PRS for Music 2013 Financial Results Briefing Paper, April 2014

PRS for Music’s 2013 financial results briefing paper showed that the collection society achieved an income of £665.7m, a 3.7% increase on 2012 – live music earned £25.7m.

Hidden revenues in playing ‘unsigned stages’ on the festival circuit (repost) – Matt Brennan

In this repost from 2012, Matt Brennan discusses the implications and advantages for unsigned bands of a relationship with PRS for Music.

Camden Labour councillors target buskers – Hamish Birchall

Live music campaigner and jazz musician Hamish Birchall writes this week’s guest blog post on the ongoing campaign in Camden against the licensing of busking.

The Pleasures of Amateur Music-Making – Catherine Tackley

Catherine Tackley writes about amateur music-making from a personal point of view, touching on the social benefits of musical interaction, the changing relationship between audiences and performers, and the value of amateur music-making to the music economy.

Wanted: nine million affluent gig-goers – Andy Inglis

This week’s guest blog post is by Andy Inglis, in which he argues against the idea that the Live Music Act 2012 is necessarily A Good Thing by considering the potential downsides of the Act.

Happy Birthday Live Music Exchange!

This week’s blog post celebrates Live Music Exchange’s 2nd birthday by listing some of the achievements of the Live Music Exchange and setting out our future plans.

Playing for nothing – Simon Frith

This week’s guest blog is by Simon Frith, in which he muses on the perennial problem about musicians playing for free and suggests that the problem of ‘playing for free’ is caused by the ‘exploitation’ of live musicians by the people who make money out of them.

Live Jazz in Glasgow – Alison Eales

Guest blogger Alison Eales writes about Glasgow’s regular jazz sessions in this week’s blog, and finds a dynamic scene which features a mix of trad and jazz styles across the city, both indoors and in the city’s outdoor public spaces.

Gig In Your House: National house gig network launched today – Emma Webster

Emma Webster promotes the concept of a database of house gig promoters to coincide with the launch of an online network of house gig promoters within the UK, Gig In Your House.

Update: The Fight to Keep Street Live in Camden – Jonny Walker

Jonny Walker, explains what the Keep Streets Live Campaign against Camden Council’s decision to license busking is currently up to and how to get involved.