Dublin buskers subject to new performance code

Riptide Movement and Glen Hansard are renowned for taking to the city's streets to earn a few quid and gather a following, now Dublin City Council has introduced a new code that restricts buskers, making impromptu midnight sing-songs on Grafton St and skinny set lists a thing of the past.

Volume restrictions, a ban on the sale of merchandise and repetition rules will all be introduced by the council code.

Musicians or singers will now have to at least 20 songs in their repertoire before busking in the capital.

According to the code, street performers will no longer be allowed play between 11.00pm and 11.00am in most areas, except for Temple Bar, where they will be allowed play up to 3am at weekends.

Volume will be restricted as the code introduces a number of 'amp free' zones and in places that allow amps, musicians will be asked to use practice amp.

Expect a fresh flood of beatboxers and cajon drummers as drumkits are now discouraged. According to the code

"As drum kits cannot be turned down in volume, and are found to be causing regular complaints, then acts will be asked to replace these kits with an unamplified 'cajon' percussion instrument".

Proposed by Dublin's Street Performers and developed with local traders and Dublin City Council, the new code will be piloted for three months until the end of October.
Repeat offenders that fail to adhere to the code will be subject to legal enforcement proceedings by Dublin City Council.