RAVE THREAT: British musicians are mobilizing to...

RAVE THREAT: British musicians are mobilizing to fight the Criminal Justice Bill, a sweeping proposal that looks virtually certain to pass into law later this year. The measure would, among other things, effectively outlaw “rave” culture.

Among the provisions of the bill is a clause banning unlicensed gatherings of more than 10 people at which music “wholly or predominantly characterized by repetitive beats” is played. The bill also proposes a severe clampdown on “squatting” (taking up residence in an unoccupied building) and gives police officers the right to stop and search anyone within five miles of any event deemed to be a possible source of disturbances.

Prominent among the musicians opposing the effort is the politically active folk-rock band the Levellers, whose album “The Levellers” topped the British charts last year. The group has sponsored billboards and handbill advertisements drawing attention to the issue.

Levellers singer Mark Chadwick comments, “It’s going to affect everyone in this country who doesn’t live in either rented or mortgaged accommodations, and who does anything other than go to the pub for recreation. If you fall out of those categories, then you could potentially be deemed a criminal.”