All you need to know about hosting live music in pubs and bars.
Everyone knows that the Great British pub
has always played a huge part in supporting
UK music.
But what can music do for your pub? We’re here to explain.
Pubs, bars and other licensed venues across
Britain are committed to providing space for both
emerging bands and established performers. Pubs
form the bedrock of local scenes and without their
support, our musical landscape would look very
different. Publicans and licensees are also always
telling us how much music helps their business as
there is a strong link between music and increased
profits. But are you making music work for your
venue too?
PRS for Music is the UK’s leading collecting society
with over 100,000 songwriter, composer and
music publisher members. We license businesses
like yours to use our members’ copyright music
and distribute the royalties to them fairly and
efficiently.
Gus Unger-Hamilton from alt-J:
‘All bands need to start somewhere and the local
pub scene is generally where they need to be.’
Make music the heartbeat of your business
We know your pub is an important local venue that
provides a unique function in the community.
You know it’s at the heart of the community because
your customers tell you. However, have you actually
asked them what they think about live music?
Making music a feature at your pub with high quality,
well organised events, will attract more customers and
deliver real financial benefits. We asked the experts* to
do some research and they discovered:
• • • On average, venues that feature live music nights take
an extra £306 more in drinks sales on those days.
On Friday and Saturday nights this rises to an
average of £667 more a day.
That means live music could potentially boost a
bar’s wet sales by nearly £100,000 a year**.
Paul Clements, director Public Performance Sales
at PRS for Music:
‘Pubs and music are natural partners; it’s where
musicians and songwriters learn their trade.’
* CGA Strategy research, 2011. Full research available at prsformusic.com/uplifting
**How we calculated the figure of ‘nearly £100,000’:
The study conducted by CGA Strategy found that, on average, pubs that use live
music take £306 more a day in wet sales.
On Friday and Saturday nights, this rises to an average of £667 more a day.
So we calculated that if a pub was to put on live music for 50 weeks of the year on
Thursday (50 x £306) + Friday (50 x £667) + Saturday (50 x £667) + Sunday (50 x
£306) nights they could increase takings by around £97,300 - nearly £100,000 a year.
Make sure you are licensed to play music
Providing musical entertainment can be a rewarding way to increase sales, but there are some things that you’ll
need to consider including licences and insurance.
Premises Licence from your local authority
Insurance
You may already have a Premises Licence, authorising
the performance of live music. If you don’t, you may
need to add a Temporary Event Notice to your Premises
Licence. Consult your local licensing authority for more
information at direct.gov.uk.
Make sure you are covered for your events by
checking that performers have Public Liability
Insurance (PLI).
PRS for Music and PPL music licences
To play music, live or recorded, you must have the
correct copyright licence. PRS for Music collects
royalties on behalf of songwriters, composers and
music publishers, whereas PPL collects on behalf of
performers and musicians for the use of music.
PRS for Music and PPL both licence background music
used in your pub, such as radios, TVs, CD, MP3 and
computer speakers. A PRS for Music licence can also
cover you for live music.
Having these licences is a legal requirement.
For more information visit:
prsformusic.com
ppluk.com
DJs
Please ensure any DJs you hire have a ProDub
licence. This is a joint licence between PRS for Music
and PPL for the purpose of copying and mixing
music. A ProDub licence is for copying, burning or
transferring music from vinyl, CD, MP3 or CD+G
collection onto a digital format such as an MP3
player, flash drive or laptop.
If your DJ does not possess the correct licence for
‘copying’ music to create their playlists, then you
may have infringing music being played in your
premises. This would render your licence invalid and
you responsible for any fines or legal prosecution
under the Copyright Designs and Patents Act 1988 .
Please check our list of licence holders to find out if
your DJ holds a ProDub licence.
prsformusic.com/ProDub
Ellie Rowsell, Wolf Alice:
‘Small venues and pubs allow musicians to start
their live career without any money, any fans,
any strategy or game playing and keeps the
music scene honest and fun. When Wolf Alice
first started playing live we didn’t know what or
where was cool. We didn’t know anything about
the music industry or anyone who worked in it.
We just played shows (probably quite badly) in
our local pubs and venues every week because
we could. That‘s what eventually introduced us
to the “music scene”.’
Some considerations before you start
Bringing live music to your pub can be both rewarding and profitable. However it is worth taking some time to think
about what you want to get out of it before you begin. Here are some essentials to keep in mind:
• What’s the maximum capacity of your venue? This
•
If you decide to charge, consider including a meal
or drink in the ticket price. This can help maximise
takings and cover the band’s costs. And it can provide
a great angle for advertising.
