London Underground: Tube buskers wanted to audition for new pitches

It's the first time TfL has auditioned for pitches in six years

Transport for London (TfL) is offering auditions to perform at official busking spots across the network for the first time since 2017.

It is also opening new pitches on the Elizabeth line.

It marks 20 years since its live busking scheme first began across the transport network.

More than 200 buskers are currently licensed to play, with TfL estimating a potential audience of 3.5 million people every day.

Applications close on 22 December with auditions set to take place in 2024. Shortlisted musicians will be asked to perform to a panel of judges in a busy station environment. They will be marked on technical ability and audience response.

As part of the expansion of the scheme, TfL is also opening new licensed pitches along the Elizabeth line. Two were opened recently at Bond Street station.

TfL estimate that around 4.3 million journeys take place each week across the Elizabeth line.

What the judges are looking for:

• Artists must be 18 or older

• Individual musicians, not groups

• Music from all genres

Fabio Tedde has been busking for 20 years at Tube stations

Justine Simons OBE, deputy mayor for culture and the creative industries, said: "Busking is a thriving artform across our city and has brought TfL's stations alive over the last 20 years."

Among those already busking at Tube stations is Fabio Tedde.

Known as the "Pianist Without Borders", he became a busker on the Underground in 2001 after he happened upon a jam session in Leicester Square.

He said he finds it "special" each time he plays on the Underground.

"Being able to share the music and making people happy as they travel around London is a beautiful feeling. Every single day I can't wait to start playing as I love it so much," he said.

The audition process will be supported by the company Found in Music. Director Kate Jones said: "Busking has a key role to play in the music ecosystem and provides artists with a free, public stage to hone their skills."

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