Town Hall Italian Violinist

This 'allegro vecchio' popped up in various spots around Sydney CBD. He was always dressed in a suit. He was always totally upbeat. And he always played the exact same tune, all the time. What does it matter, I suppose? Most people won't hear him for longer than one number anyway. (With all that practice it must have been second nature) I liked the way he punctuated the piece with exuberant shouts of "Hey!", "Ole!" etc. This was about 5 years ago - wonder if he's still around?

Pitt Mall Pan Piper

Looks like I haven't posted this pan pipe player yet, so let's shine the spotlight on this rockin' instrument! Of course pan pipes [so named for the satyr of Greek myth] came to global prominence back in 1975 with Peter Weir's ethereal 'Picnic at Hanging Rock'. Gheorghe Zamfir’s hypnotic pieces perfectly matched the other-worldly mood of the fillum. So much so, that I actually bought the soundtrack album. To be honest, it didn’t get played much - separated from the sumptuous visuals it didn’t bear repeated listening. And a whole album from this undoubtedly talent performer would be a bigger challenge than I would willingly face…

Pitt Mall Soccer Ball Wizard

Wow - what  a talent! This guy's skills will knock yer socks off... He's got a winning formula too - hi-energy background music soundtracking a non-stop repertoire of tricks that mere mortals like us can only gawp at. [& I think he showcased his piece of resistance in there] Great, compact way to fund your global travels too ('course he could be from Strathfield)

Town Hall Flautist

A popular spot, this, with the Sydney busking fraternity - indeed my Banjo Maestro was seen here regularly. I like this fellow's cool demeanour - he shows little concern that, as a performer, he's creating virtually no distraction to the passing tide of humanity. He's also chosen to play what he damn well pleases - no "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" for him. He could be making it up as he goes, but it's probably a revered classic that I'm too uncultured to recognise.

World Square Cellist

Do cellists get RSI in their left wrists? Googling that very question just now it seems that fatigue and tension in the left hand is a real issue. That constant vibration technique, and the neck squeezing,  must take its toll. Anyway, this young man's relaxed style makes it look easy. And I daresay he has a few hours playing behind him. He's not pandering to crowd favourites in repertoire, though, and his street persona suggests he's in it more for the 'playing in public' practice than the bucks - just as well, judging by the take in his instrument case...

World Square Jap Beatbox Duo

I’ve witnessed one or two talented beatbox practitioners ‘round town – notably this genius, performing without amplification – but I think this is the first duo.

What a way for a couple of young Japanese dudes to see the world – setting up on the street and spitting out synchronised blurts and grunts.

And not just any Japanese Beatbox duo but Team Contest Finalists in the Japan Beatbox Championship 2014! Still going strong it seems – book ‘em for your next wedding party or anything here. 

[or check out their Facebook page] 

Galeries Victoria couple

I've seen this couple often, over many years, around Sydney - & this is one of their favoured haunts it would seem. They're always smartly dressed and always come across as very proficient musically - mixing it up with styles and instruments - piano accordion & others . While they have a generally upbeat demeanour they're not the most animated of street performers. But how long could you keep up 'razmatazz' anyway? I'm impressed they've stayed together as a couple for years - can't be an easy way to bring home the bacon but their attitude suggests they're stayers.

Conrad goes to Blue Hawaii

"Blue Hawaii" is far and away my favourite Elvis movie - I've got the soundtrack album and everything. Elv had some nice, simple pared-down numbers - sometimes just him and a ukulele - but I don't think even The King would've had the chutzpah to tackle "Can't Help Falling in Love" with just his own bongo for accompaniment. This guy puts the 'rad' in Conrad...

Trainspotter's footnote: "Can't Help Falling in Love" would become the standard closer for an Elvis Presley concert in the 1970s, & went to number two on the Billboard Hot 100.

Michael & his dogs

Michael presented a pretty relaxed vibe as he rendered his personal stylings of 'Classical Gas' - made famous, of course, by Beach Boys session muso turned solo artist, Glen Campbell. I like Michael's free and flowing interpretation - you don't miss Glen's big brass-backed production among the foot traffic of World Square.
This was 2015 - I wonder how he and other street performers, whose income relies on passing trade, are faring in these lockdown times...

Norton Street HAPI Drum

My son, Hunter, and I caught this young man on Norton St and were gently seduced by his playing's rhythmic charms.
After getting the thumbs-up for filming, dropped a buck [& a BuskerDu card] in the cap that looked like it was picked up on some exotic adventure [another detail befitting the overall flavour].
As we walked away, it occurred to both of us that we should have asked him what the hell instrument he was playing - having never seen one before.
Google helped a bit - I tried 'football sized steel drum' and got a few pages for something called a Hang [pronounced 'Hong' apparently] - but that wasn't quite it.
Then I got all Sherlock and read the name on the bag next to him. Elementary! Turns out it's a HAPI drum (Hand Activated Percussion Instrument) - and very pleasing they are too in the right hands.

