Touring in UK

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: IanC
Date: 02 Jun 06 - 08:46 AM

Gooberoo

You can try Ireland if you like but, unless you have a car, the transport infrastructure is much worse than Old England. Also, there are fewer people about, not too many large towns and - outside the main tourist areas - it's sometimes much harder to find out what's going on.

If you want to tour, then England's fine.

Your best bet is to sort yourself out an itinerary. Get a map, work out how far you can sensibly travel every day, include 1 in 3 days as a rest day. Take advice from people locally.

When you're happy with what you've got, publish your itinerary here. People in England are, in general, friendly and hospitable - especially if they think they know you. You'll probably get offers of accommodation fairly quickly and the people accommodating you may well be only too keen to take you around with them, show you the scenery AND arrange opportunities to sing/play.

Ask people like Joe Offer who have come for a week or two whether they've ever had to find themselves anywhere to stay.

We welcome mudcatters!

:-)
Ian

PS - start and end in London, which is cheapest for transport to the USA and expect to stay in the vicinity of London for at least 2-3 days at either end. Opportunities for music in and around London are endless, but don't expect anyone to pay you.

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: jojofolkagogo
Date: 02 Jun 06 - 08:02 AM

OK northerner, NO-ONE is biting !!!!


Us southerners are REAL friendly anyway !!!

Jo-Jo

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: GUEST,Friendly northerner.
Date: 02 Jun 06 - 03:21 AM

Liverpool is the place to be! Stay in hostels, blag a bed from friendly musos - get a tent - You will be more welcomed and accepted in the north of the U.K than in the insular south.

Just a ferry ride to Oirland too!

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: GUEST,folk1e
Date: 01 Jun 06 - 08:20 PM

When I were a lad we all walked to school and there were at least 5 dialects!

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: GUEST,maryrrf
Date: 01 Jun 06 - 07:48 PM

The problem with busking in Ireland is that there are just so many excellent musicians and there is a lot of free music to be had for those who want to listen (sessions in many of the pubs). I don't think you should count on busking or spur of the moment gigging to pay your way while you're there. If you can get some gigs lined up ahead of time that might help but I think you're far too late if you're hoping to get something for this summer. By all means go over to soak up music and companionship and I'm sure you'll meet lots of nice people, but you'll need to take along enough money to support yourselve on while you're there, and it would be a good idea to do some research (travel guides, etc. to get a realistic idea of how much money you would require. Ireland used to be inexpensive, but unfortunately it isn't anymore.

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: artimus
Date: 01 Jun 06 - 04:57 PM

HEEEYYYYYY!

I said "Ireland" in my last post.

I originally titled this thread "Touring in UK"

But since so many of your posts were discouraging for England, I'm thinking West Coast of Ireland down to the South Up to Dublin.

Someone out there have experience busking in Ireland.

Note: I realized after I came back to this thread that I didn't even know what the UK was. I was condidering Ireland and Scotland too.

Also: I realize now that probably over 50% of the regular posters here are situated around London or other parts of England.

You know studying a map of Great Britain for an American your land doesn't look like there could be much variety. It's like the size of one of the mid.sized States in the USA. But since I started this thread I've met and talked with some Brits and they tell me that you can drive an hour or less and hear a different dialect.

I didn't realize that this is somewhat of a local site. Is it not?

Thanks for telling me about Ireland AND Scotland too.

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: jojofolkagogo
Date: 01 Jun 06 - 02:45 PM

This guy is DEFINITELY a wind-up ..... but its been fun reading it!


If he is serious, he will very soon learn that he is not making any money ... busking in the London Underground you need a Council Licence for, only its limited to a very few people EVERY YEAR


Walking is a no-no will just use up too much of that short holiday

TWO of my very nice folkie friends are DEAD through cycling in England
dont do it, that's sound advice.

Coaches are the best long-distance cheap travel option

Why not go to only ONE area - ESSEX for example has many many folk clubs and see what they are like - you WONT be paid though ...

the festivals are great, but again you wont get paid though ...


Come over, have fun, learn just how EXPENSIVE petrol (gas) is !!!!

you will not believe it until you are here ...

Come one over, and meet us all

wind-up and all   :~>

Jo-Jo

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: artimus
Date: 31 May 06 - 02:53 PM

I didn't go to the UK because of a death in the family.

