Busking can be a great way to make some money on weekends or even just getting your name out there, but how hard is it to set up and play? Is it as easy as rocking up one Sunday arvo with your dads old acoustic guitar and smashing out some Bob Dylan covers?
Well yes… and no.
First you need to get a busking license, but for the low, low price of $20 dollarydoos a year, just about anyone can get one. However, you will have to sit through a safety briefing first.
The only time you’ll have to audition is if you want to perform on the illustrious Bourke Street Mall.
The council holds auditions for quality control as they want only the best playing on Melbourne’s most prestigious walk way.
While the City of Melbourne defines busking as a public performance for public donations, be careful if you want to amplify your instruments, or play Spanish guitar because Melbourne’s Lord Mayor Robert Doyle won’t be too fond of you.
When describing Spanish guitarists to News Corp Doyle said “You admire the ability and the technique it requires but I still don’t much like the finished article and I think most little kids find them pretty creepy.”
Yup, kids will find Spanish guitar “creepy”.
Doyle has also said in the same interview that he has actively shut down buskers for being too loud.
In fact, starting this month the City of Melbourne will trialling a non-amplified busking zone down Melbourne’s busy Swanston Street.
Guitarists and other musicians without amplification will now struggle to be heard over the thousands of people walking up and down the street, and lets not forget the dozens of trams that regularly drive past.
All the rules and regulations for busking in Melbourne’s CBD can be found here on their website.
So maybe it is worth dusting off your old man’s Gibson and playing some Neil Young – just don’t cover it flamenco style or the Lord Mayor will have a few concerns about you.
