South Londoners showcase talents as TfL auditions first buskers since pandemic

Transport for London (TfL) has started its busking auditions for the first time since the pandemic, and South London musicians are lining up to showcase their talents.

Stations across the network have been filled with the sound of music as auditions for a new cohort of buskers are under way after applications opened in late 2023.

One prospective busker, guitarist and banjo player Daisy Chute, of Bermondsey, signed a record deal at the age of just 17 for a girl group called All Angels. 

Ms Chute now plays original music from around the world. She has played at Glastonbury and recently won a Grammy. 

During the audition, Ms Chute began her set with her own song London’s Burning, causing most of the people passing through Farringdon to stop and listen, a TfL spokeswoman reported.

Another South Londoner vying for an underground busking spot is Jodan Lee Moxon, of Camberwell and whose stage name is ‘Moxon.’ 

Maxon is a loop pedal musician – a ‘one-man band’ – who got into music when he moved down from Sheffield to London to attend drama school, but found himself playing more music than acting.

Ms Chute and Mr Moxon are just two of about 280 talented musicians – shortlisted from more than 450 applicants – who will perform to a panel of judges at Bank, Blackfriars, Canary Wharf, Farringdon and Southwark Tube stations over the next fortnight.

Musicians from all genres were encouraged to apply in the autumn. Each prospective busker had a 10-minute slot to convince a panel including a professional musician and station staff. 

The auditions are currently under way, with about 30 musicians to be put through their paces each day, judged on their repertoire, musical ability and performance styles.

TfL’s Licensed Busking Scheme has been running for more than 20 years, with auditions opening to new musicians every few years.

The process is managed by TfL with support from Found in Music, which runs Busk in London, a programme supported by the Mayor of London. 

The newly-selected musicians will join more than 200 existing buskers later in the spring and play at more than 40 pitches on the Tube, Overground and Elizabeth line networks, including two pitches that opened at Bond Street Tube station last year.

In a statement, TfL said it was looking for ‘musicians of all genres to reflect London’s cultural diversity’.

Emma Strain, TfL’s customer director, said: “We have been blown away by the response to our call out for more buskers, and there’s a palpable feeling of excitement at all the stations where the auditions are taking place as musicians tune up to showcase their talents. 

“In a diverse, multicultural city like London, music truly is a common language. 

“As Londoners pass through our stations and go about their busy lives, it has the power to cheer them on during the good times and lift them up in their lower moments.”

Pictured top: During her audition, Ms Chute caused most of the people passing through Farringdon Tube station to stop and listen (Picture: TfL)