“What permit do I need to busk in New York City?”

I get this question all the time. No one ever expects the answer I give. I asked the same question of gHSTS n gUITARS back in the day and got the same answer in essense.

What is to physically stop you from getting on a train, or setting up on a subway platform or mezzanine, or sitting on a park bench, or standing on a street corner and performing? Nothing. You can do any or all of these things pretty much at will with no physical barriers. In essence, this means you don’t actually “need” a permit.

Three things are technically illegal. Playing on a the train (with or without an amplifier), using an amplifier on a subway platform. No permits are available for either of these things. These are the two most common (and successful) forms of busking in the entirety of New York City. There’s not much money on the mezzanines, and acoustic performances get lost in the noise on subway platforms.

Street permits come at a price per day, and have crowd-size limits, and MUNY permits that allow you to play in really prime spots are extremely hard to get (unless you’re related to or otherwise involved with someone who works on that comittee).

Do you “need” a permit. I say no.

More From Matty F.

• The Busking Chronicles: Fri 05/18/2012
• Wailing on a Chinese Monochorde …
• The Busking Chronicles: Why do I do it?

Matty F. Recommends

• I’ve got a gut. Should I do a lot of abdominal work?  (Sportize.me)
• I need a homemade moisturizer?  (stanfieldsk)

Ask Matty F. To Recommend Your Posts