In a vibrant celebration of its 130-year legacy in music, Gibson, the renowned global instrument brand, has announced a dynamic partnership with Busk In London, the city’s leading busking programme. Together, they have launched a new series of live music performances, offering emerging artists a unique platform at the recently opened Gibson Garage London, located just off Oxford Street.
The Gibson Garage London, which is the brand’s first-ever flagship store outside of the United States, is more than just a retail space; it’s a cultural hub for music lovers. Located at 61-62 Eastcastle Street, this venue is set to host bi-weekly performances by some of London’s most talented buskers, providing them with a professional stage to showcase their talents.
The initiative kicked off today with a launch event that featured performances from a select group of rising stars, including Leire, Atticus Blue, Samuel Ashton, Kitty Montague, Freddie Joon, and Clayton. These artists, all seasoned buskers who have honed their skills on the streets of London, delivered captivating performances on the state-of-the-art stage at the Gibson Garage. The event was further highlighted by the presence of UK singer-songwriter Sam Tompkins, a former busker who began his career on the streets of Brighton. Tompkins, who has since achieved significant success, lent his support to the grassroots initiative, recognising the importance of such platforms in nurturing new talent.
Paul Broadhurst, Manager of 24 Hour London in the Mayor of London’s office, inaugurated the event with an opening address, underscoring the vital role that buskers play in the city’s cultural landscape. “Buskers are the heartbeat of London’s streets, infusing our city with music and energy. They are essential to the grassroots music scene, which in turn feeds the broader music industry. This partnership between Gibson and Busk In London is a brilliant opportunity to support and elevate the capital’s talented musicians,” he said.
The collaboration with Busk In London, which was originally launched in 2014 by the Mayor of London to support artists through talent development and industry education, marks a significant expansion of Gibson’s commitment to emerging talent. Busk In London, now managed by Found in Music, has become the city’s premier programme for supporting buskers, and this new partnership will see more buskers take to the stage at the Gibson Garage London.
Lee Bartram, Head of Commercial and Marketing EMEA at Gibson, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership: “Gibson has always been dedicated to helping emerging talent get their music heard, particularly those who need support the most. London’s busking scene is rich with talent, and we’re thrilled to offer these musicians a stage at the Gibson Garage London, giving them the experience and exposure they need to take their careers to the next level.”
The bi-weekly performances will be curated through the Busk in London programme, ensuring that the selected artists are among the best and brightest of London’s Street performers. Music fans eager to catch these performances can stay informed about the schedule by following Gibson’s UK Instagram account, @GibsonGuitarUK.
Sam Tompkins, who has become a prominent figure in the UK music scene, reflected on his own journey from busker to successful artist: “Busking is where it all began for me. It taught me how to perform and connect with people. Watching the performances today brought back memories of my own busking days. Gibson has always supported me, especially when I’m on tour, so it’s fantastic to be part of this event.”
Rachel Meir, CEO of Found in Music, echoed the sentiment: “We’re thrilled to partner with Gibson once again and launch this exciting new Busk in London series at the incredible Gibson Garage London. This is a fantastic opportunity to continue discovering and supporting the next wave of home-grown talent.”
As the initiative continues, it promises to be a significant addition to London’s vibrant music scene, offering a vital platform for emerging artists and enriching the city’s cultural landscape. For more information, visit https://gibson.com/garage-london.
