This summer, Tullamore D.E.W. raised a glass to busking artists across the world, those who are brave enough to stand on an open stage and let the world be their judge.
At this year’s youbloom@Dublin - the annual international music festival and conference launched to help new talent develop and prosper - ‘Busking Unbarred’ took to the streets in Ireland for the first time, lighting up Dublin’s Dame District with its electric mix of music and performance.
Hosted by Tullamore D.E.W. Irish Whiskey, the outdoor busking event celebrated the spirit of buskers and the contribution they make to our towns and cities. With live music firmly embedded in their Irish roots, Tullamore D.E.W. has been working with The Busking Project, an advocacy movement championing the rights of street performers around the globe, to support and help grow appreciation for busking artists.
Phil Harrington, CEO of
youbloom, said “it’s great to have the Tullamore D.E.W. ‘Busking Unbarred’ event as part of our
youbloom festival schedule this year. At
youbloom we strongly believe in supporting new talent, giving it the stage it deserves to develop and prosper and that’s what this event it all about too.”
Nick Broad, founder of
The Busking Project, went on to add, “busking is often overlooked as an industry tool, and yet it’s the most common way that artists can further their careers, practice their art and do what they love. With their goal of helping artists develop to their full potential in the music industry, the youbloom festival is the perfect platform to discuss the subtleties, obstacles and benefits (to everyone) of taking over the streets.”
The ‘Busking Unbarred’ event started with the performers plying their trade outside various pubs in the area between Dame Street and Wexford Street - otherwise knows as the Dame District - shortly after lunch on Saturday 14th June.
That evening then saw them take to the Tullamore D.E.W. Busking Stage outside The Mercantile on Dame Court to showcase their talents to a crowd which gathered to watch the performers with “D.E.W. Bloom” cocktails in hand, the special Tullamore D.E.W. drink created for the festival that was a refreshing combination of Tullamore D.E.W. Original Irish Whiskey and lemonade, garnished with a lemon slice.
Some of the brilliant acts performing at the Tullamore D.E.W. Busking Stage were:
Circus Problem: Formed in a pub in Prague, Circus Problem is five talented musicians who play an upbeat, high-tempo array of instrumental pieces inspired by Balkan, Klezmer and Foclor music.
Benwhisken Mountain Boys: A duo with a mutual appreciation of the Western swing style, the guys create original and lively arrangements that satisfy both new listeners and swing aficionados alike.
Gavin Glass: A multi-instrumentalist singer/songwriter from Stillorgan, Dublin, Gavin Glass pens and plays no-nonsense music that speaks from a place of experience with unflinchingly wry humour.
NC Lawlor: A Dublin-based bluegrass slide guitarist, singer, harmonica player and song writer, Niall is famous for his soulful Grafton Street busking sessions.
The Brand New Switcharoo: Brothers Brían and Diarmuid Glynn play a blend of music rooted in the folk and blues traditions of America, Britain and Ireland. They began busking on the streets of their hometown, Carlow, where they developed a style of close vocal harmonies and instrument swapping reminiscent of old time string bands.
Ray Scully: A 25-year old singer / song writer from Dublin, Ray has been playing live music from a very young age and has played all over Europe with his ‘dark blues and soul’ style music.
Samuel Vas-Y: Described as "an illustrative experience" Samuel Arnold, aka Samuel Vas-Y, has a lyrical style that seems to have his tongue slightly in his cheek.
Glasses up drinking responsibly,
visit DrinkAware.ie.
