About 1.7 million gigs were staged in pubs, restaurants, clubs and student unions in 2003, according to the government's Live Music Forum.

And this does not include dedicated gig venues whose main business is live music.

However, 11% of licensees said they would cut down or stop live music when the Licensing Act comes into force in 2005.

Send us your experiences of live music in England and Wales. What were your best - and worst - gigs? Why do you think that there is such a vibrant live music scene and could it be threatened by the Licensing Act? Send us your views.

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I went to so many good gigs in the early 90's - PJ Harvey just before she broke big was awesome. Some obscure club in Preston, for the record! The Cropdusters and The Stone Roses both at a small annex of Bristol Poly in 1988 were top gigs too. And I knew immediately that Stone Roses would be big.
Rich, Berlin, Germany

My Uncle tells me that at some point in the 60's, he was a keen musician and gig-goer and had two opportunities on the same night: To go and see a guitarist at his local pub, or a band at another pub slightly further away. Having weighed up the choices he went to see the band, whose name has been lost to the mists of time. The guitarist? Jimi Hendrix!!
Susan, Reading, UK

The problem with the UK for us smaller bands (especially in London) is getting to the next rung of the ladder without having to rely on Industry sponsored promoters. The mainstream promoters get more and more like gangsters everyday!
Mikey, London, UK

If the government wants to celebrate the British Music scene, it should alter the archaic laws governing the licensing of premises for live music and make it easier and cheaper David Allen, Portsmouth, UK

If the government wants to celebrate the British Music scene, it should alter the archaic laws governing the licensing of premises for live music and make it easier and cheaper. I lived in Denver for a year, and the incredible musical talent there and the number of bars showing live bands for free was incredible � a real indicator of how it should be. As for best gig - so many, but probably either Thin Lizzy at the Hammersmith Odeon back in 1980, or Antonio Forcione at the Edinburgh Festival in 2002. Worst - Omm, a Swiss experimental Jazz 'band' at St. Andrews University - truly awful!
David Allen, Portsmouth, UK

The Red Hot Chilli Peppers gig in Hyde Park I went to this summer was awful. The sound was practically non-existent and the crowd was just making up games to try and entertain themselves. Hugely disappointing!
C Nolan, London, UK

Best Gig: Napalm Death, Bristol, 2002 - The place wasn't packed, the sound wasn't brilliant, but I'd like to see one of these nu-metal band remain that tight for a hour-and-a-half set. Worst Gig: Fallout, Swindon, 2003. Having been promised a promising blend of death and thrash I was treated to a mish-mash of nu-metal cliches delivered by a band who looked as bored as the crowd...
Doug, Swindon, UK

I once went to see a cheesy goth-rock band called 'Nightwish', I wasn't expecting it to be good but it turned out to be amazing! The whole crowd was loving it! The best gig i went to was a one where the support band, called 'Robert Randolph and the family band', completely outplayed the main act....which was Eric Clapton! I am now a devoted fan of the 'Family band'. Nothing compares to a gig where everyone is having a laugh...for those about to rock, we salute you!
John Hodgkinson, London, England

Worst gig was the Manic Street Preachers at Legends in Warrington sometime in the early 90's (just after there first single came out). They were terrible. We just stood round with our arms folded staring at them whilst two people danced. Best gig was The Pixies at Brixton Academy in June. I've seen a lot of bands live and this was the third time I've seen them but this just blew my mind. Awesome.
Jo, Poole

One of the best bands I have ever seen were a band called the Skin Imps, who played a gig at Telford's in Chester. There were three of them, all dressed as Mexicans singing TV theme tunes as well as some of their own stuff. In between they were telling jokes and had the entire audience in stitches. Absolutely fantastic and their music was just superb. Sometimes, you don't need to see the big bands to see someone really wow a crowd
Phil, Chester, England

Best gigs? The Triffids at ULU, The Hives at Rock City, You am I at The Monarch and the Hoodoo Gurus at Liverpool Bierkeller. The worst? Plenty of competition here, but The Stranglers have a set that seems to go on for about six years.
Dave, Leicester, UK

