Applications for the auditions close at midnight on 31 May.
For the first time, buskers keen to perform on the London Underground will battle for busking slots in a public ‘X Factor’ style competition.
Talented musicians will face a panel of music industry experts in public locations around the capital, and will be judged on their originality, technique and performance. Auditions are scheduled to take place between 18 July and 8 August as part of the Mayor of London’s ‘Busk in London’ initiative, which was set up to support and promote busking, with locations set to be announced over the summer.
The winning buskers will be selected to showcase a wide range of music genres, representing London’s incredible diversity. Applicants have the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of buskers who have gone on to achieve international fame and even to headline Glastonbury. Ed Sheeran, Jessie J, Bob Geldof and Katherine Jenkins are among a legion of successful musicians to test the waters in front of Tube customers.
Busking has brightened up passenger journeys since the London Underground Busking Scheme launched 13 years ago. There are 35 official busking pitches across the Underground network, with over 1,800 bookable performance slots every week.
Keen musicians with an eye on a Tube busking spot will need to be a solo or duo act, aged 16 years or over and be resident in the UK to apply. Pop, classical, folk, world music and other quality performers are all welcome to apply to audition before applications close at midnight on Sunday 31 May.
For further information on how to apply, visit www.buskinlondon.com.
And if you don’t fancy underground gigging, you can try singing for your supper, at One New Change in the City of London; a brand new busking spot that is calling out for talent to fill it.
Nestled in the heart of EC1, this new musical stage will be housed at the city’s shopping and dining destination, One New Change is encouraging musical talent of all genres from across the capital to apply for this sought after vocal spot. Whether you’re a fan of the folk music, a rebel rocker or a pop perfectionist they want you to sign up and show off your musical talent.
More details at www.onenewchange.com/whats-on/calling-all-musical-talent. If you’re interested in applying for this hot spot, contact busking@onenewchange.com.
