Once it was banned, now it’s cool: Busking. And everyone’s getting in on the act

Buskers used to be public enemy number one for urban transport operators and authorities. Not any more. People who were once moved on or even fined for striking up a song in a public place are now welcomed as a interesting part of the metropolitan mix.

It’s not just the transport providers who have gone all cool. British transport minister Norman Baker has just released a debut album with his band the Reform Club for which he is lead singer and song writer. Their first single even has a...