Christmas on the streets

Street musicians  in Germany, photographed by Roger Rossing in 1948 (and borrowed from Wikipedia's admirable entry on the art). In times of trouble and strife musicians tend to pick up their instruments and take to the streets. Is that why Christmas brings more music into the public arena? Or are we just out to share a bit of Santa-style bonhommie?

Keep it simple

How much kit do you need to busk? The more you have, the more there is to forget. I’ve had to abandon play after forgetting my iPod with backing track. Another time I played on for an hour after leaving the neck strap at home. Gave me a sore shoulder for three months.

So I have huge respect for the one-man or one-woman bands.

The Juste Pour Rire Orchestra in Montreal resolve the problem by piling it all on board an old Citroen H Van. Thanks for the link, Krushke.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvpkBNPnXXE&feature=em-share_video_user

 

Chanteurs de Rue

Great to hear so much live street music during Flavours of Herefordshire.
For anyone with Total Commitment to busking it's time to head off to Australia (Busking By the Bay,  Redland Bay), New Zealand (Big Busker Fest in Christchurch this January) or France (Chanteurs de Rue, Quintin).Anyone try Cambridge's street music festial this year? No, me neither - they cancelled it. Shame.

For a  full list try www.buskercentral.com/calendar.php