Freeze Ya Bits Off Busking

On King’s Birthday weekend every year, buskers take to the streets of Gore for literally the coolest busking competition in New Zealand.

Freeze Ya Bits Off Busking is one of the key events in the Bayleys Tussock Country Music Festival and is set to grow even more.

The event is held over three days, Friday to Sunday, with auditions and a grand finale at the St James Theatre on Sunday afternoon. You can even get some radio experience and exposure on Friday afternoon with the crew at CaveFM.

There is a total prize pool of $6,000 and two prizes of $1,300, so it's well worth freezing your bits off and entering this event!

REGISTRATION

To be eligible to compete in this competition and win prizes, you must be registered. Online registrations are now open - click here to go to our registration page.

You can register on the day at our Freeze Ya Bits Off Busking stall on Main Street, however please be aware there are a limited number of spaces, so we encourage you to register early.

Categories and entry fee:

• Open Group - $30
• Open Individual - $15
• Under 14 Group - $10
• Under 14 Individual - $5
• Schools - free

Prizes:

• Winner - Individual Artist $1,300
• Runner Up - Individual Artist $500
• Winner - Group $1,300
• Runner Up - Group $500
• Winner - Under 14 $300
• Runner Up - Under 14 $150
• Peter Reid Encouragement Award $100
• People’s Choice Award $350
• Winner - High School Competition $500
• Runner Up - High School Competition $250
• Winner - Primary & Intermediate School Competition $500
• Runner Up - Primary & Intermediate School Competition $250

Please note:

Buskers must bring all equipment required for their performance. If amplification is needed, please bring a battery-powered amp. A group means two or more performers.

Schools auditions

Friday is dedicated to our schools section:

High schools: 11:00am - 12 noon

Primary and Intermediate: 12 noon - 1:00pm

All other categories auditions

Talented buskers from all over NZ perform on the main streets of Gore on Saturday. There are two busking audition timeslots: 10:00am - 12 noon and 12 noon - 2:00pm

Busking finals

After freezing their bits off busking, the finalists thaw their bits out competing on Sunday afternoon in front of the panel of judges and a crowd of enthusiastic supporters inside our warm and cosy venue.

It is FREE for spectators to watch, so head over to the St James Theatre for 4:00pm to enjoy the show (finish time approximately 6:00pm)

Register online, or if you are a school, please contact us directly at [email protected]