What a strange world we live in today. I thought people were allowed to listen to and play for others, whatever music they want to, that has been released. If I had a block party with a bunch of conservatives and I played a CD by a liberal band they could try and sue me for playing their music at an event/for people they...didn’t agree with???
Would you say that your hypothetical event was perhaps a “private club” gathering? Here is the ASCAP license in that case: http://www.ascap.com/licensing/types/private-club.aspx the BMI FAQ: http://www.bmi.com/licensing Unless your block party was covered by the national news media, I don’t think you would have a problem. ;-)