diff --git a/mopidy/frontends/mpd/protocol/audio_output.py b/mopidy/frontends/mpd/protocol/audio_output.py
index 595ca508..ee1782bd 100644
--- a/mopidy/frontends/mpd/protocol/audio_output.py
+++ b/mopidy/frontends/mpd/protocol/audio_output.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ from mopidy.frontends.mpd.exceptions import MpdNoExistError
 from mopidy.frontends.mpd.protocol import handle_request
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^disableoutput\ "(?P<outputid>\d+)"$')
+@handle_request(r'disableoutput\ "(?P<outputid>\d+)"$')
 def disableoutput(context, outputid):
     """
     *musicpd.org, audio output section:*
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@ def disableoutput(context, outputid):
         raise MpdNoExistError('No such audio output', command='disableoutput')
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^enableoutput\ "(?P<outputid>\d+)"$')
+@handle_request(r'enableoutput\ "(?P<outputid>\d+)"$')
 def enableoutput(context, outputid):
     """
     *musicpd.org, audio output section:*
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ def enableoutput(context, outputid):
         raise MpdNoExistError('No such audio output', command='enableoutput')
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^outputs$')
+@handle_request(r'outputs$')
 def outputs(context):
     """
     *musicpd.org, audio output section:*
diff --git a/mopidy/frontends/mpd/protocol/channels.py b/mopidy/frontends/mpd/protocol/channels.py
index 6d67e52c..1f54a41b 100644
--- a/mopidy/frontends/mpd/protocol/channels.py
+++ b/mopidy/frontends/mpd/protocol/channels.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ from mopidy.frontends.mpd.protocol import handle_request
 from mopidy.frontends.mpd.exceptions import MpdNotImplemented
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^subscribe\ "(?P<channel>[A-Za-z0-9:._-]+)"$')
+@handle_request(r'subscribe\ "(?P<channel>[A-Za-z0-9:._-]+)"$')
 def subscribe(context, channel):
     """
     *musicpd.org, client to client section:*
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ def subscribe(context, channel):
     raise MpdNotImplemented  # TODO
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^unsubscribe\ "(?P<channel>[A-Za-z0-9:._-]+)"$')
+@handle_request(r'unsubscribe\ "(?P<channel>[A-Za-z0-9:._-]+)"$')
 def unsubscribe(context, channel):
     """
     *musicpd.org, client to client section:*
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ def unsubscribe(context, channel):
     raise MpdNotImplemented  # TODO
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^channels$')
+@handle_request(r'channels$')
 def channels(context):
     """
     *musicpd.org, client to client section:*
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ def channels(context):
     raise MpdNotImplemented  # TODO
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^readmessages$')
+@handle_request(r'readmessages$')
 def readmessages(context):
     """
     *musicpd.org, client to client section:*
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ def readmessages(context):
 
 
 @handle_request(
-    r'^sendmessage\ "(?P<channel>[A-Za-z0-9:._-]+)"\ "(?P<text>[^"]*)"$')
+    r'sendmessage\ "(?P<channel>[A-Za-z0-9:._-]+)"\ "(?P<text>[^"]*)"$')
 def sendmessage(context, channel, text):
     """
     *musicpd.org, client to client section:*
diff --git a/mopidy/frontends/mpd/protocol/command_list.py b/mopidy/frontends/mpd/protocol/command_list.py
index 8d5769ef..c85a594b 100644
--- a/mopidy/frontends/mpd/protocol/command_list.py
+++ b/mopidy/frontends/mpd/protocol/command_list.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ from mopidy.frontends.mpd.protocol import handle_request
 from mopidy.frontends.mpd.exceptions import MpdUnknownCommand
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^command_list_begin$')
+@handle_request(r'command_list_begin$')
 def command_list_begin(context):
     """
     *musicpd.org, command list section:*
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ def command_list_begin(context):
     context.dispatcher.command_list = []
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^command_list_end$')
+@handle_request(r'command_list_end$')
 def command_list_end(context):
     """See :meth:`command_list_begin()`."""
     if not context.dispatcher.command_list_receiving:
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ def command_list_end(context):
     return command_list_response
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^command_list_ok_begin$')
+@handle_request(r'command_list_ok_begin$')
 def command_list_ok_begin(context):
     """See :meth:`command_list_begin()`."""
