No permit, No performance: Church Street's impromptu gigs a thing of the past?

Church Street in Bengaluru has long been a hub of spontaneous cultural energy and impromptu street performances. However, with the recent detention of international performers and growing restrictions on unsanctioned gigs, the city’s approach to public performances seems to be shifting. It’s not without reason. As authorities take a harder look at crowd control and safety in public spaces, the question remains: can Bengaluru’s most iconic street still be a space for free expression — or is the era of impromptu performances a thing of the past?

What happened?

Last week, German influencer Younes Zarou was briefly detained by Bengaluru police for filming a dance video on Church Street that drew a crowd. This incident wasn’t isolated. It comes after another German TikToker, Noel Robinson, was detained days prior for holding a similar street performance. Earlier this year, even global pop icon Ed Sheeran had his surprise Church Street set cut short.

Church Street off limits to street performers?

Though Ed claimed he had approval, police denied it, citing the absence of clearance for using a microphone, security arrangements, and police approval. The incident occurred amid ongoing enforcement on Church Street, which last year, saw police evict street vendors and advise buskers against performing, Deepak Batavia explains. He adds, “Church Street is a vibrant area, but it’s also a 715-metre road. Because it’s so narrow, one unexpected crowd can quickly become a safety hazard.”

Curbs imposed amid residential concerns

According to Deepak Batavia, President of the Church Street Association, the curbs on performances on Church Street stem from residential grievances and safety concerns. “We’ve had a lot of incidents; hospitals in the area faced significant trouble, residents’ privacy was completely compromised, there were even fights. The street would be totally jam-packed. A court order was thus issued, and we have to abide by it,” he said, underscoring the police’s legitimate crowd control concerns, a critical issue for Bengaluru, particularly after incidents like the RCB stampede.

We need better public spaces for artistes, musicians: City strategist

Urban strategist Vinod Jacob believes the crackdown on gigs points to a larger issue — Bengaluru’s lack of open, accessible performance spaces. He said, “The need for public stages for artistes, musicians and painters is a must. In the past, dedicated venues regularly hosted gigs and live shows by freelance artistes. We also had playgrounds with built-in stages for public performances that didn’t disturb anyone. We truly need more public spaces where artistes can perform freely. As a heritage and cultural capital of India, Bengaluru’s traditional classical artistes also require these spaces to showcase their art. However, blocking traffic and performing on roads is unwarranted and not advisable.”

What about Church Street’s buskers?

It isn’t only international creators; local performers have faced pushback too. Neil Newton, an artiste and beatboxer who used to perform on Church Street, explains that he stopped busking following an encounter with the police. “Unfortunately, under Indian law, busking falls under public nuisance. I remember an incident when a cop approached us while we were performing — we were a group of four and we’d just randomly started performing. The cop threatened to take us to the station if we didn’t clear out in 30 seconds. That was the last time I busked. Busking was something I did for fun - I didn’t want to cause any trouble,” he says, and notes, “Today, Church Street has also became too chaotic and crowded, it’s easy for things to get out of hand.”