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After an amazing 3-day Buskers’ Pow-Wow on the canal we’d like to extend a massive thank you to everyone who attended, but especially Eric Ellman of Bards on Boats and the Union Tavern for hosting us. A big hand too for Sam Jordan from the Musicians’ Union who joined us for the Know Your Rights workshop, and Julia Gregory (Local Democracy Reporter) who joined us on Tuesday afternoon and wrote this article.
We set out to protest the Kensington & Chelsea busking bans but I feel here we now have the bones of a London-wide grassroots performers group, which will be able to take a more co-ordinated and holistic approach to busking across the capital rather than seeing pitches and issues in isolation. If this is something which you’d like to be part of please check out the Keep Streets Live in London Facebook group.
As you’ve all been so awesome we’d love to help you out so we’ve added a few of your tracks to our Spotify playlist and if you’ve got any photos/video from the event use the hashtags #KeepStreetsLive#SayNo2PSPO and #BuskersPowWow to make sure we can find them to like/share etc. Alternatively you can send by email to contact@keepstreetslive.com
We’re currently looking at the possibility of another canal-based London event later in the year, and certainly another full day of busking workshops in Manchester in early-November. If you’d like us to do something in your local area please let us know.
If you missed our workshops or would like to re-cap you can find the livestreams here:
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“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 Tavernfor 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.
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.
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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.
Contrary to Home Office guidance, Kensington & Chelsea are pursuing a policy that deems all busking in key locations as 'detrimental' and 'antisocial'.
