在伦敦地铁卖艺

刚来英国的时候，觉得在地铁卖艺是一件容易的事情，其实不是：

Busking on the Tube was illegal until London Underground began allowing musicians to perform in stations in 2003. Would-be performers have to fill in an application form and pass an audition.

Waiting lists are up to six months long, but 80 per cent of those who apply are granted licences.

Licensed buskers phone the organisers every other Tuesday to reserve two-hour slots at the pitches of their choice for the following fortnight.

They are allowed three slots a week in the most popular places such as Leicester Square station, and a maximum of six hours a day in total.

Busking websites

www.tfl.gov.uk/tube/arts/busking: Transport for London information about getting a licence to busk on the Underground

www.livemusicforum.co.uk: A campaign group to review the laws restricting live music in England and Wales, which make it easier for buskers to do their thing

List of busking competitions across Britain

Further details are available at www.vocalist.org.uk/gigs_busking.html

Licensing information for street art is at
ww.artscouncil.org.uk/publications/