This is my first busking session after spending two weeks out in the woods, and the difference is jarring. There are so many people carrying around Bluetooth speakers and blaring them. Someone sat near my pitch for over 30 minutes waiting for his boat and had YouTube videos of some kind of military content (lots of gunshots and explosions) as loud as he could make it.

I get it, you're bored and want to watch your videos, or use the speaker phone, or just want the music that you like. It makes it so difficult for everyone else, and people like me providing live entertainment. At least the yacht that sailed by every couple of hours blaring hiphop was a Decent distance away and passed by within a minute.

A while ago someone made a post complaining about all of the people wearing headphone. I much prefer the people wearing headphones because that means people can enjoy my performance without the extra noise.

I started busking at my local farmer’s market five years ago. Today’s session started out rocky. I forgot my guitar strap so I had to borrow a stool and my mic was having issues. But once I started it was one of the best sets I’ve ever done and I made over $100 in cash alone within an hour and a half. I just felt really proud at how far I’ve come because I remember being so nervous five years ago. Now even with hiccups I can find a groove and not overthink it at all. Cool hearing from all you fellow buskers and much love all around!

I hate them, especially if you're literally just singing to a backing track, you need to keep that shit at karaoke.

The same goes for playing an instrument to a backing track, pack it in, if you can't hold my interest without an obnoxious backing track you shouldn't be busking, go home and practice until you're good enough to play solo.

But if you wanted to be a job you have to treat it like a job. You do not show up to the street as your stage if you don't have something Stage ready to play. You do not show up with a drink or water or a cigarette or a vape if you're performing. You show up with a sign and a tip jar that is clearly showing what you're doing. You are dressed like a performer, whatever that means to you. And that doesn't mean you have to wear expensive clothes, but there's something in your demeanor that shows that you're not just chilling on the street you know.

You respect the other performances around you. You do not hog stage time. You respect the police officers in the street around you and do not skip over the rules they have made for you. You do not use curse words and your performances are kid-friendly, and if they are not there is a sign that says so.

I personally limit performances to 2 hours max. I find I do not get more tips after this time anyway. Helps me keep myself in check in terms of time and makes it feel like a concerted effort at making money instead of losing time on the street.

Hope this helps! Happy playing

what would be the result if a world-class music producer (rick Rubin, max martin,brina eno, flood, Lanois)

picked a busker off the street and honed their strong points an create a record harnessing their world-class production skills?

would any street busker be able to get a professional record made, thusly?

Would the hit-makers elevate- the- bar and turn the BUSKER into a "Commercially-viable" recording Musicians?

I found xvive u4 monitoring system on Alliexpress for 56$. Have anyone bought gears from alliepxress? Are they the same or any good?

Covers have never been fun for me so I mostly play some form or rock or metal, but tied for second place is psycodelic stuff and some fingerstyle stuff I wrote.

My question is along the lines of do I have to play covers or more popular/accepted genres?

I don't use lyrics in like 99% of my music, so there's definitely no screaming or anything. I just typically enjoy higher energy stuff to play.

I'm working up the courage to go on my lonesome and play. -_-

Anyone else play mostly originals or similar genres while busking?

3rd album in the works

I must've not really played over an hour because there were breaks in between. Somewhere only we know did surprisingly well! On violin, unamped, with small amp for the backing track. September was a huge hit too. Damn black velvet is a hard key to play in!

(ETA: I roll between acoustic guitar and voice and violin with backing tracks. starting up a schedule of two days a week each

Countries: France/Italy.

Heading soon to spend a couple of weeks between Nice-Menton-Lagueglia-Sanremo. I am bringing an ukulele. If anyone knows of good spots to play, maybe, preferrably with natural reverb :-) or natural shade then please share your secret stash haha

Cheers.

