You want to play live music on the streets of Amsterdam?
Then this web site is a bit the wrong place; basically it is meant for and applies to street theatre
performers with a socalled circle show. Legally and practically things are different for busking
musicians.
But since we get many questions from musicians we made this specific page with the basics that apply to
street musicians in Amsterdam.
PLEASE NOTE: this page was made in June 2007 and will not be maintained actively. It is meant to be
only a rough guideline. To know about the current situation, please contact the Amsterdam City Council. We
don't know more than what is written on this page.
License or not?
One does NOT need a license to play live music in the streets of Amsterdam. Playing is free
for Europeans as well as non-Europeans. However, some restrictions apply:
A maximum of 30 minutes per day near the same spot (radius 100m),
You may not use amplification or percussion instruments,
You may not play with a group of more than six persons,
You may not play in the evening after 23.00, on Sundays not before 13:00.
You may not play in certain streets and areas.
Check out the 'Map forbidden streets' in the link menu on the left side of this screen. Note these forbidden streets are subject to change. Inform at the city council or the police to be sure.
It is not possible to get a license allowing amplification, drums etc. Exception is when you want to
organize a one-day event and build a stage or so, but that's a totally different story...
Pitches
There are many places around town where you can play your music, especially if you want to play just
'small'. Some pitches are shared and organized with a line-up, like the main terrace of Leidseplein and
Rembrandtplein. If you want to play these pitches, first go there and ask the musicians playing how things
are done.
Other pitches are shared and organized by street theatre performers. Since the nature of street music differs
from street theatre, also the pitches got divided historically between street music versus street theatre. This
is generally accepted and respected by both the street musicians as well as the street theatre performers.
Please, do not 'squeeze yourself in' on or near the pitches played by street theatre artists. While musicians can play
many pitches all over town, for circle show street theatre there are only one or two options.
Selling CD's
Selling CD's with your music is officially forbidden, although it seems to us that some get away with it.
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