Time for would-be “underground musicians” to stretch your vocal chords and get your picking fingers ready. The TTC is hosting the 35th subway musicians’ auditions this Friday, Saturday and Sunday, August 21, 22 and 23.
This year, 190 musicians — members of 175 acts — have signed up to audition for one of the 74 licenses. A three-judge panel will assess each musician during a seven-minute performance.
The TTC has been auditioning musicians since 1979. Subway performers come from all walks of life and some have played underground for decades. Every year, the musicians entertain hundreds of thousands of subway riders daily with a wide range of musical styles and instruments — everything from guitars to flutes, bassoons to violins to kalimbas.
This year, the TTC recruited musicians from Friday, May 15 to Friday, June 19. Successful acts can perform in the subway system from Thursday, October 8, 2015 until Sunday, October 7, 2018 in 25 subway stations.
The TTC is holding the auditions just outside the northwest corner of the Food Building in Exhibition Place during the Canadian National Exhibition. You can take a seat, enjoy the performances and cheer your favourites Friday from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m.