Hyde Park Hare Krishna

All together now! Hare Hare, Hare Kri... Wait a minute - are these guys bona fide buskers or merely 'street performers'? I wondered that as I watched, then I noticed they were accepting currency contributions, so - technically - buskers.
Interesting range of involvement from the 'troupe'. Of course the lead dude with the mike and the hand organ is fully present in the number - with only half-hearted hand percussion from some backing members.
But the bass player, curiously, looks completely lost - and isn't it, like, the ONLY song they do?

Leichhardt Folkies

This is what I'd like to see more of - this group clearly love what they do (Is it insulting to assume it's "Folk"?) - and they're sharing it with the world. (See, you would never ordinarily call me a Folk fan (I just bet this is some more arcane sub-genre*) but when it's live and heartfelt like this, I'll respond very favorably)
They seemed to lose a little of their boldness when I started pointing a camera at them (though they happily obliged when asked) - I get the feeling they're not hardened to the spotlight's harsh glare. Hopefully I helped them become accustomed to the attention and they'll build confidence.
Anyway - who ARE "they" - my family asked "What are they called?" - I didn't think to ask.
So, guys, if you read this - let me know.

*You'll hear near the end I'm interrupted by someone who recognised me - it is my own neighbourhood - they suggested it might be "Pirate" music

Paddys Market iPhone Karaoke

Somehow Chinatown seemed the right place to see this for the first time.  Hook up a mike and your phone to an amp. Fire up the karaoke app - and you're away.

Birkenhead Cellist

We lowly bargain hunters at Birkenhead Point were graced one Sunday morn with the presence of "Australia's Leading Cellist" - whew! Though, if I'm being upfront, I wouldn't go so far as to describe his tones as all that dulcet. He was in danger of being swamped by all his marketing bumpf and drowned out by his backing track. ALC seemed much more concerned with image than performance - dressing way too obviously decades younger than he could get away with and sporting a painfully apparent dye job. On top of that, his heart was clearly not in it - his rendition of The Shadows classic was rather 'A-patchy'. [space for scathing pun comments below]
All in all - a sad representative of the busking fraternity.

World Square Rocker

This guy fuckin' rocked! If I was an A&R man, I'd have whipped out the contracts on the spot. I think the song's called 'My Girl' - he seemed to be mostly dreaming it up as he went - but the totally unself-conscious self-belief - awesome. Liked how he wove a 'thank you' seamlessly into his riff. And he's patriotic.

Paddy's Electric Jew's Harp

The corner of Paddy's Market that seems to attract the city's more 'fringe' performers - nobody seemed to be paying much attention to this guy - "electric Jew's harp"? - wow, I thought it was great - definitely Utility Fog material - wish I'd shot more

Circular Quay Self Accompaniment

Cunning, see? Essentially he's chosen a song which, none too subtlely, says "Throw money". He got 50c out of me. Anyway - very tech, this street performer. Normally I prefer my busking to be 'unplugged' as possible - but this guy used his gear to good effect.