11. Can We Play Here? The Regulation of Street Music, Noise and Public Spaces After Dark

The urban night is a contested realm of the city, offering many possibilities to understand the social and cultural dynamics intertwined in its existence. Conflicts emerging over silence, zoning and occupation of public spaces are usually translated into regulation and, in many cases, controversial law enforcement. The work presented here aims to analyse the regulation of street music and public spaces after dark, discussing how it impacts urban life. The research is based on fieldwork carried out between 2013 and 2017 in two cities: Rio de Janeiro and Montreal. The research methods included a theoretical framework on public spaces, street performance and regulation, as well as in-depth qualitative interviews (with street musicians, government representatives, professional associations, subway representatives and sponsors), and participant observation in festivals, subways and performances.