Performers don't have to pay royalties ... the venue/bar does. 
 
As a performer you would only have to worry about royalties if you were going to record and release the live show.

Great job, Jim. I've done backing tracks for the musical "Chess" for a theatre and the learning curve of doing such projects is a fantastic experience. Whatever your inspiration for doing this kind of thing, even just a sheer love and admiration of the music, the process of deconstructing and then recreating the track is a brilliant learning exercise.

I only have one question- the vocals? You're doing them?

I have to point out from the above- in most countries it is the performer's responsibility to ensure any copyright payments are made, not the venue. Many venues do a pay an annual "blanket" copyright fee to cover background music, DJ performances, etc... and sometimes this might also cater for any cover material performed by a band, but probably not. Never assume a venue has the correct copyright arrangement in place. Many don't, because it's too expensive. If you use any form of backing track- any form -this is a breach of "mechanical copyright" (similar to burning a CD or illegally creating an MP3 from an original CD) anyway. Even a MIDI track is a breach of mechanical copyright.

It's a very low risk- very low. Copyright in the UK used to expire after 15 years unless renewed by the original performer, so maybe Lamb is unencumbered anyway. But the best thing to do is remember that most copyright laws are (perhaps) ridiculously draconian and very protective to protect the original owners properly during the material's most financially productive period. Beyond that, infringements are not policed because it's simply not worth the effort. And as I said, it differs from one country to the next.

Cheers, Bag.

It's a very low risk- very low. Copyright in the UK used to expire after 15 years unless renewed by the original performer, so maybe Lamb is unencumbered anyway.

jkleban


Bag,

I am actually, personally in contact with some members of classic Genesis concerning this project.  I enjoy no personal monetary gain and in a way, am providing free exposure to GENESIS music (I hope everyone who hasn't listened to The Lamb, goes out and buys a copy).  To your point, I don't have any legal document that says it is OK for me to do this and worse case, I will be forced to stop distributing my tribute for free.  From my point of view, that would be a good problem to have.

GWP - thanks for the questions about the MIDI guitar... it takes awhile to get the technique down but after all these years, I have developed a few tricks. Is it the MIDI files that you would like to have access to?  I might put them up using DEPOSIT FILES but that service is a pain because if there is no downloading of a file for 30 or 60 days (I forget which), they delete it and with it, the download link to the file.

Jim

Sorry Jim, a small misunderstanding. I was never suggesting what you're doing could, or should, cause any problems- actually I assumed you know exactly what you're doing copyright-wise. I was more concerned that some younger readers of these posts might "take on board" the idea that they're not responsible for covering their own bums in regards to copyright. Regardless of the music, the project or the venue (playing live) people should never expect that someone else has got copyright issues covered. On the whole, venues are not obligated that copyright is dealt with. The performers are.
You didn't answer my question about the vocals... you did them?