There’s no question that right now Pierce Brothers are the kings of busking.

Melbourne brothers Pat and Jack Pierce are some of this country’s most successful buskers. The past few years have seen the guys release their brand new Night Tree EP to chart success (gets in ARIA’s top 10) and sell out tours internationally.

They’ve also sold over 30,000 CDs without a record label, an impressive feat for a pair of brothers who regularly still busk in Melbourne’s CBD. A lot of their success had been due to their time spent busking.

The guys are currently on a national tour to promote the release of Into The Dirt so to celebrate Jack took us though his practical guide to busking. Check it out below. “So you’re heading off to start busking. Best think you can do for your career (except of course write songs and tour…) excellent!”

What You Need

Council permission: “First of all, you’ll need to check in with the council to find out whether you’re allowed to do it; it sucks getting shut down by the Po-Po halfway through a jam with people watching.

[include_post id=”409954″]While some places are totally cool with you setting up (yay), we’re going to talk primarily about Melbourne CBD, Sydney CBD and maybe Perth CBD. I’m not sure yet.

The wonderful thing about having multiple pitches in different cities is that it makes touring (a ghastly expensive little endeavor) quite doable in new markets.

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When we first went to Sydney we had no idea how to bring people to shows, so we found a permit and asked around. Once we had found a great place to busk and had learned the ropes we locked in busking any time we toured the east coast. It just made things easier!”

Get A PA: “First of all pick yourself up a little PA, someone from a local music shop can help you out here, or any busker running a PA system can also help you out.

Look out for each other: “Buskers look out for each other; something we’ve wonderfully found out first hand. It’s a great close-knit community.

Sydney, Melbourne and Perth all require you to get permits before heading out and busking. These can be picked up at the respective city councils. They will also be able to give you good information on where are good spots, times and general advice. Unless of course you’re in Sydney. Then you may be treated the contempt reserved for pond scum. Ignore and move on; lots of people don’t get art.”

Where To Busk

“So focussing on main cities, you want to be right in with the action. There are many different pitches in the main cities, so I’ll briefly discuss the main ones that we have done in the past.”

Sydney: Pitt St Mall
“As I said there are many pitches in different cities but we’ve only ever done Pitt street mall. You have to get there early in the morning and wait for your spot all day. Sometimes this can be from6am or earlier for the best days. Then you have to sit all day and you will get one hour to busk. It is worth it! Sydney has had some of the best crowds we’ve done!”

Melbourne: Bourke St Mall
“Bourke Street Mall is an excellent place to busk; but it takes a while. First you need to be busking in the Melbourne CBD for 6 months, then you can apply for an audition to get onto the mall.

Once on you’ll have to go to a meeting every Wednesday to gain a pitch on the mall. This sounds like a lot of work, but this is the only pitch in these main cities that you can have ALL DAY. And believe me, its WONDERFUL. Definitely something to work on if you’re in Melbourne.”

Perth: Queen St Mall
“Perth was really easy. We get a permit; then went busking after asking around the other buskers. We found we were able to make a killing in that mall as they don’t get a whole lot of new acts from interstate. Definitely one to keep your eye on if you’re planning on touring.”

Best times to busk

“Lunchtime to early afternoon are the best times; although these times may be taken up by other buskers and you don’t want to be rude first time out so ask around.”

How to gather a crowd

[include_post id=”419403″]”So you’re set up and ready to go. First of all there’s no one way to gather a crowd. When we started we were just excited and played as such. We played our songs and mixed them in with a couple of covers at first and threw in a lot of high energy. That was our magic formulae. Everyone’s is different.

Try to find your point of difference; a reason for people to stop and watch. It could be beautiful lyrics; and interesting instrument or just your twin brother running around hitting shit with sticks.”

How to make $ from busking

“CDs. This is the smartest way to busk. Get some CDs out there for people can take a little bit of you home. Sure coins do add up ($2 nuggets are the best boiii) but they don’t let the audience take you home, have a listen and show you to their friends.

This is important; if you only have demos then get them out there. A $5 demo is a great buy in Bourke St and you’ll find more people at your local shows if you start pushing them too.

As we did, the best way to keep busking viable is to reinvest the cash you’ve made into either better recordings, better equipment, or into a money making pyramid scheme (nope).”

Most Importantly

“Also remember to have fun. I know that sounds stupid but if you focus too much on money during busking you will find that the fun is easily sucked out if it. We have definitely fallen into this trap before and its no fun. So just keep reminding your self that it’s busking; you’re the one in charge and just enjoy yourself above all else.”

‘Into The Dirt’ Tour Dates


Friday 6 November
Beach Hotel, Byron Bay, NSW Tickets

Thursday 12 November
Jive Bar, Adelaide, SA * Tickets

Saturday 14 November
Amplifier, Perth, WA * Tickets

Sunday 15 November
Mojos, Fremantle, WA * Tickets

Friday 20 November –
170 Russell, Melbourne, VIC * Tickets

Saturday 21 November
Westernport Hotel, San Remo, VIC * Tickets 

*w/ Supports Anna O + Jack Stirling
**w/ Supports Timberwolf + Anna O

Festival Dates

Friday 2 October
Murwillumbah Country Roots Festival
Murwillumbah, NSW
Tickets

Saturday 7 November
Originals Music Festival
Coolum, QLD
Tickets

Friday 13 November
Blues at Bridgetown Festival
Bridgetown, WA
Tickets

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