Buskers Stage at The Riverside Festival

The Riverside Festival which takes place annually on the first Saturday in July (4th July in 2009) would love to hear from any Artists interested in playing on their Buskers Stage.

The Riverside Festival is entirely staged and run by a small team of volunteers on a not for profit basis. Admission is FREE although donations from the public are encouraged to help the organisers cover the costs of staging the event. The Festival is held on the Meadows in the centre of the historic market town of Stamford, Lincolnshire, and is widely recognised as the best free live music festival in the East Midlands.

In 2008 over 28,000 people visited the festival across the course of the day with 10,000 on site at any one time. The festival has 3 other stages of live music, a real ale beer festival, children’s entertainment, stalls and catering and finishes with a firework finale.

Artists can pre-book a 20 minute slot to play on the Buskers Stage by e-mailing
info@riversidefestival.co.uk clearly marking their application 'Buskers Stage'.

Unfortunately the registered charity that organise the festival are not able to offer a
fee, but with 10,000 people around it's a good opportunity to promote your music!

For full information about the Riverside Festival please check out our website at www.riversidefestival.co.uk.

Opportunities at the Swan at the Globe, London

Swan at the Globe, a funky live music venue attached to Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London is looking for new acts for Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in the new year.

To find out more about the venue and it's live music event programme take a look round the Swan at the Globe website.

If you'd like to perform, contact Alcides Pessoa, venue Manager ASAP on alcides@swanattheglobe.co.uk with some information about yourself, your music and costings.

Charity Christmas Busk in Matlock

Matlock Live are inviting all buskers in the area to join together to raise money for NSPCC Childline on Saturday 20 December. The Christmas Busk event will take place from 10am to 2pm in Matlock Town Centre.

All you need to do to get involved is drop the organisers a line on matlocklive@googlemail.com, then pop along on the day to the Imperial Rooms in the Town Centre to collect a sign, collection box and hot drink voucher.

Another Christmas Market Opportunity - Sleaford, Lincolnshire

Buskers' slots are up for grabs at the Christmas Market in Sleaford, Lincolnshire on Sunday 30 November.

There's no fee but if you book your slot in advance you could get some help with travelling expenses.

To find out more take a look at this article in the Sleaford Standard.

Buskers wanted for ethical market in London

Buskers are wanted for the launch of Duck Pond Market, a new ethical market in Ruislip, London. There's no upfront pay for this or expenses, but buskers are welcome to collect money and will be supplied with mulled wine to keep warm! The organisers are looking for either groups or individuals to start performing at 9am on Saturday 13 December and continue until 3pm. There'll be around 40 stalls at the event and hopefully a good crowd of people to listen to your performance.

If you're interested, contact Caron on duckpondmarket@me.com.

Acts wanted for Christmas fair in Acton, London

Ealing Council are looking for entertainers ('artists, entertainers and performers') for the Acton Town Christmas Fair on 6 December.

To find out more, take a look at the full article in the Ealing Times here.

Busking opportunities - Leamington Spa

The organisers of various Christmas events in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire are looking for buskers to entertain the late-night and Saturday shopping crowds over the festive period. Buskers are invited to perform every Saturday and Thursday evening around the town centre from now until Christmas.

If you're interested, contact Jacquey Parker on 01926 831 846 or jacquey@jumpconsultancy.co.uk to discuss dates and payment.

Busk at the Christmas lights switch-on in Stourport

The organisers of the Christmas lights switch-on in Stourport, Worcestershire are looking for buskers to perform at the event on November 21 between 4pm and 8pm.

They're expecting a crowd of between 5,000 and 6,000 people to attend the Three Kings Parade and switching on ceremony. The shops in Stourport town centre will also open late for the event.

The organising committee have offered to pay expenses for all buskers and entertainers.

To take part contact Pete Roberts on 01299 826930.

Lincoln House of Fraser needs buskers!

House of Fraser in Lincoln are holding a fundraising event in aid of Lincolnshire Air Ambulance on Saturday 19 July. The store are looking for local buskers to provide some live music on the day and help them to raise loads of money for the cause. The event ties in with Lincoln Water Festival, so in addition to the Saturday shoppers there should be a big crowd in the store.

