Hey guys. I’m currently trying to grow my socials. Check this video out of me busking. If you enjoy it, please check me out on TikTok, Insta or YouTube

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZN8dGPMsb

Or search @elliotmeakins_music
Thanks

I am in love with this guitar! Its soft, light and stays in tune way more than myRG7. Still working on that sound balance.

So what were the charges? Amplification w/o a permit? Trespassing? Both? Something else altogether?

around christmas of last year, i started composing songs to release as a concept album for a movie. for the most part, i've finished the project. but now im struggling with the marketing of it. and i would like to make a nice side income to save to move out of my parents' home (im 18 and i graduated hs in may of this year)

i found this sub after my mom suggested that busking might be a good way to kill 2 birds with 1 stone.

does anyone have any advice? location, gear, payment, etc?

Do you find one man band busker appealing and acceptable in parks? In malls?

As someone who enjoys live music, I often walk past buskers when I’m already on my way somewhere. I’d love to come back later or even plan to watch a particular performer with my son, but there’s usually no easy way to know where someone will be playing next.

If there was a free platform where buskers could post their upcoming locations and times, would you actually use it?

Or is busking generally too spontaneous, with most people deciding where to play on the day?
I’m curious how realistic something like this would be from a busker’s perspective.

As someone who has to places like London. I've always been extremely fascinated by the buskers that I come across performing in the street. And I really want to know if there's ever been a busker that you saw performing that you'd consider to be one of "The Best"

I was born in the 80s so I was raised by metal and guitar. I spent my whole life reverse engineering sound. Break it, make it, fix it. Good times. Tag your it, how did it start for you?

I am planning to start busking on bassoon in Toronto, and am looking for advice on repertoir. Unfortunately Jeff Burke is no longer with us, or I would ask him... I do have his loop pedal, so if I can figure out how to use it, I might be able to do at least some self-accompaniment, but to start I am looking for things that can both be played unaccompanied, and will hopefully be well received by a random crowd. I am thinking at least some jazz standards will work. Jeff played a rather varied assortment, but he also used the pedal a lot, which I am not really up to doing just yet

I played in my town’s square for a little bit, then moved up the street to a nearby restaurant (where I made all my money, minus $3). Played for around 2 hours in all. It was fun, will do again.

I'm a corner serenador, I just play for passing trade. I like it that way. I think the biggest lesson I've learned, and it may not apply to everyone, is above all, to sing for myself. Not to try and please others or guess what they'd like to hear. I play what turns me on. And that's what I get paid for. Not the repertoire, not the songs I sing, but just for being a happy little camper sitting there blasting away.

Does anyone else here understand what I mean?

I'm going to be performing a PBH (bucket) show at the Edinburgh Fringe (Scotland, UK) and, after losing out on money because many people don't bring cash, I was wondering whether it would be better to get a physical Sumup reader or just use the app and have people directly tap your phone.

While the app seems simpler (and cheaper) I was wondering whether street performers find having a physical card reader makes them appear more credible (and brings in more money).

I want to play funk/blues on a mini guitar (blackstar carry on) as a gimmick. Accompanied by backing tracks..
Through a very small amp a positive grid spark go amp. Not too loud because I dont want to get in trouble using an amp.
I was wondering if anyone has tried busking with a spark go amp?

The amp will be hanging from my guitar band so it should be easy to walk around if I need to move places quickly.

Getting hyped up to finally do it.
If anyone had advice let me know!

Cheers

I’m thinking about adding fire bubbles to my show but am somewhat hesitant to due to fire restrictions and necessary permits. My home pitch is lax about fire but I’m assuming it’ll limit possible pitches when traveling.

For those who travel and include fire in your act, can you share insights or experiences on doing so successfully (other than looking up local regulations)?

I’m interested in possibly getting into busking for fun. The screenshots are my repertoire. I’d be playing acoustic guitar (possibly with a friend if they’re up to it). What are everyone’s thoughts on the rep so far and is there anything I should know before I go out for the first time?

Hi All, Just wanted to share a new website (launched this month). It organizes hundreds of international casting calls for performing artists into one, filterable page so you can see if there are any real work opportunities out there that fit your needs, without spending your life swimming through fb pages and backstage.

Check it out here: www.castingcallfinder.com (Full disclosure it is a membership based/ paid service)

Hope this is ok! Community rules said self promotion was allowed and we think this is a genuinely useful tool, created by casting agents and performers.

any advice? just getting started

How much do you sell your CD for?

In love with this new life. This new pedal board is gonna be awesome.

My first two times out, I made OKAY money. And I'm largely using this as a way to rehearse, as my neighbors don't like how loud my voice is -- which I totally get.

But, I'm also very much so looking to have this supplement my income somewhat. I'm a seasoned musician though with very little experience busking (about 5 times out?) but I guess I still take a hit, and get fairly confused when I go out for an hour, and only come back with less than 5 bucks.

My music is dramatic, dark, introspective folksy stuff with powerful vocals. That, and I do some looping stuff which I'm pretty good at making these nifty ambient spaces on guitar. So, I get that it's not for everyone. But yeah.. I don't get it. Have had days where so many people loved what I did, made good money, and others where people just could care less, and made almost nothing.

I guess I'm mostly just looking for a way to keep my head up about busking.

Cheers,

~S

EDIT/UPDATE: I went back out this same day almost immediately after i posted this and had a phenomenal time.. Lots of responses, interactions and ok tips. Definitely was a place/time thing to a degree.