Reading the posts over the past while it seems that there is a fair variety of knowledge and skills from posters on this site, are there any skilled musicians, frustrated beginners, steady intermediate players or outright banging musicians who busk or do tours or have you supported any acts ?

Its always been a dream of mines to be on a stage, not as a front man as I dont think I can sing, other than when in the shower, but I think theres a shyness too although my Wife says I have a good voice.

I started off learning bass then moved onto acoustic and electric guitars. Mostly all self taught other than a couple of lessons from a local Tutor Scott Harrison.

I play a varied amount of stuff and even from groups that I dont like such as the Beatles simply because some cord progressions are great to learn. I play mostly open cords with a mix of the dreaded barre cords or the easier power cords.

Currently playing some James, the Cure, the Silencers and Starsailor with my aim to have enough behind me to attempt a “busk on the beach” at Portobello at some points.

My gear is a simple set up with a Westfield acoustic, Fender electric acoustic and a Gretsch Streamliner as my electric. I normally just throw out 30w of power using a Spider Line 6 V30 amp for indoors and a smaller and more portable Boss Katana 15w for my alfresco playing with a Tourtec capo and Snark tuner always clipped onto my guitars. I tend not to use pedals as my Spider has them built in with the added bonus of having multiple drum loops to choose from.

Any musicians or aspiring musicians or even skilled Luthiers on here ? Would be good to read some stories of gigging and rig set ups