Street musicians were banned from making noise in the center of St. Petersburg

The authorities of St. Petersburg have approved a list of places where street musicians can perform. There are only 12 such locations in the city center. Concerts must be arranged in advance.

Officials also approved the criteria for performance zones. All sites are divided into three types:

• “Quiet” – it is impossible to use sound-amplifying equipment and play percussion instruments;
• “Moderate” – you can use equipment with a power of up to 500 W and drums;
• “Loud”, where you can use powerful equipment and percussion instruments.

At the same time, there is only one “loud” place – Tavrichesky Garden.

It is necessary to apply for a performance no earlier than 20 and no later than 10 days before the date. The performance period can last no more than 30 days, and without amplifying equipment – no more than 14. Musicians can hold concerts in the same place no earlier than a month after the first performance.

It will be possible to perform from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends.

Violations are subject to fines of up to five thousand rubles for citizens and up to 200 thousand rubles for legal entities.

• In December 2022, the State Assembly of St. Petersburg adopted a bill on street musicians – artists were forbidden to perform without approval from the authorities. According to the document, the performances of musicians should not contain slurs, calls to extremism, violence and cruelty, the use of alcohol and drugs, as well as war propaganda.
• Musicians criticized the bill, as the new rules allow officials to refuse artists to perform. The deputies of “Yablok”, CPRF and “Spravedliva Rossii” spoke against it. They admitted that the law could lead to abuse and unfair application.