Boy band rehearses for price of an Oyster card
They may have won a Brit award and a £1million contract but even for the hugely successful classical boy band Blake there is no escape from the credit crunch.
With rehearsal studios costing up to £2,500 a day to hire they are cutting costs by making use of the free facilities in the Underground.
The Tube's excellent acoustics and instant public feedback make it ideal for perfecting their act.
The band, which formed on Facebook and recruited new member Humphrey Berney - known as Barney - through Twitter last month, has rehearsed in tunnels and on platforms at Euston, Westminster and Baker Street ahead of a UK tour starting on 22 March.
Band member Jules Knight, 27, who lives in Fulham, said: "We didn't budget much for rehearsals but with Barney joining us we now need a lot more time. The costs all mount up and we are trying to be a bit smart about it.
"Normally ahead of a concert we can't get exposure to the public so to hear their feedback is also very helpful.
"We've been ducking and diving and if someone official starts walking towards us we just get on a train and go to the next station."
