Location: Music and Art >> Busking and Street Performing
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First Time Busking- In Madrid
Posted January 6th, 2013 - 5:30 am by from Barcelona, Spain (Permalink)
Hi all!!

I am going to be in Madrid from around the 13/14th of January, depending on travel. But once there, I am quite keen to get into busking once and for all.

I´ve only briefly tried busking, but failed miserably due to poor positioning and lack of experience. So if anyone out there, in Madrid or headed that way in the time I´ll be there, who is interested in Busking with me, please let me know.

I play guitar, and sing. The majority of my repertoire will be my own songs, with a few other songs from favorite musicians. So, obviously I´ll play it by ear, but if you are good at improvising, it will be a bonus. I´m not that good at it, but if the tides turn, I´ll just have to go with the flow.

Also, general tips that you can provide from experienced busker to aspiring busker, will be welcome here too.

Tony

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Posted January 6th, 2013 - 11:00 am by from Morecambe, England (Permalink)
Let me know how you get on..

I had hassle there with the police in the centre. Played by shops near Campamento metro stop which was OK, and I had a busker friend who used to play near Embajadores..

was a long tine ago though so things may have changed.

Good luck,
Chester

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Posted January 7th, 2013 - 2:42 am by from Barcelona, Spain (Permalink)
Yes, here in Barcelona performance busking is forbidden and musicians require permits to play on the streets. I find it stupid as the only reason for this is to regulate tax as buskers don´t pay tax, naturally.

I´m not yet at the stage of busking anywhere, regardless of rules, but I would like to get there. First need to get into it, and used to it.

Hopefully I can get a few good spots.

Perhaps some tips on busking spots in Europe could be benefited from, so please share. Also, is busking allowed in Montpellier, France?

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Posted January 31st, 2013 - 10:33 am by from Pszczyna, Poland (Permalink)
I'm agree with you .My friend did street performing as gorilla and police took him costume .Famous La Rambla Barcelona

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Posted February 5th, 2013 - 12:45 am by from Noordwijk, Netherlands (Permalink)
I'm not sure how it's there, but I did some busking in Metz (France), Zürich (Switzerland), Sarajevo (Bosna Herzegovina), and so on. I think it depends on the place, and maybe you can ask the police before you perform if it's allowed. I got sent away many times, but returned when the coast was clear :)

Now I do some busking in Holland, and here are different rules in every city, for example I'm not allowed to play in some streets in my hometown, but the crowded shopping street is legal to play :) also in Amsterdam you can play without a permit, but only with 4 people, no amplification, and 30 mins maximum at one place.

Good luck and have fun busking, don't let the authorities take away your smile on your face! :)

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