DJ Grandpa helped spark a new licensing system for street performance after infuriating passers-by with his repetitive mobile disco

IT is a proud stop on Britain’s rock’n’roll map, a meeting place of performers of all kinds of music.

But residents in Camden Town say they are now living in a nightmare scenario where buskers are playing the same five or so songs every day, leaving them wondering what has happened to the Town Hall’s licensing controls.

Jack McDougall, who lives close to what has become an unofficial stage outside Camden Town Underground Station, said he had reached the end of his tether.

“The situation is getting worse – the same couple of performers playing the same handful of bad songs on repeat over and over all day,” he said.

“In the hot weather those of us who live nearby want to have our windows open but are bombarded by the noise, and often well past the 9pm curfew.”

Ten years ago Camden Council sought to tackle issues around busking outside the tube stop after a bizarre summer in which a man dressed in a latex Grandpa mask turned up with a trolley disco every day and cranked out dance music.

His identity remained secret as he pumped out his relentless Ibiza-style four-to-the-beat pop.

Buskers, in reply, said that they were being unfairly grouped in with the mobile disco and that Camden Town has always been a place where musicians play in the street.

Under the rules, they had to apply for a licence that would allow them to play for a maximum of 25 minutes at a time.

They were told to stop by 9pm and not play over a certain volume.

Residents say this scheme has never been properly enforced and now a hardcore group of professional street performers have commandeered the spot and are driving people to distraction by playing the same songs repeatedly.

Mr McDougall said: “I get that living in central Camden it’s part and parcel of the culture and community, and in the past I’ve enjoyed the sound of performers drifting in, but the current crop are relentless.”

He added: “These aren’t random buskers any more – these are people who advertise as being “full-time street performers”, yet only have a set of around seven generic songs they will play on repeat over and over from midday to midnight.”

The time slots were designed to allow a range of performers but this has failed spectacularly, Mr McDougall said, adding: “As a passer-by you might be mistaken for thinking they are random, but as a resident you hear the same offending performers, and intimidating newcomers.

“The professionals have learned the council patrol have no power to insist on checking licences.”

River Astley says he can sing for several hours outside Camden Town tube station

One busker, River Atley, performing on Tuesday morning with a large repertoire of songs, told the New Journal that the space was not always in demand and so the same musician could be in place for several hours.

He said: “I can start in the morning and stay till 3pm, unless some­one else comes along.”

The singer, originally from Guatemala, said he had been asked to perform at weddings after being spotted outside the tube station.

“I work here Monday to Friday,” said Mr Atley.

“It is always a bit give and take – sometimes you get good crowds. Not everyone likes it but most people do. I do it mainly for myself – I really enjoy it and it is good for my health. I also sing in Leicester Square and Covent Garden and I get a lot of people asking to book me.”

Camden’s scheme has handed out more than 500 licences which are required if the busker uses an amp, drums or wind instruments, or has a “dangerous” element – fire jugglers, for example. A licence last for two years.

A Town Hall spokesman said they planned to launch a summer crackdown. “Camden has a worldwide reputation for music and it’s vibrant street atmosphere,” he said.

“The council is committed to protecting its cultural heritage and promoting the arts. We encourage street performers to play, but need to balance this with the needs of our residents.

“Our licensing scheme is there to encourage street entertainment that meets this balance – it supports performers and enables noise complaints to be resolved quickly.

“We will be doubling-down in the area surround­ing Camden Town station where we are aware of noise disturbances and unlicensed busking.”