Cooper
Senior Member
Yes, the performer does not need a license, but the venue needs licensing. This licensing is the same no matter which artist you plan on covering.
Since I'm feeling picayune today, performers can be required to pay a fee to a rights. I believe it's usually done through the venues because, well, it's practicial.
From the Canadian Bar Association: "To publicly play or perform music that’s been created or recorded by another songwriter or musician, you, your label or the venue are legally obligated to pay a fee or royalty. So, if you perform cover songs with a group in public, you may be surprised to find a musicians’ collective asking to collect royalty payments from you or the venue. You also have to pay royalties if you record cover songs, whether you manufacture CD’s or simply sell the song over the Internet...."