From a Beatles or an Oasis cover version to an original tune, Tube buskers can brighten the journey of many a passenger.
Now a search for “fresh talent” able to entertain Londoners underground has been launched – with the added bonus of bagging prime spots on the Elizabeth line for the first time.
Transport for London is to open auditions for buskers for the first time since before the pandemic as it celebrates the 20th anniversary of licensing the musicians and offering them designated performance spots in stations and tunnels.
A “competitive audition” will be held to determine who gets to join the 200 buskers that have been licensed since 2003.
TfL is looking for buskers whose music “reflects the sounds of London”. This can range from classical to world music, jazz to rap and bluegrass to opera.
It said: “All genres and performers are welcome – the most important thing is the music is performed well.”
Justine Simons, Sadiq Khan’s deputy mayor for culture, said: “Busking is a thriving art form across our city and has brought TfL’s stations alive over the last 20 years. This competition provides musicians with a fantastic opportunity to show off their talents.”
Auditions, which were last held in 2017, will take place early next year. Applications close on December 22.
The auditions will be co-ordinated by Found in Music, which runs Busk in London, a programme supported by the Mayor.
Shortlisted musicians will perform to a panel of musical experts and TfL operational staff in a busy station environment. They will be judged on technical ability and audience response.
Two new pitches have opened at Bond Street Elizabeth line station, at its entrances in Davies Street and Hanover Square.
TfL is also looking at opening other busking spots at the line’s other central London stations.
To mark the anniversary, portraits of buskers will appear in stations later this year.
These include Tamara Stein, a soprano who performs soaring arias for commuters. She has ME and fibromyalgia but says busking has given her “a new lease of life”. She said: “It was the best medicine.”
Fabio Tedde, the “Pianist Without Borders” who has been busking for 20 years, said: “I wish that people would respect buskers as they would respect any other type of job.
“Being able to share the music and make people happy during their commute to work is a beautiful feeling.”
The Treblemakers, an a-capella vocal ensemble, were one of the first groups to join the scheme 20 years ago. They donate all profits to charity.
“We wish more people knew that buskers are talented musicians with great grit and determination, who love their craft and love communicating their passion for music to others,” they said.
“We sometimes sing Ukrainian songs, and we’ve had a few people stop and cry while we sing. It’s very moving.”
Emma Strain, TfL’s customer director, said: “From the Jam to The Kinks’ ‘Waterloo Sunset’, London has a long history of inspiring and celebrating music.
“As we enter our busking programme’s 20th year, I can’t wait to hear the songs of a whole new generation of buskers. It is a vibrant part of London culture.”
Kate Jones, Found in Music’s programme director, said: “Busking has a key role to play in the music ecosystem and provides artists with a free, public stage to hone their skills whether on the street, at one of Busk in London’s high profile locations or on the Underground. We are really looking forward to discovering new talent during the audition process.”
For further information, visit https://www.foundinmusic.com/busk-in-london/tflcircuitapplication
