Stricter Rules for Buskers

The Straits Times ran this story on 26 February 2009:

Stricter rules for buskers
By Tara Tan

BREAKING into the music industry and getting gigs can be tough on new
bands. But these days, some are turning to busking to showcase their
talent.

There will be stricter rules from the middle of next month on where
buskers can perform.

The National Arts Council, which runs the busking scheme and reviews
it regularly, said buskers will be able to perform only at 14
designated spots along Orchard Road.

It says the list is not finalised yet but the spots include outside
Wisma Atria, Ngee Ann City and Far East Shopping Centre, among other
places.

The underpasses and traffic junctions in Orchard Road are out of
bounds for buskers.

Another change: Buskers must pick five locations out of 109 busking
spots islandwide for performing. Of the five, up to three can be along
Orchard Road.

Under current rules, buskers can perform in any public space in
Orchard Road. There are also no limits to the number of spots
islandwide where they can perform.

NAC's deputy director of festival programming, Ms Quek Yeng Yeng, 39,
told Life!: 'Orchard Road is going through a series of revamps and we
need to ensure that buskers do not obstruct traffic flow.

'We are looking at it together with the Singapore Tourism Board to
finetune and demarcate busking areas.'

She said that limiting buskers to five locations each will help the
council manage over-crowding, especially during festive seasons.