Street performer drums up a crowd after gig at arena

HE went down a storm with fans of Arctic Monkeys last month and now Newcastle’s drumming busker has earned himself a whole load of new fans after performing after Jess Gynne’s sell-out concert in the city on Saturday.

The talented musician – Joey Swindells – stopped traffic on the way out the Metro Radio Arena after the Arctics’ gig and, as a capacity crowd spilled out of the arena after Jess’s show there on Saturday, he once again attracted a large crowd.

Loads of people stopped to watch him and dance along as he performed right next to the multistorey car park opposite the back of Jurys Inn.

And one woman even treated the street performer to some of her drink!

Former student Joey was blown away by the reaction to his busking after Arctic Monkeys but told The Chronicle that it’s pretty much the norm for him as he’s part of a music collective called The Rookery along with pal Robert Nugent.

Joey said: “It’s all about getting people doing more music, and doing it in front of other people,” said Joey.

He added of his and Robert’s business venture: “We just knew we wanted to pursue music and had to follow our gut.

“It is a huge leap of faith as we are now trying fully to support ourselves from the events that we regularly put on around the North.

“We are genuinely so passionate about getting people playing music and the article and video has helped us reach more people.

“That’s something we really want to continue doing.”