Is busking dangerous?

[BarrowInFurnessRailwayStation]

Ds2 (17) received an accordion for passing his GCSEs and is doing well on it and learning lots of entertaining tunes - mainly Eastern European and Russian folk music.

Anyway, he suggested busking - not for money, but so he can have an audience and enjoy playing for people. Dh has firmly said no because he says ds will be beaten up and his instrument smashed

We live in a picturesque and historic small city which isn't known for its violence and street robbery. Am I being naive?

He'll need a licence I think. Then go with him, sit opposite and keep an eye out. Choose a spot that gets lots of footfall and is very public.

When I googled 'busker beaten up uk' the only hits I got were for a busker beaten by police. Didn't read the stories.

I think your husband is being overprotective personally.

I’ve never seen or heard of buskers having any issues. I love to see and hear them. I would imagine he needs a license though.

I’ve never heard of this happening, ever. Your oh is being ridiculous. Where on earth has he got the idea from that this is even remotely likely?

I’ve seen loads of young people busking with instruments in various places - as long as he’s in an area with lots of footfall, leaves once it starts to get dark and avoids busking on e.g. match days near pubs with TV screenings then I can’t imagine he’ll get anything worse than the odd heckle if he misses a note.

He can check here for restrictions around busking in your LA: www.gov.uk/busking-licence

Definitely needs a license.

I've never heard of a busker being beaten up just for the sake of it and having their instrument smashed. If he were doing it for money then an opportunist might try to grab his money and run. Make sure he does it in a proper place with the proper licence. Also Open Mic nights might be a good idea.

I used to busk in Bristol when I was at Uni. I had two "acts". I sang with a male friend who played guitar and the other was as the assistant to a juggling act involving having fire torches and knives thrown past me/at me 🤣. Great fun. Never had a license.

DS1 used to busk in Staines occassionally when he was young (13ish from memory). Local council did not require a licence (we checked). He used to make about £100 for an hour playing. Never any trouble at all.

Not at all! My dd1 and dd2 do it on sax and flute. You need to check the rules for your area - we don't need a licence - there is just a code of conduct but other areas do require a licence. They made £50 an hour between them at christmas. Myself or DH sat nearby to keep an eye as there are 13 and 14... It was really interesting to see who gave them a tip - not always the people you would expect :)

It was the 90s but i busked in a touristy middle class city and never had any issues whatsoever. I wasn’t by myself though there were two of us (both female)

The only reason I can think of him being beaten up is if someone takes him for a gypsy, as they are the only ones I generally see playing Eastern European folk music on an accordion.

Seems a big reach though to think he'd be attacked, especially if you're in a nice area.

He'll find out about the licence 👍🏻