•
It can take time to establish a reputation for good
music and build an audience for a certain night. But
stick with it. Aim for good quality and your early
investment should pay off.
will help you work out the potential income from
increased takings and door charges.
•
Do you want to maximise business on weekends or
target quiet nights?
• Do you want to make a door charge? Consider what
other venues in the area are charging for similar bands.
Ask the performers if a door charge is normal when
they play elsewhere.
Finding the right sound
Choosing the right type of music night can be a daunting task. You might be overwhelmed by the number of acts on
offer or worried that your musical tastes won’t impress your customers. But don’t worry. There are plenty of ways of
helping yourself:
• What kind of music will work for your venue, your area • and your customers? Don’t make assumptions – ask
people what they’d like to hear.
•
In the beginning you might want to stick to one genre.
Later you can decide whether to specialise or offer a
range of different nights.
• There are lots of great sources of information about
different acts and performers. Get recommendations from:
- Other venues in the area
- Listings and local newspapers
- Local music shops
- Your customers
•
Check out recommended bands online through
websites such as Twitter, Facebook and music blogs.
This should give you a good idea of whether the band
is right for your venue. Look out for reviews too.
•
•
Build relationships with local bands.
Contact the Musicians’ Union in your area via
musiciansunion.org.uk. They will be able to give you
guidance about contracts and setting up a standard
agreement for acts playing in your venue.
Consider using a promoter who will book acts for you
for a fee or share of the takings.
• Contact colleges or universities in the area. They
often have music students who are looking for places
to play.
•
Be sure to maintain a good relationship with bands,
performers and managers. Stay in touch with them.
Horace Trubridge, Musicians’ Union:
‘Pubs play such a vital role in many musicians’
careers and provide an essential platform from
which talent can grow. Demonstrating how
music can really benefit pubs underlines how
intertwined the two industries are. We need to
protect and support the pub sector and the live
music circuit as they are both such an integral
part of the UK cultural scene.’
Organising the gig - before, during and after
Organisation and communication are vital when
hosting gigs. And the type of gigs that you can host in
your pub will vary depending on its size and location.
You need to think about some of these points:
Staging
You don’t need a raised stage area but you do need
to find some suitable floor space.
Sound
Acoustic music can be perfect for smaller or quieter
venues and it’s also a good way to introduce music at
a lower cost. When you’re starting out you can hire
a PA system; But in the longer term it’s worth buying
equipment to suit your venue. An in-house PA system
is easier for performers and gives you more flexibility.
Bands will need to soundcheck. Some bands have
their own sound engineer, some will not. You can
employ a professional sound engineer or find a
student at a local college who might do it for free.
Lighting
Lighting can be key to creating the right atmosphere.
It’s particularly important if you want to hold regular
DJ sessions.
Wytches:
’Pub gigs create live opportunities for bands in
every city, and often have a unique and exciting
atmosphere which makes them great for shows.’
Iain Cook, Chvrches:
‘Local pubs and small venues are hugely
important. I’ve been playing in bands since
1993 and there’s a real willingness from pubs
and promoters up here to give young talent
a chance. They are a really encouraging force
bringing new bands through and are the
musical lifeblood of the city.’
Ticketing
How many tickets will you need to sell to break
even or make a profit? You will need to keep some
free tickets on hand for journalists or promoters.
You might even decide to operate a guest list. If you
don’t print tickets, sell access to the gig on the door.
Consider using a rubber hand stamp at the door so
that punters can come and go.
Be a good neighbour
Make sure you spare a thought for your neighbours.
Simple steps like fitting removable shutters for
windows can reduce noise at low expense. Consider
investing in sound-proofing. Keep neighbours
updated about your plans and maybe even invite
them to your music night for free.
Timings, line-up and other stuff
•
•
Put the most popular band on last (the headliner).
•
On the night
•
Keep in contact with the band’s manager (if they
have one) and make sure the performers arrive in
good time.
Tell the band that their set is five minutes shorter
than they actually have – this will keep everything
running to time.
•
•
The headline act will need to soundcheck first.
Check with your sound engineer and listen to his
advice.
Talk to each band about their gear requirements.
Some bands are prepared to gear share; some are
not. If each band brings their own kit, the set up
times between acts will need to be longer.
•
The first band should go on about half an hour after
the doors open.
•
•
Think about whether you need security or not.
The main act should have more stage time than the
opening acts.
For larger events or venues, you may like to set up
an area back stage with some refreshments. Make
sure it’s big enough to hold the bands while they’re
not playing. A ‘rider’ is often requested by bands this is just a list of food and drink that they would
like supplied.
