Topic: Upfest, Bristol UK, 25 & 26 May. "Busker stages"

[Norfolk Slim]

I've just agreed to do a 45 minute slot on one of 4 "busking stages" as part of an urban arts festival in Bristol in 9 days time. 

Apparently there are a number of slots still available, so any South West Weenies who fancy doing a little busking set as part of an organised event are likely to be very welcome!  Give me a shout if you need details.

I was a little unsure that my particular genre of music would be ideal for an urban arts festival- but the guy arranging it insists otherwise, and I suppose it was originally "street music"...

All unplugged despite the "stages" so its fingerpicks and tennis elbow time for me

www.Upfest.co.uk

[Parlor Picker]

Just do what you do best, Simon. They'll love it and if they don't they're just a bunch of Philistines.

[Norfolk Slim]

When I volunteered i thought it would be plugged in...  Now Im having to figure out my loudest tunes, practice with picks, and consider whether I can get away with playing my usual stuff on a National for the added volume!

Thanks though PP

[Pan]

Good for you that you can play with picks!

Break a leg!

Cheers

Pan

[uncle bud]

Good luck, Slim!

[joe paul]

I'm from Bristol, left maybe 15 years ago now.
I'd leave to be there to hear you and play, but it's a little short notice and I think I've got some kind of gig here that weekend.
Enjoy yourself, hope the weather's ok -

Gordon

[Mike Shipman]

From what I heard at Euroweenie, you'll knock em dead! Have a great time.

[Prof Scratchy]

I'm sure it'll be great. What's your set list?

[Norfolk Slim]

Set list is a work in progress, but I have to go with stuff I can play with picks, and which is fairly noisy.  So its looking like (in no particular order):

Big Road Blues
Dust my Broom
Phonograph Blues
Savannah Woman (a Ben Andrews thing)
Dough Baker (CW Stoneking)
Black Mountain blues
Moonshine
Jitterbug Swing
Come on in my kitchen
Lay my burden down
Down the Dirt Road

Shouldnt need any more than that.

[Prof Scratchy]

Good list!

[Laura]

That's great, Slim.  I'm going to be in Bristol that weekend - would love to come and watch you play.  Any idea what time / day your set will be?  Also is it in the city centre? I'm assuming it's a free open air type festival rather than a weekend tickets type thing?

[Norfolk Slim]

Its just in the streets round Bedminster.  Its really an urban art / painting / graffiti thing so lots of art exhibits everywhere I think.  I dont really know much about it- I was just foolish enough to respond to a request for musicians on Facebook!

Theyve put a map on Upfest.co.uk though the busking "stages" arent on there as far as I can see.  For all I know, the "stages" could be a squares drawn in chalk on the pavement...  Should be fun either way- I'm on at 2pm on Saturday.  I'm hoping I dont have to compete too much with traffic.

[Laura]

Oh even better, I know Bedminster well.  I'll make sure to come and say "Hi" after your set

[Mr.OMuck]

Hey, just go and play for yourself, whatever you want to play however you want to play it. Don't overthink it. A little powdered resin, like what ballet dancers, baseball pitchers or if you grind it to a powder, what violinists use on their bows, applied to your fingertips will keep those fingerpicks snug. Also consider raising the pitch of everything. Singing higher often allows you to sing much louder. Look where you're singing. If its a street look to the furthest people whose faces you can make out and sing to them. Good luck!

[Norfolk Slim]

Good thoughts O'Muck- thanks.  Looks like its going to be a sunny day.  I'm *almost* looking forward to it!