[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/singapore\/the-struggles-of-singapores-buskers-during-pandemic-times\/#NewsArticle","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/singapore\/the-struggles-of-singapores-buskers-during-pandemic-times\/","headline":"The struggles of Singapore\u2019s buskers during pandemic times","name":"The struggles of Singapore\u2019s buskers during pandemic times","description":"Jonathan Goh, 25, is a full-time busker in Singapore, one half of the circus duo The Annoying Brothers, and co-chairman of the Buskers\u2019 Association. He recounts the tumultuous weeks leading up to the circuit breaker: \u201c[I went down to Clarke Quay, tried to start my show, [but] nobody wanted to watch… Usually, I can gather […]","datePublished":"2021-03-26","dateModified":"2022-06-28","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/author\/Ming%20En%20Liew\/#Person","name":"Ming En Liew","url":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/author\/Ming%20En%20Liew\/","identifier":132,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8fe7a89455a989038349633329a6e4ad6299388f5e1e3ea83c28126090b2314f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8fe7a89455a989038349633329a6e4ad6299388f5e1e3ea83c28126090b2314f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"TheHomeGround Asia","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/wp-content\/uploads\/photo_2021-07-22-222533.jpeg","url":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/wp-content\/uploads\/photo_2021-07-22-222533.jpeg","width":640,"height":640}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/wp-content\/uploads\/1616747585728_1280X626_282429.png","url":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/wp-content\/uploads\/1616747585728_1280X626_282429.png","height":626,"width":1280},"url":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/singapore\/the-struggles-of-singapores-buskers-during-pandemic-times\/","video":[{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"VideoObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=NQQZkVsJe4k#VideoObject","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=NQQZkVsJe4k","name":"Singapore Minstrel","description":"TRAILER - https:\/\/youtu.be\/9h5ucV8yTnI\nBONUS 1 - Kite Light, White Tide, Hide: https:\/\/youtu.be\/ldNTQ8zB078\nBONUS 2 -  Roland Chua Kim Seng: https:\/\/youtu.be\/i14d9vI00Yo\n\nRoy Payamal is the wildest busker of a country ranked the world\u2019s most emotionless society. He takes his undermined line of work as a serious art- but is his faith impossible idealism or an admirable conviction? Singapore Minstrel is an invitation into his beautiful mind, a magical, trying universe where art and life dialogue in a tropical dream. \n\nFeaturing original music by Roy, Lee Wen, and AhLian Rok Minah Rolll. \n\n*** This film is available for free viewing until June 1, 2020, when Singapore's extended lockdown ends. Take care and enjoy this from home!\n\nhttp:\/\/singaporeminstrel.com\nhttp:\/\/facebook.com\/singaporeminstrel\n\nDirected, Produced and Edited by Xi Jie Ng\nArt Director, Assistant Director\/Producer - Esmonde Luo\nCamera & Sound- Xi Jie Ng and Esmonde Luo\nSound Design - Dennis Tan\nMusic Direction - Azmy and Xi Jie Ng\n\nPreviously screened at 26th Singapore International Film Festival, Objectifs (Singapore), The Projector (Singapore), Asian American International Film Festival (New York City), Cebu International Film Festival, Film Fest Dokumenter (Yogyakarta), and more","thumbnailUrl":["https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/NQQZkVsJe4k\/default.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/NQQZkVsJe4k\/mqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/NQQZkVsJe4k\/hqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/NQQZkVsJe4k\/sddefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/NQQZkVsJe4k\/maxresdefault.jpg"],"uploadDate":"2020-05-06T10:49:47+00:00","duration":"PT1H27M28S","embedUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/NQQZkVsJe4k","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UC8SiZMgIgHxFWCKjTO9o8aQ#Organization","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UC8SiZMgIgHxFWCKjTO9o8aQ","name":"Mary-Jane