Phat Bollard
A couple of days ago my dad rang to ask if I was in town because a pair of musicians were busking and I should see them, I couldn't get there in time but my dad got talking to them and was told that they would be back today, which they were. After my usual slow start to the day (the Friday Bombardier and pizza knocking me out once again with the added bonus of two glasses of red wine - what happened to me?) including walking Jack I headed to town where Phat Bollard were performing on Clumber Street.
Hailing from Cornwall and in the middle of a tour of towns and cities busking, they attracted a huge crowd to an already busy shopping thoroughfare. Not only were they entertaining an appreciative crowd with a mix of comedy and protest, this folk outfit were doing no harm whatsoever. The coins in the bucket were testimony to how much of a nuisance they were not being, and they sold CDs in remarkable numbers (I bought two).
You would imagine that a travelling busking outfit might be thanked for bringing enjoyment to the people of Nottingham and offering relief from the horrors of shopping for an hour or two but no, they were visited by an FDC (Fancy Dress Copper) who attempted to shut them down but apparently (I hadn't arrived by this time) was heckled off the road by the crowd. By the time I arrived things were back in full swing and the band were sounding brilliant. I can honestly say that I have never seen buskers quite like this before, both in terms of music and reaction. Usually a busker only has a few seconds to grab the attention of a passer by and that is what generally happens, they pass by. Eventually came the word that the real police had been called and were on their way so this prompted three more songs before it was all over.
I don't know how other cities handle buskers (apart from a little observation about London) but Nottingham council don't do a very good job with them. They get moved along after a certain amount of time so pitching up like Phat Bollard did is generally out of the question. Although I don't know much about London's busking I have seen little 'zones' on the Underground system for musicians to play on. Whether they have a time limit or not I don't know but isn't this something that Nottingham council should be implementing if they weren't totally against people enjoying themselves, of course this would mean that they first would have to introduce a system by where they listen to public opinion. The city centre has several areas that are popular with buskers and don't intrude on the pedestrian traffic, so why don't these become designated busking zones with no time limit, just a first come first served basis? It isn't as if they are doing any harm is it? Music is one of the best things in life and if someone wants to stand outdoors in all weather and provide this gift then they should not be punished for it.
No podcast this week.
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May housekeeping
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