The NI Executive is believed to have agreed an indicative date of June 21 for the return of live music.
Online reports say this will need to be given the green light by Ministers next week.
Currently, live music is not allowed in hospitality settings, with other music having to be at an ambient level to permit normal conversation.
It is also understood that proposals to raise limits on social contact in households from June 21 have also been agreed, along with rules on outdoor gatherings and meeting in private gardens.
At the minute, only six people from two households are allowed to meet in homes due to Covid-19 restrictions, but this would increase it to 10 individuals.
Meeting outdoors could rise to 15 people with no limit on how many households, and the same indicative date has also been agreed for lifting the cap of 500 people at outdoor gatherings.
This will be replaced by a risk assessment for each location.
The proposed date for the return of live music indicates the possibility of some concerts and other events this summer.
The reopening of theatres has also been given an indicative date of June 21.
Along with the other proposals on rules regarding live music in licensed and unlicensed venues, the changes could mean the return of some larger concerts, sporting events and festivals this summer.
On Thursday, the Department of Health recorded no further coronavirus-related deaths and a further 109 positive cases of Covid-19,
This brings the total number of positive cases to 123.481 since the start of the pandemic.
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