Playing music in a business usually requires permission covering two separate rights: the sound recordings, managed by PPL on behalf of record labels and performers, and the underlying musical works, managed by PRS for Music for songwriters, composers and publishers. The two organisations sell a combined licence through their joint venture, PPL PRS, known as TheMusicLicence. Fees depend on how music is used, such as background music, live performances, DJs or karaoke, and on the size and type of premises. Separately, the Live Music Act 2012 and later changes deregulated much live and recorded music in smaller licensed venues at certain times from needing entertainment licensing under the Licensing Act 2003, but that is a licensing question; copyright permission is still needed.
A personal streaming subscription is licensed for private use only, so playing it to customers usually breaches its terms. Business music services exist that bundle licensed playlists. Venues that support live music also pay artists, which is a separate and very welcome cost.
What we ask on the show
- How do you choose music that suits your room and your licence?
- Is TheMusicLicence good value for a small venue?
- Should more venues book live music, and what stops them?
- How does music shape the guest experience across a night?