Worldwide celebration of busking will bring music to cities worldwide

• First International Busking Day will entertain public, whilst challenging misconceptions and raising status of popular public art forms

• Cities joining London for global event include New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Christchurch, Hong Kong and Toronto, plus 50 across the UK

• London also sees a summer of street performance in the capital, with Busk in London Festival and Gigs busking competition for young musicians

Fifty cities across the UK, along with major world cities including New York, Sydney, Barcelona, Hong Kong, Paris and Toronto, will join London for the most ambitious celebrations of busking and street performance ever staged.

The first ever International Busking Day will take place on Saturday 23 July, with each city hosting music, circus, magic, street dance, physical theatre, street art and other entertainment in public spaces ranging from city squares to underground and railway stations and shopping malls to parks.

It comes as busking musicians and street performers continue to face obstacles in many cities thanks to confusing rules, unnecessary red tape and even the threat of arrest – despite it being popular with residents and tourists alike. The London 2012 Festival and subsequent events like Lumiere London have also demonstrated a massive appetite for outdoors arts and performance.

International Busking Day will seek to counter misconceptions, raising the profile of street performance on an international level and highlighting its significance in the life of cities.

This global showcase of exciting talent builds on the success of the Mayor's Busk in London programme and the Gigs busking competition. Over the last eight years, Gigs has attracted thousands of young musicians and been enjoyed by millions at Tube stations and other locations across the capital.

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: 'We are thrilled that great world cities have rallied to our call for the first ever International Busking Day. As a global hub for creativity and the arts, I'm proud that London is spearheading this celebration of street performance. I hope all cities will recognise the huge cultural contribution buskers make, and follow London's lead in making it easier for performers to do their thing!'

Musician Hugh Cornwell, one of the founders of The Stranglers, said: ‘It's great to hear that there will now be an official Busk in London busking circuit in London's major train stations - another world first for London. It's a great opportunity for the capital's young talent to show their wares and take on the challenge of an audience on the move.’

Kyle Falconer, from indie rock band The View, who found success through busking said: ‘We're happy to support International Busking Day. Busking was essential for us as performers when we started our career, it's partly how we learned to craft our art and gives artists the opportunity to play to new audiences and a platform to be recognised. Our debut album was titled 'Hats Off To The Buskers' and so it's very apt that we can be part of this scheme to enable Busking in various cities worldwide and to encourage new talent to get involved and be heard.’

Chart-topping singer-songwriter Jack Savoretti said: ‘Having toured Europe a lot these last couple of years, one thing I always recognise and say about the UK music scene is that, like no other place it gives new, up and coming artists a platform. That starts with busking and playing in small venues. Busk in London goes right to the heart of this and will continue to make this a unique music city.’

Richie from CC Smugglers, a band spotted busking by Jools Holland, who will be performing at a festival being headlined by Bruce Springsteen this summer, said: “The sidewalk is the great equaliser; it separates the wheat from the chaff. The tricks you learn on the streets, you will take with you for the rest of your career. Get it right out there, and you'll have no problem in the bars, theatres and big stages." Words of 'Old Crow Medicine Show' front-man and personal hero, Ketch Secor. Spoken to us as he discovered us busking outside his show, he in turn was discovered busking by his hero Doc Watson on a Nashville street corner. It's a tradition that we are proud to not only have been a part of, but eager to encourage and support. We are keen to make it our mission to help ensure this longstanding craft is not bustled out of our cities by bureaucracy and licensing.’

Professor Richard Smith, University of Southern California Thornton School of Music, who is coordinating activities in Los Angeles, said: 'So much incredible talent is honed on the streets. It's an equal playing field and gives us all access to a rich mix of culture. International Busking Day is a world-wide celebration of this and LA is excited to be involved.'

Trafalgar Square will once again be at the heart of the action following the success of last year’s National Busking Day, which saw 22 cities, including London take part. The Busk in London Festival will be returning with street performance over nine days from 23-31 July, with the square hosting performers from around the world. This year, for the first time, it will include performance masterclasses and 'Give it a Go' sessions as part of the brand new Busk in London Academy in partnership with Morley College London.

Also new for 2016, a circuit of Busk in London street performance pitches is opening at eight Network Rail stations across London, including King's Cross and Waterloo. Top quality acts, including magic, music, living statues and more, will delight and entertain rail passengers, adding to the destination experience already offered by these stations. Applications for a spot at one of the pitches open today (Wednesday 16 March) at www.buskinlondon.com.

KEY DATES

Wednesday 16 March Gigs busking competition opens for entries

Wednesday 16 March Busk in London Festival registration opens

Saturday 23 July International Busking Day

23 July – 31 July Busk in London Festival

23 July – 7 August Gigs competition live performances

Sunday 4 September Gigs Grand Final at Westfield Stratford City

More details about International Busking Day and the Busk in London Festival can be found at www.buskinlondon.com.