Why is live music fading out?

The city’s live music scene is hit badly by police singling out pubs and bars and insisting they follow a municipal norm, business insiders are complaining.

Venues are confused over the many rule books being flung at them, one of them saying all businesses should have occupancy certificates (referred to as OC) from the BBMP, and another saying they must keep the volume of the music down.

With no clarity, some venues have shut their doors to music: they are hosting comedy acts and non-music events instead.

Sunil Shetty, partner of BFlat lounge bar in Indiranagar, says most pubs and bars that have received a notice from the police have licences and other documents in order.

“But one needs an OC which almost 90 per cent of buildings in the city don’t have,” he says.

His place opens only for comedy acts now.

Shetty says the police are out to close down or monitor dance bars, and not all places hosting live music.

“I hope they speak to their counterparts in Mumbai and understand how to go about it,” he says.

Nikhil Barua, owner of The Humming Tree on 12th Main, Indiranagar, agrees.

“Even hospitals and schools in Bengaluru have no OCs. We have all safety measures in place, including sprinklers,” he says. The Humming Tree is now hosting theatre and comedy events.

The imbroglio is affecting more people than just musicians; it affects sound engineers, technicians and others who make a living through music acts, he says.

Suhas V K, assistant manager at Fandom at Gilly’s Redefined, says most Gilly’s outlets are keeping their noise level low.

“Many places which haven’t got these notices are doing good business. Other venues are coming out with new formats and trying new things,” he says.

Comply, says top cop

The police have sent out notices to 400 places. T Suneel Kumar, city police commissioner, says, “The High Court in July said any building constructed after 1976 has to produce an occupancy certificate. Run a business only if you have one.” The OC determines whether the building has been built to an
approved plan.

What venues need

According to the Licensing and Controlling of Places of Public Entertainment Order of 2005, a place of public entertainment should obtain a licence from the Commissioner of Police to play music live or recorded. The licenses are granted when documents are submitted: an plan approved by the BBMP or BDA, a copy of the partnership deed (if any), a copy of the lease agreement or title deed, a safety certificate from an approved electrical contractor, a fire safety certificate from the fire department, and an occupancy certificate provided by the BBMP.

Dance bars vs other spaces

Police are trying to shut down dance bars, viewing them as dens of sin, and in the process are also shutting down venues encouraging bands and independent music, a pub owner says.

Musicians’ petition gathers volume

Debjeet Basu from the band Perfect Strangers has posted a petition on behalf of musicians, and it has already gathered close to 15,000 signatures.

“A blanket ban on almost 90 per cent of the venues has affected the musician community. An overnight move disregards music as an art form,” he told Metrolife.

Debjeet, like other musicians, is talking about the question of livelihood. “The petition does not support any venues and only aims to be a voice for musicians and bands. We want the shows back and clear communication.” Speaking for the more independent bands, he says, “We also don’t want to be associated with dance bars; the music and treatment are different there.”

Talent drain

In the past, whenever live music was discouraged, the city has lost musicians to other cities. Our venues are mostly run by people with an interest in promoting independent music. We have no venues to perform nowadays. Independent musicians can’t hire big halls for a gig.

Debjeet Basu
Perfect Strangers (band)

Panel to discuss ‘live music ban’ tomorrow

‘Protest Against Live Music Ban’ will be held at The Humming Tree, Indiranagar, on July 27, 7 pm onwards. A panel consisting of venue owners, programme heads, lawyers, and musicians will try to find ways to fight the gag on music shows. RSVP by logging on to www.insider.com

Legal perspective

Former advocate-general Ashok Haranahalli, says live music is “largely innocuous.”

“The difficulty comes up in places where live music is associated with illegal activities like prostitution. The police wanted to control that,” he says.

A Supreme Court ruling says live music is permissible, but it shouldn’t be loud.

“There are places which are decent with no illegal activities. They must get licences, and that calls for an occupancy certificate,” he says.

“Whenever a notice is sent out under the Licensing and Controlling of Places of Public Entertainment Order of 2005, music venues or musicians approach the court. If the police act against venues, litigation will follow,” says Haranahalli.

‘Residents not cooperative’

“I stay in Defence Colony in Indiranagar and know how it can be to be disturbed at night. The sad part is that members of the residents’ associations of Indiranagar are not ready to sit opposite a table and discuss this matter.”

Sunil Shetty,
Partner, BFlat