Are you a singer or instrumentalist looking for ways to earn cash locally?
Find the best places in Southampton and Hampshire to busk and you can make money on your own terms, to fit around your schedule. Cities and towns offer excellent opportunities for musicians to play in public, with the added benefit of attracting new fans.
Read on to find out where you can attract the biggest crowds in the region and draw attention to your talents.
The best places in Southampton and Hampshire to busk
Busking is a smart way to get your name out there with the locals – and visitors. It’s completely flexible, perfect for artists with unpredictable diaries and the potential to reach a new audience is almost unlimited. You never know who may be passing. It could even be an A&R, a booker, or a music mogul.
Do be aware that in some locations you may need a permit from the council to play. Always check their website and never assume you can just turn up, plugin and go. There may also be limitations on how and where you can do it.
Do you need a busking licence in Southampton?
It’s good news for performers based in – or near to – Southampton. Unlike many major towns and cities in the UK, you don’t need a busking licence! However, the council has dedicated spots for those wishing to perform ad hoc in public. As you won’t need to pay to play in these areas, or risk being moved on, these are some of the best places in Southampton and Hampshire to busk.
Wherever you end up playing live music in Southampton, always be mindful of factors like health and safety. Don’t blast your music too loudly. Be careful of blocking entrances and exits or causing an obstruction, particularly for any emergency vehicles. Just because a street is pedestrianised, for example, doesn’t mean you can take it over. You’ll also need to keep your lyrics family-friendly, as anti-social behaviour and swearing is definitely a no-no in public spaces. It’s often a good idea to have obtained public liability insurance in case of any accidents.
Where to busk in Southampton
Musicians are asked to stay unplugged in the designated busking spots to avoid overly loud music. This helps everyone though, as it means no one busker is drowning out the rest with a super powerful speaker. Be aware that should you contravene this rule, you may be fined up to £200. Getting cash for your busking is absolutely fine in Southampton, however, if you want to collect money for a charity, you’ll need approval from the council. And the final rule is that you can sell your merch if busking on Above Bar Street, as it’s classed as street trading.
Here are the designated spots – and they attract a huge amount of footfall.
#1 Outside the Bar Gate at the far end of Above Bar street
#2 Opposite the entrance to West Quay
#3 The north-east end of Above Bar Street precinct
If you’re seeking indoor gigs, you can check out our article listing the must play places in Southampton.
Where to busk in Eastleigh
If you’re based here there are a couple of decent spots, although you won’t attract such big crowds as Southampton.
#4 Eastleigh Bandstand
#5 The High street
Where to busk in Romsey
Privately owned spaces are the top spots here, you’ll just need to request permission from the following:
#6 Waitrose Store
#7 Latimer Walk
#8 Aldi car park
#9 The grounds of Romsey Abbey
#10 Duke’s Mill
Can I busk in Portsmouth?
Yes, but you’ll need to apply for a Street Entertainment Permit from Portsmouth City Council to busk on the precincts. These are busy spots, so it’s worth it if you’re local and plan on playing regularly.
#11 Commercial Road precinct
#12 Arundel Street precinct
Otherwise, you might like to apply to a local street market to play, as these are independent organisations so can grant their own permissions. A favourite is:
#13 Love Southsea Market
Do you need a license to busk in Winchester?
As this is a cathedral city, the tradition of busking is strong and you won’t need a licence. You can play anywhere, as long as you keep the volume reasonable – the ability to sing softly will help you here. The city has a buskers’ code, which includes only holding a pitch for an hour to prevent complaints from shopkeepers. And if you are asked to move, you should. The top pitches here are:
#14 Buttercross
#15 Outside Winchester Cathedral
#16 High Street precinct
Busking in Basingstoke
Favourite spots for local buskers in this Hampshire town are:
#17 The Mass at Castle Square
#18 Festival Place
#19 Basingstoke Market (Market Place)
#20 Wote Street
Where to busk in Aldershot
While no licence is required, buskers must book a slot and get a pass for one of three dedicated pitches, at the Princes Hall.
Back in the 14th century, Henry VIII ordered that any buskers breaking his stringent rules be whipped for two days. Nowadays busking regulations vary massively from region to region, with some London boroughs having the strictest legislation. So it’s always worth doing your homework to ensure you don’t run into trouble. The MU offers online advice for UK performers wishing to busk.
Related Questions
How old do you need to be to busk?
You need to be 14 years of age or older to apply for a busking licence. And even at this age, it’s wise to have someone else with you when performing in a public street. Busking is a super way for teens to generate some income at weekends or after school!
Who is the most famous busker?
Many big names earned their musical stripes by playing in streets across the UK. Ed Sheeran, Passenger and Sheryl Crow are among the stars to have spent time singing for coins (and no doubt a few notes) in the early stages of their careers.
Do buskers pay tax?
Although you’re generally ‘paid’ in cash, anything you make as a self-employed person counts as a taxable income, regardless of how you receive it. This means you should declare any cash income on your annual tax return.