It’s finally here, the 2018 Lincoln Bailgate Busking Festival takes place this Saturday, July 7.
The event runs from 11am to 4.30pm and features just under 30 performers.
For the event, buskers generally play in the Castle Hill square location, but here&apos;s also a shout out for an additional performing spot this year at St Paul In The Bail.
The monthly Makers Market will be taking place in the square area on the day as well so there will be plenty of activity.
There is one indoor busking area in St Mary Magdalene Church where an electric socket is supplied for keyboard players if needed. All other locations are electricity free although small battery powered amplifiers can be used.
All performers are offered a playing time of an hour usually spread over a couple of 30-minute slots.
The Poacher Morris and Lincoln and Micklebarrow Morris will also be dancing in Cathedral Square, if you want to witness something a little more energetic!
Apart from the Lincolnshire area, the event pulls musicians in from places like Hull, Grimsby and Sheffield and I know many are drawn by the unique and historic location of the event.
There are all kinds of musical styles on offer from bands to choirs, solo performers, duos and dance displays.
There are some really fine songwriters out there in the Lincoln area, all styles, all ages, who play their own material, whenever given the opportunity, be it open mic nights, paid and voluntary gigs and busking.
Many musicians have been down this road and got the T shirt!
Les Brown from Branston is one such artist who combines his songwriting with his artwork. Both are equally impressive evident from the paintings featured on the cover and inside his new 12-song CD of original material titled Almanac.
Les writes songs about life, love and where we’re going on that journey, usually reflecting on his own experiences. It’s the perfect backdrop to accompany one of his art exhibitions. Les is in the rootsy acoustic folk mould, usually just voice and one instrument be it guitar or banjo with some bouzouki or harmonica added.
On first listen a few songs leap out at me straight away; the opener Nothing Can Mend A Broken Heart, the banjo led toe tapper Living On The Mountain and the Eco friendly Living Things.
That’s just three tracks from the 12 on offer but it showcases the Les Brown sound.
Les is one of the performers participating in the Busking Festival but he’s a regular at Lincoln folk club and other local venues where you can hear his songs first hand.