The controversial changes in music licensing laws take effect from this month all old-style licences expire on November 24.

Venues should have submitted their applications to convert to the new format by August 6 of this year to meet this month's deadline, although new applications can still be made.

Doom and gloom were being forecast from some quarters that this would have a woeful effect on musical entertainment of all sorts in venues benefiting form the so-called "two in a bar" rule, which allowed smaller venues such as restaurants, wine bars, community halls and pubs to employ up to two musicians without needing any kind of entertainment licence.

Look at the listings columns in the local and national media and you'll see the huge amount of employment for musicians and arts and entertainment for the public that has been available under the old system.

Now we need to analyse whether this vital part of the musical life of the country is suffering because venue managers have either not applied in time for their new licences in which case they could be out of business anyway or because they haven't been willing to make the new payment for music where none was previously needed under the old "two in a bar" rule.

Whether you're a musician, a venue owner/manager or a member of the listening audience, please send me your observations at musicmatters@talk21.com about what you find. Has music at a venue you know been stopped because of the changes? Is it thriving even better because of them? Have you lost work/found more work as a result? Would you like information and guidance about the law changes and how to make an application now about getting a new style licence?

I'll be submitting the local information I get to the Department of Culture and to the Musicians Union.

This week's hot gig tip: Mbawula and The Township Sisters at The Mick Jagger Centre, Dartford (01322 291100), on November 22 and 23.