     context.dispatcher.command_list_receiving = True
diff --git a/mopidy/frontends/mpd/protocol/connection.py b/mopidy/frontends/mpd/protocol/connection.py
index eb5df90b..734ed37a 100644
--- a/mopidy/frontends/mpd/protocol/connection.py
+++ b/mopidy/frontends/mpd/protocol/connection.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ from mopidy.frontends.mpd.exceptions import (
     MpdPasswordError, MpdPermissionError)
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^close$', auth_required=False)
+@handle_request(r'close$', auth_required=False)
 def close(context):
     """
     *musicpd.org, connection section:*
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@ def close(context):
     context.session.close()
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^kill$')
+@handle_request(r'kill$')
 def kill(context):
     """
     *musicpd.org, connection section:*
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ def kill(context):
     raise MpdPermissionError(command='kill')
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^password\ "(?P<password>[^"]+)"$', auth_required=False)
+@handle_request(r'password\ "(?P<password>[^"]+)"$', auth_required=False)
 def password_(context, password):
     """
     *musicpd.org, connection section:*
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ def password_(context, password):
         raise MpdPasswordError('incorrect password', command='password')
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^ping$', auth_required=False)
+@handle_request(r'ping$', auth_required=False)
 def ping(context):
     """
     *musicpd.org, connection section:*
diff --git a/mopidy/frontends/mpd/protocol/current_playlist.py b/mopidy/frontends/mpd/protocol/current_playlist.py
index 1eaf0649..c514538c 100644
--- a/mopidy/frontends/mpd/protocol/current_playlist.py
+++ b/mopidy/frontends/mpd/protocol/current_playlist.py
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ from mopidy.frontends.mpd.exceptions import (
 from mopidy.frontends.mpd.protocol import handle_request
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^add\ "(?P<uri>[^"]*)"$')
+@handle_request(r'add\ "(?P<uri>[^"]*)"$')
 def add(context, uri):
     """
     *musicpd.org, current playlist section:*
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ def add(context, uri):
         raise MpdNoExistError('directory or file not found', command='add')
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^addid\ "(?P<uri>[^"]*)"(\ "(?P<songpos>\d+)")*$')
+@handle_request(r'addid\ "(?P<uri>[^"]*)"(\ "(?P<songpos>\d+)")*$')
 def addid(context, uri, songpos=None):
     """
     *musicpd.org, current playlist section:*
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ def addid(context, uri, songpos=None):
     return ('Id', tl_tracks[0].tlid)
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^delete\ "(?P<start>\d+):(?P<end>\d+)*"$')
+@handle_request(r'delete\ "(?P<start>\d+):(?P<end>\d+)*"$')
 def delete_range(context, start, end=None):
     """
     *musicpd.org, current playlist section:*
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ def delete_range(context, start, end=None):
         context.core.tracklist.remove(tlid=[tlid])
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^delete\ "(?P<songpos>\d+)"$')
+@handle_request(r'delete\ "(?P<songpos>\d+)"$')
 def delete_songpos(context, songpos):
     """See :meth:`delete_range`"""
     try:
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ def delete_songpos(context, songpos):
         raise MpdArgError('Bad song index', command='delete')
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^deleteid\ "(?P<tlid>\d+)"$')
+@handle_request(r'deleteid\ "(?P<tlid>\d+)"$')
 def deleteid(context, tlid):
     """
     *musicpd.org, current playlist section:*
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ def deleteid(context, tlid):
         raise MpdNoExistError('No such song', command='deleteid')
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^clear$')
+@handle_request(r'clear$')
 def clear(context):
     """
     *musicpd.org, current playlist section:*
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ def clear(context):
     context.core.tracklist.clear()
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^move\ "(?P<start>\d+):(?P<end>\d+)*"\ "(?P<to>\d+)"$')
+@handle_request(r'move\ "(?P<start>\d+):(?P<end>\d+)*"\ "(?P<to>\d+)"$')
 def move_range(context, start, to, end=None):
     """
     *musicpd.org, current playlist section:*
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ def move_range(context, start, to, end=None):
     context.core.tracklist.move(start, end, to)
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^move\ "(?P<songpos>\d+)"\ "(?P<to>\d+)"$')
+@handle_request(r'move\ "(?P<songpos>\d+)"\ "(?P<to>\d+)"$')
 def move_songpos(context, songpos, to):
     """See :meth:`move_range`."""