Leo","description":"","logo":{"url":"https:\/\/yt3.ggpht.com\/ytc\/AIdro_m_MveWJX112-CdeZugITQ7Rpo1i2rhojoc2rT6qAFjKlM=s800-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj","width":800,"height":800,"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=NQQZkVsJe4k#VideoObject_publisher_logo_ImageObject"}},"potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=NQQZkVsJe4k#VideoObject_potentialAction","target":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=NQQZkVsJe4k&t={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"},"interactionStatistic":[[{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=NQQZkVsJe4k#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_WatchAction","interactionType":{"@type":"WatchAction"},"userInteractionCount":1277}],{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=NQQZkVsJe4k#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_LikeAction","interactionType":{"@type":"LikeAction"},"userInteractionCount":57}]},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"VideoObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=iKdqatGqy1s#VideoObject","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=iKdqatGqy1s","name":"\u5929\u5929\u591c\u591c | Busking \u8857\u5934\u8868\u6f14 | Afterworkers \u4e0b\u73ed\u65cf","description":"Busking performance on 4 Feb 2017 by Chinese live band Afterworkers \u4e0b\u73ed\u65cf.\n\nSubscribe to Afterworkers \u4e0b\u73ed\u65cf:\nhttps:\/\/www.youtube.com\/afterworkersSG\/\n\nWebsite: https:\/\/www.afterworkersSG.com\/\nFacebook: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/afterworkersSG\/\nInstagram: https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/afterworkersSG\/\n\n***************\nAfterworkers \u4e0b\u73ed\u65cf is a group of one pianist and two vocalists, specialising in various genres of Chinese pop songs (Mandarin, Cantonese, Hokkien). They perform as a Chinese live band for private and public events (e.g. wedding live band, live band for corporate events such as company dinner & dance (D&D)) as well as festivals. They also busk regularly to showcase their favourite pieces, including originals from aspiring songwriters.","thumbnailUrl":["https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/iKdqatGqy1s\/default.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/iKdqatGqy1s\/mqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/iKdqatGqy1s\/hqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/iKdqatGqy1s\/sddefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/iKdqatGqy1s\/maxresdefault.jpg"],"uploadDate":"2017-02-11T10:00:02+00:00","duration":"PT32S","embedUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/iKdqatGqy1s","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCnEsIVnuio_9HlGsQAtFm0Q#Organization","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCnEsIVnuio_9HlGsQAtFm0Q","name":"Afterworkers \u4e0b\u73ed\u65cf","description":"Afterworkers \u4e0b\u73ed\u65cf\nWhere work ends and music begins\n\nWe're a group of one pianist and two vocalists, specialising in various genres of Chinese pop songs (Mandarin, Cantonese, Hokkien). We perform as a live band for private and public events (e.g. as a wedding live band, live band for corporate events such as company dinner & dance (D&D)) as well as festivals. We also busk regularly to showcase our favourite pieces, including originals from aspiring songwriters.\n\nWebsite: https:\/\/www.afterworkersSG.com\/\nFacebook: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/afterworkersSG\/\nInstagram: https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/afterworkersSG\/","logo":{"url":"https:\/\/yt3.ggpht.com\/ytc\/AIdro_lZayUaCpv-ShLadgh_AUixbxY6C8iaQ8hbtleaUGilMQ=s800-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj","width":800,"height":800,"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=iKdqatGqy1s#VideoObject_publisher_logo_ImageObject"}},"potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=iKdqatGqy1s#VideoObject_potentialAction","target":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=iKdqatGqy1s&t={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"},"interactionStatistic":[[{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=iKdqatGqy1s#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_WatchAction","interactionType":{"@type":"WatchAction"},"userInteractionCount":252}],{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=iKdqatGqy1s#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_LikeAction","interactionType":{"@type":"LikeAction"},"userInteractionCount":2}]}],"about":["Local","Singapore"],"wordCount":1453,"articleBody":"Jonathan Goh, 25, is a full-time busker in Singapore, one half of the circus duo The Annoying Brothers, and co-chairman of the Buskers\u2019 Association. He recounts the tumultuous weeks leading up to the circuit breaker: \u201c[I went down to Clarke Quay, tried to start my show, [but] nobody wanted to watch… Usually, I can gather a crowd [of 30 to 40 people] in less than five minutes. But on that day, it was so bad. I picked up my [microphone], talking to myself, but nobody stopped.