Public liability for 'busking' a bit rich
Mon 14 May 2007
Claire Kelly, Journalism
Stricter controls from councils and large corporations are drastically affecting the number of street artists performing in ‘live’ outdoor venues in Queensland.
Tough measures such as compulsory auditions, minimum public liability insurance of at least A$10 million and zoning regulations are some of the factors affecting live entertainment.
Noosa, South Bank and the Queen Street Mall are just some of the areas that have tough selection processes. Any artist or ‘busker’ who wants to perform has to have a permit and attend an audition. Approval is only granted if they are considered acceptable and have a performance that adds to the atmosphere.
Noosa guidelines are more relaxed than Brisbane and South Bank with artists able to arrange an audition personally. It is also not compulsory for artists to book a spot unless there are large numbers of ‘buskers’ applying for permits. Noosa performers are required to have public liability insurance of A$10 million but they are allowed to spend up to two hours in one spot. Performers in Brisbane have to have public liability insurance A$10 million but are requested to move on every 20 to 30 minutes.
A large number of artists attend the formal auditions for the Queen St Mall which are held every three months. Up to 40 performers try out, with a small proportion of those approved. Currently only 66 active permits have been issued for the Queen St Mall with 55 issued to artists in the Fortitude Valley area.
More government departments are set to follow the latest precedent with Maroochydore Council recently seeking feedback from traders and the public regarding draft busking guidelines.
Mooloolaba Business and Tourism (MBT), in its response to the Maroochydore Council busking guidelines, recognised that it was a good idea but wanted council to make sure the entertainment complemented the area.
“Allowing busking is a good idea, but they must be screened and selected on the basis of quality. Should not have low quality entertainment – this is worse than having none,” the submission from MBT said.
Singing 
their heart out on a street corner or putting their life on the line to perform a daring stunt, street performers can often live a rather thankless existence.
A large majority of performers conduct their show without any guaranteed payment - in the hope that the audience will pay in kind at the end of the performance. Large numbers of the audience will often drift past or walk away just before an artist asks for a donation.
In Europe it is recognised as a professional occupation and street performers can earn a decent living.
A number of musicals and acrobatic performances such as Cirque Du Soleil are often sold out months in advance and auditions to get into these shows are often highly competitive.
James, 27, a full-time “international mini-stunt bike extremist” has been performing on the street since he was 15. In a typical performance, James will complete numerous stunts on a tiny bike. He then juggles knives and rides a unicycle (at the same time) with some help from the crowd.
Initially from Christchurch, New Zealand, he has performed all over the world recently returning from a trip to China. He completed a year-long intensive training course at ‘Circo Arts’ in New Zealand before getting his permit. He has been performing in Brisbane’s Queen St Mall for just under two years.
James said he took up professional street performing because he wanted to make people laugh and he likes the attention. He considers it a rewarding job even though it is tough at times and the regulations can be quite strict.
“I consider street performing to be the hardest and the most challenging but I love it,” James said.
“Working a street crowd is also totally different to working an indoor crowd. The audience will let you know if they are into it or not.”
He says that Brisbane is also one of the hardest places to perform and finds the crowds a lot more receptive overseas.
Larry Sykes, a children’s entertainer from Bribie Island, is a retiree who is a street-performer part-time. He has been a balloon artist, puppeteer and magician for more than 50 years and is one of the oldest performers in Brisbane.
“You have to put the hours in. You won’t make it otherwise. And of course you have your really bad days and then your really good days.”
He has been in the Queen St Mall for more than seven years and was at South Bank for five years.
“I mean one minute you can just be twiddling your thumbs doing nothing - and then the next thing you know you’ll be flat out,” he said.
Mr Sykes has seen a lot of changes in the industry and believes the regulations and auditions for performers is a good idea, “otherwise anyone could do it”.
Image(s) designed by Claire Kelly