Dublin’s annual Christmas Eve Busk, to raise money for the Simon homeless charity, has become a pretty amazing tradition. It was started by the venerable Glen Hansard - the former busker who plays a busker in the wonderful film “Once” - and often includes the likes of Bono and Hozier alongside local stalwarts and up-and-comers like Allie Sherlock and The Belgian Blue.
I would say it’s not about the bigger names at all. (In fact I’ve read that Bono was nervous at the challenge of such a stripped-down public singing affair. He and Edge are maybe the stodgiest and most self-conscious of the various performers. Without making this about Bono, love or hate the guy, this year at the end of his appearance he signed off with a nonsensical burst of Polish mimicry. Really strange, not sure what to make of that. Check it out here at the 4:50 mark.)
As The Busk has grown from an impromptu DIY popup to a more polished event over time, what really carries it is the energy, warmth, openness, and spirit of both performers and spectators. Really something to behold.
We need more of this in the fight for our humanity.
I think it was off for a year or two during COVID but in 2021 they somehow did it in St Patrick’s Cathedral and wheeled in a very ill Shane McGowan for what would be his last hurrah.
Have a browse through these videos to get a sense of the shows and some nice behind the scenes vibes. The 2012 and 2015 clips are especially great and worth your time. Keep a lookout for the late Sinead O’Connor, having a grand (if slightly disjointed) time in the throngs of people. What a jolt seeing her!