I am a singer and guitarist in an upcoming rock band called Longshot. We've noticed an increase in the number of gigs available over the last five years. But the best venues are still controlled by a select few promoters who only look at how they can best make a profit out of new bands. They typically tend to demand each band brings at least 40 paying customers through the door so they can make a tidy profit on your performance, often not giving the hardworking bands themselves anything out of the takings. It's good to see that groups across the country are now starting to organise their own shows, outside the traditional venues, to get themselves heard without the need to meet these promoters' unscrupulous demands.
Tom Hutchison, East London

Motorhead. They are without doubt the best band in the world. In the mosh pit I once found a metal NHS crutch
Nic McCartney, UK

Best gig is a very difficult decision but Oasis at Leeds Irish Center was fantastic - it was the night after Noel had been punched onstage at Newcastle and Liam offered to fight the whole Leeds crowd before they played! Fortunately they just got on with it and played a storming set while I crowd-surfed for the first time. Worst would have to be a support act for The Sugarcubes many years ago. I've never experienced anything less comprehensible or less musical!
Phil Duckworth, London, UK

Best gig I ever went to was a jazz evening in a pub in St Helier, Jersey. The band's drummer hadn't turned up, so they asked if anyone would volunteer, a guy from the audience said he played 'a bit of drums' and his mate 'was OK' on the bass - these two, who then played, for nothing, with a small bunch of unknowns for about 4 hours, were Cozy Powell and Herbie Flowers!
Chris Boote, London, UK

It's also brilliant to see a resurgence of live music back in the UK, it seemed to die off in the 1990's with the rave/illegal party scene and dance music, but guitars are back and I'm pretty pleased Poppy Henderson, Southampton

Worst live act ever was Nirvana at the Reading Festival, whoever told me they were good live was very mistaken. Worst small gig was a band called Push at Taunton Community Centre in about 1990, the singer wore a bathing costume and an attitude that stank. Everyone sat down and she stormed off as no-one would dance. Best gig ever is difficult to say - PJ Harvey at The Dolphin in Ilminster in about 1990, seeing Polly start off and become so famous was just brilliant, she has real talent. Best large gig/live act probably Peter Gabriel (or REM)Glastonbury, sheer perfection. I think it is all down to personal choice at the end of the day. It's also brilliant to see a resurgence of live music back in the UK, it seemed to die off in the 1990's with the Rave/Illegal party scene and dance music, but guitars are back and I'm pretty pleased.
Poppy Henderson, Southampton

Worst gig was a warm up the night before a festival we were at in 83 or whenever. The guitarist forgot the riff to Smoke on the Water, and the rest of the band were singing it to him to remind him. Quality!
HJ, Dorset

Best gig was Pearl Jam at Wembley Arena in 1999. The sound was great (a surprise given the venue) and after two and a half hours and three encores they were still playing - even putting the house lights up for the final song. I have the CD they released of the gig and it still makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. The worst gig was Korn in the same week at the same venue. having paid over �20 for a ticket to see a band with four albums out you would expect them to play more than 50 minutes!
Rob Bugeya, New Malden, Surrey, UK.

I play in a band and have played all round England, but I have to say my favourite gigs of recent times were when we went to Germany earlier this year. The government and local councils over there do everything they can to support live music, even going as far as donating unused buildings for use as "independent" venues. Why can't our government support live/independent music in the same way?
Nobby, Leeds

Callaghans off Oxford St in London used to have great live bands but best gigs are always Bryan Adams. No gimmicks, just good old fashioned rock'n'roll.
Bafan, Slough, Berkshire

A band called 'Man' were playing at a country pub called The Lanterns in Ashburton, Devon about 8 years ago. The played a mix of Led Zep, Floyd and their own stuff. They were simply awesome.
Darren, Hanwell, London

One of the best I went to, was The Earth Babies (Cornish grunge) at The Ark in Devonport in Plymouth, back in 1991. Hilarious, the singer used to get the audience to sing Enter Sandman, including the girls in the ladies! The worst would definitely be Wrathchild at The Palais in Nottingham, in 1984 in support of WASP. I can't see live music being off the menu yet, licensing act or no licensing act. It's worth far too much money. I've got friends who go to gigs regularly and it's not for the beer, it's purely for the bands. Even local bands gather a decent following (in Plymouth we had Karralon, Mercedes, Mad Hatter...) people like music, simple as that. You'll never lose live music, one way or another, it will be with us forever (I hope).
Jennifer Hynes, Plymouth, UK

