The regulars from Woodlands and Admiralty, who busk beneath the moniker Norm plus Matt, also stated that they prefer heartland audiences who will sit down and listen, rather than rush by.
For example , these people like busking in a restaurant at Woodlands Waterfront where they are going to sing birthday music for anyone celebrating their own birthday there. Upon Aug 9, whenever they sing National Time songs, people sing along, said the 57-year-old.
“The ambience is nice as it’s near the sea … and if you look at the rear of, it’s actually Johor Bahru … the scenery is wonderful, so we come in, bring in the music, so I think they enjoy it, ” he said.
“They tend to sit longer than normal, have their beer plus food … it is almost like we’re a resident band there. ”
With the new booking program, they also want to try other locations that they’ve not busked at just before.
However , will not mean they will constantly get the places they desire as some popular areas are quickly snapped up. For busking places that are hot real estate, there is a balloting system. This includes spots together Orchard Road, at Paya Lebar Square and in Ang Mo Kio.
GREATER VARIETY OF ACTS
There are about three hundred buskers registered using the NAC, and they have to audition to get a busking licence. In the past, the particular five locations every busker was allocated would be printed on the busking cards.
With the e-booking services, they can choose from over 70 locations throughout Singapore.
“There’s more surety of the locations and their own busking slots, ” said Ms Koh Jau Chern, associate director for accessibility and participation from NAC.
Previously, without a booking program, some buskers hog a location for the entire day time, she added.
The change came after opinions from buskers about their challenges, Ms Koh said. The new booking platform assists buskers, who are already subject to the whims of the weather, program ahead.
Since the new system was launched, there has been a greater variety of acts at well-known, high-traffic locations, according to the NAC. For example , twenty five buskers performed with AMK Hub within August, with pretty much 7 per cent from the slots not used.