Live Music Takes Flight at Logan

Michael J. Bobbitt, Executive Director with Ann Petruccelli Moon, Deputy Chief of Staff

Advancement

At Mass Cultural Council, we’ve been rethinking our role and how we can make a deeper impact. While grants remain a cornerstone of our support, we’re looking beyond them—toward jobs, fee-for-service contracts, and the integration of arts and culture into every corner of public life in Massachusetts. That means working across government agencies, forming public-private partnerships, and looking for new ways to inject creativity where you might not expect it. Because let’s face it: the world feels heavy right now. And we all need a little more art in our lives.

That belief became very real for me during a missed flight in Seattle.

I was rushing through Sea-Tac Airport, stressed out, having completely misjudged the time I needed to get there. The security line was packed, and I was frustrated—until I heard live music. Right there, in the airport, a musician was performing. And despite my annoyance and anxiety, I stopped. I listened. And I felt better. Not fixed—but grounded, soothed, momentarily lifted out of my own mess.

That moment stayed with me. I reached out to contacts in Seattle to learn about the airport’s live music program and connected them with my colleague John Rafferty, who works closely with the Massachusetts Marketing Partnership and the Office of Travel and Tourism. From there, a beautiful collaboration began.

And now, a pilot pop-up concert program called Live Music at Logan has taken flight at Logan Airport’s Terminal B and C baggage claims. The program is a partnership between Mass Cultural Council and Massport. Those possibly frustrating waits at the carousel? They’re about to get a lot more joyful.

And that’s just the beginning.

We’re imagining this spirit of performance—of unexpected joy—everywhere across the Commonwealth. From ferry terminals in Provincetown to service plazas along the Mass Pike, from hospital lobbies to shuttle buses during MBTA disruptions. Busking, as it’s often known, can be an act of public service. It creates jobs for artists, improves the experience for residents, travelers, and visitors alike, and adds beauty and humanity to the everyday.

Busking has roots stretching back to ancient Greece and Rome, where musicians, storytellers, and acrobats filled markets and forums. Over time, busking became a grassroots form of cultural expression, giving artists a direct way to connect with audiences beyond formal venues.

Boston has embraced this tradition for decades. In the 1970s, the city leaned into street performance as a tool for urban renewal and cultural engagement. When Faneuil Hall Marketplace reopened in 1976, it quickly became a national stage for buskers—jugglers, violinists, fire-eaters, and more—helping establish street performance as a valued part of the city’s identity.

Everywhere I go, I see the power of this. Whether it’s musicians in the Public Garden, painters in Cambridge, a saxophonist on the streets of Salem, drag performers along Commercial Street in Provincetown, or singers in Hyannis, Somerville, or Northampton—buskers turn sidewalks into stages. They create a vibe, a feeling, a memory. They inspire. And they often do it for tips. That’s why I always stop and give out my business card to performers. Some have even thought I was an official and going to fine them for not having a permit! But no, I just want to get them grant dollars.

The idea is already expanding. We’re entering conversations with transportation leadership  about allowing curated performances in the subway system. In New York, the MTA runs a robust audition-based Music Under New York program that transforms underground commutes. Why not do the same here? Imagine being stuck in a delay—but then a guitarist starts playing on your shuttle bus. Suddenly, the inconvenience becomes a story.

And it’s not just about the passengers. Think of the airport staff, the hospital employees, the bus drivers—people working long hours under stress. Art can be a morale booster, a mental health tool, a connector. It reminds us of our shared humanity. You never know who’s walking by. It could be a tired parent, a grieving commuter, a curious child encountering live music for the first time. That spark could turn into a lifelong passion.

Busking is more than performance—it’s public impact. It creates jobs. It fosters cultural appreciation. And it makes people feel better. We should treat it as essential infrastructure.

Our hope is to work with municipalities—especially those with Cultural Districts—to establish or expand local busking policies. Massport will be collecting feedback from artists and passengers during this pilot, and we’ll use that data to build momentum. The dream is to build a network of performance opportunities across Massachusetts, bringing joy and income to our creative workforce.

Because once you start thinking about arts in public space, you can’t stop. And why would you want to?

Let’s build a state where sometimes you may miss your flight—but you’ll still leave with a smile.

Advancement