Small venues are the place where new bands find their feet but in too many towns the promoters are only booking tribute bands as a safe bet- this is stifling many local scenes Nick, Scunthorpe UK

Small venues are the place where new bands find their feet but in too many towns the promoters are only booking tribute bands as a safe bet- this is stifling many local scenes.
Nick, Scunthorpe UK

In my teens me and friends were regulars at Sheffield Uni and The Leadmill. We saw REM play in front of about 200 in 1986 and tipped them for bigger things. We saw another band at the Leadmill at about the same time and commented how bad they were and left early. We didn't expect them to be around for long - anybody remember that multi-million album selling band Deacon Blue?!!
Dave, Leeds UK

Some of the best gigs I ever saw were by a four piece band that used to play in Liverpool in the 90's called The Herbs. They used to do four part harmony jangly pop and were often at The Cavern and local venues.
Johnny, Liverpool

A number of our local pubs do live music. Notable is Royal Oak in Corsham High St. The landlord there has instituted a Jazz club with many Friday night performances. A Folk club is making use of the same facilities on Thursdays and he has been instrumental in co-ordinating the first Corsham Jazz Festival in September. If that's not encouraging a flourishing live music scene, I don't know what is!
Clifton Wray, Corsham, Wiltshire

Worst gig: Would have to be Ocean Colour Scene in Hammersmith, the sound was terrible and the atmosphere was bad to boot. Best gig: I saw a Rolling Stones tribute band, the 21st century stones, at a pub in London and was blown away. It cost nothing and the place was packed, the atmosphere was electric.
Rich, Bedford, England

We had about 50 half-cut thirtysomethings madly dancing to very loud Deep Purple illuminated solely by candlelight Steve, Ripon

I play in a local rock covers band and have a memory like a sieve so need a music stand with lyrics and chords. At a recent bash the lighting rig fused and we couldn't see the music and so we gathered all the candles from the audience tables and put them on a table between me and the guitarist. We had about 50 half-cut thirtysomethings madly dancing to very loud Deep Purple illuminated solely by candlelight. The atmosphere was incredible and we have never been asked for so many encores! Best not think about health and safety, ahem...
Steve, Ripon

Best was Arthur Lee in 1992 in Islington. Amazing return to Britain. It was a dream to hear those songs played live. The worst was the Stone Roses at Spike Island. It is now a legendary gig but trust me it was rubbish. Ian Brown's voice was appalling. They hired Hell's Angels to run the beer tent (which had to be closed, due to the fact that they were threatening customers) so there was no booze on sale. Luckily I smuggled in two bottles of cider. The gig was an overblown attempt to create something magical but it was amateur at best. I am a fan too!
Stephen, UK

My story is not of one gig, but of many... In the mid '70's I used to go to the Gosforth Hotel in Newcastle every week, to see the resident band, Last Exit, play. They were a damn fine outfit, especially Gordon Sumner, local teacher and the band's bassist/vocalist. He sometimes used to have a beer with a group of us after the gig, and talk about taking the band to London.... Well, he did, he met Stuart Copeland, changed his name to Sting, and formed The Police...
John, England

Worst gig was Radiohead at the Tower - Hull. Supporting a local band made good called Kingmaker. Dire sound, sullen cheeked misery boys trying to be mean and moody and Thom Yorke broke his guitar and had a hissy fit to a chorus of Oooooooh! from an unsympathetic audience. Still where are both of these bands now? Best gig New Order at the Hacienda at the height of their majesty. More an event than a gig chilled with no ill will and just before things got out of control in Mad Manchester.
Gavin Clark, Hull England

I work as a concert promoter in Glasgow. We have a thriving local scene here, it sometimes seems like everyone under 30 is in a band. On any given night it's possible to find a gig to cater to almost any taste, whether it's punk, rock, metal or hip hop. To some extent this has to be seen as a reaction to the manufactured nonsense forced down our throats by TV "talent" contests and music industry fat cats searching for the next commercial pop gravy train. Thankfully due to devolution, our scene and my job are not threatened by the Licensing Act. Long live the underground!
Owen Duffy, Glasgow, Scotland

