That’s how much street musicians earn in Berlin

By Sara Orlos Fernandes

Warmer temperatures and the first rays of spring sunshine are drawing many musicians back outside. Street musicians are once again making the mood all over the city. Some of them make music full-time. Most of the money is at Alexanderplatz. BZ spoke to five street musicians.

► 60 euros per hour on Museum Island

Melita Tsertsvadze (28) from Georgia is studying in Berlin and earning extra money with her own songs and pop classics. There are 40 to 60 euros per hour on the Friedrichsbrücke on Museum Island! During the lockdown she started busking. “I didn’t have a job and wanted to earn some extra money.” Since then, the student has regularly stood on the Friedrichsbrücke with her guitar and an amplifier. “People are in no hurry here.”

► The Beatles philosopher from Schloßstrasse

Daniel Spielmann (35) prefers to sing rock and pop classics on Schloßstraße (Steglitz). He earns 15 to 20 euros an hour. Spielmann has lived exclusively from music for two years. “I used to work in factories and carpentry shops,” says the trained philosopher. His daily music sessions always start and end with “All my loving” by The Beatles.

► Ballads underground

Reinhard Michel (61) is standing in the connecting tunnel between U2 and U6 at Stadtmitte station. He prefers to sing ballads from the 50s, 60s and 70s. There are 5 to 10 euros per hour here. He was given a classical guitar when he was 15 and has been making street music for 20 years. He has also played at private parties and weddings.

► Pop under the world clock

Julie Deconinck (25) plays pop covers under the world clock on Alexanderplatz. In an hour there are up to 100 euros. The Belgian held a violin in her hands for the first time when she was just four years old. The music teacher has been playing on the streets of Europe for a year. Most recently she played in Paris and Amsterdam, now she’s making a stop in Berlin. “It’s just fun. You make some money while you travel.”

► Bulgarian rhythms

Ahmed (40) and Mustafa (27) ensure a good mood with music from Bulgaria and the Balkans on Walther-Schreiber-Platz. There are 15 euros per hour here. They played at weddings in their home town of Varna, and in Berlin they now make a living from street music. Ahmed inherited his passion for the saxophone from his father, who played himself. What they appreciate most about Berlin is the advantages of a big city.