Busking & street performance
You could perform along the South Bank of the Thames, one of London’s top tourist destinations
Busking has long been part of London life, bringing the city’s public spaces to life through music, dance and entertainment.
By becoming a licensed street performer with us you could be adding to that rich tradition, and performing on the riverside promenade of Queen’s Walk between the London Eye and Waterloo Bridge. Open to emerging and established performers, obtaining this licence allows you to perform in this iconic location for 12 months at a time.
And to help foster the community spirit among buskers and street performers performing on our pitches we support and organise social events, providing a great opportunity for you to meet new performers and connect with like-minded artists.
Why become a licensed street performer with us?
- You get to bring your act to a popular and iconic London location.
- You’ll receive regular communication from our co-ordinators to ensure your performance experience goes smoothly.
- You’ll have direct communication with our security team if assistance is ever needed.
How to apply
Interested in becoming a licensed street entertainer at the Southbank Centre? To do so, you will need to participate in our auditions. Keep an eye out for when the next round is announced.
Ahead of the audition, make sure you read our Code of Practice.
Following your audition, if it has gone positively, you’ll need to submit the following.
- Detailed risk assessment
- Proof of public liability insurance of at least £5 million
- Copy of identification
- Portrait ID photo
- Signed Code of Practice.
Once we have all your documentation we’ll schedule a soundcheck with you in one of the allocated pitches – to ensure your act can be performed inside our approved decibel levels.
And once that’s done you’ll get your licence ID and lanyard and you’re ready to perform.
Our Code of Practice
Prior to obtaining your licence, all performers are to agree with the Southbank Centre’s Code of Practice. Standard conditions include:
- refraining from placing your audience at harm – this eliminates the possibility of using knives or open flames
- clearly display of licence ID while performing
- possessing public liability insurance of at least £5 million
- completing a risk assessment reviewed and approved by Street Entertainers team.
A breach of the Code of Practice could result in the suspension and even revocation of your licence to perform here.
FAQs
Under our licence scheme, we don’t include activities that incorporate the sale of goods and/or services, for example portrait artists, balloon sellers and tarot card reading.
All licensed buskers must be over 18 years of age.
It can take one to three weeks, depending on submission of requested documentation.
One year, with the possibility to renew.
Yes, you can renew your licence every year, and there is no limit on how many times you can renew.
Only in serious circumstances, when a breach of the Code of Practice has been made. At which point the Southbank Centre will analyse the situation and consider revoking the licence if required.
Yes, all performers are welcome to audition as many times as they wish to, unless told otherwise.
Yes, amplification can be used between 10am and 9pm, and up to 75db.
No. We have designated pitches where licensed performers can perform. There are more than ten, all situated on Queen’s Walk.