Not all buskers are on the breadline

Buskers are earning up to £300 a week on the streets of Bournemouth, despite the credit crunch.

Gone, is the stigma attached to street entertainers to “get a real job” as many see the advantages during financial crisis.

Now largely seen as an acceptable way of sole earning, busking has even boomed the careers of James Morrison and Angus & Julia Stone.

Dave Young, 29, of Bournemouth busks in the high street 2-3 times a week, alongside his full time job as a delivery driver.

He says “I’ll go home when I have around $45”.

Although the 3 hours Dave busks for might be considered anti-social, he insists he has “a great time singing along with everybody whilst earning some much needed money.”

If the trend continues, it could be that quality street entertainment becomes the temporary remedy of ‘the new-age great depression’ descending upon us.

It’s not only performers who are benefitting from the music, but the public now have a means “to change the colour of their day” says Cathy Levins, organiser of Australia’s “Busk-Off”.

The organisation brings together the best buskers from Sydney to battle it out for busking permits and even a brand new guitar.

A group nicknamed ‘The Street’ is widely becoming a favourite, formed by the homeless in the Byron Bay area.

Gathering an audience might be easy for them, but earning as much as Dave seems more of a task.

For many, busking is still about survival.