Live band in a garden - licence or permission required?

[Fubsy]

A neighbour is having a birthday party tonight and has got a live band performing in their garden. We live in a street of small terraced houses with small gardens and the noise is deafening.

Would the neighbour have had to apply for a licence or some kind of permission for this?

Following experience of previous years parties, this shindig will no doubt degenerate into loud, drunken and disorderly conduct in the small hours.

I would like to tackle the neighbour about this at some point and would like to know if I can raise the licence/permission issue. The noise of a live band in a small garden is really overpowering! I know I can call the Environmental Health Officer if it is still very noisy at a later time or I can call the police if the disorderly behaviour gets out of hand. I am just curious to know if it is actually OK to have a live band perform in a garden of a private house without seeking permission of some sort. Many thanks!

[loonytunes]

If its a genuine private party, it is not licensable but that doesn't mean you can't do something. Much depends on whether your Council have adopted the noise Act. Speak to Environmental Health.

[funnygirl]

You may have to contact the Performing Rights Society.

The live band may be playing copyright music, in which case the composers of these songs are gonna want their royalties!!

[Fubsy]

Thank you both loonytunes and funyygirl for your replies - much appreciated!

[gravitation]

Alien attack Aliean attack! RUN!