A License to Entertain

I step into a random car on line 5 (green) of the Madrid metro and lean against the opposite doors.  There are just three stops until I get off the train. All’s calm; people seem to be minding their own business, it’s a Saturday during lunchtime (aka 3pm.)

But then, at the next stop, a large man trundles into the car.  He’s pulling some kind of machine behind him.  We did not have to wait long to find out what it is, for as soon as the train starts moving again, he flips a switch and brings a microphone to his mouth.  Music starts.  He begins.  It’s a Bon Jovi song.

Yes, this guy is singing karaoke on the metro.

Needless to say, I don’t think that this “gentleman” went to Conde Duque cultural center this week, where Madrid is holding its first-ever auditions to determine who gets to busk in the downtown area.  There are only a certain number of spots available, and the judges are looking for quality with an idea to prevent excess noise.

Street musicians will not be allowed to play during siesta time (3-5pm.)

Not that this will prevent karaoke man from hopping from car to car in the metro.  But it may give authorities their own license to ask him, not to mention the plethora of accordion players with no training, to see a busking license and maybe give us a bit of rest.

According to El Pais, many of the musicians applying for licenses this week were talented people out of job in a down economy.  People who are looking for ways to make money.  So, with this in mind, if you hear something nice on the streets of Madrid, please give.  Better yet, listen and then give.