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Buskers are to face an X Factor-style "play-off" in front of Boris Johnson for the right to perform at Tube stations.
Musicians aged 16-25 were invited to enter a competition to busk for 20-minute slots at seven Underground stations last month.
Now their recordings have been posted online so members of the public can vote for their favourite.
Performers include 21-year-old drama student Mike Auger, who this week made his debut performance at the Edinburgh Festival, 24-year-old Cherry Lee Mewis who has already had an album released and 16-year-old schoolboys Kieran Brunt and Patrick Milne who play the melodica, guitar and tambourine.
On 1 September the 20 buskers with the highest number of votes will be whittled down to 10 by a panel of judges from the music industry.
Finalists will be given the chance to perform at the busk-off at the Mayor of London's Young People's Question Time later that month and the winner will be announced by Mr Johnson.
The winner will receive a year's licence to perform as part of London Underground's busking scheme while the runner-up wins a Fender precision bass signed and donated by Sting. Third place will get a new acoustic guitar.
Mr Johnson said: "London is known for the fantastic music produced here and these young musicians show our city is bubbling with talent. Come on Londoners, get your votes in."
The first "official" busker, in 2001, was cellist Julian Lloyd Webber. He said: "There are certainly some people here with a future in music. If I had to pick one, it would be the pair Kieran and Patrick. They have a great presence."
The competition has been praised by radio producer and former Pop Idol judge Neil Fox. He said: "This is wonderful. There was a time when they were trying to take buskers off the Tube and I think it's fantastic the Mayor is doing this. Sometime we run the risk of cities becoming concrete jungles but this is what gives London flavour.
"From watching the clips there are certainly some people I'd like to see on a stage. The problem with Tube busking is that people are in such a rush and are more likely to listen if it's familiar so it's best to pick a cover version."
Fellow Pop Idol judge and music producer Pete Waterman said: "The quality of buskers on the Underground has always been impressive, which is why this competition is so compelling." Buskers do not have a set slot but the 300 who are licensed can call London Underground to book up to 14 two-hour slots every week at any of the 23 stations which have busking spots. The competition was one of the highlights of Rhythm of London, two days of music events organised by the Mayor in July. The deadline for voting is 31 August.
Cherry Lee Mewis, 24
From Bedford, she works as a receptionist but supplements her income with gigs in Bedford and London.
She has already produced one album, Little Girl Blue, and has another coming out this summer called Southbound Train. She said: “Unless you've got a top- name manager it's very hard to get decent gigs in London and I'm sick of doing them for free.
Joel Bailey, 24
The unemployed graphic designer from West Hampstead has to practise in his bathroom as it is the only room where the sound does not affect the psychologist who lives above his flat.
He moved to the capital to study at the London College of Communication but has found it difficult to get an apprenticeship in the recession. He said: “I'm going to dedicate the next six months or until my overdraft runs out to music. Getting this slot would let me carry on for longer because of the money and give me more of a promotional stage.
“It would also give me a lot more room.”
“I've always been into my music and started off just doing cover stuff but now am into writing my own blues.”
A drama student from Loughton, Essex, he works part-time as a children's entertainer and on Tuesday he played at the Edinburgh festival to a crowd of just 15.
He said: “When I was five I used to sing in front of the mirror. My parents bought me a keyboard but I picked up my brother's guitar, taught myself and I've been writing songs ever since. It's hard to get a break in the industry but the Tube is one of the best audiences. It puts a spring in people's step.”
Kieran Brunt and Patrick Milne, both 16
The pair, who met at Tiffin School in Kingston, have been trying to get a busking spot on the Tube for a year.
Kieran, left, said: “I got into music at school as there's a singing tradition. I joined the choir and within a month we were at the Royal Opera House. We focus on stuff people know like the Beatles. We busked outside the Proms and someone gave us £40.”
Reader views (3)
When are we going to get any substance from this Mayor instead of cheap PR stunts!
- Phil, Southwark, SE15, 25/08/2009 00:17
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It is a great opportunity especially for youngsters who otherwise have no other means of exposure to their music talent.
By the way, the wrong Cherry Lee's caption has been written and she is the bathroomgirl and not Mewis as stated!!
You should correct this mistake straightaway as it causes confusion to the voters!!
- Tammy Lee, Essex UK, 23/08/2009 08:45
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Mayor Of London's Young People's Question Time? Less than a month to go and there's no mention of it on the Mayor's website.
- Helen, West London, 21/08/2009 12:40
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