Busking ‘flash mob’ strum up with tunes by the ton

But passers-by were astonished when no less than 100 musicians gathered together in the city centre for a “flash busk”.

In what is believed to be the largest ever number of buskers to perform at the same time in the same city centre location, the musicians aged from 15 to 60 entertained people for an hour.

Professionals, along with young up-and-coming stars of the music scene, came together to form a line of buskers the entire length of Briggate.

Following a quick tune-up, they shunned performing in unison to each play different songs – leading to a melodic cacophony of music.

The crowds thronging the busy pedestrianised street on a sunny autumn afternoon were treated to a diverse selection of music from a range of instruments, from saxophones to saws – with only acoustic instruments allowed.

Charles Hindmarsh, who manages to play everything from classic songs to folk music on his saws, quipped: “The War-Saw Concerto is my favourite.”

The “flash busk” was part of a programme of arts activities organised by Land Securities to mark the opening of its forthcoming Trinity Leeds development.

Art programme facilitator Antonia Stowe said: “We commissioned West Yorkshire community arts organisation Heads Together to bring the buskers together and they did brilliantly.

“It’s been a fabulous success with a wide age range of musicians from different backgrounds coming together to make it happen.”

In the run-up to the event, rehearsals were held in Leeds for musicians who wanted to join in.

Among the artists demonstrating their musical skills to shoppers was Robert “Louis” Lewis, who was playing his 12-string guitar and saxophone.

He said it had been a brilliant experience: “I’m glad I came, it’s a great laugh.”

Student Myfanwy Shields, 16, was one of the youngest performers.

After playing her acoustic guitar and singing, she said: “This is a really good experience for me, being part of an event with so many different musicians.”

Meanwhile professional singer and ukulele player Jacqui Wicks gave a tuneful rendition of Jessie J’s hit song Price Tag – which was especially appropriate as all the buskers performed for free.

Heads Together’s creative director, Adrian Sinclair, said: “The Trinity Leeds commission provided a tremendous opportunity for us to bring some of our creative work into the heart of Leeds.

“Among the people who performed were local professional musicians, as well as young musicians who have been training with us as part of our Next Generation programme and I’d like to thank all of them.”

Heads Together, based in Meltham, near Huddersfield, uses the arts to inspire creativity in individuals and communities in the region.

Over the past 25 years it has been involved in various projects and currently has three main initiatives across Yorkshire. Two Valleys Radio is a volunteer-led station broadcasting from Meltham and aiming to connect villages in the area, while All In The Mind attempts to improve communication about mental health issues.

Its other main scheme is internet radio station East Leeds FM, based in Seacroft, which was set up in 2003.

The “flash busk” was organised in conjunction with the station, which aims to celebrate the area and especially local music, with 90 per cent of its output coming from local musicians.

Trinity Leeds Arts commissioned the organisation to run the busking event as part of its programme linked to the new shopping development to provide a platform for many different types of artists to display their talent.

Land Securities, which is building the £350m Trinity Leeds development, has commissioned artists from the region and beyond to develop permanent and temporary art installations.

There are also activities to produce pieces of art with the aim being to enhance everyone’s experience of the new environments and thoroughfares being created in the city centre by the massive building scheme.

In addition, there are shadow work placements for three Leeds-based students. 

Trinity Leeds, which is set to open next March, crosses Briggate, Albion Street and Commercial Street and will feature 120 shops, restaurants and cafes.

It will also be home to the first branch of boutique cinema chain Everyman outside London.