{"id":354,"date":"2019-02-25T08:46:10","date_gmt":"2019-02-25T08:46:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/?p=354"},"modified":"2026-03-16T10:20:27","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T10:20:27","slug":"busking-everything-you-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lastminutemusicians.com\/how_to_get_gigs\/busking-everything-you-need-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"Busking: everything you need to know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Last updated: March 2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everyone is used to the sight of buskers on high streets looking to make a little extra cash, but busking is also a great way to get more gigs<\/a> and promote a band\u2019s talent.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whilst there are undeniable costs such as travelling to the town\/city you\u2019re playing in, busking is usually worth it. Most musicians can earn between \u00a310-\u00a315 per hour (find out more about how much you can earn busking<\/a>) over a busy weekend and it\u2019s not unheard of for musicians to be offered gigs by people on the street off the back of their performance. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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It\u2019s not uncommon for promoters, venue owners, brides & grooms-to-be and others to offer buskers gigs based on street performance \u2013 especially if you manage to draw a crowd!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Choosing the right busking songs<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s considered to be a basic fact of busking that everybody likes (and often pays for) the songs they know. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, whether you\u2019re a solo performer or playing as part of a band, you may find that improvising an upbeat groove will also attract a crowd. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is often the case with jazz ensembles<\/a> that can improvise with different musicians taking solos. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When choosing the right songs to busk, musicians should consider where they will be performing. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, a quiet and slow ballad is unlikely to work on a busy street but it may perfectly suit a busy subway through which people walk on the way home from work. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Similarly, the general public does not tend to enjoy music played at an excessive volume – the end goal should not to be intrusive.  <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take a look at our Last Minute Musicians blog on the most popular songs on 2500 set lists<\/a> for ideas on what songs are popular. For more advice on building a setlist for busking, read our guide on how to write a setlist<\/a>.<\/div>\n\n\n\n

In terms of artists to cover, a wide selection from the past 4 decades will cater for all ages of passersby. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Playing standards of Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash and The Beatles as well as contemporary chart pop songs is likely to earn money rather quickly. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, people may be more interested if you can play a unique version of a popular song rather than a straightforward cover. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nowadays, any passerby with a phone has the potential to be your new personal PR machine by posting videos online. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some classic examples are the likes of Kiddo Kat & Heidi Joubert’s cover of “Kiss” by Prince<\/a> (Featuring a random stranger!) or Mr Reed (who drums and sings on the NYC subway) whose videos have resonated so much with people that they ended up viral, racking up over 1 million views!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The need for a license<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In most areas of the UK, you do not require a licence to busk. However, there may be bylaws and council guidelines around where and when it is permitted (especially if using amplified equipment) and how long you can stay in one place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You also need to be mindful of volume levels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best way to look up the guidelines in the area you intend to busk in is by checking with the local authority. You can search for the local authority using this section of the Gov.UK website<\/a>, or you can look up the busking policy on google. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Guidelines for some popular busking cities:<\/p>\n\n\n\n