Now I am thinking of coming next summer.

But i'm considering Ireland.

How is busking there?

I think I could get the feel for of it on the West Coast in June.

Then make my way down to the Southern Coast
and up to Dublin in the Autumn.

Please review this thread and revise your thoughts in light of Ireland.

(bus, trains, walking, bike, food, shelter, etc.)

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: Leadfingers
Date: 04 Jan 05 - 06:51 PM

Goobereoo - Assuming you have a full driving licence , there is a place NOT too far from Heathrow where they do car hire for £35 a week , witha Returnable £200 deposit ! If thats of any interest send me a PM and I will return the details . So petrol isnt cheap but a car
from rentabanger will be a lot cheaper than public transport !

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: artimus
Date: 04 Jan 05 - 02:05 PM

No. I guess it's not going to be the same. I'm suggesting things that I know work in other places. That doesn't mean that I assume they will work everywhere. And there are some very good ideas here that I'm checking into.

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: tarheel
Date: 04 Jan 05 - 01:33 PM

good luck,gooberooooooo!!!

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: GUEST,Noreen
Date: 04 Jan 05 - 01:26 PM

And I'm not very interested in playing festivals. I play real live unamplified music...

If the two sentences were meant to be connected, as I read it, then you are thinking of something different from our festivals. I sing real live unamplified unaccompanied music, and have a wonderful time all summer singing at festivals, which is why I suggested the idea and provided links so you could find out more.

You'll not do very well by expecting everything over here to be just like home- we don't have front porches to sit on, and I don't know of anyone whose living room is large enough for a house party- it just isn't done over here. In this country if you invite people round for music, you certainly wouldn't charge them, so you'd make nothing there.

Get your head round the suggestions people who know are making!

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: artimus
Date: 04 Jan 05 - 12:35 PM

Well, I'm not coming for a cycling tour and a bus or train doesn't seem incredibly expensive. But I'm wondering about shortcuts and deals that those of you who have learned about through experience can share with anyone who might want to tour the UK.
I'm checking out some of the links that people have provided in this thread. Looks good.
And here's another song: Dire Wolf

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 04 Jan 05 - 12:10 PM

We were very tempted to go away for the games! City full of furriners, mutter bloody mutter...

:D

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 04 Jan 05 - 11:59 AM

Far be it from me to give careers advice ( a bit like the Captain of the Titanic giving lectures on staying afloat). I think you have to decide what youre doing - a cycling holiday or a step on the road to to productive employment.

folk clubs aren't hobo camps. they are full of nice middle class people who like real ale and real songs.

if you wish to be considered as a professional, its as well to turn up with an instrument that looks like you mean business and not shagged out after a day in the saddle.

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: breezy
Date: 04 Jan 05 - 10:56 AM

Hey Dave ,when can I come, I can be a weirdo if its part of the deal.
If I'ld known I'ld have come for the commonwealth games instead of discovering Morrisons.
Happy new year.
Can I bring George Papavgeris, he can be weird too?

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 04 Jan 05 - 10:42 AM

The campervan thing is quite a good idea if you want to take aa risk. Fly into London - make your way to Earls Court (I think that's where the Aussies hang out - help anyone?) You used to be able to pick up a 'bargain' camper then 'do' the UK in it and sell it on again when you get back to the smoke! Like I said, bit of a chance and you could loose out big time but usualy lots cheaper than renting a car and stopping in digs.

Check in here on the'cat as well of course. Usualy loads of people willing to let you crash down with them and ferry you round a bit. I'd be willing to help in the Manchester area. Have to clear it with Mrs G though. She keeps complaining about all the wierdos I keep inviting...

;-)

Cheers

DtG

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: breezy
Date: 04 Jan 05 - 10:25 AM

the aussies usually live in a campervan

I'm waiting for the 'Ill crawl everywhere' line

I can sell/hire you an old espace, you can sleep in that.Leaks a little when it rains.You pay tax and insuranceand running costs

$2000 deposit cash and its yours for ever,

When do want it?

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: CharlieA
Date: 04 Jan 05 - 08:50 AM

I Know Warwick Uni rents it's student acoomodation out - and it's fantastic there - Cov is a great place if you talk to people and there are often lots of people around at the uni.

