Results tagged “musicundernewyork”

Are Cops Cracking Down on Subway Performers?

Anecdotal evidence suggests that transit police have been cracking down on musicians and other performers busking in the subway system—even though the MTA's own rules permit low-volume performance under certain conditions. A number of musicians and a busker advocacy group tell amNY that "police harassment has grown to disturbing levels in recent months."

"The most important band in the planet" could be slumming it in the subways this week. The Spinner reports that Oasis, in order to totally unnecessarily promote their Terminal 5 show on Friday, will have musicians from MTA's Music Under New York program "covering nothing but new Oasis songs in various locations." Not only could you hear nothing but Oasis all day underground this Friday, but the band's label is saying "that one of the Gallagher brothers may even be making a surprise appearance with one of the acts." But remember, they're only playing new tunes, so don't go requesting "Wonderwall."

Today until 4:30PM, auditions are being held at Grand Central Terminal for the MTA's Music Under New York program. After receiving over 200 submissions, the MTA asked over 70 musicians and performers to audition; the MTA says about 20 new acts will be added to the program.

We all know about subway musicians, both those sanctioned by the MTA's Music Under New York program and those who are not officially sanctioned buskers who didn't go through the MTA's audition program.

If you're walking through Grand Central, head over to Vanderbilt Hall (across from the information booth, up the ramp) where the MTA's Music Under New York auditions are being held. Seventy musicians are auditioning today for 20 spots to win lifelong permission to perform in the subway. The Post has some sketches of a few of the 100 musicians already in the program - they can make up to $50 a hour.

One evening last week, as Gothamist was making its usual evening subway transfer through the Times Square subway station when we came upon a huge group of fellow straphangers watching someone perform. And, unlike some of the performers who plant themselves right by the escalators (where the Roy Lichtenstein mural hangs), these performers were really rocking out - there was a young woman singing with a full band. And they had amps, which is also more unusual and seemed to work well in the station. People who looked like they'd be in a rush (business types) stopped to clap their hands along with hipsters, teenagers and the old. The music seemed to energize everyone.

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Leon Williams, Subterranean Electric Guitarist

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William B. Johnson, Percussionist

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Henry Warner, Subterranean Jazzman

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