The Tate busking pitch is one of the most iconic, culturally diverse and important grass roots international busking pitches, where musicians worldwide, share their talent, musical identity and friendship to a delighted public in an unrivalled, musically historic and inclusive environment.

Southwark Council, without warning (and seemingly without consultation with any of the working artists and musicians) placed a sign on the pitch stating that 'amplified music here is banned'. To say it is now suddenly and shockingly banned from this historic pitch has rendered dozens if not hundreds of buskers speechless, angry and without income.

Amplified music when busking is a significantly important tool for musicians to be able to play and be heard appropriately. The ambient noise in the capital simply does not translate to being able to busk effectively, and besides this, digital instruments - such as keyboards, loop pedals, sample pads etc are effectively now banned also. In light of this amplification ban, the modern musician is now simply unable to cultivate their craft and make a living at this pitch. It is clear Southwark Council simply do not care for musicians at The Tate Modern. 

Singlehandedly, this ban has destroyed dozens of livelihoods, friendships and culture in the heart of an already artistic area now branded 'a residential' area as stated on the sign in the picture. This is not a residential area. It is an artistic hub, being rebranded residential by new luxury houses - hundreds of metres away. These areas appear to complain about the 'noise'. It's bizarre to say the least, as a published period of monitoring between July and August 2018 found that most of the noise was NOT loud enough to spark enforcement action, yet still this action ensued.

Due to the spectacular artistic nature and tourism in the area particular of The Tate Modern Gallery, busking here is hugely important to musicians but also to tourism in the area. There is an artistic cultured audience which respects and clearly desires buskers to be able to play appropriately in this pitch.

Musician's here have been able to start and establish their careers at this notable pitch. It is a part of their income. Furthermore, it has played a pivotal role in artistic success stories; Including Cam Cole (Now touring the US), The Portico Quartet (Ninja Tune Records), and Passenger (Nettwerk Records) to name others.

The tradition of Bankside busking goes many decades deep, and is a hugely established and important tradition and stamp on London culture. It is hugely important for music and art lovers, where we have been inundated with messages of support and ire from even NON-MUSICIANS!

The council’s working group found that the majority of noise complaints were made by just FOUR individuals. This should NOT mean a blanket enforcement on the pitch should ruin it for everyone. There are ways to effectively manage the pitch so that it works with appropriate volume levels.

We demand a logistical solution from Southwark Council, where a few potentially too loud buskers should not ruin it for all.

THIS MUST BE overturned, as it could drastically spell a knock-on effect for the cultural heritage of the Southbank, and for the many many lives internationally that rely on love, friendship and their livelihoods to busk there.

This petition is being sent to MP Neil Coyle, so the more signatures please the more important concerted pressure we can demand for a valuable answer and solution

Signed

Alex Hall, Andreas Wolff, Ludwig Wright, Ela Kalicka, Francesco Nasone, John Dhali, Alex Gibson, Arichie Shutler

Southbank Buskers