Biking I have often found dangerous - but as long as you take the opinion that anyone in a car won't see you and keep your eye on them - and don't go on motorways - you should be ok - good luck!

get yourself a cheap one man tent - thats prob the easiest way - then if you get really stuck you can see if you can stick it somewhere for the night (careful tho in case you're trespassing!)

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: manitas_at_work
Date: 04 Jan 05 - 08:28 AM

It's certainly fairly easy to cycle around the country. If you make sure you're not cycling at night or in the rain you should be ok. If you are walking try to do at least 10 miles a day or you won't get anywhere but even then I would suggest getting public transport out of the larger cities and towns. Hitching is always an option. As well as the Youth Hostel Association and the YMCA there is also a network of backpackers hostels which are often even cheaper.

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: Doktor Doktor
Date: 04 Jan 05 - 08:20 AM

Links page for you .... http://www.beerfordbury.co.uk/FolkClub/links.htm
good luck!

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 04 Jan 05 - 08:13 AM

Hm...house concerts...... I don't think that will get you very far. You must engage with what the folkscene is at present.

Most of us on the English folkscene are really bloody old - we are the teenagers Paul Simon and his generation knew and crashed with. Somewhere along the line we all took ourselves a bit too seriously and lost popular support since those 1960's days.   
However we're all still basically good eggs.

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: artimus
Date: 04 Jan 05 - 07:51 AM

What about campus student housing? Can I rent a dorm room on a campus and play for the summer students? This might be less expensive. And I can use a bike or walk.

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: artimus
Date: 04 Jan 05 - 06:46 AM

That's the spirit! I don't know of too many places where it is life threatening to walk or bike. And I'm not very interested in playing festivals. I play real live unamplified music. So hows about some of you organizing some house concerts in your living rooms? Or if your mum won't let us, we can sit on the porch.
People, there are very few places in the world that can't be played with music. And I doubt that I'll spend much money there.

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: GUEST,nager
Date: 03 Jan 05 - 11:16 PM

Oops... that should read south to north!!!!

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: GUEST,nager
Date: 03 Jan 05 - 11:14 PM

Cycling is fine in the UK and I speak from recent experience. In April-May last year my wife Helena and I cycled from Lands End to John O'Groats with no problem using the Sustrans routes, B roads etc and had no problems. Go north to south as the winds are more favourable. We are from Oz and are regular touring cyclists.It cost us very little to get around. We stayed at Youth Hostels, cooked our own food, did our own washing etc and spent nothing on petrol, car hite or trains. We had a great and safe time. We played lots of music along the way too for fun, borrowing a guitar at many of the hostels for the evening and having singalongs etc with others staying there. We averaged around 40 miles each riding day with a rest day every four or five days. We are not kids either, we are both in our mid 50s.
There is a misconception that cycling is dangerous. I have been doing it for all my life and have never come a cropper yet .. and the same applies to just about all my cycling mates here and overseas.If you have cycled around the Great Lakes then the End to End would be a dawdle.There's some good positive ideas above. Do your research and run with some of them!

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: GUEST,folkiefrank
Date: 03 Jan 05 - 09:50 PM

A support slot is not a gig! Don't get over excited!

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Jan 05 - 09:41 PM

See! I wasn't taking the mickey. It was a genuine idea. Get an edge and travel on it. You have one gig offer already. Good Luck.

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: GUEST,folkiefrank
Date: 03 Jan 05 - 09:31 PM

If you ever make it to John O' Groats give me a call, I might be able to fix you up with a support slot, or at least a bed for a couple of nights. [e-mail]

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 03 Jan 05 - 08:59 PM

well like I say - if I can help give me a ring - its on the website.. walking and cycling isn't the greatest idea. Most of us spend all our lives just keeping out of the rain.. your best bet is possibly buying a cheap car at auction and then selling it, when you've finished - you can get something pretty reliable for less than a thousand quid - then you get maybe two thirds of that back. what problems this would cause you I don't know. I don't know if you need special permits or anything. If you got a cheap van you could sleep in it (at a push).

Best of luck

from Big Al

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: artimus
Date: 03 Jan 05 - 08:56 PM

But now I'm getting off topic. Thanks again for all the good ideas. I've got 5 months to plan and I feel I'm off to a good start.

