Fall in pub gig attendances blamed on 'economic factors'

The government has admitted pubs are losing out to bigger venues over the resurgence in live music, but denied the current licensing regime is to blame.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is instead pointing the finger at "wider economic factors" for a drop in people going to pub gigs.

Fresh analysis of statistics by the DCMS highlighted there had been a three per cent fall - from around 3.43m to 3.34m - in attendances at live music events in pubs and small clubs between 2006 and 2009.

Meanwhile, during the same period bigger venues saw a 26 per cent leap in attendances.

But the DCMS report - Live Music: an analysis of the sector - said "wider economic factors" were to blame for the poor performance in small venues - and not the licensing of gigs.

It said a fall in pub numbers, and the growth in live music at larger venues - which are now more attractive to established acts - were the main reasons for the change.

It also suggest the smoking ban could have had an impact on live music, as more licensees are focussing on food.

But many feel the tough restrictions on pubs hosting live music and some councils' attitudes towards gigs are killing off the grassroots music scene.

The report said: "Overall the sector is thriving. However, this growth has been concentrated at medium and larger venues, and there has been a fall in the adult population who attend music at smaller venues… this is not due to live music licensing but wider economic factors such as the decline in the overall numbers of pubs and bars, and changes in the live music industry itself."

• The Publican​ is currently campaigning for the government to relax the licensing laws around live music in pubs as part of our Listen Up! ​initiative.