Busk
verb
To perform music or other entertainment in the street or other public place for monetary donations.
She decided to busk in the city center to make some extra money.
Often appears as...
- busk in the streets
- busk for money
verb
To make preparation or be ready for something.
They busked for the arrival of the guests.
Often appears as...
- busk for arrival
- busk for an event
Usage tips
Formal
Literary
verb
To perform music or other entertainment in the street or other public place for monetary donations.
She decided to busk in the city center to make some extra money.
Often appears as...
- busk in the streets
- busk for money
verb
To make preparation or be ready for something.
They busked for the arrival of the guests.
Often appears as...
- busk for arrival
- busk for an event
Usage tips
Formal
Literary
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Street Performance
Commonly refers to artists performing in public spaces for voluntary donations.
The band set up to busk in the bustling market square.
Pro Tip 2/3Voluntary Payments
Audiences give money voluntarily if they enjoy the performance, not mandatory.
As the guitarist busked, passersby threw coins into his open guitar case.
Pro Tip 3/3Legality Varies
Permission requirements for busking differ by location; in some places, it may be illegal.
Before busking on the promenade, she checked the local bylaws.
Pro Tip 1/3Street Performance
Commonly refers to artists performing in public spaces for voluntary donations.
The band set up to busk in the bustling market square.
Pro Tip 2/3Voluntary Payments
Audiences give money voluntarily if they enjoy the performance, not mandatory.
As the guitarist busked, passersby threw coins into his open guitar case.
Pro Tip 3/3Legality Varies
Permission requirements for busking differ by location; in some places, it may be illegal.
Before busking on the promenade, she checked the local bylaws.
Pro Tip 1/3Street Performance
Commonly refers to artists performing in public spaces for voluntary donations.
The band set up to busk in the bustling market square.
Pro Tip 2/3Voluntary Payments
Audiences give money voluntarily if they enjoy the performance, not mandatory.
As the guitarist busked, passersby threw coins into his open guitar case.
Pro Tip 3/3Legality Varies
Permission requirements for busking differ by location; in some places, it may be illegal.
Before busking on the promenade, she checked the local bylaws.
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Video examples
A Traveling Circus and...
back in guatemala the president of the country alejandra gemite was on the highway when he saw another circus doing the same thing the segovia brothers were doing busking for money on the side of the road he decided to get a group of circus owners together to hear how he could help and it just so it turns out that
Video examples
A Traveling Circus and...
back in guatemala the president of the country alejandra gemite was on the highway when he saw another circus doing the same thing the segovia brothers were doing busking for money on the side of the road he decided to get a group of circus owners together to hear how he could help and it just so it turns out that
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
Passenger
English Musician
To be honest, busking was a massive part of becoming aware of homelessness. I used to run into a lot of 'Big Issue' sellers and a lot of people on the street. It really opened my eyes to the kind of life that they live and the options that are open for them - or not, actually.
Quote examples
Tash Sultana
Australian Musician
I chose busking because I didn't want to be working for someone else. I wanted to work as I am. I feel like you ultimately do have a choice if you have your vision. So, I had a vision forever that I was going to play music. And there was no stopping that.
Quote examples
Madeleine Peyroux
American Musician
I was very lucky. Things happened, both bad and good, but I never got into real, deep trouble. But it wore me down. By the time I was 18, I was done. I didn't want to live the life any more. I needed to develop past the point that busking takes you to.
Quote examples
Tones and I
Australian Musician
I thought the world of live performance and busking was where I was going to thrive. I had no idea that digital streaming platforms and radio and that world would be for me, you know?
Quote examples
Walker Hayes
American Musician
It's cliche, but everybody says, 'We're all one song away,' and it's so true. The difference between me and the guy down the street busking with his guitar case open is just one song.
Quote examples
Julia Davis
English Comedian
I worked in a supermarket for a year; I worked in a finance department at a university, a pub, busking and singing. I tried to be a nanny for about three weeks.
Quote examples
Andrew Bird
American Musician
I've done my share of busking, and it's fun until it isn't. There are musicians in the subways that will make you cry, they're so good.
Quote examples
Glen Hansard
Irish Musician
Well, everything about singing, I learned from busking. Everything I learned about songwriting, I learned from busking.
Quote examples
Fantastic Negrito
American Musician
Without busking, there is no Fantastic Negrito.
Quote examples
Bryan Adams
Canadian Musician
I'm a complete and utter busker.
Quote examples
Passenger
English Musician
To be honest, busking was a massive part of becoming aware of homelessness. I used to run into a lot of 'Big Issue' sellers and a lot of people on the street. It really opened my eyes to the kind of life that they live and the options that are open for them - or not, actually.
Quote examples
Tash Sultana
Australian Musician
I chose busking because I didn't want to be working for someone else. I wanted to work as I am. I feel like you ultimately do have a choice if you have your vision. So, I had a vision forever that I was going to play music. And there was no stopping that.
Quote examples
Madeleine Peyroux
American Musician
I was very lucky. Things happened, both bad and good, but I never got into real, deep trouble. But it wore me down. By the time I was 18, I was done. I didn't want to live the life any more. I needed to develop past the point that busking takes you to.
Quote examples
Tones and I
Australian Musician
I thought the world of live performance and busking was where I was going to thrive. I had no idea that digital streaming platforms and radio and that world would be for me, you know?
Quote examples
Walker Hayes
American Musician
It's cliche, but everybody says, 'We're all one song away,' and it's so true. The difference between me and the guy down the street busking with his guitar case open is just one song.
Quote examples
Julia Davis
English Comedian
I worked in a supermarket for a year; I worked in a finance department at a university, a pub, busking and singing. I tried to be a nanny for about three weeks.
Quote examples
Andrew Bird
American Musician
I've done my share of busking, and it's fun until it isn't. There are musicians in the subways that will make you cry, they're so good.
Quote examples
Glen Hansard
Irish Musician
Well, everything about singing, I learned from busking. Everything I learned about songwriting, I learned from busking.
Quote examples
Fantastic Negrito
American Musician
Without busking, there is no Fantastic Negrito.
Quote examples
Bryan Adams
Canadian Musician
I'm a complete and utter busker.
Example 1 of 10
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