     songpos = int(songpos)
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ def move_songpos(context, songpos, to):
     context.core.tracklist.move(songpos, songpos + 1, to)
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^moveid\ "(?P<tlid>\d+)"\ "(?P<to>\d+)"$')
+@handle_request(r'moveid\ "(?P<tlid>\d+)"\ "(?P<to>\d+)"$')
 def moveid(context, tlid, to):
     """
     *musicpd.org, current playlist section:*
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ def moveid(context, tlid, to):
     context.core.tracklist.move(position, position + 1, to)
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^playlist$')
+@handle_request(r'playlist$')
 def playlist(context):
     """
     *musicpd.org, current playlist section:*
@@ -180,8 +180,8 @@ def playlist(context):
     return playlistinfo(context)
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^playlistfind\ (?P<tag>[^"]+)\ "(?P<needle>[^"]+)"$')
-@handle_request(r'^playlistfind\ "(?P<tag>[^"]+)"\ "(?P<needle>[^"]+)"$')
+@handle_request(r'playlistfind\ (?P<tag>[^"]+)\ "(?P<needle>[^"]+)"$')
+@handle_request(r'playlistfind\ "(?P<tag>[^"]+)"\ "(?P<needle>[^"]+)"$')
 def playlistfind(context, tag, needle):
     """
     *musicpd.org, current playlist section:*
@@ -203,7 +203,7 @@ def playlistfind(context, tag, needle):
     raise MpdNotImplemented  # TODO
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^playlistid(\ "(?P<tlid>\d+)")*$')
+@handle_request(r'playlistid(\ "(?P<tlid>\d+)")*$')
 def playlistid(context, tlid=None):
     """
     *musicpd.org, current playlist section:*
@@ -225,9 +225,9 @@ def playlistid(context, tlid=None):
             context.core.tracklist.tl_tracks.get())
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^playlistinfo$')
-@handle_request(r'^playlistinfo\ "(?P<songpos>-?\d+)"$')
-@handle_request(r'^playlistinfo\ "(?P<start>\d+):(?P<end>\d+)*"$')
+@handle_request(r'playlistinfo$')
+@handle_request(r'playlistinfo\ "(?P<songpos>-?\d+)"$')
+@handle_request(r'playlistinfo\ "(?P<start>\d+):(?P<end>\d+)*"$')
 def playlistinfo(context, songpos=None, start=None, end=None):
     """
     *musicpd.org, current playlist section:*
@@ -263,8 +263,8 @@ def playlistinfo(context, songpos=None, start=None, end=None):
         return translator.tracks_to_mpd_format(tl_tracks, start, end)
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^playlistsearch\ "(?P<tag>[^"]+)"\ "(?P<needle>[^"]+)"$')
-@handle_request(r'^playlistsearch\ (?P<tag>\w+)\ "(?P<needle>[^"]+)"$')
+@handle_request(r'playlistsearch\ "(?P<tag>[^"]+)"\ "(?P<needle>[^"]+)"$')
+@handle_request(r'playlistsearch\ (?P<tag>\w+)\ "(?P<needle>[^"]+)"$')
 def playlistsearch(context, tag, needle):
     """
     *musicpd.org, current playlist section:*
@@ -282,8 +282,8 @@ def playlistsearch(context, tag, needle):
     raise MpdNotImplemented  # TODO
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^plchanges\ (?P<version>-?\d+)$')
-@handle_request(r'^plchanges\ "(?P<version>-?\d+)"$')
+@handle_request(r'plchanges\ (?P<version>-?\d+)$')
+@handle_request(r'plchanges\ "(?P<version>-?\d+)"$')
 def plchanges(context, version):
     """
     *musicpd.org, current playlist section:*
@@ -305,7 +305,7 @@ def plchanges(context, version):
             context.core.tracklist.tl_tracks.get())
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^plchangesposid\ "(?P<version>\d+)"$')
+@handle_request(r'plchangesposid\ "(?P<version>\d+)"$')
 def plchangesposid(context, version):
     """
     *musicpd.org, current playlist section:*
@@ -329,8 +329,8 @@ def plchangesposid(context, version):
         return result
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^shuffle$')
-@handle_request(r'^shuffle\ "(?P<start>\d+):(?P<end>\d+)*"$')
+@handle_request(r'shuffle$')
+@handle_request(r'shuffle\ "(?P<start>\d+):(?P<end>\d+)*"$')
 def shuffle(context, start=None, end=None):
     """
     *musicpd.org, current playlist section:*
@@ -347,7 +347,7 @@ def shuffle(context, start=None, end=None):
     context.core.tracklist.shuffle(start, end)
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^swap\ "(?P<songpos1>\d+)"\ "(?P<songpos2>\d+)"$')
+@handle_request(r'swap\ "(?P<songpos1>\d+)"\ "(?P<songpos2>\d+)"$')
 def swap(context, songpos1, songpos2):
     """
     *musicpd.org, current playlist section:*
@@ -369,7 +369,7 @@ def swap(context, songpos1, songpos2):
     context.core.tracklist.add(tracks)
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^swapid\ "(?P<tlid1>\d+)"\ "(?P<tlid2>\d+)"$')
+@handle_request(r'swapid\ "(?P<tlid1>\d+)"\ "(?P<tlid2>\d+)"$')
 def swapid(context, tlid1, tlid2):
     """
     *musicpd.org, current playlist section:*
diff --git a/mopidy/frontends/mpd/protocol/empty.py b/mopidy/frontends/mpd/protocol/empty.py
index 03fd3df3..b2bb9482 100644
--- a/mopidy/frontends/mpd/protocol/empty.py
+++ b/mopidy/frontends/mpd/protocol/empty.py
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ from __future__ import unicode_literals
 from mopidy.frontends.mpd.protocol import handle_request
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^[\ ]*$')
+@handle_request(r'[\ ]*$')
 def empty(context):
     """The original MPD server returns ``OK`` on an empty request."""