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: artimus
Date: 03 Jan 05 - 08:42 PM

This is not a joke! I am coming to the UK. I am going to perform there. It is not an impossibilty to survive especially if you are prepared. This thread has convinced me of the possibilities.
Also, I am not looking for the "big gig" so what do I have to lose?
You know, there is alot of skepticism out there and I see it when reading that thread "Play music and lose money". Music and the arts are like any other profession. If you are going to become a doctor or lawyer you have to invest 12 years and $100,000. So what, do you complain when you come out of school and you have to scratch to squeeze $500 from a client? I don't see my profession as any different. I have never lost money playing music. I've invested it. I think the UK is worth a few 1000 dollars invested in getting started there. I believe in what I do.

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: Noreen
Date: 03 Jan 05 - 08:32 PM

And if you're only able to walk 2 or 3 miles a day, I wouldn't think a walking tour is viable!

I would suggest you find yourself a map of the UK (try multimap.com) to give you some idea of where you're heading, then visit some festivals- there you'll be able to join in the fringe and make contact with fellow musicians who'll give you more idea. Then the following year you'll have more contacts... etc.

Planning to attend festivals would ensure you at least enjoy your trip over while making contacts. What you are sugggesting sounds like a sure way to miss out on any fun that might be going on...

See the following threads for more info on UK festivals to visit:

UK Folk festivals
Festivals to visit in UK?
and
Festivals for newbies

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: EagleWing
Date: 03 Jan 05 - 07:58 PM

"I've never heard of John of Groats. How many miles is John of Groats to Landsend?"

They're having you on! Lands End - is the far South West tip of England. John o Groates is the far North East of Scotland. Depending on the route this can be between 950 and 1050 miles! That's why it's so good for raising charity from sponsors.

Frank L

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Jan 05 - 06:34 PM

Come on guys, this fellows having us on. We can't seem to deter him.What does it take to say STAY AT HOME DREAMER.

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: CharleyR
Date: 03 Jan 05 - 06:03 PM

For cheap transport check out www.megabus.com. If you book far enough in advance you can get between a lot of cities for just £1. Even if you don't book in advance it's not hugely expensive.

Charley

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: Belly
Date: 03 Jan 05 - 05:49 PM

Intresting songs by the way. Who are your influence's? Hearing Trad Old English Style with an american voice sounds wierd and wonderful keep it up. If you do come you will pick up some great style's and deliveries. That vary from county to county (State to State)

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: Belly
Date: 03 Jan 05 - 05:40 PM

If your comming come to Beverley, East Yorkshire preferably june for the Folk Festival you wont get paid but most of the pubs will be happy to let you play Great hostel for £6.00 per night but theirs a fair chance you would be housed by the local folk anyway. If the boot was on the other foot what would your advise be to me comming to your neck of the woods?

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: artimus
Date: 03 Jan 05 - 05:24 PM

I'm already having an adventure! I've never heard of John of Groats. How many miles is John of Groats to Landsend? I can put it in my itinerary. I will walk and play a tune for any codger who gets in my way. When they hear me singing they'll clear the road fast.

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: kendall
Date: 03 Jan 05 - 05:19 PM

Pick up a copy of NOTES FROM A SMALL ISLAND by Bill Bryson. He walked,all over, took a hire car and sometimes trains. His experiences here are well worth reading about.

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Jan 05 - 05:10 PM

Yes you can walk. Try it from John of Groats to Landsend. It is a well worn route for the die hard raising money for charity.

Phone all the local radio stations and Tv stations. Announce your route, your chosen charity and folkie aspirations. Sell yourself to anyone who will listen. Get a tag, 'The Wanderin' Minstrel'.

Seek sponsorship from companies who may like to have your back or front advertising their wares. Phone breweries, would they like you stopping off at their hostelries en route, to play and sup?

The roads aren't paved with gold, but there are the odd nuggets out there to be found for those with an aspiring heart and shoe leather to make it beat faster.

Good Luck. Have a ball.

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: artimus
Date: 03 Jan 05 - 04:56 PM

Can I walk? How many towns are there on the road from London to Leeds? I can walk 2 or 3 miles every day. And I can cycle in Ireland. I'm also looking into rail passes. But I biked 1000 miles around the Great Lakes once and it was the greatest travel of my life. There must be someplace around there that won't kill me to death! Come on now. Let's hear about How To Do. You all make it sound like I'm going to the moon.
Can I walk? How many towns are there from London to Leeds?