\u201d\u00a0At the time, he had an inkling of what was coming but could not have guessed that the country would enter a state of lockdown the week after. In one fell swoop, his scheduled shows were cancelled, his juggling classes scrapped, and busking was suspended. He was out of a job.\u00a0Still, Mr Goh was one of the lucky ones. He already had a Grabfood account and made the switch to food delivery to supplement his income.Prior to the pandemic, The Annoying Brothers easily pulled massive crowds while busking. (Source: Orchard Road Business Association)The impact on buskersFinancially, buskers in Singapore have been significantly impacted.Besides delivering food, Mr Goh shares that he was \u201clucky because [he] had a bit of savings, not a lot but enough to sustain.\u201d While he was able to pay the bills by pivoting to the new job, he had to cut certain expenses , such as subscriptions to various services.Similarly, the lack of busking opportunities put a huge dent in Jason Yu\u2019s, 25, income. Mr Yu is a full-time artist and musician who started out on the streets. Also studying at a local university, Jason relied on busking to supplement his income.\u00a0\u201cA good 50 per cent of my income came from busking.\u201d Jason explains. \u201cWithout that, I\u2019ve had to have a tighter budget on my lifestyle and living expenses, [and be] extremely wise with how I spent my money.\u201d\u00a0The struggles extend beyond finances too. Flowarts specialist Bryan Wong, 25, had just started his busking career when the pandemic hit. Having looked forward to getting his busking licence, Mr Wong found his plans derailed just two weeks before his auditions.\u00a0He has since come to terms with the situation: \u201cHindsight is 20\/20 and looking back now, circuit breaker did give me more time to prepare for the audition which I admittedly needed, but it was frustrating nonetheless.\u201d\u00a0\u201cThey [buskers] can no longer practise their craft the same way,\u201d explains Salty Xi Jie Ng, 33, an artist and busking advocate who grew close to the community after producing and directing a film on them, titled Singapore Minstrel. Her fascination with busking stems from the buskers she had watched in her childhood. She recalls, \u201cI would see busking acts as a child and they always mesmerised me…Perhaps it\u2019s being in such a controlled society that makes busking hold that much more magic, because in some way it\u2019s the antithesis of Singapore.” Ms Ng has also dabbled in busking herself, setting up a typewriter at Ngee Ann City and crafting poems for passersby. This has allowed her to understand the appeal of busking in front of a live audience.\u00a0She says, \u201cPractising your craft in front of an audience on the street is a very specific and powerful thing that is both simultaneously work and practice. Practising at home is not the same.\u201d\u00a0She shares a conversation she had with busker and friend Roland Chua Kim Seng \u2013 who used to strut his dance moves at Tampines: \u201cHe was telling me he doesn\u2019t dance that much anymore, because it\u2019s not the same at home.\u201d Bryan Wong is a Flowarts specialist who started busking just before the circuit breaker. (Source: Ang Wei Wen @ww_weiwen \/ Instagram)Pivoting to digital meansLeft without a platform to showcase their craft, some buskers have turned to digital means in order to continue to perform and earn a living. Unfortunately, the digital medium is less than ideal for busking.\u00a0Mr Goh points out various challenges with digital busking, such as the lack of organic traffic, the saturated online entertainment landscape, and the inability to actively interact with audiences.Mr Yu expounds, \u201cOnline busking just doesn’t cut it, people aren’t inclined to pay attention (or to tip), and not having a physical element just takes away so much from the performance.\u201dMr Wong shares their sentiments: \u201cNo online performance can ever replicate the feeling, energy, and vibe that is present in a physical live performance… As soon as we get the chance to, I’d like to see the relevant organisations push to get busking on the streets as fast as possible, and not rely on online live streaming platforms to be a reliable substitute, as online performances will never receive the same amount of love that live performances do.