[Latest for 2023] Beginner’s Guide! How to Start Street Performing

2023-09-01

Theme：PA

For musicians who have never done street performances, here is an overview of the general flow until you start street performing.

I myself regularly do street performances, but it’s not that I was able to bring the best performance right from the beginning. The first time performing on the street is definitely nerve-wracking.

This time I’d like to write an article to encourage everyone who wants to try street performances.

Once you’ve made up your mind, the first step is to choose where to perform.
If standing alone in front of a station feels daunting for your first time, I recommend starting at a park!
When I lack confidence to perform in front of the station, I go to a nearby spacious park.

Some might wonder, “What is a spacious park?” So, let me introduce you to a few parks where I’ve actually been:

Chiba City: ・Chiba Prefectural Makuhari Kaihin Park（MAP）
Narita City: ・Akasaka Park（MAP）
Kashiwa City: ・Akebonoyama Agriculture Park（MAP）

The scale may vary for each, but I recommend a park as large as possible.
Because...

・There are many people: →Being in a crowded place increases your chances of being heard. It helps raise recognition and expands opportunities for you to promote your musical activities.
・There are places with benches or lawns where it’s easy to play instruments: →This is important to me. I prefer locations with benches where I can sit and perform.
・Less likely to cause troubles: In parks, there tends to be a relaxed atmosphere with people who are more willing to listen attentively. Unlike performing in busy urban areas where people are rushing around and might be irritated, performing in a park provides a space where people have peace of mind to appreciate your music.

Furthermore, even if your performance isn’t well received, in a park setting, people are more likely to simply move on to another area rather than directly criticize you.
While you may feel a bit of disappointment, it’s important to stay positive and continue performing, considering that it might be a matter of personal preference or a reflection of your skill level!

Once you start gaining confidence performing in front of people, it’s time to finally try performing at busy train stations where there are a lot of people!

One of the biggest concerns when performing street live performances is whether you are violating traffic laws. This is often the most challenging issue. It’s not guaranteed that you’ll always get permission to perform in the exact location you want. Therefore, the reality is that you can’t confidently perform live everywhere.

However, this could result in missed opportunities for artists to showcase their talents in public.

Recently, some local governments have been offering services where street performers can register for performances.
In Chiba Prefecture, where Sound House is located, there are such services available, so let me introduce some!

Kashiwa Street Musicians: This is the plaza in front of Sky Plaza Kashiwa, which recently gained fame when Yuuri performed a surprise concert. I went there myself to see how it was, and there were many musicians performing.
Funabashi Machikado Music Stage Registered Musicians: It seems that the dates and times open for live performances are already set, which makes it appealing to perform confidently!

By the way, there are also events outside of Chiba Prefecture where live performances are possible, so let me introduce them as well.

■ URAWA THE STREET (Saitama Prefecture): Under the theme “Let’s connect in Urawa - We create art in Urawa”, musicians primarily lead street events held at the Urawa Station’s east exit at Civic Plaza in front of PARCO, take place once or twice a month.

Further details can be found on the following Ameba Blog.

Urawa The Street
Performance Application Form

I discovered that there are events held in more local areas than I had thought.
If you’re a beginner and considering performing on the street in the form of events, it should provide a reassuring environment to perform. I encourage you to take this opportunity to try street performing!

I’ll also list the speakers perfect for street performances you can purchase at Sound House.

If you’re planning to perform in a band, check these out!

JBL / EON208P Portable PA System