If you can help out get in touch with Anthony Rendall, Visual Merchandising Manager on arendall@hof.co.uk.

Noise Festival - now open for submissions

Noise Festival is an online resource that gives new artists opportunities for their work to be recognised by industry professionals, the media and a national audience.

If you're a composer or songwriter and you're under 25 you can now upload your music to www.noisefestival.com. During the festival in October 2008, the best of the work submitted will be spotlighted on the website and media partners MTV, BBC, MSN and loads of creative magazines will also provide features, profiles and programmes.

It sounds like a great opportunity to promote your music to a wider audience, and if you're already uploading to Myspace or YouTube you might as well give it a go!

Musical Busker in the Guardian!

On Saturday 21 June Musical Busker appeared in an article about student jobs in the Guardian. Busking was recommended as a more interesting alternative to part-time bar or restaurant work, and a good way to promote yourself as a musician.

Take a look at the article here.

Bromley Arts Festival - Performing Opportunities

Bromley Arts Festival (11 to 13 July) are offering musicians the opportunity to perform for around 50,000 people on the Festival outdoor stage in the Market Square on Bromley High Street. They're looking for musicians of all kinds to perform for 15 minutes each on Sunday 13 July.

There's also a 'Battle of the Buskers' on Bromley High Street for you to compete in on Saturday 12 July. The competition will take place from 10am to 3pm, with each busker performing for 60 minutes each on designated pitches (not on the main stage). You'll have the opportunity to collect money and compete for a 'judge's prize' and 'popular prize', voted for by the public.

To get involved contact Parrabbola on baf@bromleymytime.org.uk or 07530 603 945 for further information and an application form.

Gig for blues guitarist in London

Bodean's BBQ Smoke House are looking for a blues guitarist to help promote the opening of their new restuarant in Tower Hill, London. They're willing to pay a fee and expenses for the right musician. The gig would be on Friday 11 July from 12pm to 2pm in an outside location near the restaurant.

To get an idea of the type of music they're looking for visit their website - www.bodeansbbq.com.

If you're interested get in touch with Courtney on courtneywinstone@btconnect.com.

Edinburgh Festival Fringe busker passes

If you're planning on busking at the Edinburgh Fringe this year (3 to 25 August) make sure you get your High Street pass application in before Monday 7 July 2008.

High Street Performer passes allow buskers and other street artists to book performance time on the High Street, the hub of all Fringe activity in Edinburgh. Thousands of people flock to this area over the 3 weeks of the festival - sometimes it's quite difficult to move - so you won't be short of an audience!

The Fringe are introducing charges for all street performers this year, including buskers. These vary from £5 for a one-off show up to £50 for the whole 3 weeks.

For more information and to apply for a pass visit www.edfringe.com.

Volunteers wanted for charity walk

Volunteer buskers are wanted to provide entertainment for a 5k charity walk in Bournemouth on 15 June. The walk will raise money for Leukaemia Research.

Unfortunately there'd be no chance to collect money, but you'd receive all the publicity associated with the walk and get a 'thank you' on the Forget me not Walks website. The organisers may be able to cover travel costs.

If you can help out then Kath, the walk co-ordinator would love to hear from you on kharrison@LRF.org.uk.

Busking competition in Matlock

Have fun performing and do your bit for charity at the same time by competing in Matlock Live's annual BuskIt competition. The competition is part of a larger local festival that takes place on 21 and 22 June around Hall Leys Park in Matlock, Derbyshire.

At 1pm on Saturday 21 June buskers of all types and ages are invited to perform either in Hall Leys Park or Matlock Town Centre. All proceeds will go to Aquabox, a charity that supplies safe drinking water to people in need all over the world.

There will be a special prize for the busker who collects the most money, and they'll also be featured on the Matlock Live website.

If you'd like to get involved visit www.matlocklive.co.uk and fill in the downloadable form.

New Busker Spotlight - The Howes Band

The Howes Band are a family ceilidh band from South Yorkshire. They perform folk tunes and also classic rock under the name of 'Pale Lilac'! Find out more here.