     pass
diff --git a/mopidy/frontends/mpd/protocol/music_db.py b/mopidy/frontends/mpd/protocol/music_db.py
index 1ef9cc78..85f80ad9 100644
--- a/mopidy/frontends/mpd/protocol/music_db.py
+++ b/mopidy/frontends/mpd/protocol/music_db.py
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ def _artist_as_track(artist):
         artists=[artist])
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^count\ ' + QUERY_RE)
+@handle_request(r'count\ ' + QUERY_RE)
 def count(context, mpd_query):
     """
     *musicpd.org, music database section:*
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ def count(context, mpd_query):
     ]
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^find\ ' + QUERY_RE)
+@handle_request(r'find\ ' + QUERY_RE)
 def find(context, mpd_query):
     """
     *musicpd.org, music database section:*
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ def find(context, mpd_query):
     return translator.tracks_to_mpd_format(result_tracks)
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^findadd\ ' + QUERY_RE)
+@handle_request(r'findadd\ ' + QUERY_RE)
 def findadd(context, mpd_query):
     """
     *musicpd.org, music database section:*
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ def findadd(context, mpd_query):
 
 
 @handle_request(
-    r'^list\ "?(?P<field>([Aa]rtist|[Aa]lbumartist|[Aa]lbum|[Cc]omposer|'
+    r'list\ "?(?P<field>([Aa]rtist|[Aa]lbumartist|[Aa]lbum|[Cc]omposer|'
     r'[Dd]ate|[Gg]enre|[Pp]erformer))"?'
     r'(\ (?P<mpd_query>.*))?$')
 def list_(context, field, mpd_query=None):
@@ -305,8 +305,8 @@ def _list_genre(context, query):
     return genres
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^listall$')
-@handle_request(r'^listall\ "(?P<uri>[^"]+)"$')
+@handle_request(r'listall$')
+@handle_request(r'listall\ "(?P<uri>[^"]+)"$')
 def listall(context, uri=None):
     """
     *musicpd.org, music database section:*
@@ -318,8 +318,8 @@ def listall(context, uri=None):
     raise MpdNotImplemented  # TODO
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^listallinfo$')
-@handle_request(r'^listallinfo\ "(?P<uri>[^"]+)"$')
+@handle_request(r'listallinfo$')
+@handle_request(r'listallinfo\ "(?P<uri>[^"]+)"$')
 def listallinfo(context, uri=None):
     """
     *musicpd.org, music database section:*
@@ -332,8 +332,8 @@ def listallinfo(context, uri=None):
     raise MpdNotImplemented  # TODO
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^lsinfo$')
-@handle_request(r'^lsinfo\ "(?P<uri>[^"]*)"$')
+@handle_request(r'lsinfo$')
+@handle_request(r'lsinfo\ "(?P<uri>[^"]*)"$')
 def lsinfo(context, uri=None):
     """
     *musicpd.org, music database section:*
@@ -355,7 +355,7 @@ def lsinfo(context, uri=None):
     raise MpdNotImplemented  # TODO
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^rescan(\ "(?P<uri>[^"]+)")*$')
+@handle_request(r'rescan(\ "(?P<uri>[^"]+)")*$')
 def rescan(context, uri=None):
     """
     *musicpd.org, music database section:*
@@ -367,7 +367,7 @@ def rescan(context, uri=None):
     return update(context, uri, rescan_unmodified_files=True)
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^search\ ' + QUERY_RE)
+@handle_request(r'search\ ' + QUERY_RE)
 def search(context, mpd_query):
     """
     *musicpd.org, music database section:*
@@ -406,7 +406,7 @@ def search(context, mpd_query):
     return translator.tracks_to_mpd_format(artists + albums + tracks)
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^searchadd\ ' + QUERY_RE)
+@handle_request(r'searchadd\ ' + QUERY_RE)
 def searchadd(context, mpd_query):
     """
     *musicpd.org, music database section:*
@@ -427,7 +427,7 @@ def searchadd(context, mpd_query):
     context.core.tracklist.add(_get_tracks(results))
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^searchaddpl\ "(?P<playlist_name>[^"]+)"\ ' + QUERY_RE)
+@handle_request(r'searchaddpl\ "(?P<playlist_name>[^"]+)"\ ' + QUERY_RE)
 def searchaddpl(context, playlist_name, mpd_query):
     """
     *musicpd.org, music database section:*
@@ -456,7 +456,7 @@ def searchaddpl(context, playlist_name, mpd_query):
     context.core.playlists.save(playlist)
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^update(\ "(?P<uri>[^"]+)")*$')
+@handle_request(r'update(\ "(?P<uri>[^"]+)")*$')
 def update(context, uri=None, rescan_unmodified_files=False):