Archibald Fountain Guitar Rock Duo

"Musical differences" - that's the pat answer to why the band split up, isn't it?
But, on the flip side, what keeps it together? You'd have to say "musical similarities", yeah?
On the face of it these guys, visually, have differences. But not musically.
They're a novelty for buskerdu - two guitars playing in tight accord. One in the hands of the dude all rock hair and attitude - the other, just about the music. Together, holistic. Nice work.
I must get into the habit of asking if 'groups' have a name. {That's my son, Hunter, slipping them half a buck, btw}

World Square Guitar Percussion

Busking has morphed with the times hasn't it? Once it was defined as the experience you had right there, right then - with possibly a self-promotion element like a business card for gigs or, more recently, maybe a CD.
Now, of course, it's *potentially* as big as the web - and a degree of culpability lies with this very blog.
At the same time, there seems to me a shift in buskers' material. There has always been real talent on the streets, but I'm sensing a move away from the personal with more tailoring towards a broader audience. There's starting to be slicker product out there - what's next for busking?

Art & About Ukulele Smiths

About 20 years ago [!] I saw a busker working the main drag in Adelaide at about 10 pm. Had quite a crowd [really not a lot of competition, entertainmentwise]. Anyway, his very memorable USP was that he was doing Smiths numbers - in an upbeat style! It worked.
In all that time since, I've never seen anyone else cover The Smiths - until today. And what was extra cool about this - apart from being situated among the Art & About photos near St James station in Hyde Park - was that it was being performed with a ukulele. Again, it worked - genius.
I usually ask first before filming - but I was so overcome at hearing the Moz lyrics with uke accompaniment that I dived straight in.
Jonathan was very good about it & handed me his card - he is, indeed, available for weddings, parties, anything - & can be reached at jonathanthoms68@hotmail.com

Circular Quay Hula Hooper

A lot of my (I say "my", I mean, you know, generally) buskers just stand there and do their thing. Usually musical.
But there's another breed of street performer that is more proactive in audience engagement. In situ marketing you could call it.
If hula hoop girl* just stood there and did her thing my guess is most strollers would pass on by. But she's got that performer chutzpah - where do they get that? - which practically demands you pay attention. And a crowd did indeed start to form.
Circuses and bread.
*And I'm sure she has a multitude of other talents, I just didn't have time to view the full "show".

Town Hall Spanish Guitar & Singer

I wouldn't say Spanish guitar players are a dime a dozen exactly, but it is a fairly crowded niche in the busking game, and you need to be pretty special to stand out. [see: Tom Ward] I don't mean to slight the doubtless years of dedication to the craft, but, well - I'm less inclined to include yet another one (even superbly skilled).
So, while this guy wasn't a display of technical brilliance, the combination with singing was a winner. I just missed him doing a top notch job of 'Girl from Ipanema' - shame - anyway... only too happy to give a plug for his website.

World Square Rap + Guitar

A melding of genres - and damn me if it doesn't work. I think I'm pretty open-minded for an old fart, but I still feel they play a bit too much rap on FBi.
These two, however, blend & click well. Would have happily stuck around for more.
Busker Du spotters - isn't Frances Castley my Bondi Junction Chanteuse from August last year? I think it is (& looking hot in those shorts).
Other passersby must have reacted to the chemistry as well - their guitar case was Stuffed with Note$$. The life of the muso, eh?

World Square Troubador

Sorry, World Square Troubador. Sorry for a couple of things. First for particularly (even for me) poor vid quality - shaky, thumb over lens, decapitation etc. And second, for taking so long to post your minute and a half after I said it would be up in a couple of days.
WST deserved better - he's got true blue busker cred: irrepressibly upbeat and totally into it. Prosperous travels, friend!

Town Hall Wheelchair Harmonica

I went past a guitar guy just the other day who had severe, unmissable facial deformities. What song was he singing at that moment? Radiohead's "Creep". ..."I'm a creep, I'm a weirdo..." - all with a huge smile on his harshly malformed and discoloured face. I didn't have time to catch it. I wish I had and I get the feeling he wouldn't have minded at all. He just seemed too full of life to give a stuff. He was also so into the music that the shock of his countenance swiftly faded. But that was that guy.
This is this guy - who obviously has major problems of his own. The thing is, when I first caught the sound of his playing, I THOUGHT the tune was "What a wonderful world". Made me stop and re-evaluate things. It wasn't - but still, you know what I mean?

Pitt Mall Guitar Picker + Bez

Oh you must watch this - priceless! Who remembers Bez, that vital component of the Happy Mondays? The delightful, enigmatic elevation of their music through completely unselfconscious, joyous dancing.
This living treasure in Pitt Mall carries on the Bez torch. The carefree confidence of our guitar picker only makes the moment more magical.

Westfield Burwood Xmas Brass Band

Oo, look at the arty camera work - could be David Lynch. Well, there just wasn't anywhere to stand, so I improvised.
Anyway, quite an awesome responsibility taking out the kids' brass band to drum up some seasonal pocket money. Excellent spot for passing trade though and, accident or design, the acoustics of the escalator well (?) produced a pleasing echoey quality. Also a bit Lynch-y.