Busker Darrell Dower explains why Gladstone’s live music scene bests Brisbane’s

A former Brisbane musician who recently performed at a Gladstone busking competition said he was blown away by the town’s live music atmosphere, so he’s sticking around.

A former Brisbane musician who recently performed at a Gladstone busking competition said he was blown away by the town's live music atmosphere.

A former Brisbane musician who recently performed at a Gladstone busking competition said he was blown away by the town’s live music atmosphere.

Darrell Dower took part in the Australian National Busking Championships 2021 Gladstone and Central Queensland Regional Final on July 23.

Mr Dower described the town as warm and friendly and said he was coming back with the assistance and permission of the Gladstone Regional Council.

“They have agreed to let me use the library square facility on Main Street,” he said.

“I am a self funded busker, so not sponsored by anyone, travelling the regional areas of North Queensland.

“Covid has decimated the music industry for artists, even before that Brisbane was making it hard to get a permit in Queen Street Mall.

“I had to busk in the fringes like Anzac Square, which was a beautiful big quiet spot and King George Square, for a few months.”

Mr Dower said in big cities like Brisbane, the “folk city”, had turned cold and stingy toward live musicians and buskers, with everyone expecting things for free.

“They would pay $20 to $30 for lunch but walk past musicians or worse still, those same people would sit within earshot of my music for up to an hour, then get up and walk off,” he said.

“This is the culture or attitude of city people, yet they will pay hundreds of dollars for an international or big name act.

“I get that there is no obligation to give to buskers, I understand those who walked by but for people to sit there for an hour, listening to my set and just leave, I felt insulted.

“Not long after that, despite Covid or lockdowns, Brisbanites aren't as giving as I have experienced up in Gladstone.”

Mr Dower said Gladstone was different and people appreciated the live local music scene.

“I was able to make enough for the day in two hours and people respected what I was doing on Main Street,” he said.

“I wasn’t sitting back as a muso blaming the ‘industry’, I saved my Covid-19 supp payments, lived frugally in 2020 and now get to travel to beautiful regional cities like Gladstone,” he said.

“I didn’t have to worry about having enough to live on each day, so I could just focus on playing music, even on the day of the ANBC championships.”

Mr Dower will be busking in the Gladstone CBD throughout September, with live two-hour shows from 11.30am-1.30pm.

“Gladstone lifestyle reminded me of fond memories as a youngster growing up, so hopefully I can give a little back to the people of Gladstone, the show or music is free but donations will be warmly received,” he said.

“I look forward to entertaining the locals in Gladstone in whatever capacity.”