In 1994 the UK government passed Section 63, a law which allowed the police to shut down any “gathering on land in the open air…
In 1994 the UK government passed Section 63, a law which allowed the police to shut down any “gathering on land in the open air of 20 or more persons…at which amplified music is played;” specifically, music whose “sounds wholly or predominantly characterised by the emission of a succession of repetitive beats. In response, Autechre released their Anti EP,with a sticker which read as follows
“Warning: Lost and Djarum contain repetitive beats. We advise you not to play these tracks if the Criminal Justice Bill becomes law. Flutter has been programmed in such a way that no bars contain identical beats and can therefore be played at 45 or 33 revolutions under the proposed law.
“However we advise DJs to have a lawyer and musicologist present at all times to confirm the non-repetitive nature of the music in the event of police harassment.
“Important: By breaking this seal, you accept full responsibility for any consequential action resulting from the product’s use, as playing the music contained within these recordings may be interpreted as opposition to the Criminal Justice and Public Order Bill.”