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Results tagged “musicundernewyork”
MTA To James Murphy: Forget Musical Turnstiles, Audition To Become A Subway Performer!

MTA To James Murphy: Forget Musical Turnstiles, Audition To Become A Subway Performer!

After we found out that James Murphy had an idea to improve the city's underground by making the subway turnstile noises less terrible sounding and more arpeggiated, we contacted the MTA to find out what they thought of this pipe dream. Would they ever let Murphy institute his idea, even on a smaller scale (one turnstile)? What if it were funded like a public art project? Kevin Ortiz at the MTA told us: more ›

Video: Meet This Year's MUNY Subway Busking Champs

Video: Meet This Year's MUNY Subway Busking Champs

It's that time again: meet this year's crop of underground musicians, an elite unit selected by the Music Under New York [MUNY] committee to fill the city's subway stations with sweet, sweet music. more ›

Busking Hopefuls Audition for Shot at Big Time: The Subway

Busking Hopefuls Audition for Shot at Big Time: The Subway

Yesterday, for the 23rd year in a row, musicians gathered at Grand Central Terminal to audition for a chance to perform for free in the Big Show: The NYC Transit System. Although it's legal to perform in the subway system (in accordance with certain rules), try telling that to a transit cop. (We have.) But when you've got an official Music Under New York [MUNY] banner, the sky's the limit. As one hopeful told the Post, "It means the cops won’t chase you away or ticket you." MUNY approval also means prime real estate. more ›

Are Cops Cracking Down on Subway Performers?

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." more ›

Oasis Goes Underground this Friday

Oasis Goes Underground this Friday

"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." more ›

Petition for More F in Brooklyn and Other MTA News

Petition for More F in Brooklyn and Other MTA News

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Video of the Day: Music Under New York Auditions

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. more ›

Idol Underground

Idol Underground

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. more ›

Subway Musician Auditions at Grand Central Today

Subway Musician Auditions at Grand Central Today

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. more ›

Subway Music:  Susan Cagle

Subway Music: Susan Cagle

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. more ›

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