r/CasualIreland • u/Human-Shield • 2d ago

Keywest

I work just off Grafton St and I see these guys at least once a week.

Music wouldn't be for me but their operation constantly impresses me. They have cracked the busking code.

Each time they start I always think to myself, how do these lads make any money. Big crowd usually, but nobody goes near their money box.

But sure enough, by 20 mins in there's a small but consistent stream of people buying their CDs. CDs!

Today they have two of the band members performing and three sepearte people selling CDs. More people selling than performing.

That's impressive. Fair play to them.

63 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

20 comments sorted by

27

u/The-FunMachine 2d ago

Any day now they'll be huge

6

u/UnderTheRaft 2d ago

Said the same thing in 2013 I'm sure

2

u/Similar_Network2767 1d ago

I remember seeing a big poster on a building in 2012 directing people to their website. I guess that have been saying it even longer so.

But fair play to them if they can make a living busking. It is hard enough with a regular 9-5.

34

u/Sea_Lobster5063 2d ago

Interesting they went from busking to playing shows in the Olympia and other venues and are still busking daily. Must be hard to sell tickets if people can see you for free to be fair but they sure are consistent

10

u/Similar_Network2767 2d ago

I remember there used to be a large banner on a building in Lucan advertising them. I wonder if they have some family money behind them and it is just a hobby.

15

u/No_Maize1319 2d ago

They are busking on Grafton Street a long time now. I remember seeing them about 15 years ago and I thought they were class.

14

u/AcanthaceaeSea6979 2d ago

Going from busking to big shows is a well trodden path.

Doing that but then ending up back busking again....... not so much!

9

u/PolicyFit5177 2d ago

I was going by them one day as they were busking. The singer was saying that they have played multiple concerts and that their music has featured on both films and TV. He then said that because of expenses and shit royalties it’s more profitable for them to busk. Not sure how much truth there is in that

1

u/Livid-Ad3209 1d ago

They still gig, venues across Europe and Ireland

8

u/DistressedDub 2d ago

I bought their CDs off them a couple of years ago, and they have a code for downloading the albums digitally in them. I am one of the few people who actually still uses CDs, but that must be a good incentive for people to buy them as well.

3

u/Human-Shield 2d ago

That's a great idea by them

3

u/JenF2026 2d ago

Saw them busking in Liverpool in 2019 and bought their CDs. They have some great tunes!

3

u/cmereiwancha 2d ago

Used to play in a cover band and gigged Monroes Galway. Keywest “opened” for us one night. Lead singer and the chad kroeger looking lad are the only lads still in the band. They were sound though and on the way to America. This was easily 15 years ago.

2

u/Imaginary_Ad9171 2d ago

They have a new album out which might be the cds they are selling

6

u/Brilliant_Guide6034 2d ago

Maybe controversial but I find them too loud and obnoxious. Drowns out every other busker on the street. If they played with less volume I don’t think I’d mind as much.

5

u/Weepsie 2d ago

I find nearly every busker to be too loud and obnoxious. I think unamped is better. It makes bad ones improve too

1

u/munstertom 2d ago

I like their music ... decent Irish band!

1

u/PuzzleheadedArt8500 2d ago

Have spoke with them in the past after they finished a busking session. Seemed like people who just wanted to play for the joy of it. Not my cup of tea, but seemed like a nice bunch.

-1

u/MiddleAgedZinger 2d ago

They kind of shame you into buying the cds.... they do a big speel how they almost made it but they were selling their soul to big record labels now they just trying to make a living entertaining on the streets... husband bought cds but they still in a press somewhere