A Busker's Place in Singapore
Photography Assignment: Theme 03
What is busking?
They are public street performances that were looked down upon back in the day. It is still an ongoing work in progress but thankfully, we grew out of that and began to appreciate these forms of art more as our opinions shifted to a more positive outlook.
The Hotspot
One busking hotspot is Orchard Road, the core of shopping in Singapore. Flooded with shopping lovers, as well as workers, people consider this place a shopper’s paradise.
A Busker's Stage
Aside from the whole stretch of malls, hotels and entertainment spots, these streets are also a busker’s stage, where they make it more vibrant with their performances.
One particular spot I noticed that they often busk at is right in front of Ngee Ann City.
Misconceptions
Throughout the years, there have been plenty of misunderstandings about buskers. Many deem them as “beggars”, a typical stereotype people have labelled them as and could not care less.
However, there is a deeper significance as to why these aspiring artists do what they do.
Different Types of Street Performances
Many buskers continue on for a long time, doing it out of passion and pure love.
With various forms of busking, a handful come from different backgrounds - jugglers, dancers, living statues. But for now, I would like to focus more on the music scene.
"I busk to share love"
These street musicians aim to spread joy and bring happiness to others’ lives by playing their choice of musical instruments, singing, or even both, while wholeheartedly embracing the talent they have.
A Busker's Income
On good days, like a public holiday, a busker can earn over hundreds of dollars.
However, on bad days, they can earn as low as $10.
While they are passionate for what they do, buskers usually have to live off the money they earn from performing. Most of the younger buskers use the money for university and pocket money.
The Beauty of Busking
Regardless of age, race and gender, buskers create music and are driven by their passion to make someone’s day better by performing, which is something really special.
Passersby are usually strangers but if they happen to like the performance, they might stay for a while and even tip the person busking. It is just a beautiful way of sharing a common ground for music without any other forms of interaction.
Putting Oneself Out There
On one Saturday night, I was walking past Ngee Ann City ready to head home, thinking that I was done with my photography assignment. But one busker caught my attention with his soulful voice.
I looked and noticed a sign with his name written on it, Kenneth Qua.
I stayed and watched for a while, listening to him belt out popular hits like "She Will Be Loved", "Isn't She Lovely" and "Blurred Lines". One song that stuck with me was his rendition of "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen, which was requested by someone in the audience. He sung with his eyes closed and poured so much emotion into the song, drawing a big crowd by the end of it.
I then mustered up my courage and reached out to him through Instagram that same night, as well as asking what inspired him to create music and busk. This was what he replied me with:
"I have always loved music and I also love the art of performing too. It is definitely the best of both worlds, being able to create music and perform for people."
Sadly, after three years of busking, Kenneth will be moving to Vienna in September. If you are thinking of catching him live before he leaves, these are his final show dates along Orchard Road:
1st September 2018, 7-11PM
8th September 2018, 7-11PM
15th September 2018, 7-11PM
Doing this photography assignment has helped open my eyes and gain some insight into a busker's life, as well as acknowledging the many fallacies that come along with them. It is also aspiring musicians, like Kenneth, who are able to make an impact on people's lives and maybe change their mindsets. And to top it all off with a friendly reminder, buskers are just normal people like us, with big dreams and ambitions.