Cerys Matthews
‘Open mic nights in pubs and clubs are usually the
first port of call when you perform for the very first
time. We played our first gig as Catatonia in Clwb Ifor
Bach at an open mic night. We then went on to play
the Yellow Kangaroo and other local pubs in Cardiff,
Swansea and North Wales that welcomed live music.
Pubs are THE place where future band members meet,
strategies are planned, ideas hatched, and the place
where the dream begins.’
It’s showtime
•
•
Take a deep breath.
•
Check in with door staff, security, the sound
engineer, the band’s manager and the band. Make
sure everything is running smoothly.
•
Take photos that can be published on your website.
Remember to ask permission first.
Be seen at your event – on the door and in the
crowd. Ask people what they think and listen to
what they say.
The after show
•
Pay the bands and other staff promptly. This will
help you build and keep a good reputation.
•
Make improvements based on what you’ve been
told by the bands and punters.
•
Enjoy the feeling, earn some cash, have fun and get
ready for your next successful gig.
Spreading the word - advertise
Advertising does not need to be expensive, but you should work it into your overall event budget.
Prominent advertising
Advertise in local newspapers and listings
Inside and outside of your venue is a very effective way
to advertise the gig.
When building your profile as a music pub, invest in some
larger adverts. Once you’re established, you can just use
the basic listings.
Posters are cheap to produce
Don’t forget to include the band names, location,
date, door times, cost, where to buy tickets and a
website address. Put them up wherever you can but
ask permission first. Music shops or colleges are good
places to advertise but think about who you want to
come to the gig.
Get online
Your audience
Ask the bands to help
Will the gig attract existing or new customers or a mix
of both?
Most bands will have their own Facebook page, website
or blog, and they’ll probably have their own mailing list
and fanbase. Use them. Work in partnership with the
act to promote gigs.
Call your local newspaper and radio station
Tell them when the gig is on. Invite the newspaper’s
photographer and a reviewer. Fundraising nights
often get good coverage. How about a showcase of
local bands?
Paul Heaton, The Beautiful South:
‘I played my first gigs in pubs in Surrey when I was in
a band with my brother called Tools Down. Back then
in 1978 or 1979, the only place you could play would
be a village hall or pub. To have a friendly landlord or
landlady, who would let you set up and play, was like
gold dust. Many wouldn’t even let you in if you had a
funny hair cut, never mind let you play music. We had a
couple of landlords who would let us play and have us
back. This is still important, perhaps even more so now
than back then.’
Take advantage of social media opportunities through
Facebook, Twitter and EventBrite. Setting up an account
is simple. Think about creating your own events website
too. Regularly provide updates to followers and to your
mailing lists.
Everybody’s talkin’ about it
Word of mouth is invaluable. Regular music nights
can quickly attract a regular crowd if people know to
expect good quality. Once people know who you are
and where you are, they’ll come to other nights and
recommend your venue to friends.
Robin Richards, Dutch Uncles
‘My father is a musician and I would always get to
see him play in local pubs and venues in Marple and
that is partly how my love for music formed and
made me want to pursue it as a career. Despite all
moving to the ‘big smoke’ up the A1 we remain a
great affinity with our hometown; a few years back
we threw a party and played a show in our local pub
- The Navigation Arms, the response was incredible
and we were bowled over by the comments
and how grateful people were in giving them an
opportunity to see live music on their doorstep.’
2012 winner: The Burnaby Arms,
Bedford
Meet our
Music Makeover
competition
winners
Lucie Fuller of The
Burnaby Arms in
Bedford displayed great
ideas for improving
her business and
community links by
offering live music in
the pub.
2011 winner: The Market Inn,
Faversham, Kent
David and Suzanne
Pott of The Market Inn,
Faversham, had some
great ideas, including
introducing openmic nights and other
musical events including
‘The Hop Festival’.
PRS for Music supports and actively
encourages pubs that want to
introduce live music into their venue.
To show our commitment, we run a
competition called Music Makeover
to find worthy pubs that we work
with to establish new, local live music
destinations.
To find out more or to enter Music
Makeover visit:
prsformusic.com/musicmakeover
2010 winner: The Royal Oak,
Taunton, Somerset
To arrange a PRS for Music licence or to talk about including
live music on your licence please call
0800 068 4828
Lines open 9am-5pm Monday to Friday
PRS for Music, Copyright House, 29-33 Berners Street, London, W1T 3AB
Nicola Berridge of the
Royal Oak, a traditional
country village pub,
demonstrated excellent
potential to grow into a
great live music venue’.