Princesshay to host Busking Festival

Buskers will bring a splash of colour and the sound of music to Princesshay over the summer solstice at the launch of a brand new Busking Festival. Musicians and performers are expected in Princesshay Square on Thursday 19 and Friday 20 June from 11am until 7pm each day.

The Busking Festival, organised by Princesshay, is part of its Centre Stage initiative offering up and coming performers the chance to showcase their talent to shoppers in the centre.

The initiative encourages quality street entertainment and operates a licensing scheme and holds auditions for potential buskers. Princesshay now has over 120 official and licensed buskers who perform in the centre.

Wayne Pearce, Princesshay Centre Director, said: “The Busking Festival celebrates the summer solstice enabling visitors to Princesshay to enjoy the long days, eat al fresco, shop and watch some amazing street performers. The Busking Festival provides great entertainment, a unique performance opportunity for the artists and a way of showcasing the talent of the street performers who add to the vibrant atmosphere of the city.”

Artists performing include My Black Hat, playing Ragtime Blues on guitar, harmonica and washboard and young Exeter talent, singer songwriters Charlotte Ward and Holly Morwenna.

The Busking Festival will perform into the evening to reflect the new longer opening hours of Exeter city centre on Thursdays, allowing people to enjoy the festival for longer and more buskers to take part. 

The Busking Festival is free but the performers are playing to earn a living and will pass a hat through the audience.

For more information visit www.princesshay.com