#BackBusking campaign was set up to investigate the problems faced by buskers performing around the city. It aims to make busking and street performance much easier in the capital and includes London's first Busking Code of Conduct, a resource devised by performers, councils, businesses and the police.
- Busk in London scheme aims to make it easier to busk in the capital.
- London's first Busking Code of Conduct unveiled.
- London teams up for first ever National Busking Day in July.
- Mayor also calling on London musicians aged 11-25 to sign up for Gigs busking competition.
Busk in London
Following last year's #BackBusking campaign, which was set up to investigate the problems faced by buskers performing around the city, the Mayor's Busk in London scheme is now up and running. It aims to make busking and street performance much easier in the capital and includes London's first Busking Code of Conduct, a resource devised by performers, councils, businesses and the police.
Busk in London is the world's first ever city-wide street performance scheme. It aims to eliminate the reams of red tape and myriad of confusing rules that discourage performers from taking to the streets to perform. A dedicated website, www.buskinlondon.com, brings together information previously scattered around the web, so that musicians and street performers can quickly access busking locations across the capital. A new interactive digital map provides a network of busking locations across the capital, and shows the boroughs that have adopted London's the Code of Conduct.
National Busking Day
The Mayor is also backing the first ever National Busking Day. Taking place on 18 July, London will be joined by other UK cities in hosting a festival of busking, where performers will be given the chance to perform in iconic locations across the country. Trafalgar Square will be at the heart of the national celebrations, with Liverpool, Cardiff and Network Rail already signed up. Network Rail stations supporting the day include London, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham, Liverpool, Bristol, Reading, York and Newcastle. More details will be announced in due course.
Gigs Competition
As well as Busk in London, the Mayor has also launched this year's Gigs competition, the city's annual search for the capital's most talented young musicians. Aimed at 11-25 year-olds, it gives aspiring artists the opportunity to hone their skills and gain valuable experience performing in front of the public – last year it was seen by an estimated 1.8 million people – and, if successful perform at the Grand Final at Westfield Stratford City in September.
Gigs also offers the chance to win great prizes to help young musicians develop their career. They include a much sought after licence to busk on the Tube; a busking trip to Paris; a bespoke music college course; recording sessions at a professional studio; and coaching from chart-topping songwriters. The competition is open now. More information about how to enter is available at www.london.gov.uk/gigs
More information
www.buskinlondon.com
@BuskinLondon
www.facebook.com/buskinlondon
www.london.gov.uk/gigs
@LDN_Culture #Gigs2015
www.facebook.com/GigsBigBusk
N.B. Any members with queries about Busk in London or the Code of Conduct are welcome to contact their Regional Office for advice and information.