I once played a bit of guitar outside of the McDonalds in Ximending. I can’t speak any Mandarin so I had a friend with me who helped me borrow a stool from a vendor. Played for about an hour, and earned 589 NT!!! This was before I was familiar with the dangers of deportations and work permits and such, but I had a great time. It started off really slow at first…the only people who would look my way were foreigners who knew the songs I was playing haha…this was in late July of 2005.
Does anyone watch 5 Takes? The most recent episode showed Gabe and Tony busking and it was so funny…
I talked to my buddy who’s been busking close to Taipei 101 for the last few weeks, he said that him and his taiwanese gf talked to the police about the legal stuff for busking. The police said it’s ok as long as the business you do it in front of has no problems with you doing it. I don’t know if it’s the same for everywhere, probably not.
I was out busking tonight, and almost got busted, but I ran faster than the cops. I guess they didn’t care for my performance art. Just doing a little auto-erotic asphyxation simulation exercises the entertainment and education of kids in front of city hall.
I was wondering if anyone could give me any more details about busking in Taiwan. Does anyone know how I’d go about getting a permit for playing music and what kind of places I’d be allowed to play?
Seen a bunch of Taiwanese doing that near Danshui MRT… usually the same people everyday playing the same god-awful music you hear on the radio everyday (I guess that’s what they want to hear). I’d like to hear some variety sometimes…
I think it’s an ‘exam’ run by the city government. Like you have a gathering and everybody plays a short set for the examiners. Look up 街頭藝人 (street performers) for more info.
Anyone ever see the black guy near the xinguangsanyue stores near 101? He plays the guitar and sings, has a sign that says “don’t take a picture unless you give a donation” or something like that. He also sells his own CDs. His singing is absolutely horrid. When I’m there I beg for the light to turn quickly so I can get the hell out of there. I heard him complaining about people taking pics without giving him money, and begs for donations in between songs. Maybe he thinks Taiwanese have no ear for decent music. His singing is really that bad
This is some pretty unnecessary negativity, he can keep pitch and play guitar without making audible mistakes, that’s a lot better than most musicians out there. I see him around 101 and Ximen, he’s been quite pleasant when I’ve spoken to him in the past (when I first arrived and needed directions etc).
Bump, anyone have experience filling out the busker application form? Apparenlty the test is at the end of this month and if we don’t get one, the next one is in November, which is like forever from now
I’m interested in this too, but I think having an ARC is a prerequisite. If anyone knows different, I’ll do the test. Yes, the deadline is approaching. I have seen some people busk with no permit, if you are well dressed and polite, and play well, you can probably get away with it.
One of Jerome Keating’s “Breakfast Club” meetings was actually about this. In Taipei, at least: Yes, you need a permit, of which a limited number are distributed (each linked to a specific location, not all of them equally desirable). Yes, there is competition to get them, and I think there is a random drawing to allocate the spots. I’ll try to look up the contact info of that day’s speaker, and PM you with it if I can find it.
I know somebody who does horror makeup. I think a great act would be to get him to make me look horribly deformed–like, with two heads or something–and then just beg for money, banging my head on the ground like the other beggars do.
I can’t remember the details last year but there was some legal issue with my visa. I think even if you have an ARC it might count as work on the side. Maybe you need a looser work permit which allows you to work 2 jobs. All I know is there was some sort of red tape obstacle and I dropped it.
There is a guy in Danshui who plays awful harmonica. He has cleverly disguised this by spraying himself with gold paint. He’s now a legitimate act with a busking permit.
Edit please remove this thread if in the wrong forum.
Ok I’ll bump this thread. This post is regarding Taipei and New Taipei city.
Get a busking license you’ll need an APRC or Taiwan ID. I dont know about the ARC legalities.
2 If you need to use electronics like a speaker very few places are allowed, the ones that do are either in places where it is deserted or very high competition for places.
If you don’t need electronics then you’ll need a loud instrument like a violin or something like that. I have a banjo that is just loud enough , not quite as loud as needed but will do
Performing arts spots (dancing, circus acts etc) and music places are different spots.
Local people are mostly very receptive and interested in your performance in high pedestrian traffic areas. In fact I’ve been thanked on several occasions for making someone happy.
Many local buskers /performance artist will try to snitch you for anything whatsoever they can. I do busking very occasionally and have been false reported twice by other performance artists. Both times the official apologized to me. However , that still interrupts the performance.
Most tourists are very nice to buskers too.
In Taiwan no one will steal your money.
The online registration system is a mess, I’ve been double booked with someone else three times. I let them have the place， as it’s not my livelihood but sometimes is their livelhood. Still it wastes my time to go there and it’s double booked.
I’m in personal contact with someone at the Ministry of Culture , and I’m helping to try to sort some of the online booking issues out.
Why do it ?
1.The benefits for me busking “Street performing” is to get practice in live situations , keep up my music practice in my older age (I need some pressure to do that and busking gives me that).
Spread the kind of music I love and I don’t have to play the Eagles.
I meet a lot of people.
A bit of extra money is nice but I’ll tell you right now it’s very inconsistent. I once made 10$ in three hours playing on Monday morning with no speakers in a low traffic area. Alternately I make 1000 NT$ an hour in a high traffic areas with an amp.
Busking is not like it was in the 80s. However if you really want to play your material to complete strangers then try it, but not as a stable income but to improve yourself as a musician. People in Taiwan are often accomplished musicians. They’ll know if you’re any good even if it is not their area.
I’m not a drummer , but if you are , then the situation is very tough. Due to electronic jazz drums, drums are not allowed apart from 2 spots. Not sure why but that’s a fact.
