Paul Linberry, who can usually be heard filling King Street with music, has already done two live sets on his Facebook page since the beginning of lockdown but this time around he is hoping to raise money for Mind Jersey.
Paul has been playing instruments for the past 14 years and started busking 10 years ago – initially as an excuse to visit different friends at university in the UK.
Pictured: Paul has been busking for the past 10 years.
When he moved to Jersey about eight years ago, Paul used busking as a way to get into the local scene.
“It’s great fun to go out and sing a few songs,” he said. “Over the years, I’ve had many people come up to me in King Street and explain how it’s lovely to hear music as they pass.
“I’ve even had one guy propose to his girlfriend as I was playing “their song” and he told me he hadn’t found a perfect time for it yet.”
When islanders were advised to observe social distancing last month, Paul took out his instruments and set up at home for a Facebook live gig. He then repeated two weeks later, after the island had gone into lockdown.
Video: Paul’s first Facebook live.
For the two-hour sets, Paul played his normal pub gig set list. But for his third, he wanted to do something different and decided to use his live as a fundraiser.
“If I was asking people to donate it couldn’t be just a normal two-hour set, I needed to think of something to challenge me and what i could do,” he explained.
“So, I remembered in the beginning, the first bar to hire me for gigs was the Dog and Sausage on a Sunday afternoon and those could sometimes go on for four hours. So I figured a six-hour gig should be alright to do without damaging my vocals.”
Video: Paul chose to support Mind Jersey as he suffers from depression.
The gig will start at 12:00 on Facebook with every hour dedicated to a different musical genre. From folk and traditional songs, to 60s and 70’s hists, Paul’s original music, backing track song and a “full on acoustic” pub set, there should be something for all ears.
At the end of every hour, Paul will take a five-minute break, but the stream will continue with a sign in front of the camera.
As he suffers from depression, Paul decided to raise funds for a cause close to his heart, Mind Jersey.
He has so far raised £50 for the charity, but has a target of £250.
“I thought it would be a great cause,” Paul said. “Especially as being in lockdown can really be quite damaging to someone who hasn’t had mental health issues, let alone if someone is struggling with one.”