good crowds there and Albert Lee is coming the on 21 Nov. But this Saturday its us so please come along – the venue is run by Denis Cook who built up the Horns in Watford – www.thecastlefinchleyroad.com.

If you want to hear more about the venue go to www.bluesmatters.com and click on Podcasts – you’ll hear our Vicky talking to Georgie Fame who spins some fascinating anecdotes about the Soho music scene back in the sixties.

STOP PRESS NEWS – ELEPHANT SHELF BOOKED AS SUPPORT FOR CHRIS FARLOWE & the NORMAN BEAKER BAND Music Palace Crouch End London N8– Crouch End Hooley Festival 5^th December – more details to follow.

Top Class Blues – Rock – Jazz – Prog – Folk – Singers – Song Writers – All at the City of London’s Live Music Venue – EC3Live 9 Crosswall (off Minories) London EC3 N2JY. PLUS the most amazing Jam Sessions featuring leading frontmen and YOU! Our aim is to bring you an eclectic mix of the best retro and up and coming bands, singers and songwriters, working with the very best promoters. Our welcoming friendly crew offers a great space, a full range of drinks including ‘Real Ale’, great food including Stone Baked Pizzas, great transport links and plenty of free parking close to our door. Plus Late night Dance Nights

I’m delighted to announce that our new CD, Dark Angel has now been completed and is on schedule for release in the first week of November:

Amazingly with a few demo MP3 tracks whizzing about, it has been playe in Canada, The USA (Kansas and Altlanta) and Essex. Some achievement for a CD that has not been released yet.

Cover art is once again by all time acclaimed CD cover artist, the legendary Vaughan Oliver. So you are not just buying a CD, you are buying a piece of collectible art.

Listen to the title track:

Sunday 7th November – Roadhouse, plus support, launch their new CD,Dark Angel at the Boom Boom Club Suton FC, Gander Green Lane……check out details on Top promoter Pete Feenstra’s Website:

http://www.feenstra.co.uk/

Gary Boner

The Castle, steeped in musical tradition, has been taken over by Denis Cook (ex The Horns Watford) and after an extensive refurbishment re opened December 2009.

The bar has been extended and the pub has two areas -The Lounge, stylish, comfortable, kinda Cuban feel offering expresso coffee, Castle Cocktails, a wide selection of beers, including real ales, superb wine list, spirits etc……The Music Room – top NCA pa sound system with cool Allen & Heath Mixer Deck…. LED lighting system, large stage, extensive music memoribillia. We have a large dance area where on Monday Nights you can learn the Argentine Tango and on Wednesdays SALSA! Lessons and dance with Mina Queen Salsa!

We’re delighted to have Albert Lee & Hogan’s Heroes kick off their 2010 European Tour here on March 4th.
From September the UK’s top Tribute Acts will appear every Friday and we will be bringing top name acts on Saturday nights starting with Wilko Johnson on Sept 18th! acts booked include Georgie Fame, Chas & His Band, The Metrotones, Neil Innes, Maggie Bell & Dave Kelly, Chantel McGregor, John Otway, Bonzomania, Albert Lee returning! Larry Miller …..

We have two reservable areas in the music room, both seat 4/6 people – the Maybelline Bay and the Ruby Bay – so if you’ve got a small party celebration call and reserve your own exclusive area!
Inbetween the Lounge and Music Room we have a chic area that can be “VIP” reserved for 10/12 people – call and reserve for your larger party! Larger parties can be catered for just call us and we can chat through!
We offer a full lunch time menu and an early evening “Tapas” style bar menu, and on music nights….. our “Late Night Bites” menu …..Castle Chilli, Pizzas, Curry, Chips etc etc to keep you going! Lucas is our Monday through Saturday chef and handles any buffet requirements too.

Take Sunday off and enjoy “Bruno’s Brunch”! – top local chef Bruno offers an “All Day Breakfast” – Super Sunday Roast – and a full alternative menu! – Bookings available.
Large South Facing Patio, with Jumbo Umbrella, heaters and lights – perfect for our smokers! We have exotic Olive and Palm Trees and seating for over 70 people overlooking the exotic Finchley Road!!
We have cloakroom facilities on busy nights.
Position: corner of Finchley Road, Hermitage Lane and Cricklewood Lane.
Parking: nearby
Tube: Golders Green (Northern Line)
Train: Cricklewood
Bus: 13, 82, 245, 260, 328 and N13

http://thecastlefinchleyroad.com/

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.”

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Delta 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…

Try being over 50 and having mental health issues. Then try and get a job with a mental health charity as you have exactly the skill set required then wait for them to not even bother to contact you although they say they run a guaranteed interview scheme...

Legislation does no good even those supposedly in the business of helping people with mental health issues discriminate against the very people they are supposed to be helping.

I suspect a lot of these Charity’s are run by 30 somethings who have never had any issues in their life. I think I may have to expose some of these people.

Any one from Mind Sane or any of the other lot care to contradict me…

One 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

Elephant 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

 

 Elephant Shelf at the Kings Head Islington: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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

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/

The 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

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.”

 

 YouTube: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Round Midnight

13 Liverpool Road, Angel N1 0RW. It is really close to Angel Tube.

Blues Matters issue 55

Larry 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

 

 Elephant Shelf Radio interview on St FM: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Electric 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…

electricmardiland@googlemail.com

Evidence 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