Mayor: Scrap License Requirements for Acoustic Performers at Small Businesses

BOSTON, MA — Boston's mayor and its city council president announced an expanded pilot program Thursday that waives licenses requirements for small businesses in designated districts to host acoustic performers, in a bid to make life easier on small businesses and local artists alike.

The Acoustic on Main pilot program scraps certain businesses from the requirement to get live entertainment licenses before hosting performers. The program would be expanded through an ordinance proposed Thursday by Mayor Marty Walsh and Council President Michelle Wu.

As proposed, it would take effect Jan. 1, and requires businesses to be registered and licensed.

This won't allow your neighborhood coffee shops to host 24-7 punk-rock fests, and it only applies to small businesses in relatively commercial districts.

Hours would be restricted from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., only one microphone would be allowed and only five performers could play a single venue at one time. Small businesses located in residential districts would still be required to obtain a live entertainment license when hosting acoustic performers.

The "Acoustic on Main" program started as a one-time National Small Business Week event in 2015, an attempt to boost businesses hurt by tough winter. According to the city, its three "Acoustic on Main" events led to approximately 150 participating businesses, 250 registered musicians and hundreds of performances in neighborhoods across Boston.

Photo by Angela Quitoriano, Flickr/Creative Commons