\u201dThe (lack of) measures to support buskersIn December last year, the National Arts Council (NAC) attempted to resume street busking.\u00a0It organised a pilot programme at Scape and Clarke Quay over the span of two weeks. Approximately 50 buskers participated, performing in front of a live audience for the first time in over nine months, albeit with stringent safety measures in place.Regrettably, some measures were not satisfactory.\u00a0In ‘Open Letter Re: National Arts Council Management of the Busking Scheme’, Ms Ng shares what she spoke about at a roundtable organised by the Institute of Policy Studies, National Gallery Singapore and Singapore Art Museum on 3 March, during which NAC was present. It includes feedback about the pilot programme, where she relates how some buskers were incorrectly told that the cashless mode of payment was compulsory when in fact it was not mandatory.\u201cQR codes printed were small and affected takings, as well as resulted in audiences having to go closer to scan the codes, defeating the purpose of Safe Management Measures, such as fence poles that made buskers feel caged.\u201dJason Yu is a full-time musician and artist, and busks for additional income. (Photo courtesy of Jason Yu)Further, Ms Ng highlights, \u201cFull-time buskers were not prioritised as those invited to be part of the pilot when they are most in need of busking income during the pandemic…They are…those from whom the pilot could have gained the most pragmatic feedback; they could have been the best resource towards a real study on how to resume busking.\u201dShe adds, \u201cThe Buskers\u2019 Association Singapore was eager and ready to lend advice and help, but were not consulted by NAC for the pilot. They were only approached when temperature takers were needed at short notice.\u201dSince the pilot, the buskers TheHomeGround interviewed have reported radio silence from the authorities. With no updates from the authorities on when busking will be allowed, the buskers have again been left in a state of limbo, as they have been for more than a year.A community asking to be rememberedWhile the busking community is eager for the resumption of street busking, they are not ignorant of the times they live in.\u00a0Yeo Ying Hao, 32, co-chairman and freelance busker with Chinese pop band Afterworkers acknowledges, \u201cThe reality is that there are bigger issues than busking when it comes to the pandemic, so we\u2019re not going to say, \u2018Okay, forget public health, we need to be on the streets.\u2019\u201dInstead, he has one simple request: \u201cWhen things do reopen, we want to be there with everyone. We do not want to be a disadvantaged group in reopening conversations.\u201dMr Goh highlights, \u201cI think communication can be improved between the NAC and the buskers, where they could at least put an announcement monthly.\u201d\u00a0He questions, \u201cThey always use the words \u2018gradual resumption\u2019, so if there\u2019s one pilot happening already, there should be more pilots happening for gradual resumption. [But] there have been no pilots happening after three months, then what is a gradual resumption?\u201d\u00a0\u201cI think I speak for all buskers when I say we just want the relevant arts organisations to recognise our struggles and be sincere in helping us,\u201d Mr Yu emphasises.Nevertheless, there is not much buskers in Singapore can do now except wait.Even so, Ms Ng conveys her love for the community. \u201cYou are not forgotten,\u201d she says.\u00a0To that end, Mr Yeo has a few words of encouragement: \u201cJust hang in there a little longer. It seems like we are reopening soon. It seems like help is on the way… it\u2019s time to really start practising and getting back into shape. And when the streets reopen, I would like to see all of them in their full glory.\u201d\u00a0Join the conversations on THG’s Facebook and Instagram, and get the latest updates via Telegram."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Destinations","item":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Singapore","item":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/\/singapore\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"The struggles of Singapore\u2019s buskers during pandemic times","item":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/singapore\/the-struggles-of-singapores-buskers-during-pandemic-times\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]