In 1976 after returning from seeing the Strolling Bones at Knebworth I went to The Nottingham Boat Club to see an unknown band called The Stranglers. My mates and shared a few bottles of beer with the band and the chatted to them as they performed their set. They were excellent and as we all know they went on to better things. Oh and by the way the admission cost was 25p!
Russ Smith, Nottingham, UK

With figures like this, why does the Government wish to try and destroy the scene - some pubs etc won't pay the license, being in a band myself - it's distressing!
Lee Belfield, Headingley, Leeds, England

I was recently drinking in The Dublin Castle (pictured) and saw a band called Clone Radio. They were absolutely superb, no-one knows where they came from, or when they will play next... Supporting new music comes form people actually bothering to go along to gig nights. Without the support, many great bands are playing to four or five people!
Tenby, Reading, UK

To my shame, I once had the misfortune of seeing Shampoo play at the Venue in New Cross. They were lousy. Obviously miming (badly), and they stormed off half way through the second song because there was one of their 'fans' had a bouncer-induced stage diving experience. After they stormed off, we were all cheering for the support band to come back on... They were great.
John, Southampton, UK

The Pogues at Brixton academy couple of years ago. Incredible songs and an on-fire performance. Great old Victorian venue packed to capacity by pogoing drunken crazies. Amazing experience, plus got to meet Shane backstage and gave him the best tribute I could think of - getting the missus to give him a kiss, just for writing Fairytale of New York and Rainy Night in Soho - two wonderful songs. Magic night (and snow flakes for the closing number!)
Nick ML, UK

Dance clubs started killing off live music in the 90s but one club promoter told me recently, "Dance is dead, it's just the punters who don't know it yet." As a performer, the best gigs were always the ones we thought would be the worst. The worst was at a caravan park where we had to play "Who the **** is Alice" five times.
Steve, Edinburgh

This is another meaningless statistic. What proportion of that number is solo performers and duos stumbling through cover versions using backing tracks and how many are 100% live music? Kevin Swain, Kingston, UK

This is another meaningless statistic. What proportion of that number is solo performers and duos stumbling through cover versions using backing tracks and how many are 100% live music?
Kevin Swain, Kingston, UK

Mudhoney and Tad supported way down the bill by Nirvana at the Astoria - blood flowed. It was the only concert where I genuinely felt fear (and that's coming from someone who smiled during Jesus Lizard concerts).
Christian Tiburtius, Reading UK

About 10 years ago a member of a local band died of cancer at the age of 25. All of the other local bands then got together and organised a two-day music festival in his memory and all proceeds went to charity. Ten years on and this small town still has its own answer to the V festival with nothing but decent rock bands playing live music. This is why rock will always be respected because they have all worked their way up from the local gigs to the big time with hard work.
Stephen, Caerphilly

Having recently played bass in a rock band in Southend, I can confirm that small venues are the life blood these musicians need to survive. In the early days, one has to learn stagecraft and to earn an audience. The pub circuit is an essential part of that experience and if we don't want to end up at the mercy of mass-produced, anodyne rubbish, the government should be supporting these places as the breeding grounds for the acts of tomorrow.
Fraser Marshall, Southend-on-Sea

Nothing beats the euphoria of seeing a band play (well) live. Whether there's 10 people there or 10,000 the feeling is the same. It will be a real shame if the Licensing Act means there are less gigs to go to. The music industry thrives below the radar, and while many accuse Pop Idol et al for destroying it, that will be nothing compared to this.
Emma, London, UK

For the last couple of years, the Aylesbury town centre partnership have been running live music events in the town's market square. Every week they feature a different live band, which has ranged from Blues through to Folk and more traditional world music. It certainly makes the town more interesting at the weekend!
David Rickard, Aylesbury, Bucks, UK

Worst gig: an open air event in St Neot, headlined by a karaoke singer with a programmed keyboard playing the music he sang over. Absolute rubbish and an insult to musicians. Best gig: any gig where genuine musicians are prepared to stand up and play live music without sequenced backing tracks. The 2-in-a-bar law has almost destroyed the English live music scene. The government would do better to ban recorded or broadcast entertainment than try and stop bands performing.
jj, Bideford, Devon

A friend of mine lost a contact lens in the mosh-pit of a Motorhead concert in Aberdeen (many years ago!) and then managed to find it on the shoulder of the leather jacketed headbanger in front of him! Rock and roll!
NM, UK