It’s now about 12 years since I started busking – it’s been my main job for 11 of these. That’s a fair stretch, though some way short of the decades racked up by some of the colleagues I’ve met over the years. I think a lot about what keeps me going. When asked how long … More The reality of busking for a living
I’ve been back out busking, somewhat tentatively, in the last two weeks or so. There is a big debate in the busking community at the moment about whether it is morally/legally right to do so – I fully respect those who think we shouldn’t be out, but my view is that as long as we … More Back on the Streets
Lockdown. Week Seven. Still not busking. The last time I took more than a week off work was, to the best of my recollection, about six years ago. I now haven’t worked since the 17th March, a St Patrick’s Day gig that I knew would probably be my last for a long time. As … More Busking in the ‘new normal’
Yesterday I was arrested for the first time. Run-ins with the police are an occupational hazard for buskers, but generally if things escalate it’ll stop just short of the point of being arrested. The supposed charge was ‘breach of the peace’, a vaguely defined law that has received criticism from human rights groups for making … More I was arrested for busking on private land. My argument? It shouldn’t have been private in the first place
Whenever I take friends of mine to folk clubs or sessions, they always enjoy it. For the benefit of the majority of people my age who have never been to one, they can take on a number of different guises: some simply take the format of everyone sitting in a circle and taking it in … More Rediscovering our cultural identity through folk music
Last night was one of the most memorable I have ever experienced. For 11 days, the people of Armenia protested against their hugely unpopular Prime Minister and former President, Serzh Sargsyan, when he broke his promise to stand down after 10 years of Presidency (after a constitutional change handed power from his old post to … More My experience of the Velvet Revolution
Having seen a fair few places around Europe now, I thought it might be time to write an article about some real hidden gems. So, in no particular order, here are 10 suggestions of cities you may not have come across: Budapest Haven’t heard of Budapest? I’m not surprised! It’s not exactly on most people’s … More 10 Great Undiscovered European Cities
Brexit means Brexit. Which means something. And what does something mean? Not quite sure? Me neither. I’m currently back in Italy on the beautiful island of Sicily, still travelling and still working my way from country to country, busking as I go. My recent visit to Malta means that I have now worked in every … More Brexit and Busking
I´ve been thinking a bit about technology recently, and that´s been triggered by a number of things. I had a bit of a rant recently about people taking pictures and videos of me while busking and not giving me any money, which hit its peak in Mostar, Bosnia & Hercegovina. I loved Mostar. It is … More Technology and travelling
Note: This was updated and edited in June 2020 I’ve had a few weeks off from travelling, but I’m now off again in search of some warm weather. Given this, I thought I’d do a full breakdown of each place I’ve busked in: how much hassle you get from the police, how much money you … More The story so far
Busking adventures 