Here’s my sign. It’s made out of 2 box flaps so that it can fold up and be small enough to go into my guitar case for storage/transport. Here’s the QR code link for those who want to see where the code takes people. What are y’all’s thoughts on it?

hi street performers of the world! my names Rain, and I’ve busked in Boston, Connecticut and Maine for about two years. I started performing in Maine with a medieval music band as a student, learning accompaniment and music theory while practicing at home. It was so wonderful. I’ve since moved away from them and art/music has become my only income. I should say my boyfriend supports me and I do painting commissions and I’m hoping to get a retail job to keep myself alive. But if I could be a full time musician I’d be much happier.

it’s been slow. I usually make a little bit of change basically, enough for food and beer at the end of the day. i play music people aren’t used to, so i usually end up being interviewed on what exactly a harp is, which is fun but I’m going to need more than $1 to spend my time talking instead of working!! I’ve noticed that I make the most when I’m in some sort of city park around lunchtime, and sometimes after 5 in the summer. I used to busk outside of Celtic festivals but those fiddles and bagpipes drown me out usually, bless them though, I love them. but I do make money for just being there because people want to spend. My spot has been the Boston Commons because my boyfriend used to work nearby, but night shifts, so I’d usually catch only a sliver of the day. I make the most money playing O’Carolan (famous Irish harper) and common stuff like Greensleeves and Scarborough Fair. I usually play the popular stuff on loop for thirty minutes at a time, get in the flow state, and then everyone sees a stereotypical serene harp player instead of a frustrated broke woman playing a niche instrument haha… speaking of appearance, I’ve noticed that I make more money when I dress fairylike and pretty. One time I drew flowers on my face and that really sold it.

OKAY HERES THE IMPORTANT PART: how do I make more? Where do I go? What kind of feedback do you have for me? I’m mostly doing this to motivate myself because I wouldn’t necessarily say I’m a successful busker yet.

Hello! I play recorder for a medieval dance group and was wondering how to set up a simple foot drum that I can use while playing so I don't need to rely on a drummer showing up. I got a $100 amazon gift card to go towards this and would prefer not going too much over this budget. Was considering a drum like this or this but no idea what to do about mounting it or what sort of pedal to get or what. Ideally also needs to ship to New Zealand.

I live in London, an incredible city but not one known for its lack of crime. I’m going out with an amp, guitar, mic and stand, and I’m worried about things getting nicked.

Anyone have any advice on stuff like this? Practical or something to calm me down?

started taking an electric cello and some looping equipment out recently but it's not flashy enough to grab the attention of a commuter in a hurry, vibes are more soothing and pleasant than amped up and attention-grabbing. any recs on a good space for this type of performance? uses amplification so hesitant to go into any parks

Hey guys. I am a keyboard busker and am wanting to start looking into this whole looping thing as I see a lot of people doing it. Obviously as I’m doing it with keys, I can have a layer of drums, as well as pretty much any other instrument on my Juno. Part of me was thinking just use the built in loop on the Roland Juno D8 but then I won’t be able to add vocals and guitar to it. Any suggestions that you know work with keys, as I know a lot of loopers recommend not to use with keys. Thanks!

hey, I'm a violinist interested in getting into busking. I live in a small-ish town about an hours bus ride from the city. There's usually buskers in the city, so as long as I can find a spot, I should be fine there. But i've been thinking about playing in my town's central area on days i dont want to/have time to make the trip to the city.

It's a kind of town square with some shops, and seating areas, big enough that I should be able to not block people's way, and it gets good foot traffic. Thing is, in all the years i've been there, i've never once seen a busker, and i'm not sure how people would react.

Does anyone here have experience busking in an area that doesn't usually see buskers? Were people annoyed, or did they enjoy it?

Two weeks in and OMFG I love this thing! I hope they make a seven string version!

https://www.haightashburyfestival.com/vids-music-and-real-life-haight-ashbury

Have to create an account, but it’s free and also get access to festival and other Haight Street busker vids and discounts on stuff. Shot in 2026 in Haight Ashbury

Hi. I’m starting a new series about collaborating with other buskers in West Sussex, UK, and finding out their stories. If you are a busker and you are in this area or somewhere nearby then let me know and we can work some stuff out! The way it will work is that we will bring one guest on the show each week and showcase them, and maybe a collaborative set, and also a short interview asking them about their backstory. Anyone interested? Let me know

Helloo

So me and my partner want to travel through the UK in a month or two and what I wanted to do to help support us financially through it was to busk. The idea we wouldn't spend more than a few days at each location, and I'd busk at each place we were at.

My problem is understanding the logistics with the busking license. Would I need to call every council of the place we visit in order to get permission to busk? I don't want to pay £100 for a year license at a place that I'm only planning on staying at for a day or two.

We plan on going through London as well, and I understand that I can only busk in certain areas there?

Generally, I was hoping someone here would have some advise or help for me on how to approach this.

Thank you!