Punk star's bid to aid live music

Fergal Sharkey was lead singer with The Undertones

Former punk rocker-turned government spokesman Fergal Sharkey is visiting Tyneside to discuss how new licensing laws will impact on live music.

The ex-Undertones singer was being joined by Music Minister James Purnell at a pub in Newcastle on Monday.

Mr Sharkey is chairman of the Live Music Forum, set up by the government to promote the performance of live music at local venues.

The new Licensing Act makes it easier for small venues to put on live shows.

The pair were visiting the Cluny pub in Newcastle and presenting staff with the venue's new alcohol and entertainment licence.

Solo performers

They will be joined by other venue owners and musicians in the city, to discuss how the area's live music scene can take advantage of new liberalised pub laws, which come into force later this month, and include all-day drinking.

A spokesman for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, which is backing the event, said: "The Live Music Forum was created to ensure live music thrives and to make sure all venues which have the capacity to put on live entertainment take advantage of the new laws.

"The new Licensing Act does away with the 'two in a bar' rule, which distorted the live music scene as it encouraged promoters to put on just solo performers or duos.

"Now promoters and venue owners will only pay one fee, no matter how many members there are in a band."

The Licensing Act, which comes into force on 24 November, gives the police more power to close down problem bars and increased penalties for premises that sell to underage drinkers.