Shrewsbury’s free music festival, The Big Busk, will be aiming for the record books this year as musicians go the extra mile to raise money for homeless and vulnerable people.
This year’s festival, which will take place on Saturday 2nd April, will feature a number of marathon efforts from those taking part.
Paul Henshaw – who last year broke new ground for The Big Busk by playing on the roof of St Chad’s Church with his band The Scientific Simpletons – will be attempting to play 24 gigs in 24 hours starting on 1st April (no, this isn’t a joke!).
At the same time, talented young duet Guitar Cubed – who appeared at last year’s Big Busk, will also be attempting to play for more than 24-hours – and in doing so break the World Record for the longest busk.
And rounding off the mammoth musical effort will be popular Shropshire DJ Johnty DelMonte will be playing a 12-hour vinyl at The Alb – including a three-hour slot where you can put your name down and play your own favourite tunes.
The Big Busk – now in its fourth year – raises money for, and awareness of, Shrewsbury Ark, a centre for homeless and vulnerable people in Shrewsbury. The event is held in memory of talented musician an artist Ben Bebbington, who died after an unprovoked attack in September 2012.
Paul said: “I have always wanted to do the 24 gigs in 24 hours thing, and after last year’s Big Busk and playing on the roof of St Chads, I wanted to keep my feet firmly on the ground this year, as I don’t do heights very well.
“What the Ark does is fantastic and it’s just the best way I know possible to help out. If we can raise awareness by pushing ourselves hard to do something a bit daft and get people talking about a problem which really shouldn’t exist in this day and age then all is good.
“The Guitar Cubed guys are doing their World Record attempt, which is just fabulous – young people doing something brilliant, something based in music and for a great cause. I wish them every bit of luck in the world because I couldn’t sit down for that long. I’m hoping I’ll be able to catch up with them at some point and jam a tune or two!”
Guitar Cubed are made up of talented teenagers Louis Briggs, 13, (guitar and vocals) and Tom Barras, 14 (cajon and vocals).
Louis said: “We played a long set one evening and started to discuss how long we could actually play for. Out of that came the idea of an attempt on the world record for the longest busk.
“The record is 24 hours and 30 minutes, so it will be a challenge.”
The duo decided to try the record attempt for The Big Busk after being inspired by Paul Henshaw and his single Today Is Going to Be a Good Day, released as Blacksmith Hill with his wife Nikki, which also raised money for Shrewsbury Ark.
Tom said: “We saw a post from Paul on Facebook which said the song wasn’t about a video, or charts or any of that stuff, it was about standing outside, seeing how cold it was, and then caring enough to do something to help people who have to live and sleep out in that cold.
“That struck a chord and got us thinking and the two things just came together. We though if we were going to spend 24 hours plus on the street we should support this cause. We were already aware of The Big Busk and The Ark Shrewsbury having taken part in the 2015 event.
“We met with Karen Higgins, one of the organisers, and she was hugely supportive.”
Also testing his stamina will be Johnty DelMonte, who will be spinning records at The Alb for 12 hours during the Big Busk – with a little help from some of his friends, as well as members of the audience.
Johnty said: “The Big Busk is an excellent event and one I am delighted to support.
“I wanted to do something unusual, so came up with the idea of a 12-hour vinyl marathon, and I am very grateful to The Alb for supporting this and allowing me to use their venue.
“During the event, you will be able to enjoy Shropshire’s largest record collection with some of the regions’ finest DJs! And from 2pm-5pm there will be an ‘RPM Open Decks’ session, with anyone free to turn up, put their name down, and play their favourite tunes.”
Karen Higgins, one of the organisers of The Big Busk, said: “We are always overwhelmed by the generosity of the artists who take part in the Busk and who all give their time and effort for free. I am bowled over that these guys want to undertake these gruelling tasks for our event and I wish them all the luck they deserve and hope people will come out and support them.”
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