There are many busking spots around Brighton and as a busker you get a choice between variety of streets and corners. Although not a single spot is good for everyone, I encourage to try different choices to see what works best for you.
Below are my Top 3 picks of Brighton's most popular busking spots. The main criteria for this list has been amount of buskers seen on these spots. It has nothing to do with my own preference, but at the same time I have tried them all. Weather you are willing to try busking in Brighton or just curious about the topic - below is all you need to know about these spots. Down we go:
Below are my Top 3 picks of Brighton's most popular busking spots. The main criteria for this list has been amount of buskers seen on these spots. It has nothing to do with my own preference, but at the same time I have tried them all. Weather you are willing to try busking in Brighton or just curious about the topic - below is all you need to know about these spots. Down we go:
3. Churchill Square
Pros:
Churchill Square is one of the busiest Brighton areas. Located next to the shopping mall, many bus stops, banks, coffee shops and other business around, Churchill Square draws great public attention and is usually fuming with people.
- Loads of people
- Loud instruments with amplification are generally very well tolerated
Cons:
- Not suitable for quiet / acoustic acts
- People are often in a hurry and choose not to pay attention to the busker
Tolerated busking areas are next to the Metro Bank and sometimes Starbucks. You are not allowed to play on the actual Square, because it belongs to the shopping mall, but next to the pavement and aside in front of the bank is fine.
Great thing about Churchill Square - there are no strong restrictions on using an amplification or playing loud instruments. And to be honest busking without an amplifier in here is pointless unless you are a living statue, mime or similar. The area is very noisy, crowded and if you are an acoustic act, it might not be the best choice for you. On the other hand - great if you are killing it on the drums like this guy.
In my own experience when I first came to busk in Churchill Square I had no Zebra mask, it was only me and piano. I soon realized most of the people were rushing along and not really paying attention. In my head I was thinking how can I stop them, how can I get their attention? And that was beginning of how I became Zebra... Although I am more visually attractive now, I still struggle to get enough attention playing at Churchill Square. Perhaps if I played boogie-woogie it would be a different story, who knows...
My advice would be to give it a try and compare your outcome to the other busking spots out there. That's the only way to tell if it's suitable for your act or not. Still many buskers choose to play at Churchill Square and I assume do well enough, but it's definitely not a spot for everyone.
Pros:
Pavilion Gardens is absolutely beautiful and peaceful place to busk (have a look for yourself). Located next to the Brighton Dome and Royal Pavilion itself, it's a major tourist attraction point with many visitor-groups taking tours across the premises on daily basis.
2. Pavilion Gardens
Pros:
- People are very open and welcoming to the buskers
- Chilled and relaxed atmosphere
Cons:
- Vocal amplification is not allowed
- The busking rules are reinforced by security guards
It is a private ground and therefore from April to October Pavilion Gardens are regulated by security guards who reinforce the busking regulations in the garden. The current rules prohibit amplified vocals (following the complaint from the businesses on East street) and encourage to share the space with other buskers. This means if you have played in the gardens for a long time and someone else comes to busk, you should let them take over. Usually a long time is considered around 1h. Some buskers let others play and book themselves after for another hour, consequently two buskers could be swopping each other all day long, but therefore there are security guards who make sure everyone gets to play in the end.
Even though Pavilion Gardens is a large space, the only spot buskers are allowed on the grounds is garden crossroads by the Conservation Point in front of the Royal Pavilion. Amplified instruments are fine.
The atmosphere in the gardens is very chilled and relaxed. You get people sitting and listening to you in the gardens and also people passing by. On a sunny day gardens are packed with the people and offers a great opportunity for the buskers.
Pavilion Gardens is my favorite place to busk. It really compliments my character and the music I play. My advice would be to respect security guards, be friendly to them and they will be friendly to you. If someone else is playing in the gardens, don't be afraid to ask how long are they playing till. Sharing space is common in here and if you don't ask, someone else will.
Located close to the Pavilion Gardens, Brighton Dome and Royal Theater New Road is an important link between busy North street and North lanes. There is no major traffic on the street except some delivery trucks. Street is wide open to the people with many attractive pubs and restaurants along the way.