     """
     *musicpd.org, music database section:*
diff --git a/mopidy/frontends/mpd/protocol/playback.py b/mopidy/frontends/mpd/protocol/playback.py
index 1538ca7d..28772dde 100644
--- a/mopidy/frontends/mpd/protocol/playback.py
+++ b/mopidy/frontends/mpd/protocol/playback.py
@@ -6,8 +6,8 @@ from mopidy.frontends.mpd.exceptions import (
     MpdArgError, MpdNoExistError, MpdNotImplemented)
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^consume\ (?P<state>[01])$')
-@handle_request(r'^consume\ "(?P<state>[01])"$')
+@handle_request(r'consume\ (?P<state>[01])$')
+@handle_request(r'consume\ "(?P<state>[01])"$')
 def consume(context, state):
     """
     *musicpd.org, playback section:*
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ def consume(context, state):
         context.core.tracklist.consume = False
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^crossfade\ "(?P<seconds>\d+)"$')
+@handle_request(r'crossfade\ "(?P<seconds>\d+)"$')
 def crossfade(context, seconds):
     """
     *musicpd.org, playback section:*
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ def crossfade(context, seconds):
     raise MpdNotImplemented  # TODO
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^next$')
+@handle_request(r'next$')
 def next_(context):
     """
     *musicpd.org, playback section:*
@@ -95,8 +95,8 @@ def next_(context):
     return context.core.playback.next().get()
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^pause$')
-@handle_request(r'^pause\ "(?P<state>[01])"$')
+@handle_request(r'pause$')
+@handle_request(r'pause\ "(?P<state>[01])"$')
 def pause(context, state=None):
     """
     *musicpd.org, playback section:*
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ def pause(context, state=None):
         context.core.playback.resume()
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^play$')
+@handle_request(r'play$')
 def play(context):
     """
     The original MPD server resumes from the paused state on ``play``
@@ -129,8 +129,8 @@ def play(context):
     return context.core.playback.play().get()
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^playid\ (?P<tlid>-?\d+)$')
-@handle_request(r'^playid\ "(?P<tlid>-?\d+)"$')
+@handle_request(r'playid\ (?P<tlid>-?\d+)$')
+@handle_request(r'playid\ "(?P<tlid>-?\d+)"$')
 def playid(context, tlid):
     """
     *musicpd.org, playback section:*
@@ -157,8 +157,8 @@ def playid(context, tlid):
     return context.core.playback.play(tl_tracks[0]).get()
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^play\ (?P<songpos>-?\d+)$')
-@handle_request(r'^play\ "(?P<songpos>-?\d+)"$')
+@handle_request(r'play\ (?P<songpos>-?\d+)$')
+@handle_request(r'play\ "(?P<songpos>-?\d+)"$')
 def playpos(context, songpos):
     """
     *musicpd.org, playback section:*
@@ -205,7 +205,7 @@ def _play_minus_one(context):
         return  # Fail silently
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^previous$')
+@handle_request(r'previous$')
 def previous(context):
     """
     *musicpd.org, playback section:*
@@ -252,8 +252,8 @@ def previous(context):
     return context.core.playback.previous().get()
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^random\ (?P<state>[01])$')
-@handle_request(r'^random\ "(?P<state>[01])"$')
+@handle_request(r'random\ (?P<state>[01])$')
+@handle_request(r'random\ "(?P<state>[01])"$')
 def random(context, state):
     """
     *musicpd.org, playback section:*
@@ -268,8 +268,8 @@ def random(context, state):
         context.core.tracklist.random = False
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^repeat\ (?P<state>[01])$')
-@handle_request(r'^repeat\ "(?P<state>[01])"$')
+@handle_request(r'repeat\ (?P<state>[01])$')
+@handle_request(r'repeat\ "(?P<state>[01])"$')
 def repeat(context, state):
     """
     *musicpd.org, playback section:*
@@ -284,7 +284,7 @@ def repeat(context, state):
         context.core.tracklist.repeat = False
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^replay_gain_mode\ "(?P<mode>(off|track|album))"$')
+@handle_request(r'replay_gain_mode\ "(?P<mode>(off|track|album))"$')
 def replay_gain_mode(context, mode):
     """
     *musicpd.org, playback section:*
@@ -301,7 +301,7 @@ def replay_gain_mode(context, mode):
     raise MpdNotImplemented  # TODO
