Saturday 16 July saw hot temperatures and even hotter acts come to Wembley Park for the seventh International Busking Day – the biggest yet.

This year’s music line up included Mercury Prize Nominated Seth Lakeman, who absolutely rocked the main stage, electric swing quartet Stringfever who took a break out from travelling around the globe to showcase their astounding and varied musicianship, Ed Sheeran collaborator Kal Lavelle showing jus why she’s going place, and record breaking country duo The Shires, ending the day on the most wonderful high.

Wembley has a rich heritage of hosting performances across many artforms, and busking is an incredible platform to launch the legendary acts of the future. Alongside the headliners was Irish singer and electric harpist Aoife O’Dea who started busking “because I was fed up of playing songs in my bedroom during the pandemic.” Aoife opened the Sound Shell, a conical space that amplifies the into the audience, and York-born indie/pop artist Beth McCarthy whose unapologetic openness and vulnerable songwriting made us realise just why she went viral on TikTok. The fabulous Sebastian Schub, who can often be found busking on the streets of London and Dubin, delighted audiences sat in the afternoon sunshine with his contemporary folk.

But International Busking Day is about all street performance, so alongside these music acts were globally renowned Swedish street magician Charlie Caper, escapologist in a wheelchair act Tianna & Lea. Little Stars Circus School brought their school plus professional performers to provide a whole day of aerial performance, and the Block Party showed revellers how to get the party started in their hip street dance and street art party at the Undercroft under Wembley Stadium steps..

Created by Busk in London in 2015 as a hashtag campaign to help raise the profile of street performance and celebrate talent, it has grown and developed into a musical highlight in London’s most iconic destination for music and live entertainment.

With 9 outdoor stages and performance locations in close proximity to Wembley Stadium and the OVO Arena Wembley, International Busking Day also featured street performers across a variety of disciplines, including music, dance and circus arts. The capital is renowned for its vibrant and diverse busking scene, and this free festival enables communities and musicians to celebrate one of the many things that makes it such an exciting place to be.

Kate Jones, Producer says

“When International Busking Day started as a hashtag campaign in 2015, we never believed it could grow to be something so big. What’s exciting is that through an eclectic line up we keep pushing boundaries and redefining what people think of as street performance. The festival is a celebration of a global art form. Whether it is undiscovered talent performing on the street, or artists who travel the world entertaining audiences of all ages, busking has the ability to surprise, delight and entertain all who see it. It’s been a wonderful day, and once again, I’m very proud of International Busking Day.”

Seth Lakeman, International Busking Day 2022 headliner says:

“I’ve always loved playing anywhere. I used to busk with my family every year in France to earn some summer money. I still busk, especially abroad and in unusual places. In fact I gave it a go on my way here this morning. And of course I always stop and throw some coins to a busker.”