Buskers Launch Performers’ Association

Post Date August 08, 2019
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Category bards on boats, campaigns, events, Kensington, London, Updates

“Busking, public performance for the entertainment and spare coins of passers-by, “may be the world’s second oldest profession,” muses David Fisher, a recording artist, busker and spokesperson for Keep Streets Live, an organisation which protects Britains’s rich legacy of spontaneous open air music and art.

An emerging cashless economy, however, and Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs), such as the one passed last month by the Borough of Kensington and Chelsea which bans or restricts busking over much of Portobello Road and other prime busking locations, threaten a tradition that is documented as far back as Roman times.

Against this backdrop, Keep Streets Live is organising a 3-day street performers’ pow-wow, August 27-29, designed by and for artists, and open to the general public.” -Eric Ellman of Bards on Boats.

Day 1 we’ll be opening the event at midday outside South Kensington tube with a protest busk to raise awareness of the issues. We have a diverse range of performers for you to enjoy including magic from Nathan Earl.

Around 3pm we’ll be moving on to the Union Tavern for our first Buskers’ PowWow which will be a mixture of discussions and entertainment featuring street performers from Kensington & Chelsea, Westminster and further afield.

Day 2 @ the Union Tavern – talk show format with panel discussions and performances.

Know Your Rights. Legal advice, campaigning and civil disobedience. Union Tavern, Westbourne Park. Weds 28th Aug. 3pm. Liberty/KeepStreets Live/Musicians Union.

Followed by ‘sultry, swinging world folk’ from Pandora’s Diary at 4.30pm, and punk covers courtesy of the Leyton Cat Lady at 6pm.

‘Chester’ live at Ophelia’s. Weds 28th Aug. 8.30-10.30pm. At Ophelia’s Cocktail Lounge. Nearest Tube Barbican. Indie/Folk/Americana. Door money to Keep Streets Live.

Day 3 Tech For Artists. Apps and online platforms. Holden House, 57 Rathbone Place , Tottenham Court Road tube. Thurs 29th Aug. 1pm. The Hat App/Gigride/Charlotte Campbell.

Workshops will be free (voluntary donations to Keep Streets Live welcome).

Thanks to Portobello Brewing Company for providing refreshments on our pre-launch Canal Cruise on Sun 25th August, Dave Holmes and James Dylan Thomson for their music, and James and Esther for sign making!

The Molly Anna- our event HQ moored outside the Union Tavern

We are currently looking for more people to be involved in this project in any capacity; musicians, speakers, community groups, art lovers. In fact anyone who has an interest in protecting access to our public spaces, and ensuring they retain their vibrancy. Please email contact@keepstreetslive.com

Kensington & Chelsea is a divided borough with a rich cultural heritage that is increasingly under threat. When beautiful moments like the one at the top of this post are designated as ‘antisocial and criminal’ we have to stand up and be counted. The Council should be supporting and encouraging their buskers rather than marginalising them and pushing them out. In these times of austerity they should be grateful for what we add to the borough. At no cost to the authorities or taxpayer we provide quality art that is accessible to all regardless of income or circumstance.

#SayNo2PSPO and #KeepStreetsLive


Kensington & Chelsea PSPO: Response

Kensington & Chelsea PSPO: Response
Post Date July 18, 2019
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Category Uncategorized

“The MU is extremely disappointed by the decision of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea to ban busking in certain areas and enforce these bans through Public Space Protection Orders (PSPO).”

The week leading up to International Busking Day seems a poignant time for Kensington & Chelsea to launch their anti-busking PSPO. As we embrace and celebrate street culture, we are also reminded of the ever-present threats that exist to destroy what we value.

This Order does, in practice turn the entire borough into a busking ‘no-go zone’. Performers are to be forced out of suitable pedestrianised areas, and stripped of amplification which could allow them to compete with the considerable traffic noise on busy city streets. The policy is incredibly complex and full of arbitrary and contradictory restrictions, so the potential for it to be wrongly or inconsistently enforced is high. As with so many ideas to placate a shrill minority, it will soon become apparent that there is no easy fix. Camden’s license destroyed busking in the borough and yet complaints have not diminished. It has become a burden for Police and other enforcement officers in the area. A complete waste of scarce resources.

Our partners at the Musicians’ Union have already made a press release, with which we fully concur, and we will are currently discussing the next steps to take with them, Equity and other interested parties. We’d also like to thank Liberty for legal advice on how to fight the PSPO.

We’d like to hear from as many local buskers as possible who are concerned about the effects this will have on them, and their ideas on how we can organise against it. Keep Streets Live has made significant progress campaigning against PSPO’s across the country, so there is no reason why we cannot do the same in Kensington & Chelsea. Please email contact@keepstreetslive.com if you’d like to join our campaign.

Watch David Fisher talking PSPO’s on board the Molly Ann- our RBKC HQ

“Messing about on boats.”

“Messing about on boats.”
Post Date July 15, 2019
Comments 2 Comments
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Category bards on boats, events, London, Updates

July 20th is International Busking Day, celebrating artistic performance in public spaces. 

Whilst some London Councils are defining busking as “antisocial behaviour,” to be restricted with new licensing and conditions, other groups and individuals are innovating to continue a tradition that adds colour and opportunity to everyone’s life. 

The Hat, a new app which allows buskers to receive tips digitally, has partnered with the campaign group Keep Streets Live to bring busking to the Grand Union Canal. 

From July 20th until August 1st, buskers will perform on board the 58’ wide beam canal boat, Molly Anna, which is participating in a London Festival of Architecture installation demonstrating alternative visions for developing the towpath beneath the A40 flyover near Westbourne Park. 

The boat will be in two locations on those days, allowing buskers to perform from noon until 5 p.m. for crowds gathered at the LFA “co-mooring” site beneath the flyover, as well as adjacent the patio of the Union Tavern on Woodfield Road, 200 meters away.

Performers will be paid a small fee using The Hat app and will also be able to collect tips from their audience. Musicians, dancers, and other artists are invited to call 07500 753673 to reserve a slot or email contact@thehatapp.com

Dates and times will be posted as and when finalised, but so far artists confirmed include talented guitarist Alexander Kyd who has already recently performed on the boat and is looking forward to returning.

Sat 20th July. Julian Rosso. 5pm.

Mon 22nd July. David Fisher. 6pm.

Fri 26th July. Martin Ash. 5pm.

Mon 29th July. Lea Barrufatto. 1pm.

Wed 31st July. Weybourne Chester Bingley. 1pm.