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^replay_gain_status$')
+@handle_request(r'replay_gain_status$')
 def replay_gain_status(context):
     """
     *musicpd.org, playback section:*
@@ -314,8 +314,8 @@ def replay_gain_status(context):
     return 'off'  # TODO
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^seek\ (?P<songpos>\d+)\ (?P<seconds>\d+)$')
-@handle_request(r'^seek\ "(?P<songpos>\d+)"\ "(?P<seconds>\d+)"$')
+@handle_request(r'seek\ (?P<songpos>\d+)\ (?P<seconds>\d+)$')
+@handle_request(r'seek\ "(?P<songpos>\d+)"\ "(?P<seconds>\d+)"$')
 def seek(context, songpos, seconds):
     """
     *musicpd.org, playback section:*
@@ -335,7 +335,7 @@ def seek(context, songpos, seconds):
     context.core.playback.seek(int(seconds) * 1000).get()
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^seekid\ "(?P<tlid>\d+)"\ "(?P<seconds>\d+)"$')
+@handle_request(r'seekid\ "(?P<tlid>\d+)"\ "(?P<seconds>\d+)"$')
 def seekid(context, tlid, seconds):
     """
     *musicpd.org, playback section:*
@@ -350,8 +350,8 @@ def seekid(context, tlid, seconds):
     context.core.playback.seek(int(seconds) * 1000).get()
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^seekcur\ "(?P<position>\d+)"$')
-@handle_request(r'^seekcur\ "(?P<diff>[-+]\d+)"$')
+@handle_request(r'seekcur\ "(?P<position>\d+)"$')
+@handle_request(r'seekcur\ "(?P<diff>[-+]\d+)"$')
 def seekcur(context, position=None, diff=None):
     """
     *musicpd.org, playback section:*
@@ -370,8 +370,8 @@ def seekcur(context, position=None, diff=None):
         context.core.playback.seek(position).get()
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^setvol\ (?P<volume>[-+]*\d+)$')
-@handle_request(r'^setvol\ "(?P<volume>[-+]*\d+)"$')
+@handle_request(r'setvol\ (?P<volume>[-+]*\d+)$')
+@handle_request(r'setvol\ "(?P<volume>[-+]*\d+)"$')
 def setvol(context, volume):
     """
     *musicpd.org, playback section:*
@@ -392,8 +392,8 @@ def setvol(context, volume):
     context.core.playback.volume = volume
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^single\ (?P<state>[01])$')
-@handle_request(r'^single\ "(?P<state>[01])"$')
+@handle_request(r'single\ (?P<state>[01])$')
+@handle_request(r'single\ "(?P<state>[01])"$')
 def single(context, state):
     """
     *musicpd.org, playback section:*
@@ -410,7 +410,7 @@ def single(context, state):
         context.core.tracklist.single = False
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^stop$')
+@handle_request(r'stop$')
 def stop(context):
     """
     *musicpd.org, playback section:*
diff --git a/mopidy/frontends/mpd/protocol/reflection.py b/mopidy/frontends/mpd/protocol/reflection.py
index cc1c7222..d5206120 100644
--- a/mopidy/frontends/mpd/protocol/reflection.py
+++ b/mopidy/frontends/mpd/protocol/reflection.py
@@ -4,7 +4,7 @@ from mopidy.frontends.mpd.exceptions import MpdPermissionError
 from mopidy.frontends.mpd.protocol import handle_request, mpd_commands
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^config$', auth_required=False)
+@handle_request(r'config$', auth_required=False)
 def config(context):
     """
     *musicpd.org, reflection section:*
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ def config(context):
     raise MpdPermissionError(command='config')
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^commands$', auth_required=False)
+@handle_request(r'commands$', auth_required=False)
 def commands(context):
     """
     *musicpd.org, reflection section:*
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ def commands(context):
         ('command', command_name) for command_name in sorted(command_names)]
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^decoders$')
+@handle_request(r'decoders$')
 def decoders(context):
     """
     *musicpd.org, reflection section:*
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ def decoders(context):
     return  # TODO
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^notcommands$', auth_required=False)
+@handle_request(r'notcommands$', auth_required=False)
 def notcommands(context):
     """
     *musicpd.org, reflection section:*
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ def notcommands(context):
         ('command', command_name) for command_name in sorted(command_names)]
