by Kevin James for StreamlineMusicBlog
Its baaaaack!!! New York City’s bustling “underground” music scene has returned to subway stations across the city.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) Music Under New York (MUNY) program schedules music performances across the vast transit network and provides exposure to over 350 artists and groups who participate.
Official live musical performances resumed Friday in the Big Apple’s subway system.
The return of the live underground performances come after more than a year long hiatus compelled by the coronavirus crisis in April 2020.
A multitude of musicians and artists took to the subway to play an eclectic, multi-genre blend of music in a variety of styles.
As a New Yorker, I am personally excited about this news I have seen an enormous amount of talent performing under the MUNY program over the years.
From MTA’s May press release:
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced that its popular Music Under New York program will return to the subway system on June 4, more than 14 months since it suspended public performances due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and immediately on the heels of the return of 24/7 subway service and the broader reopening of New York City.
Authority officials, including MTA Arts & Design Director Sandra Bloodworth, joined longtime Music Under New York groups to formally celebrate the news with a brief concert at the 72 St station featuring The Opera Collective and Diverse Concert Artists.
“This is such a profoundly exciting and special moment for MTA Arts & Design and Music Under New York, one of Arts & Design’s flagship programs,” said MTA Arts & Design Director Sandra Bloodworth. “The last year has been difficult for these artists just as they have been difficult for the entire city. To see Music Under New York return is the product of hard work from so many and I am thrilled that our customers will once again get to experience the power and joy that this program has long been known for. No one has to tell a New Yorker why the arts are so important, but the absence of live performance over the last year has only served to reinforce their cultural significance. After 14 months of missing them, today is a special day.”
In a press release issued by the MTA, New York City Transit Executive VP for Subways, Demetrius Crichlow, stated “Almost every subway rider can speak to a time when the beauty, power, and joy of a particular MUNY act has stopped them in their tracks,”
“[Music] serves as an immense source of joy and inspiration to the millions of people who ride our system each day. I’m thrilled it’s back.”