Busking has returned to the Tyne and Wear Metro more than two years after it was banned due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Nexus, the public body which owns and manages Metro, said it is now safe for buskers to perform at its stations – and it was delighted to welcome them back after an enforced hiatus which stretches back to March 2020 when lockdown began.
The news will be music to the ears of the many local musicians who used to regularly entertain thousands of Metro customers on their daily commute before the pandemic.
Musical theatre student Lucie Thomson became the first person to busk on Metro since early 2020, performing tracks by Olivia Rodrigo and Ariana Grande.
Lucie, 18, of North Shields, said: “I loved it. It’s been really nice to get to see people’s reactions to hearing music at Metro stations again because it’s been such a long time since we have been able to perform due to covid. It’s great that things are back to normal.”
Busking had previously been prohibited in a bid to halt the spread of Covid-19, in line with national public health guidance at the time.
But the removal of all Covid restrictions means performers can return to the dedicated busking pitches which are located at three Metro stations in the centre of Newcastle – Central Station, Haymarket and Monument.
Metro Operations Director, John Alexander, said: “Busking has been big part of everyday life on Metro over the last 20 years, so we are delighted to welcome it back.
“Buskers make such a huge contribution to the cultural vibrancy of our city centres, and on Metro they cheerfully entertain many thousands of passengers who pass through some of our busiest stations.
“It was really sad that we had to prohibit musicians from performing due to the pandemic, so we are really enthused at being able to bring them all back. We think our customers will love seeing the buskers return.”
Musicians who want to busk on the Metro system can apply by calling in person to the reception at the South Gosforth Metro Control Centre.
Once registered a busker can book one of three dedicated busking pitches located at Metro stations in the centre of Newcastle. The busking pitches are at Haymarket, Monument and Central Station.
Anyone who wants to busk on Metro needs to register and can do so by visiting Metro Control Centre Reception, Station Road, South Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne,NE3 1YT. Buskers will need to bring a passport style photograph with them along with a of identification.
Nexus has introduced an online application form to make registering to busk on Metro even easier www.nexus.org.uk/metro/busking
Busking pitches are available in three-hour slots: 12pm-3pm and 3pm-6pm.
The busking pitches are located at Monument Metro station, Haymarket Metro station and Central Metro station in Newcastle.