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: GUEST,maryrrf
Date: 03 Jan 05 - 03:55 PM

I would certainly not plan on cycling. Ireland might be a different story - I know they have cycling tours of Ireland. But in Britain the roads are often very narrow with no real shoulder. And around London and the big cities there is a lot of traffic. Don't do it. I've traveled in Britain on the coaches/buses and they are probably your cheapest bet. They do go to some out of the way places, but schedules might be a problem. I used National Express a couple of years ago and it was fine and not to expensive relative to other modes of transport. There's also something called Citilink, I think. Oh the other problem with cycling is that it often rains a lot.

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: John C.
Date: 03 Jan 05 - 03:26 PM

Please, please, please don't even think of cycling on our roads - there are a zillion cars out there, these days, and a fair percentage of those are driven by mad people. Most our major cities are connected by motorways (freeways) and it's illegal to cycle on those (you would probably die before the cops picked you up, anyway!).
You might like to look at long distance buses (we call them 'coaches')- these used to be quite good value, although I haven't been on one for a while. For most coaches and trains it is usually cheaper to book sometime in advance (weeks in advance, that is).
Although Londoners moan all the time their public transport is much better than most of the rest of the country - they ought to live in Manchester, where I live, then they really would have something to moan about!
If all of this doesn't put you off, this is still a beautiful country and very varied for its size. Scotland and Wales are magnificent (as are their fine capitals, Edinburgh and Cardiff). My favourite parts of England are East Anglia, the West Country and the North. There is still a fair amount of folk music in the North, particularly in Lancashire and Yorkshire. These are both great counties with great people.
Generally, you should be prepared for a culture shock - lots of moaning, a very peculiar sense of humour and crap service in many places. If you have any romantic ideas about Britain divest yourself of them before you get here.
Oh yes, bring an umbrella - the weather is diabolical!

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: Zany Mouse
Date: 03 Jan 05 - 02:40 PM

One way of getting free festival tickets is to become a steward.

Rhiannon

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: GUEST
Date: 03 Jan 05 - 02:13 PM

Dear Gooberoo, I love your optimism, youth, energy, commitment etc, but the culture shock of England will be too great for your dreams.There are no gigs lying around, the roads are death traps..just cycling out of London doesn't bear thinking about.The cost of everything is sky high.
I suggest you come for a holiday and plan to visit one or two festivals in your 15 days to see what you're up against.
We don't have coffee houses or restaurants that allow you to play for tips. You might find a session in these town you want to visit, but most of them abhor songwriters and only want to play and occassionally sing.
It's not the 1960's it's the tough old 2005's.
However....if you have some spare money, by all means come and spend it in the UK, but don't expect to earn a single penny on spec except by busking.
Good luck!

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: artimus
Date: 03 Jan 05 - 01:52 PM

So how about this idea of buying a bicycle in London and visiting every little town on the way to Liverpool or Leeds? I won't spend anything for transportation and don't have to hassle with buying and scheduling in advance. Is it safe? Or what? If this method is feasible, I will only have to spend for hostal and food. And I will see more of the real England. And I'll get the "gigs" that no one else knows existed and wouldn't want to play anyway if they did know that they existed.

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: Zany Mouse
Date: 03 Jan 05 - 01:50 PM

Maybe you should contact the Poms from Oz. They came over with nothing booked and are now really popular in the UK. Cloudstreet are also a runaway success. I think you can contact them through Mudcat.

Rhiannon

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: selby
Date: 03 Jan 05 - 01:31 PM

How old are you? take a look at Ethno England 2005 web site this may help you.
Keith

Subject: RE: Touring in UK
From: Alaska Mike
Date: 03 Jan 05 - 10:24 AM

There certainly seems to be a wealth of information here. I too will be visiting UK next summer and even this early have found it difficult to get hired at festivals and folk clubs. But my goals for my trip are mainly to meet many of my Mudcat friends, see as much of the country as we can, and share a beer and a song (or 2) along the way.

Best wishes on your trip, Gooberoo. I hope you have at least as much fun as I'm planning on having. See you next August, Yookers.

Mike