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^tagtypes$')
+@handle_request(r'tagtypes$')
 def tagtypes(context):
     """
     *musicpd.org, reflection section:*
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ def tagtypes(context):
     pass  # TODO
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^urlhandlers$')
+@handle_request(r'urlhandlers$')
 def urlhandlers(context):
     """
     *musicpd.org, reflection section:*
diff --git a/mopidy/frontends/mpd/protocol/status.py b/mopidy/frontends/mpd/protocol/status.py
index 586c93a5..2fe3a402 100644
--- a/mopidy/frontends/mpd/protocol/status.py
+++ b/mopidy/frontends/mpd/protocol/status.py
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ SUBSYSTEMS = [
     'stored_playlist', 'update']
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^clearerror$')
+@handle_request(r'clearerror$')
 def clearerror(context):
     """
     *musicpd.org, status section:*
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ def clearerror(context):
     raise MpdNotImplemented  # TODO
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^currentsong$')
+@handle_request(r'currentsong$')
 def currentsong(context):
     """
     *musicpd.org, status section:*
@@ -42,8 +42,8 @@ def currentsong(context):
         return track_to_mpd_format(tl_track, position=position)
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^idle$')
-@handle_request(r'^idle\ (?P<subsystems>.+)$')
+@handle_request(r'idle$')
+@handle_request(r'idle\ (?P<subsystems>.+)$')
 def idle(context, subsystems=None):
     """
     *musicpd.org, status section:*
@@ -100,7 +100,7 @@ def idle(context, subsystems=None):
     return response
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^noidle$')
+@handle_request(r'noidle$')
 def noidle(context):
     """See :meth:`_status_idle`."""
     if not context.subscriptions:
@@ -110,7 +110,7 @@ def noidle(context):
     context.session.prevent_timeout = False
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^stats$')
+@handle_request(r'stats$')
 def stats(context):
     """
     *musicpd.org, status section:*
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ def stats(context):
     }
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^status$')
+@handle_request(r'status$')
 def status(context):
     """
     *musicpd.org, status section:*
diff --git a/mopidy/frontends/mpd/protocol/stickers.py b/mopidy/frontends/mpd/protocol/stickers.py
index 48187fa0..84417e51 100644
--- a/mopidy/frontends/mpd/protocol/stickers.py
+++ b/mopidy/frontends/mpd/protocol/stickers.py
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@ from mopidy.frontends.mpd.exceptions import MpdNotImplemented
 
 
 @handle_request(
-    r'^sticker\ delete\ "(?P<field>[^"]+)"\ '
+    r'sticker\ delete\ "(?P<field>[^"]+)"\ '
     r'"(?P<uri>[^"]+)"(\ "(?P<name>[^"]+)")*$')
 def sticker_delete(context, field, uri, name=None):
     """
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ def sticker_delete(context, field, uri, name=None):
 
 
 @handle_request(
-    r'^sticker\ find\ "(?P<field>[^"]+)"\ "(?P<uri>[^"]+)"\ '
+    r'sticker\ find\ "(?P<field>[^"]+)"\ "(?P<uri>[^"]+)"\ '
     r'"(?P<name>[^"]+)"$')
 def sticker_find(context, field, uri, name):
     """
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ def sticker_find(context, field, uri, name):
 
 
 @handle_request(
-    r'^sticker\ get\ "(?P<field>[^"]+)"\ "(?P<uri>[^"]+)"\ '
+    r'sticker\ get\ "(?P<field>[^"]+)"\ "(?P<uri>[^"]+)"\ '
     r'"(?P<name>[^"]+)"$')
 def sticker_get(context, field, uri, name):
     """
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ def sticker_get(context, field, uri, name):
     raise MpdNotImplemented  # TODO
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^sticker\ list\ "(?P<field>[^"]+)"\ "(?P<uri>[^"]+)"$')
+@handle_request(r'sticker\ list\ "(?P<field>[^"]+)"\ "(?P<uri>[^"]+)"$')
 def sticker_list(context, field, uri):
     """
     *musicpd.org, sticker section:*
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ def sticker_list(context, field, uri):
 
 
 @handle_request(
-    r'^sticker\ set\ "(?P<field>[^"]+)"\ "(?P<uri>[^"]+)"\ '
+    r'sticker\ set\ "(?P<field>[^"]+)"\ "(?P<uri>[^"]+)"\ '
     r'"(?P<name>[^"]+)"\ "(?P<value>[^"]+)"$')
 def sticker_set(context, field, uri, name, value):
