MUSIC professionals, venue operators and residents are to be called to a hearing over plans to save live music in the Scottish capital.
Groups including community councils, musicians' representatives and the Scottish Licensed Trade Association are to be asked to argue their case in person over the plans to change licensing rules in Edinburgh in an effort to keep and nurture live music as a cultural commodity without causing a nuisance to neighbours.
Read more: Live music under threat in pubs and clubs
A consultation in the city found 501 out of 526 respondents want the rules changed.
It comes after more than 2,600 backed a petition calling on Edinburgh City Council to rethink its enforcement of licensing rules they claim is forcing many to abandon staging live events.
Some premises stopped holding live music nights after a series of red-tape wrangles.
Read more: Live music under threat in pubs and clubs
A task force convened by the council called Music Is Audible involving music professionals, councillors and officers proposed a change of the current rules that state "the (licensing) board will always consider the imposition of a condition requiring amplified music from those premises to be inaudible in residential property".
The proposal is to change the wording to: "Amplified music shall not be an audible nuisance in neighbouring residential premises."
Read more: Live music under threat in pubs and clubs
MIA member and Herald arts columnist Neil Cooper said that "this is a subtle but significant change that acknowledges that music isn't inaudible".
Community groups from areas to respond including Morningside, the South Side, Broughton, Inverleith, Tollcross and Stockbridge will be asked to take part.
The council's licensing board agreed on Monday to arrange the hearing.
Objectors the New Town and Broughton Community Council said in a statement that "the present condition is clear cut and readily enforceable".
Read more: Live music under threat in pubs and clubs
"Supporters claim it will enable licensing standards officers to make a 'fairer and more balanced judgement'.
"In reality, it will have the opposite effect of making judgements more difficult and subjective, harder to resolve satisfactorily, and therefore open to judicial review."
A spokesman for MIA said: "Music Is Audible is delighted by the scale of support for the proposed small changes to licensing conditions in our city.
"An unprecedented 500-plus participants took part in the recent consultation to amend the wording, with the overwhelming majority in favour of the change.
"While we are disappointed that the licensing board has chosen to delay its decision today, we look forward to engaging with all stakeholders in Edinburgh’s cultural life at the forthcoming hearing."
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