If you'd like to be featured in the next Busker Spotlight, just send an mp3 of a performance and a photo of yourself to admin@musicalbusker.co.uk.

Paid Busking for BBC1 Documentary

Buskers are needed for a BBC1 documentary about musical ability. You'd have to be available for filming on Monday 2 June from 12.30 to 1.30, and would be paid £30 for your time. There's also the added benefit of having your music featured on a prime time programme with an audience of over 4 million!

The film makers simply want to film their contributor passing by some buskers as she walks down some London streets. They're looking for 4 buskers (with a good range of different instruments/ styles) who will be positioned on streets in central London.

If you're interested in being involved and are available on Monday, call Laura Mulholland on 020 8008 0250.

Cambridge Street Performers' Festival

Cambridge City Council are considering holding a Buskers' and Street Performers' Festival from 29 to 31 July. There'll be a varied programme of entertainment throughout the City Centre, with buskers from all over the region taking part.

As well as being a celebration of street entertainment in the City, they hope it will also raise awareness of their new code of practice for buskers.

They're looking for bands, acoustic musicians, choirs, dance groups, mine artists, street theatre, jugglers, human statues, comedy acts, magicians, acrobats and more to perform. To take part, complete an application form (these can be downloaded from the council website) and send it to heather.bevanhunt@cambridge.gov.uk.

Win a gig at the London International Music Show

Access to Music and MB Media are offering buskers a chance to perform at the London International Music Show (LIMS) on Friday 13 June, in what is being hailed as the UK's first National Buskers Competition.

Six selected buskers will get the chance to perform on a special stage at the LIMS Education Festival. There they will be judged by Radio 1's Colin Murray who will present the winner's prize.

Six finalists will also be invited to perform at London's Excel venue in East London. The winner will receive a prize of a Wharfedale Pro PA system or a Yamaha acoustic guitar.

To enter, simply e-mail events@accesstomusic.co.uk with a link to your Myspace page or an mp3 of a performance, along with a contact telephone number. The only condition is that you must perform your own material, not covers.

Hurry - the closing date for entries is Friday 30 May 2008.

To find out more go to www.accesstomusic.co.uk.

Kidderminster Arts Festival

Be a part of the growing Kidderminster Arts Festival (16 - 30 Aug) by taking part in the new busking scheme.

Buskers will be licensed to busk in an approved spot. The Festival attracts a substantial amount of press attention and the organisers will encourage people to support for buskers throughout the festival marketing. There will be a range of programmed performances in the busy town centre ensuring a constant flow of people past your pitch.

The Festival are specifically looking for performers on Thursdays & Saturdays as these are busy market days. Other days are available.

If you're interested contact Loz Samuels on 01562 732 977 or loz.samuels@wyreforestdc.gov.uk with a description of your act, days you would like to perform and contact details.

Busking Opportunities at Acton Market, London

A busy market in West London is looking for street entertainers for markets on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. As Acton Market is a charity they cannot offer a fee, but they can offer a busy, lively market full of people to appreciate your music!

Market opening times are 10am to 5pm, and they're looking for buskers from 12 noon each market day.

To perform at the market you must register with either Vanessa (for the Saturday market) or Sajida (for Friday or Sunday) at the Action Action Office on 020 8993 9605. Or you can e-mail vanessa.tobiasinsky@actionacton.com or sajidab@actionacton.com.

New Busker Spotlight - Daniel Spiller

Daniel Spiller is the new featured busker on musicalbusker.co.uk. An official tube busker, Daniel also gigs with his band The Broken Record Project all over London and has performed live on various different radio stations.

Find out more about Daniel including his advice for other buskers at musicalbusker.co.uk/buskerspotlight.

If you'd like to be featured in the next Busker Spotlight follow the link above and fill in the downloadable questionnaire.

Paid busking opportunities in Hatton Garden, London

Wonderberry Agency are looking for buskers to perform at a week-long jewellery event between 9 and 16 June. They're most interested in hearing from buskers who perform Classical, Easy-Listening or Jazz material.

Performers will be paid £15 per day for 2 hours work (12 -2pm) on each weekday, and can keep whatever takings they make on top of that.

They're also looking for groups who perform in a similar style to launch the event.

