Do you need a music licence for a one-off event?

Usually, yes, but who's responsible depends on where it's held. Licensed venues normally already hold TheMusicLicence covering events on their premises, while for unlicensed or temporary spaces, such as a marquee or village hall, the organiser may need their own cover, so it's worth confirming with the venue first.

Does a wedding venue need its own music licence?

Most hotels and dedicated function venues hold a licence that covers music at events on their premises, so you usually don't need your own, though it's always worth confirming with the venue in writing rather than assuming, since responsibility depends entirely on where the event is held.

Does booking a DJ or band cover the music licence for an event?

No. Booking a DJ or band doesn't cover the public-performance right, that responsibility sits with the venue or organiser, not the performer, so a reception at a venue is normally covered by the venue's own licence rather than anything the DJ or band brings with them.

Updated 20 July 2026 · 4 min read

Music licence for events, weddings and one-off functions

For one-off events, whether you need your own licence depends entirely on the venue. Here’s how it works.

On this page

At a licensed venue (hotel, function room)
At an unlicensed or temporary space
Weddings specifically
Common questions

For a one-off event where music is played in public (a wedding reception, a festival, a charity ball) a music licence is usually needed, but who’s responsible depends on where it’s held. Licensed venues normally already hold TheMusicLicence covering events on their premises; for unlicensed or temporary spaces, the organiser may need their own cover.

At a licensed venue (hotel, function room)#

Most hotels and dedicated function venues hold a licence that covers music at events on their premises, so you usually don’t need your own. It’s always worth confirming with the venue in writing.

At an unlicensed or temporary space#

For a marquee, a village hall, a warehouse or an outdoor site that isn’t already licensed, the event organiser may need cover. PPL PRS has tariffs for single and casual events, and a Specially Featured Entertainment tariff where music (a DJ or disco) is the main draw.

Weddings specifically#

A reception at a venue is normally covered by the venue’s licence. Note that booking a DJ or band doesn’t cover the public-performance right: that responsibility sits with the venue or organiser, not the performer.

Running an event and not sure who needs to be licensed? Ask us: we’ll tell you honestly whether you need cover and help you avoid paying for something the venue already holds. One site? The free Invoice Check gives you a written verdict in five working days. Four or more sites? The estate review is free and we only charge if we recover money. See pricing.

Common questions

Do you need a music licence for a one-off event?: Usually, yes, but who's responsible depends on where it's held. Licensed venues normally already hold TheMusicLicence covering events on their premises, while for unlicensed or temporary spaces, such as a marquee or village hall, the organiser may need their own cover, so it's worth confirming with the venue first.
Does a wedding venue need its own music licence?: Most hotels and dedicated function venues hold a licence that covers music at events on their premises, so you usually don't need your own, though it's always worth confirming with the venue in writing rather than assuming, since responsibility depends entirely on where the event is held.
Do you need a music licence for a charity event or marquee?: For a marquee, a village hall, a warehouse or an outdoor site that isn't already licensed, the event organiser may need cover. PPL PRS has tariffs for single and casual events, and a Specially Featured Entertainment tariff where music is the main draw.
Does booking a DJ or band cover the music licence for an event?: No. Booking a DJ or band doesn't cover the public-performance right, that responsibility sits with the venue or organiser, not the performer, so a reception at a venue is normally covered by the venue's own licence rather than anything the DJ or band brings with them.

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This guide is general information, not legal advice, and MLC is an independent consultancy, not affiliated with PPL PRS Ltd, PRS for Music or PPL.