One of my favourite things about busking is all the random things you get instead of money.I went to the park after busking at circular quay to find a free concert put on by Channel V. They were giving away free tickets to Good Vibes to the most enthusiastic dancers. Not having any particular desire to go the music festival, I decided I’d rather lie in the sun.
I went back to busking. Some channel V people approached me.
“Hey are you going to Good Vibes this weekend?”
“No”
“Awww why not?”
“It’s not really my scene” I told them.
I noticed they had a stack of free tickets in their hands. I wanted one, but then again telling them I didn’t really want to go probably wasn’t the best way to get one, so I changed my story.
“I can’t afford it” I said hoping they wouldn’t notice the bag full of cash in front of me.
They handed me a pamphlet for the festival.
“Well we’re giving away free tickets”
“Oh really? What do I have to do?”
“Nothing! Just tell us what band you’re most excited to see!”
That was going to be tough. When it comes to the music world I am completely clueless. I haven’t updated my ipod in about five years, and I’ve never been to one of these festivals in my life. Could I possibly string together some random numbers and letters in the hope that I said some rapper's name?
The Channel V people were looking at me expectantly, they really wanted to give me the tickets.
“Come on, who are you excited to see?”
I looked down at the pamphlet they’d given me. The Channel V girl grabbed it.
“No cheating” she said
“Ummmmm, ahhhhhh”
Could I perhaps string together some random numbers and letters in the hope of saying some rap artist?
“You really have no idea do you?” she said sadly
I looked up and noticed a huge billboard advertising Good Vibes behind them, complete with a list of the artists. I scanned them trying to find one I recognized; nothing on line one, line two, line three- aha! The Ting Tings, they did that lovely song about peoples names.
I feigned excitement.
“Oh wait The Ting Tings are playing right? I looooove The Ting Tings!” (meaning I know one song they do)
“Yeah!” said the guy as he handed over the ticket “And guess what?! They’re playing RIGHT NOW! For free. Just over there! ”
“Oh cool!!!”
“So come on, lets go” he said
“Nah.”
They walked away surprised that I didn’t care enough about my ‘favourite band’ to walk 50 metres to see them.
I didn't end up going to Good Vibes, the lethal combo of rain and laziness proving all too much for me. I chose to spend the day eating a kebab and watching Grey's Anatomy while the free ticket sat in my trombone case.
