Can a musician legally play covers anywhere? Even places {like bars and restaurants} that haven't paid to be able to allow cover performances? Like halls, churches, bookstores, etc.
Thanks
Hi Deanna,
Yes. The venue is responsible for that, not the performer.
A few venues opt to have strictly original music for this reason. But most places where musicians are expected to perform often, pay a fee for this.
No one cares if you play cover tunes at a noncommercial location, such as a house party.
I don't know how strictly it is enforced for places that only have occasional performers, such as bookstores, libraries, coffeehouses, etc.
If you were to
record yourself playing cover tunes that are not in the public domain, you would be responsible for that fee. Usually this is only an issue if the recording is being sold.
Cheers!
