Around 120 musicians attended a rally in Narberth on Saturday to demonstrate their opposition to proposed changes to the countries public entertainment licence laws which they claim will affect live music performances.
The musicians also lobbied MP Nick Ainger about the Government plans which they believe will tax music and the arts during an impromptu public meeting at the Queen's Hall.
"We feel that the new public entertainment licence laws will contribute to an impoverishment of the musical and artistic culture in our land," said one of the campaigners, Steffan Prosjynski, a member of a local ceilidh band and tutor of a weekly music group in Narberth.
"To tax music and the Arts in this way is contrary to a healthy society with freedom of artistic expression," continued Mr. Prosjynski, who also handed a personal letter of objection to Mr. Ainger.
"The licence law is effectively a tax and is a repression on the culture we expect to enjoy in a civilised society."
The musicians have also gathered a 16-page petition against the proposals and are now hopeful that Mr. Ainger will represent their views in Parliament.
Police licensing officer, Mr. Tony Davies, said that his reading of the proposed bill was that it was to bring parity between venues with PELs and those without.
At present venues, like public houses, can provide live entertainment without the need for a PEL providing that there are no more than two performers and that they do not use pre-recorded music.
Other venues exempt from the need for PELs for live entertainment include religious buildings and public spaces.
The Government proposals will see all licences removed in favour of a global licence covering the sale of alcohol, public entertainment, theatrical and cinema performances, night cafes and late night refreshment houses with the applicant indicating which parts of the licence are required for their premises.
"This new bill will supersede the Licensing Act of 1964 and the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act of 1982, and the various exemptions these included, thereby making a PEL a requirement for live entertainment," explained Mr. Davies.
"It's a public safety issue," he continued. "Public entertainment licence holders have restrictions as to capacity, fire regulations and management of the premises imposed in the interests of public safety that those without PELs are not governed by."
Mr. Davies said that the bill was progressing through Parliament and the Lords, with legislation likely by July.
Pembrokeshire County Council would then have until February of next year to set policies in place for dealing with renewals of licences.