Public Station Pianos.

[GusB]

Why is the piano there, if not for public enjoyment?

I watched the video in the opening post from start to finish and all I saw was a few security goons on a power trip when they really should have been concentrating on the really important stuff, rather than trying to shut down someone who was using a piano to entertain. One of those security goons had his face covered - was this purely because he knew he was being filmed, and therefore liable to scrutiny?

The video doesn't show that the piano was moved. Was it actually moved, and does it really matter which way it's facing?

As far as the music is concerned, boogie-woogie isn't my favourite, but I'd rather hear that than the constant barrage of Christmas music that we're forced to listen to. It's all a matter of taste and is entirely subjective.

The real hero of the video is the police officer who completely diffuses the situation by joining in and, at the same time, undermines the securitwits.

 

[Requeststop]

I too have come across the Organ at London Bridge. Two you students playing Bach who I really enjoy. I was able to have a chat with them and they played another work of Bach and they gave them a £20 tip. Very memorable.

 

[froggy9]

Not an issue at Wigan North Western

 

[Mikey C]

Not an issue at Wigan North Western

Do they have station ukuleles there?

 

[themiller]

There was a piano at Carlisle for some weeks but it was removed over a month ago. When I asked one of the platform staff, I was told that it had mice inside!

 

[froggy9]

Do they have station ukuleles there?

Only when it turns out nice again

 

[sheff1]

The harsh truth is that if he (or anyone else) is such a talent then he would be performing at a venue to paid audience members, co-opting unwilling rail passengers as your audience might seem like an equivalent to the self-deluded but it is not.

All of the audience (apart from the security, obviously) seemed very willing. If they hadn't wanted to listen they could have just have walked on by. And, as has been pointed out, the player is likely to earn a decent amount from his You Tube channel.

I would far rather listen to someone like him at St Pancras than the irritating child screeching about using the handralis on escalators at frequent intervals.

 

[Tim_UK]

The man has 2 million YouTube subscribers and over a billion views on his videos, based on his stats he probably earns a minimum of 15k a month from his videos in YouTube ad revenue alone. So yeah, I'm sure he's gutted you don't consider him talented.

His company accounts are public.

DR K MEDIA LIMITED overview - Find and update company information - GOV.UK

DR K MEDIA LIMITED - Free company information from Companies House including registered office address, filing history, accounts, annual return, officers, charges, business activity

find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk

Take a look through. Your guesses are not unreasonable.


He will have more viewers than many bbc tv programs.

The harsh truth is that if he (or anyone else) is such a talent then he would be performing at a venue to paid audience members, co-opting unwilling rail passengers as your audience might seem like an equivalent to the self-deluded but it is not

So I’m pretty sure he does other work too. Session musician or similar.

And he’s got a PhD.

And to be honest, if I could make that much money off YouTube, I wouldn’t bother doing late night paid concerts. Allows more family time.

Also not the first time he’s been in trouble with King’s Cross staff.

His classical playing is amazing too. See

 

[jon0844]

The man has 2 million YouTube subscribers and over a billion views on his videos, based on his stats he probably earns a minimum of 15k a month from his videos in YouTube ad revenue alone. So yeah, I'm sure he's gutted you don't consider him talented.

Sadly content creators are likely getting a lot less these days, and will likely only continue to get worse, but hopefully it's still a decent chunk.

 

[dangerousdids2]

You will often find this fella bashing away at pianos all over London. For someone that says they can't read music I would say he's quite the talent! Boogie woogie isn't the only thing he can play.
I don't thinks it's the first time security have tried to put a stop to it. Perhaps it's the music or maybe wanting the attention he's getting?

 

[CBlue]

Many rush to judgement as I did, but, if as someone (not on here) suggested he's an instagrammer who hogs it all day, he deserves to be booted off the station - he's not a passenger.

People waiting for friends/partners/etc on arriving trains aren't passengers, much the same goes for anyone popping into the station shops...and any enthusiasts hanging around for pictures or "ticking off" numbers for sight.

Your judgment feels rather black and white, should they all be booted off the station too?

 

[renegademaster]

When these first became a trend you could walk up and have a play, nowadays they have become monopolised by professionals who spend all day their playing for donations

 

[Sly Old Fox]

Get rid. They add nothing. Stations are for trains, not concerts.

 

[dangerousdids2]

Many rush to judgement as I did, but, if as someone (not on here) suggested he's an instagrammer who hogs it all day, he deserves to be booted off the station - he's not a passenger.

Rihanna was all over the internet playing the piano at the same station the other day, should she have been booted off the station?

As for not being a passenger, I doubt this guy walks across London from one piano to the next. I think it's safe to assume he arrived there as some form of passenger.

 

[Bluejays]

Sad to see some of the comments on here. If station staff ask you if they can move the piano why would you obstruct them? The general consensus I've seen from comments on the videos was that they were asking that the piano be moved, not trying to get rid of him.

This is a 'content creator ' manafacturing a controversial video to get more views. A video that was then seized on by Tommy Robinson and his mates 'they won't move palestinian protesters but are bullying a white middle aged man' was the narrative that was being pushed with it.

But of course, it's always the 'security goons' fault isn't it.

 

[43066]

Rihanna was all over the internet playing the piano at the same station the other day, should she have been booted off the station?

That was Alicia Keys, not Rihanna(!) and it was at St. Pancras.

 

[dangerousdids2]

It was Alicia Keys, not Rihanna(!) and that was at St. Pancras.