If you'd like to perform on any day from 9 to 16 June get in touch with Michele at Wonderberry on 020 7404 9594 or by e-mail on m.lucato@wonderberry.co.uk.

Take part in a busking documentary

A short documentary about buskers is being made by a a group of media students from Stratford College. The film makers are looking for buskers in the area who would be interested in being interviewed and performing for the film. If you'd like to take part or would like more information contact Claire Beechey on fakefrench@hotmail.co.uk.

Busker wanted for short film

An acoustic guitarist busker is wanted to star in a short film, to be shot in Stoke-on-Trent on Wednesday (07/05/08). The film is being made as a final year piece by student Stuart Readfern, who summarises it as

a short story about someone finding a haven within an unwelcoming city.

The musician would get the opportunity to showcase their own music in the film, which will be filmed in almost a documentary style. Some acting would be required for the role ,but nothing too demanding.

There is no fee for this role but all travel and expenses will be paid.

If you'd like to get involved, contact Stuart at readfern_29@hotmail.com.

Merseytravel busking permits now available

Application forms for busking permits on the Merseytravel network in Liverpool can now be downloaded by clicking on this link.

Note that they are only accepting applications from soloists and duos at the moment.

Great busking opportunity for Liverpool based performers

Buskers are invited to perform at the launch of the Pavillion at the Rotunda in Kirkdale, a new creative space in Liverpool. The launch will take place on Saturday 26th April at Rotunda L5. The event organisers expect high levels of attendance not only from the local community, but also international visitors and press. The launch will showcase a variety of artists, makers and performers from Liverpool's artistic community.

The organisers are especially interested in hearing from Liverpool-based performers who play their own original material. A small PA with a mic and single jack will be available on the day.

If you're interested in taking part, e-mail Beccy Williams at cuts.liverpool@yahoo.com or living_market@yahoo.co.uk with your contact details, a small description of what you do (up to 100 words) and preferably a link to a Myspace page or similar.

For more information about the event go to http://www.livingmarket.liverpool.googlepages.com/

Buskers wanted for Southport Open Golf festival

Buskers are invited to audition for the chance to perform in Southport this July while the Open Golf Championship is taking place. This will be a widely publicised event that will attract visitors from all over the world... and even the odd celeb!

Only buskers that are granted an official permit will be allowed to busk in Southport at this time. Contact Clare Chandler on clarechandler@googlemail.com to register your interest and arrange an audition.

Recording opportunity for London buskers

London buskers have the opportunity to be featured on a new album. The project has been set up by two Commercial Music graduates to record buskers in their natural environment, representing the experience of hearing an excellent performer purely by chance.

Recording is already underway, with the album featuring a very wide range of styles with a theme of interesting cover versions. The organisers hope to follow up this recording with some live shows and another album.

To get involved with the project and for a chance to be featured on the album, either e-mail buskerrhymes@gmail.com or get in touch via Myspace - www.myspace.com/buskerrhymes.

Summer busking scheme in Luton

Luton Borough Council are looking for buskers to take part in a busking scheme in Summer 2008. Every Saturday from May to September ths council will provide buskers with:

- a pagoda in St George's Square in Luton town centre to perform under, and
- at least one hour's performance slot.

If you plan on taking part in the scheme you will need to register to get your official permit and performance slot. To do this, either pop into the visitor information centre in the central library in St George's Square or telephone 01582 547 459.

Get your profile in the UK busker directory

Musicalbusker has launched a new directory of UK buskers. Showcasing street musicians of all varieties, each busker profile includes an mp3 clip, contact details or a link to an external site, busking locations and other essential information.

The directory aims to connect buskers with each other and the opportunities available to them.

View the directory here.

To be featured in the directory, e-mail a photo of yourself, your contact details, and mp3 clip of yourself performing (optional) and any extra information to admin@musicalbusker.co.uk.

Each month a new busker will be featured on musicalbusker.co.uk in the 'busker spotlight', with a link from the homepage. To apply to be featured in this, follow this link.

Busking competition in Brigg

Buskers are invited to take part in a small competition in Brigg on Saturday 17th May, as part of the Brigg Fiddle Fest. All acts must include a string instrument, preferably a fiddle.

