Diary Of A Busker Day 2523 Tuesday April 9th 2025 Southampton.
I don’t believe it. For once there’s no one playing in the middle spot, opposite the West Quay entrance, so it’s mine, all mine. Unfortunately, it’s in the shade and it’s still not that warm yet so it’s not long before the cold sets in. Still, might as well make the most of it. There are two homeless blokes residing on either side of the mall entrance and after a bit, the one on the left comes over with his blanket – ‘Can you play A Town Called Malice? The Jam?’ ‘Ah, sorry, I don’t do that one, sorry.’ He takes it well – ‘It’s OK mate, just play what you want, it’s all good.’
Two teenage girls are sitting on the circular concrete thing behind me. Actually, they could be in their 20’s – it’s all the same to a 62 year old. They start clapping every time I finish a song and after California Girls, I say ‘Do you know what that’s called?’ ‘No’ one says. ‘It’s called California Girls, have you heard of it?’ ‘No.’ ‘It’s by The Beach Boys.’ ‘Oh, right.’
‘OK, I’ll play one called Here Comes The Sun, have you heard of that?’ ‘Yeah.’
There’s a young man and his girlfriend standing next to one of the columns outside the right side of the mall entrance. He’s trying to photograph me without me knowing but even though I’m looking in front of me I can see what’s happening slightly to either side of centre. When I turn my head so I’m facing him, he quickly lowers his camera, turns his head and starts talking to his girlfriend who is clearly embarrassed. This little game, with him attempting to photograph me, me suddenly looking straight at him, him lowering his camera, she getting embarrassed, goes on for a few minutes until she gets some coinage out and they both come over. When they get to me, I say ‘You can photograph me, I don’t mind.’ In shock, he says ‘Oh, you mean you’ll actually pose?’ ‘Yeah, sure.’ ‘Oh, that’s great!’ and he takes a couple of photos before they go off. All they had to do was ask!
I managed 2 hours and 20 minutes until I got fed up with the cold and packed up. I think next time, I’ll set up on the sunny side of the street. Coinage-wise, I took just under £25 in profit. When I got to the train station, I checked to see if the diary book was in the waiting room bookshelf but it wasn’t. Someone’s nicked it!