My mistake. Sorry Alicia keys didn't mean no disrespect Or to St Pancras station either.

 

[185]

Your judgment feels rather black and white

Section 7 of the railway bylaws is rather black and white. Dr K Media Ltd (see above) has no agreement with Network Rail to trade there so:-

Bylaws:
Except with written permission from an operator no person on the railway shall:
- tout for, or solicit money, reward, custom or employment of any kind
- a person shall have the written permission referred to in Byelaw 7(1) or 7(2) with him when undertaking the activities referred to in Byelaw 7(1) or 7(2) on the railway and shall hand it over for inspection when asked by an authorised person. A person shall comply with any conditions set out in or attached to the written permission

Whilst I like his music, people like this, commercial musicians will bring about the end of our station pianos.

 

[greyman42]

Get rid. They add nothing. Stations are for trains, not concerts.

Would that apply to shops in stations as well; such as St Pancras?

 

[Pigeon]

Would that apply to shops in stations as well; such as St Pancras?

With more force, as far as I'm concerned.

 

[JD2168]

There used to be a piano at Sheffield Station in the main concourse area, I have not seen it since COVID.

 

[Sly Old Fox]

Would that apply to shops in stations as well; such as St Pancras?

No because people can shop and eat whilst waiting for a train. Whereas pianos are only used by people showing off.

 

[bishdunster]

Shopping in railway stations, dominated by mega corp retailers hmmm, another nail in the coffin for independent high street traders .

 

[Purple Train]

There's a piano at Derby. Not only is it out of tune, but someone has also drawn letters on the keys - which don't correspond to the notes!

No because people can shop and eat whilst waiting for a train. Whereas pianos are only used by people showing off.

Or - as I have done - while making a long change on a day with lots of delays, and whiling away the time while, indeed, "waiting for a train". I can assure you that my piano skills are nothing to show off about, especially without sheet music!

Personally, I quite enjoy listening to music, even if it is from people monopolising it (which annoys me). It makes a change from the rather bland, commercialised world that the railways seem to occupy. And I have seen an orchestra giving a concert on Reading footbridge, at the end near platform 15. I didn't listen to much as I had a tight connection, but the crowds there seemed to suggest that it's not just me who loves some music, even in unexpected places, breaking up the almost pre-programmed, uniform routine that regular journeys can often descend into. Anything that interacts with passengers as if they are humans, rather than faceless beings of only economic benefit, is a win in my book.

 

[Deepgreen]

Notwithstanding the particular issue here, it is obvious that private security guards employed in these roles can become very bored and might (only might) seek out some of their own entertainment to while away their tedious days. It's all self-sustaining, of course, as more and more personal responsibility is incrementally eroded from people, it is concurrently expected that there must be more and more monitoring. It still amazes me how, if I stand somewhere slightly out of the normal waiting areas on platforms (still well within all indicated 'allowed' areas) a tabard will sidle up to me.

Cue a new recorded announcement - 'If you hear something that doesn't sound right....'

No because people can shop and eat whilst waiting for a train. Whereas pianos are only used by people showing off.

"Showing off", perhaps, but if someone can play well, why not? It could be said that all art is "showing off" in one form or other.

 

[Mojo]

Of interest to many in this thread, there is a TV programme on Channel 4 right now which features the piano in question. For the purpose of the show it appears to have been put on a stage in the middle of the concourse and has attracted a small crowd around it.

 

[Peter0124]

There was a piano at Carlisle for some weeks but it was removed over a month ago. When I asked one of the platform staff, I was told that it had mice inside!

Nothing to do with the mice but it was badly placed in my opinion, being in the grass area with picnic benches. I think it should be at the other part of the station, nearer the entrance.

 

[duffield]

Of interest to many in this thread, there is a TV programme on Channel 4 right now which features the piano in question. For the purpose of the show it appears to have been put on a stage in the middle of the concourse and has attracted a small crowd around it.

When I was at Manchester Piccadilly a couple of months ago they were filming for series 2 of "The Piano". I walked straight through the "set" (no "stage" in this case) unawares and almost collided with Claudia Winkleman.

The first series of five episodes was successful enough that it's been recommissioned for series 2 and 3, each with 7 episodes (broadcast dates currently TBA). so I guess we'll see a few more venues compared to the first series (maybe they'll not miss Wales out this time), although I suppose they will stick to a handful of principal stations with enough room for a crowd to form.

I only started watching series 1 because of the railway aspect, but ended up enjoying the piano aspect as well!

 

[Trackman]

All kicked off at St. Pancras again, this time a diplomatic incident in which the video has gone viral worldwide - apparently.
He's on Talk TV now and says MI5 are involved!! He's on Fox News tomorrow.
Video is below:
Edit: The video below is from You-Tube, basically what happens he is playing the piano and there are some people from China with Chinese flags. One of the party ask him to stop filming, and he says it's free country and all hell breaks loose and also accused of laying his hands on a member of the party. BTP arrive, ask him stop filming, he doesn't, BTP buzz off and that's the end of it, sort of.

www.youtube.com/live/65iwnI2hjAA?si=Th4vrIjgTkQDchLQ

PIANOGATE LIVESTREAM - (under imminent threat of removal by YouTube)

CCP/CHINESE SPIES walk up to a British public piano and call the police to say filming them is not allowed. The fun starts at 9:14Badass Boogie Bundle Pdf's ...

www.youtube.com

 

[Bluejays]

Time to just ban this weird freak from network rail and toc property.