Written by Ong Natalie & Jerome Thomas
Walk down Orchard on a weekend evening and chances are, you will find a small crowd of passers-by gathered around a busker performing. Busking is not merely a fad for many of these artists; it is something they genuinely like doing. It fosters a closer and more personal relationship between the artist and the audience. It’s also a place for them to develop their love of music and truly connect with those who genuinely enjoy it too.
For budding musicians, busking can be their first step into their music career, by performing in front of a live audience.
The Busking scheme
The most commonly seen form of busking is musical performance, although it also includes any form of street performance, such as magic, circus acts or mime performances. In Singapore, potential buskers are required to undergo an audition with the National Arts Council (NAC) to obtain a busking licence. This is to ensure consistency in the quality of busking activities
Buskers are allowed to choose from more than 70 designated busking locations across the island to perform at. Here are some of our favourite places to check out.
(PHOTO: Naufal & Wei Yan)
Tampines
Our Tampines Hub organises regular busking performances for residents in the area, which you can look out for on their Facebook page. Some past performers include father-son duo Mr Mashruddin Saharuddin and his son Nizaruddin, who performed at the National Day Parade in 2018. You might also come across more senior buskers at Tampines MRT station, usually in the evenings or at night. As an added bonus, Tampines also has three shopping malls located right next to each other. So after enjoying the lively busking scene, you and your family can enjoy a fun shopping spree.
(PHOTO: Naufal & Wei Yan)
Chinatown
Chinatown is one of Singapore’s most famous tourist attractions, but it is also a popular spot for buskers. In the past, before busking was regulated, street peddlers and performers would use traditional Chinese instruments such as gongs and drums to entertain visitors and onlookers. Nowadays, busking has certainly become more modern with buskers at Chinatown even live streaming their performances on Tik Tok. You can soak in the rich culture of Chinatown while enjoying the performances on display.
(PHOTO: Naufal & Wei Yan)
ang mo kio
In the heartlands of Ang Mo Kio, there are three designated spots to find buskers: outside Ang Mo Kio Hub (between Ang Mo Kio Hub entrance and McDonald’s), the open area between S11 food centre and Jubilee Square, and space near hawker centre (Blk 724). You can reach these places easily within a few steps away from Ang Mo Kio MRT station.
(PHOTO: Naufal & Wei Yan)
orchard
Along the pedestrian areas at Orchard Road, you will come across many street buskers performing different acts and arts. You can access these places via Somerset or Orchard MRT station. Why not enjoy the busking while eating the traditional road-side ice cream? You may even see “Silver Man”, a performer who is covered in silver paint from head to toe, at the traffic light heading towards Paragon from Takashimaya. Also, look out for “H the Juggling Magician”, who juggles while balancing on his suitcase and a circular cylinder!
