By Katie Thistleton
Presenters at a Manchester radio station have come up with a way to showcase new musical talent on air – by holding a singing competition just for buskers.
Parisa Esalat and Charlie Walduck who present on Manchester’s 106.6 FM are hosting the first ever Buskers Got Talent, and will search the streets of Greater Manchester to find hidden gems practicing the art of busking.
The winner will receive a demo, air time on Manchester’s 106.6 and contact with a record label. They will also perform at the grand final, for which a venue is still to be decided.
Parisa, who will broadcast the competition on her weekly radio show, said: “Charlie came up with the idea a while ago and decided to finally pursue it.
“Buskers are usually overlooked and there is a lot of talent out there. We thought it would be entertaining and fun to make a programme about it.”
Parisa also told of how they are looking for as many Manchester people to get involved as possible, not just buskers, but those who think they have the musical expertise to be judges on the panel, or assist with recording.
“At the moment we are just trying to get as many people involved and aware of it, and then we’re hitting the streets with the recorder to find as many buskers as possible.
“We’re looking for the good the bad and the outrageous!” she said.
The competition will be aired on the Parisa show every Friday between 4 and 6pm on Manchester’s 106.6 and will begin soon.
To get involved, contact Parisa on 07716825954 or visit www.northmanchesterfm.org where you can also listen online.
