(no subject)

[wispfox]

[Boston-centric post]

The fact that the MBTA is intending to prevent subway musicians from using equipment which can drown out the Public Address system doesn't bother me nearly as much as the fact that they are also planning to charge $25 for an annual performance permit.

Now, I don't personally know anyone playing the subways, but I can't imagine that having to pay $25/year to perform is going to do anything but make there be fewer musicians who will be playing in the subways - based soley on available funds, and not on actual ability. Personally, I enjoy the fact that there are musicians playing in there. It's a pleasant distraction from waiting around for the next train, even if I have brought a book with me.

I admit that I am not very aware of what an effect this will actually have, and realize that it's entirely possible that $25 is not really that bad. But it's still concerning, I think.

Comments

[pindar.livejournal.com]

The London Underground has recently done the same thing. Buskers "that's what we call street musicians here..don't know where the name came from) would often position themselves at the end of the down escalators and get in the way of people getting to the platforms. Many had no discernable musical talent (one guy I saw took to blowing/singing/shouting through a traffic cone), and fights would sometimes break out between buskers. LU figured they were never going to get rid of the problem, and they licensed some pitches in the busiest stations around the West End. Now performers have to audition, pay a fee, and book a slot which means the quality has improved a lot and they, on the whole, make the experience more pleasureable rather than a nuisance.