Melbourne buskers forced to audition for Bourke Street Mall spot

Melbourne buskers have hit out at “unfair” rules that force performers who have played in our streets for decades to audition for the right to perform in the Bourke St Mall.

Some of Melbourne’s favourite buskers have failed the first round of auditions of Melbourne City Council’s drastic new measures governing street performers in the Bourke Street Mall.

Among those who failed round one, and risk facing bans if they miss out on round two, are popular pan piper Jorge Cuba and reggae musician Braza.

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They’ve both been given red cards after playing for council representatives.

“Twenty buskers performed and were judged by a panel comprised of City of Melbourne officers and two experienced and established Bourke Street Mall buskers,” said a City of Melbourne spokesperson.

The potential bans follow new rules after the council updated its busker policy in 2017 upon receiving complaints about noise pollution and “poor quality” acts.

Many acts were instantly banned: spray painting vinyl records, animal acts, yoyo tricks, balloon art and spontaneous poetry.

Buskers using flammable substances or modified knives, whips and swords are still allowed if they’ve been given the tick by a council representative.

Busker Daniel “Animus” Richardson playing the didgeridoo in Bourke Street Mall.

“Melbourne has more than 2000 street performers, all of whom are vying for the best locations to showcase their talents. The live auditions will help us give buskers the opportunity to access premium locations, while also ensuring the quality of the content in highly trafficked areas of the city.

“Busking applicants get two auditions. If somebody is unsuccessful they can apply for a subsequent audition,” said a spokesperson.

“If they fail the second audition then they can still play until their annual licence runs out.”

Jorge Cuba, who makes his money in Bourke Street Mall, was too distraught to comment.

Melbourne busker Jorge Cuba has been performing in the City for decades.

But a spokesman for buskers, didgeridoo player Daniel “Animus” Richardson said: “Jorge doesn’t have another gig, he’s been a Melbourne busker by trade for decades. It’s not fair if they start kicking out older buskers.

“The Melbourne Council wants to start to shape the culture of busking. It doesn’t matter if I don’t like the panpipes, the people of Melbourne do,” said Richardson.

In a cruel twist, pictures of Cuba appear on City of Melbourne’s website as an example of a busker.

“I think they’re in the process of back-pedalling,” said Richardson. “It’s a shambles.