Busker Nigel Burch slams TfL move to stop banjo playing in stations

Published: 30 July 2010
by JOSH LOEB

SMALL, comical and associated with the light-hearted folk music of George Formby, the banjo might seem innocent enough.

But it appears it is proving too much for Transport for London (TfL), who have banned it from being played on the Tube. TfL officials have branded it “undesirable” and have placed it on a blacklist.

The ban was revealed by musician Nigel Burch, who plays a banjo and ukulele hybrid instrument called the “banjolele”.

He said: “This is an outrage. There are many musicians, not all banjo and uke players, who find this musical instrument discrimination outrageous. 

“Apparently deafening electric guitars and backing tracks and amplified saxes are desirable but my small acoustic instrument that I use to accompany my voice is not.”

Mr Burch has been busking at Leicester Square, Tottenham Court Road and Oxford Circus stations for around 30 years.

He signed-up to the licensed busking scheme when it was introduced six years ago – but after his licence expired he was told he could not renew it.

In an email to Mr Burch in March, TfL stated: “Unfortunately for these applications the banjo was listed as not desirable, and therefore your application was unsuccessful on this occasion.”

When he asked about the ukulele he was told: “The ukulele is also on the undesirable instrument list.” 

After enquiries by the West End Extra, TfL said it had since changed its position on the ukulele and the instrument was now considered “desirable”.

Peter Murphy, who runs an online group representing Tube buskers, said: “There are degrees of professionalism as to how each instrument is played, so how can you make a blanket assumption that customers won’t want to hear a particular instrument?”

John Howlett, who runs the Hobgoblin folk music shop in Rathbone Place, off Oxford Street, added: “I can’t really see how the banjo could offend anyone. 

“It is a popular instrument at the moment because of [Mercury Music Prize shortlisted band] Mumford and Sons, and Steve Martin playing it on his recent tour.” 

A spokeswoman for the Musicians Union said they were investigating the situation.

A TfL spokeswoman refused to give details on why the banjo was considered “undesirable”, adding: “Licensed buskers are chosen on talent and diversity, with emphasis strongly placed on meeting the varied musical tastes of Tube customers. Musicians are shortlisted on presentation, musical ability, range of songs and originality. Not passing the selection process is not a reflection on any particular instrument or music genre – we realise that some entrants will be disappointed.”