Town busker travelled around the country in converted van during pandemic
A GRIMSBY-born musician spent much of the pandemic travelling across the UK in a converted van. Josh Robins, 27, travelled to towns and cities all across the UK after coronavirus restrictions brought the entertainment industry to an instant stop.
It meant he and his band were unable to perform at pubs, clubs and festivals like they have been used to.
He decided to turn to busking and recently returned to Grimsby to perform in Victoria Street in Freshney Place.
The musician, who now lives in Cambridge, said: “I’ve been a fulltime musician my whole life, normally I play with my band at various gigs and pubs around the country, but all that stopped when the pandemic started.
“It meant we had to put a halt on everything, including our next album release. Knowing we weren’t going to be playing for a while, I decided to go back to busking, which is something I’ve been doing for 10 years. “During the first lockdown it wasn’t as difficult, there was a bit more freedom. I just played on the streets of any town I went to. “I found I’d done quite well over the Christmas period and that I could keep myself going through January and February while a strict lockdown was enforced.” Following the easing of lockdown, Josh returned to busking, deciding to do a tour of the country whilst living in the back of his Peugeot Expert van.
He said: “I had a small set-up in my van for when I was staying over at gigs I’d been to. I thought, why not use it and go on a tour busking around the country?
“I wanted to see all the different towns as well as new people. I made sure to travel around though, if you stay in one place as a busker, people can get bored of you.
“I love visiting new places though and finding out their history.
“The thing that makes it all worth it is people’s compliments. When someone thanks you for playing the first song at their wedding, it’s great.”
Having seen a number of towns and cities, Josh came back to Grimsby after a recommendation from a fellow busker.
He said: “I was speaking to a vio
linist in Lincoln who’d been busking all around Europe and he told me that Grimsby was the place to go.
“He said it was the best kept secret in the busking world. The shops love it, the people love it, he said it’s one of the best days he’s had as a performer.
“I wasn’t sure at first, but the people have been so generous with me here. In Cambridge, where I live, people walk by you, but in Grimsby people love it.” However, with hotels currently only open to key workers, Josh has been living in his van when he’s on the road.
“I love the adventure of it. I cook meals on a little hob in the front, but the thing I miss most is a permanent toilet.
“It helps me to be creative as well being in the van. I’ve got no Netflix or any other distractions so I can just sit and focus on my music.”
Looking towards the future Josh and his band, The Mardlers, are hoping to get back on stage. “Last year we had between 15 and 20 festivals cancelled in a day. “Thankfully, we’ve already got festivals and gigs booked in for this year and we’re hoping to bring out our new album in November.” “I think 2022 will be our year so, until then, I’ll keep busking and just see what happens.”