     """
diff --git a/mopidy/frontends/mpd/protocol/stored_playlists.py b/mopidy/frontends/mpd/protocol/stored_playlists.py
index 5d0778c9..1ac12864 100644
--- a/mopidy/frontends/mpd/protocol/stored_playlists.py
+++ b/mopidy/frontends/mpd/protocol/stored_playlists.py
@@ -7,8 +7,8 @@ from mopidy.frontends.mpd.protocol import handle_request
 from mopidy.frontends.mpd.translator import playlist_to_mpd_format
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^listplaylist\ (?P<name>\w+)$')
-@handle_request(r'^listplaylist\ "(?P<name>[^"]+)"$')
+@handle_request(r'listplaylist\ (?P<name>\w+)$')
+@handle_request(r'listplaylist\ "(?P<name>[^"]+)"$')
 def listplaylist(context, name):
     """
     *musicpd.org, stored playlists section:*
@@ -29,8 +29,8 @@ def listplaylist(context, name):
     return ['file: %s' % t.uri for t in playlist.tracks]
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^listplaylistinfo\ (?P<name>\w+)$')
-@handle_request(r'^listplaylistinfo\ "(?P<name>[^"]+)"$')
+@handle_request(r'listplaylistinfo\ (?P<name>\w+)$')
+@handle_request(r'listplaylistinfo\ "(?P<name>[^"]+)"$')
 def listplaylistinfo(context, name):
     """
     *musicpd.org, stored playlists section:*
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ def listplaylistinfo(context, name):
     return playlist_to_mpd_format(playlist)
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^listplaylists$')
+@handle_request(r'listplaylists$')
 def listplaylists(context):
     """
     *musicpd.org, stored playlists section:*
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ def listplaylists(context):
 
 
 @handle_request(
-    r'^load\ "(?P<name>[^"]+)"(\ "(?P<start>\d+):(?P<end>\d+)*")*$')
+    r'load\ "(?P<name>[^"]+)"(\ "(?P<start>\d+):(?P<end>\d+)*")*$')
 def load(context, name, start=None, end=None):
     """
     *musicpd.org, stored playlists section:*
@@ -125,7 +125,7 @@ def load(context, name, start=None, end=None):
     context.core.tracklist.add(playlist.tracks[start:end])
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^playlistadd\ "(?P<name>[^"]+)"\ "(?P<uri>[^"]+)"$')
+@handle_request(r'playlistadd\ "(?P<name>[^"]+)"\ "(?P<uri>[^"]+)"$')
 def playlistadd(context, name, uri):
     """
     *musicpd.org, stored playlists section:*
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ def playlistadd(context, name, uri):
     raise MpdNotImplemented  # TODO
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^playlistclear\ "(?P<name>[^"]+)"$')
+@handle_request(r'playlistclear\ "(?P<name>[^"]+)"$')
 def playlistclear(context, name):
     """
     *musicpd.org, stored playlists section:*
@@ -151,7 +151,7 @@ def playlistclear(context, name):
     raise MpdNotImplemented  # TODO
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^playlistdelete\ "(?P<name>[^"]+)"\ "(?P<songpos>\d+)"$')
+@handle_request(r'playlistdelete\ "(?P<name>[^"]+)"\ "(?P<songpos>\d+)"$')
 def playlistdelete(context, name, songpos):
     """
     *musicpd.org, stored playlists section:*
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ def playlistdelete(context, name, songpos):
 
 
 @handle_request(
-    r'^playlistmove\ "(?P<name>[^"]+)"\ '
+    r'playlistmove\ "(?P<name>[^"]+)"\ '
     r'"(?P<from_pos>\d+)"\ "(?P<to_pos>\d+)"$')
 def playlistmove(context, name, from_pos, to_pos):
     """
@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@ def playlistmove(context, name, from_pos, to_pos):
     raise MpdNotImplemented  # TODO
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^rename\ "(?P<old_name>[^"]+)"\ "(?P<new_name>[^"]+)"$')
+@handle_request(r'rename\ "(?P<old_name>[^"]+)"\ "(?P<new_name>[^"]+)"$')
 def rename(context, old_name, new_name):
     """
     *musicpd.org, stored playlists section:*
@@ -196,7 +196,7 @@ def rename(context, old_name, new_name):
     raise MpdNotImplemented  # TODO
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^rm\ "(?P<name>[^"]+)"$')
+@handle_request(r'rm\ "(?P<name>[^"]+)"$')
 def rm(context, name):
     """
     *musicpd.org, stored playlists section:*
@@ -208,7 +208,7 @@ def rm(context, name):
     raise MpdNotImplemented  # TODO
 
 
-@handle_request(r'^save\ "(?P<name>[^"]+)"$')
+@handle_request(r'save\ "(?P<name>[^"]+)"$')
 def save(context, name):
     """
     *musicpd.org, stored playlists section:*