Response to a comment about possibly encountering problems in Paris-

August 14, 2008 at 3:29 AM

First, thanks to both of you for posting comments on my blog. I think that it will be helpful to have people interested in my journey. I want to hear both positive and negative feedback.

I fully expect to encounter the law on this trip, however from my 4 years experience busking, I can say that I've busked in many places where I know that I am not technically "allowed" to play. I play everyday at a pitch that is technically of limits at Grand Central Station. In my experience, if you are a decent musician, the cops will not give you much trouble. They will shoo you away, but they wont take your name, ID, or picture.

I have had some trouble though... It seems that outdoor malls are off limits-and patrolled by rentacops. LOL I used to have this great pitch in Salt Lake City at the "Gateway" outdoor mall. I averaged 40-50$ an hour there- but then sometimes the rentacops would come around. Once I had my picture taken by these rentacops-must have been 8 of them- swarming me on their bikes! They gave me a formal warning and told me to take off and that if I stepped foot on the property in the next 6 months they would have me arrested for trespassing.

Regarding that outdoor mall-

They did schedule acts to come on (which I used to sign up for) and play for tips, but you had to get a pass. I did have their "lifetime" pass, that I payed 75$ for, but then ownership changed hands and the "lifetime" pass was no longer valid. They wanted me to pay for my own insurance, which was something like 250$!

It's sad to see malls buying a large block of land, putting in the road and sidewalk and claiming that they own the sidewalk and can tell you that you can't play on it. Just another form of censorship.

From Tobias Seyb
Posted on August 14, 2008 at 6:50 AM

Sound quite "orwellish"...

But it shouldn't be compared to the situation in the Paris Métro: There is only a limited capacity for music, and for the sake of the people all musicians and groups have to qualify. It only guarantees a very fine musical quality. Nothing negative about this, I think.

I wish you good luck and lots of fun on your journey to beautiful Europe!

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Response to a comment about possibly encountering problems in Paris-

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