Busking has now returned to the Tyne and Wear Metro.
Performing music at Metro stations was banned for more than two years due to coronavirus restrictions. The ban came into force during the first lockdown in March 2020.
Nexus, which owns and manages the service, said it is now safe for buskers to perform at its stations.
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Before the covid-19 pandemic, many local performers regularly entertained thousands of Metro customers on their daily commute.
Musical theatre student Lucie Thomson became the first person to busk there since early 2020. The 18-year-old performed tracks by Olivia Rodrigo and Ariana Grande.
Lucie, from North Shields, North Tyneside, said: "I loved it. It’s been really nice to get to see people’s reactions to hearing music at Metro stations again because it’s been such a long time since we have been able to perform due to covid. It’s great that things are back to normal."
Busking was previously prohibited, in line with national public health guidance at the time, in a bid to halt the spread of the virus.
The removal of all restrictions means that performers can now return to the dedicated busking pitches. They are located at three stations in the centre of Newcastle - Central Station, Haymarket and Monument.
Metro Operations Director John Alexander said: "Busking has been big part of everyday life on Metro over the last 20 years, so we are delighted to welcome it back.
"Buskers make such a huge contribution to the cultural vibrancy of our city centres, and on Metro they cheerfully entertain many thousands of passengers who pass through some of our busiest stations.
"It was really sad that we had to prohibit musicians from performing due to the pandemic, so we are really enthused at being able to bring them all back. We think our customers will love seeing the buskers return."
Musicians who want to busk on the Metro system can apply by calling in person to the reception at the South Gosforth Metro Control Centre. Buskers will need to bring a passport style photograph with them along with identification.
Once registered, a busker can book one of the three dedicated busking pitches located at Metro stations in the centre of Newcastle. Busking pitches are available in three-hour slots: 12pm-3pm and 3pm-6pm.
Metro Control Centre Reception is located on Station Road in South Gosforth. The postcode is NE3 1YT.
Nexus has introduced an online application form to make registering to busk on the Metro system easier www.nexus.org.uk/metro/busking
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