Ilkley Live

Busking in Ilkley

Listening to live music has long been the lifeblood of society and busking is an integral part of many musicians’ lives. It creates a space to develop audiences, hone skills, try out new songs and spread some joy. Ilkley is a town that welcomes and appreciates buskers.

Buskers of all ages and styles and in particular, newcomers are welcome. So, if you’ve never tried busking and you fancy it, now is your chance to show off your talent! Young musicians especially welcome. Just think - this was how Ed Sheeran, KT Tunstall and Allie Sherlock started out…

Ilkley’s Busking Spots

Musicians can be play at six busking spots around the town:

  1. Inside Ilkley Railway Station (breeze.private.difficult)
  2. Grove Park, near Martinez Wines (fruits.exonerate.stealing)
  3. Riverside Gardens, The Riverside pub (leathers.argued.lunch)
  4. Outside Avanti coffee shop (quietest.gangway.reported)
  5. Outside Go Outdoors shop (print.vocally.stolen)

Note that there is no need to sign up for busking (apart from at the Busking Festival 2025) so just show up. You can also busk anywhere within the legal guidelines but we hope that identifying these spots will make life easier for you as a busker.

Musicians can play for 30 minutes at each busking spot.  To maximise playing time, please set-up your kit to one side, ready to play in advance of your time slot. Buskers can then move from one busking spot to the next.

Instruments can be acoustic or amplified using small battery-powered amps located on the ground, essentially un-plugged. No amplification is encouraged and can be beautiful.

Buskers would play for free but would be able to collect voluntary money donations from passers-by for themselves, collecting cash in a hat or guitar case, or by using a digital payment service.

All buskers should follow the “Guide to Busking in Bradford”, available on the City of Bradford website. https://www.bradford.gov.uk/arts-and-culture/culture/busking-guidance.

Top tips for buskers

  • Introduce yourself to nearby businesses or traders
  • Be respectful and considerate, keep the noise levels down
  • Follow the busking guidelines issued by Bradford Council
  • Have a full and varied repertoire and avoid repetition of songs and pieces of music
  • Don’t ask for money and don’t sell anything
  • Above all enjoy yourself