You get a choice between three busking spots: close to the Royal Theater (beginning of the street), close to the Studio Theater (middle of the street) and close to the Unitarian Church (the end of the street). At the moment restrictions are put in place in the middle of street where there is a sign prohibiting amplification and playing for more than 1h. The thing about this sign is it belongs to the shop-owner who sometimes doesn't like buskers and is a printout of few official regulations by Brighton and Hove city council. It remains hit and miss with this spot and the only way to find out is to give it a try. If you use an amp, I'd suggest to turn your volume down to a reasonable level and hope no one will say anything (because legally it still counts as amplification).
Coming for the North street, you'll notice there are many wooden benches along the street. Buskers often use these benches to sit while they are playing (like these guys). If you do so I'd recommend to use benches closer to the center of the street - it's closer to the people passing by. Funny enough it's offices on this part of the street that banned vocal amplification in Pavilion Gardens, but on the actual street amplification is generally tolerated very well (at reasonable volume), although sometimes you might get a complaint.
1. New Road
Pros:
Pros:
- Variety of busking spots along the street
- Great for busking all-year-round, also evenings
Cons:
- Some busking restrictions in the middle of the street
- Sometimes competitive with other buskers
You get a choice between three busking spots: close to the Royal Theater (beginning of the street), close to the Studio Theater (middle of the street) and close to the Unitarian Church (the end of the street). At the moment restrictions are put in place in the middle of street where there is a sign prohibiting amplification and playing for more than 1h. The thing about this sign is it belongs to the shop-owner who sometimes doesn't like buskers and is a printout of few official regulations by Brighton and Hove city council. It remains hit and miss with this spot and the only way to find out is to give it a try. If you use an amp, I'd suggest to turn your volume down to a reasonable level and hope no one will say anything (because legally it still counts as amplification).Coming for the North street, you'll notice there are many wooden benches along the street. Buskers often use these benches to sit while they are playing (like these guys). If you do so I'd recommend to use benches closer to the center of the street - it's closer to the people passing by. Funny enough it's offices on this part of the street that banned vocal amplification in Pavilion Gardens, but on the actual street amplification is generally tolerated very well (at reasonable volume), although sometimes you might get a complaint.
When playing close to Unitarian Church, be aware of lunchtime / evening concerts taking place in the church. Just keep your volume reasonable if anything. It's a great spot - you get to play both for the people passing by and people having drinks in the pubs opposite the church. It's a wide open space and my advice is to move closer to the center of the street, so that it takes less effort for the people to come by and give you a coin. Here is a great example of busking at this spot.
New Road is a fairly busy all-year-round both daytime and evening time. Can't say the same about Pavilion Gardens. It's always lively with many buskers and sometimes it can get competitive. Best is to cover the beginning or end of the street - that way you get the first impression of people coming from one side. When it's three buskers on the street - I find it harder to make money.
Right opposite the Mash Tun I had my first busking trial sitting on a wooden bench and playing the piano in cold January of 2015. I played for one hour and earned over £30 wrapped up in a black jacket and white hoodie (nothing to do with Zebra). In the same spot I met a journalist from Argos newspaper who took a video of me playing for their Best Busker competition. Who would have guessed back then it was going to be me (I hate that picture by the way).
New Road is a fairly busy all-year-round both daytime and evening time. Can't say the same about Pavilion Gardens. It's always lively with many buskers and sometimes it can get competitive. Best is to cover the beginning or end of the street - that way you get the first impression of people coming from one side. When it's three buskers on the street - I find it harder to make money.
Right opposite the Mash Tun I had my first busking trial sitting on a wooden bench and playing the piano in cold January of 2015. I played for one hour and earned over £30 wrapped up in a black jacket and white hoodie (nothing to do with Zebra). In the same spot I met a journalist from Argos newspaper who took a video of me playing for their Best Busker competition. Who would have guessed back then it was going to be me (I hate that picture by the way).
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Hope you found some useful information. If you have any relevant information or perhaps an experience you'd like to share - please leave a comment below. Thank you very much and good luck busking!
