Kudos to people who genuinely go busking! I’d had it on my list of new things to try for a while, and finally got around to giving it a go just over a week before Christmas. It was every bit as nerve wracking as I’d expected.
Busking In York
There are some supremely talented buskers in York who you may have seen if you’ve ever been to the city. From musicians and singers, to artists and performers, there’s usually someone doing something to bring colour and vibrancy to the streets.
I didn’t need a licence to busk in York, but I did read up on the guidelines from the council website to make sure that I was following their considerations.
Deciding WHEN To Busk
The idea of busking to just a few passers by felt even more terrifying than performing infront of a crowd. There would be nowhere to hide if it was quiet, whereas at least if it was busy people would be milling about and it might not be so obvious that I was there! Can you tell I was quite nervous about this?!
December felt like a good time to give this a go as the Christmas markets often draw in lots of tourists and shoppers. I didn’t want to do it on a weekend as it can be exceptionally busy, besides, I didn’t want to take away a spot that the regular real buskers might need. So I checked the forecast, and committed to a week day that looked like the weather would be on my side.
Deciding WHERE To Busk
There are several spots frequented by street performers in York and I’d got my eye on one which felt fairly safe. It was nice and central and a popular thoroughfare. It had a big building I could stand in front of, the shops opposite were empty so I wouldn’t be annoying them, and it was on a main pedestrian route so there should be enough passing people.
Of course there was no guarantee the space would be available when I wanted it, but there are plenty of other pitches regularly used by buskers, although some of them seemed a bit bigger and busier for me to use for a first time!
Deciding What To Do
I don’t have a talent that is very ‘busk-able’. I can play the piano, but I don’t have any sort of portable keyboard. I know one song on the ukulele, which might have got a bit repetitive. I can’t sing, I mean, I love to sing, but I’m terrible, and busking is usually about entertaining the public, not causing damage to their ears.
I’d previously tried playing drums with a berber group, and played at an open decks night, neither of which were particularly transferable to the streets in York.
Knowing that this new experience had huge potential to be embarrassing, I decided to embrace the ridiculous using things I’d got at home. I was going to dress up as a turkey and play a kazoo. That’s totally what you’d have done, right?!
Having A Go At Busking On A Friday Morning Before Christmas
It was a dry and bright Friday morning. I’d got my outfit. I’d got my instrument. I could have procrastinated all morning quite happily and not left the house, but, I didn’t know how many more opportunities there would be when the conditions felt right for me.
Firstly was the consideration of actually getting into town. I was going to walk in to the city centre, but I didn’t really want to be wearing my turkey outfit until I got to my spot. I didn’t want to have to get changed anywhere, and I didn’t want to have to worry about putting my coat somewhere.
So, I wore a lightweight jacket and carried my turkey costume in a fold up rucksack. That way I was able to wear the outfit over the top of my jacket and pop the bag in my pocket. Perfect.
Saying Hello To The Neighbours
Secondly was the consideration of the neighbours. Thankfully my intended busking spot was free. Parked up next to it was a catering van selling crepes. I introduced myself to the lovely girl who was working on that particular morning.
“If there’s no one there then you’re fine to use it’, she told me as I asked her about busking in the space next to her. It felt reassuring to know that there was somebody about if I needed any help.
This. Was. It.
Telling the crepe lady my intentions made me feel as though I had someone to hold me to account. There was no chickening out, (or should that be turkeying), now. I was going to do it. Here we go.
Placing a small paper cup at my feet and tipping some loose coins into it was my way of indicating that I wasn’t just having a festive melt down, and was in fact purposefully attempting to entertain the passers by with my bizarre brand of performance.
Having slipped into my pink poultry outfit, my face was just about visible. To quote Eminem, my knees were weak and my palms were sweaty as I lifted the kazoo to my lips and plucked up the courage to play.
Christmas Kazooing
I’m not sure how often Walking In The Air is played on kazoo. It’s probably not that often, and for good reason – it doesn’t really do the seasonal stalwart justice, and some of the high notes are a little challenging to reach!
Other festive tunes were played enthusiastically – although massacred is probably a better description. Some arm movements were thrown in along with the occasional little dance step.
Public Response To A Turkey Playing A Kazoo
I doubt you’ll be surprised to hear that there were some side glances from people as they passed by my strange antics. There were also a few inoffensive comments such as, ‘Merry Christmas’, and ‘well, I’ve never seen that before!’
It was nerve wracking. It was embarrassing. It eventually felt like a bit of fun as the good people of York were generous in their smiles, and children waved instead of running away which I thought they might have done.
I didn’t see anybody I knew, and I’m not entirely sure if anyone would have known it was me in the turkey suit, not without a second glance anyway!
Musical Malfunction
Who’d have thought that a plastic kazoo was not fit for endurance?!
About twenty minutes into my performance my instrument decided it had had enough. Instead of making the rasping, buzzing, duck like sounds we’re used to hearing, it now sounded like I was just making a tooting noise down a tube. It’s not as if my ‘act’ was particularly good in the first place, now it was terrible!
Several attempts at readjusting the paper didn’t make a difference, and as I blew out the last few notes of Step Into Christmas I knew my busking time was up.
Taking a bow after my final song, I returned to the crepe lady who kindly took a picture for me before I emerged from my turkey casing.
Did I Make Any Money?
Surprisingly yes!
Not much, not minimum wage even, but a few friendly folk put some pennies in my pot; possibly out of pity, or potentially in the hope I’d stop – although no body actually said that to me.
Would I Try Busking Again?
Yes! Although I’d definitely have to rethink my act so it isn’t quite so bizarre, and if I was going to play an instrument again, I’d find one that would last a bit longer.
It was up there as being something that got the adrenaline racing! It had been a step well out of my comfort zone, but I’d survived! It had been nice to get some smiles from passers by and bring a bit of alternative festive cheer to December!
Want To Try It Yourself?
Anyone can try busking!
- If you want to try busking in York, make sure to visit the York Council website for up to date guidelines.
As you’ll have realised if you’ve read this, you don’t have to have a very strong skill!
Cost Of Experience
It was free to try busking in York.
However always check with the local council in case there are any fees, licences or regulations.
Recommendations
Think about where you’re going to busk, are there any known spots in your town or city?
Think about how you’re going to get to there and how you’re going to transport any equipment you need.
Be mindful of other buskers who make a living from their art.
Let someone know what you are doing, where you are doing it and when. Whilst I believe most people are genuinely nice, always have a safety plan.
Make sure you’ve got somewhere safe to keep your valuables like your mobile phone, keys and money.
Be courteous of other people in the area, say hello to anyone who’s based in the area you’re busking
Wherever you try busking, make sure you follow any rules and recommendations.