Myles Smith describes City of Sydney’s red-tape as ‘mad’ after Pitt St busking block
A famous singer-songwriter has spoken out after his run-in with Sydney’s infamous fun police, sharing his thoughts on the city to followers across the world. pe got in the way. See the video.
NSW
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A famous singer-songwriter who the City of Sydney knocked back from playing an impromptu street gig has weighed into the fiasco, sharing his encounter with the city’s infamous red-tape to fans across the world.
It comes after The Saturday Telegraph revealed Stargazing singer Myles Smith wanted to perform an “impromptu busk” in Pitt Street Mall on Thursday night but came up against Clover Moore’s fun police.
Smith was told he would have to apply for a busking license, provide identification and line up with other artists from 7am to secure a spot to perform the day before his sold-out Hordern Pavilion show.
After he ended up playing on the Opera House steps instead following a timely intervention from the NSW government, Smith shared a series of posts to his 1.4 million Instagram followers reflecting on his time in the harbourside city.
The posts included a photo of The Saturday Telegraph editorial on the story and a black and white statement, where Smith called it “mad how something so simple can feel so complicated to actually make happen”.
“Kinda crazy how hard it can be sometimes to just play a couple of songs on the street,” he said.
“Like I get it … there needs to be some sort of system so it’s far for everyone whether you’ve got no followers or a million. That’s important.
“But still … it’s mad how something so simple can feel so complicated to actually make happen.
“Music’s special man. Hope it never gets too hard to share.”
Smith also shared a polaroid picture of him taken in Sydney alongside a caption where he made a lighthearted dig at the city’s night-life.
“Sydney you have my heart,” the post read. “Only thing is, ya’ll close everything at 12? What’s that about! Till next time ey.”
The City of Sydney’s red tape stands in stark contrast to authorities in Melbourne, which are understood to have granted Smith’s request to play in Federation Square in 15 minutes last week.
Smith is also booked to play in Brisbane in the coming days.
City of Sydney councillor Olly Arkins said the saga should be a lesson for the city to improve its entertainment culture.
“Sydney has some way to go to resuscitate our night-life and our reputation globally after a decade of debacles under the lockout laws,” they said.
“Myles is the hottest artist in the UK right now. His experience in Sydney this week is a huge blow to rebuilding our reputation.”
A City of Sydney spokeswoman previously said the council was “delighted” Smith ended up performing at the Opera House.
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