English File 4thE - Elementary - Video Listening - 6C A London busker

Summary

Charlotte Campbell, a 25-year-old busker from London, shares her experience of performing on the South Bank near the London Eye. She explains her typical day of busking, the challenges of the competitive and often cold environment, and the sense of community that comes with being a part of London's busking scene. Charlotte enjoys connecting with new audiences through her music, which blends contemporary hits like Ed Sheeran with classics from the 60s. Despite the hardships, she finds joy in sharing her music and building relationships with listeners on the streets of London.

Takeaways

• 😀 Charlotte Campbell is a 25-year-old busker who plays guitar and sings at the South Bank in London, near the London Eye.
• 😀 Charlotte typically starts busking at 11:00 AM and plays until 1:00 PM, with occasional breaks and longer sessions until 6:00 or 7:00 PM.
• 😀 In winter, Charlotte tends to finish earlier due to the early darkness, reflecting the challenges of outdoor busking during colder months.
• 😀 Busking is a common practice in London, with musicians performing in various public spaces such as shopping centers, parks, and the London Underground.
• 😀 Buskers in London must obtain a permit and pass an audition in order to perform legally on the streets, creating a regulated environment for street performers.
• 😀 Busking in London provides a sense of community among performers, despite the competition for spaces and the need to wait for others to finish before performing.
• 😀 Charlotte lives in Brixton, South London, where she writes her own songs and practices her music, demonstrating a strong passion for songwriting and creativity.
• 😀 While busking has many positives, such as meeting new people and sharing music with an audience, it also comes with challenges like loneliness, fatigue, and cold weather.
• 😀 Charlotte enjoys a mix of contemporary music, such as Ed Sheeran, as well as older classics like The Beatles, indicating her broad musical tastes.
• 😀 The transcript includes snippets of Charlotte’s own music, showcasing her personal style and her connection to the streets of London through her music, as expressed in the song 'Music on the Streets of London'.
• 😀 Despite the hardships of busking, Charlotte is dedicated to her craft, and her music reflects both the joy and struggle of being a busker in a bustling city like London.

Q & A

What is Charlotte Campbell's occupation?

Charlotte Campbell is a busker, meaning she plays music on the streets for passersby.

Where does Charlotte usually busk in London?

Charlotte typically busks near the London Eye on the South Bank in London.

What time does Charlotte usually start and finish busking on a typical day?

She usually starts at about 11 o'clock in the morning and plays until 1 pm. After a lunch break, she might stay until 6 or 7 pm, though she finishes earlier in the winter when it gets dark.

What kinds of music do buskers in London perform?

Buskers in London perform a wide range of music, including opera, jazz, pop, and folk.

What kind of music does Charlotte enjoy listening to?

Charlotte enjoys music that is popular on the radio, such as songs by Ed Sheeran, as well as older music from the 1960s, like the Beatles.

What challenges do buskers face in London?

Buskers face challenges such as the crowded nature of London, the competition from other buskers, and the need to obtain a permit and pass an audition to busk legally.

How do buskers in London share performance spaces?

Buskers in London must choose specific areas to perform in, often sharing them with other buskers. They sometimes have to wait for others to finish before they can begin performing.

Where does Charlotte live, and what does she do there?

Charlotte lives in Brixton, South London, where she writes her own songs and practices her music.

What does Charlotte enjoy most about being a busker?

Charlotte enjoys meeting new people and sharing her music with a new audience.

What are some of the downsides of being a busker, according to Charlotte?

Charlotte finds the cold weather difficult, and she also mentions feeling lonely and tired at times, though she remains dedicated to her music.