Travellers in the North East can once again enjoy live music on public transport after busking returns to the Tyne and Wear Metro for the first time since Covid-19 restrictions.

Nexus, the public body which owns and manages Metro, has welcomed buskers back to perform at its stations after a hiatus was enforced by lockdown restrictions - stretching back to March 2020.

The news will be music to the ears of the many local musicians who used to regularly entertain thousands of Metro customers on their daily commute before the pandemic. 

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Lucie Thomson, a musical theatre student from North Shields, became the first person to busk on Metro since early 2020, performing tracks by Olivia Rodrigo and Ariana Grande. 

Lucie, 18, said: “I loved it. It’s been really nice to get to see people’s reactions to hearing music at Metro stations again because it’s been such a long time since we have been able to perform due to covid. It’s great that things are back to normal.” 

A prohibition was introduced on busking in a bid to halt the spread of Covid-19, in line with national public health guidance at the time. 

However, with the removal of all restrictions performers are able to return to the dedicated busking pitches in the centre of Newcastle at Central Station, Haymarket and Monument.

Metro Operations Director, John Alexander, said: “Busking has been big part of everyday life on Metro over the last 20 years, so we are delighted to welcome it back.

“Buskers make such a huge contribution to the cultural vibrancy of our city centres, and on Metro they cheerfully entertain many thousands of passengers who pass through some of our busiest stations. 

“It was really sad that we had to prohibit musicians from performing due to the pandemic, so we are really enthused at being able to bring them all back.  We think our customers will love seeing the buskers return.”

The Northern Echo: Lucie performing on the Metro network.Lucie performing on the Metro network. (Image: Nexus)

Musicians who want to busk on the Metro system can apply by calling in person to the reception at the South Gosforth Metro Control Centre. 

Once registered a busker can book one of three dedicated busking pitches located at Metro stations in the centre of Newcastle. The busking pitches are at Haymarket, Monument and Central Station.

Nexus has introduced an online application form to make registering to busk on Metro even easier: www.nexus.org.uk/metro/busking

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Potential buskers can also register their interest by visiting Metro Control Centre Reception, Station Road, South Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne,NE3 1YT. Buskers will need to bring a passport style photograph with them along with a form of ID.

Busking pitches are available in three-hour slots: 12pm-3pm and 3pm-6pm.