First prize is £70 with a £30 second prize. Each act will receive 2 designated busking spots but are then free to find their own spot. Acts will also perform at the bandstand for 5 minutes at 1pm - the judges will choose mostly from this. There is a separate part of the competition for under 18s.

Competition entry costs £3, but buskers are allowed to keep any proceeds they make during the day.

For more info and to register as a competitor go to www.briggfiddlefest.org.uk.

New busking licence scheme for Liverpool - launch night

Merseytravel are launching a licensing scheme for busking, similar to that on the tube in London. Buskers will soon be auditioned for spots on the travel network - details of how to get an audition will soon be published on www.merseytravel.gov.uk.

Merseytravel and Radio City are holding a launch night for the scheme on Friday 11th February. Buskers are invited to audition to become Liverpool's 'Busk Idol 2008' at the Cavern Club. Prizes include the first busking permits, a Dawson's guitar worth £150 and £250 cash.

To enter, go to the Radio City website and fill in the online form.

Win a gig at Glastonbury - competition extended!

Born Hectic Events are extending their busking competition, for which the first prize is a gig at Glastonbury 2009, to cover 4 more locations. You can now enter in one of the following heats:

Bristol - Queen Square - Saturday 14th June
Penzance/Golowan - Bolitho Gdns. - Sunday 29th June
Plymouth - the Hoe - Saturday 2nd August
Polzeath - "The Big Cornish Day Out"at Carruan Farm - PL27 6QU - Monday 25th August

Runners up prizes include other gigs, recording sessions, photo shoots and airtime on local radio stations. Entry costs £5, all proceeds go to the Children's World Charity.

To enter e-mail shelly@bornhecticevents.co.uk.

The beginning of the end for busking in Manchester City Centre?

A samba band that regularly busks in Manchester City Centre has been told they may have to busk elsewhere, due to complaints about the noise level from local businesses and residents.
The band leader said the band relies on busking for business and suggested that 'we're facing the end of busking in the city centre, this is the first step'.

Read the full article here.

I doubt, and sincerely hope that this does not mark the beginning of the end for busking in Manchester, but it does show a move towards the growing trend at the moment for adopting a more stringent licensing scheme for busking. Plenty of schemes now restrict performers from playing too loudly or for too long, which is as much for the benefit of other buskers as for the general public. The Manchester samba band now plays for 3 hours at a time, which could be described as 'too long'.

In general I'm in favour of licensing schemes as they encourage considerate busking, as long as councils make sure that licences are easy to get hold of and are free.

New Busker Spotlight - Jake Sanson

This month's featured busker is Jake Sanson from Chester, who performs his
own songs on the streets of Chester, Colchester and Chelmsford. He busks
for fun, promotion and a bit of extra cash, and would advise other buskers
just to 'go for it, ignore unhelpful comments and lose yourself in the
music'.

To find out more and listen to Jake's latest song 'How we do it in the
Movies' click here.

If you're a busker and would like to be featured in the next Busker
Spotlight click here for more info.

Want to be featured on musicalbusker.co.uk?

Busker Spotlight features a different musician each month on the site, giving an opportunity for free promotion as an artist and the chance to pass on any advice to other buskers.

To participate, go to the Busker Spotlight section, complete the questionnaire and send it to admin@musicalbusker.co.uk.

Be the Next Busk Idol

Busk Idol, a competition launched by Stockton-on-Tees borough council, is now registering applicants. Ten winners will receive the first busking permits for the town. Other prizes include recording studio sessions and gift vouchers. To enter, visit the Busk Idol website and fill in the online registration form.

Win a Gig at Glastonbury

Born Hectic Events are holding a busking competition in the South West of England. First prize is a guaranteed performance at Glastonbury 2009! The competition is open to both musicians and non-musicians but not professional street entertainers. Other gigs and prizes are available for finalists. To enter go to the Born Hectic Events website and fill in the online application form. Good luck!

Musical Busker article in Graduate Magazine

Last month I was asked to write a 'guide to good busking' for graduate publication Transition Tradition. The article is published in an special music issue of the magazine for March. To have a look click here.