If you’re into music, really into it, you might have thought about playing in front of people. But it’s not like a big stage. Or anything like that (although that’s totally cool too). I mean, the little things, like weddings or events where people hang out and laugh and drink wine they probably can’t pronounce. You don’t have to be Ed Sheeran to do that, trust me! I know someone here in town who plays the violin, both solo and in a quartet. And she’s incredible, even though she didn’t think she was “good enough” to play in public. Isn’t that wild?

She also does gigs for local businesses – cafes, little boutiques that have pop-up events, that sort of thing. I swear, her music adds this completely different vibe, like a scene from a Netflix romance where everyone is oddly content.

Speaking of violins, did you hear about the viral story of a classical violinist Joshua Bell in London who gave a surprise performance on the Underground last month? Commuters were stunned, some even cried (although the crying Londoners might have been due to delayed trains, who knows?). Despite being a world-renowned musician, only a handful of commuters stopped to listen. This social experiment is a powerful reminder of the unnoticed beauty around us.

Here’s the link to the story if you fancy a read hopefully could inspire you to give it a try: Violinist Wows Commuters.

Anyway, getting gigs isn’t rocket science, although it can feel a bit like hustling in a Shakespeare play – equal parts dramatic and rewarding. Sometimes you just have to know the right people. She started out playing for free at her aunt’s wedding (free cake, though), and now she gets paid to play! It’s not megabucks or anything. But hey, it beats sitting at home watching Netflix for the fifth time.

You could start by contacting local event planners. Or even posting a short video on TikTok (everyone’s on TikTok these days, probably even your grandma). Or just walk into a shop and say, “Hey, do you want some live music?” Worst case, they say no. Best case, you’re booked.

Honestly, there’s something magical about live music at events. It’s like adding a secret ingredient to a recipe. It lifts the mood and makes everything feel just right. And who knows? You might even get to travel if people start recommending you to fancy destination weddings.

So if you’ve got a dusty violin or guitar lying around, maybe it’s time to pick it up again. The world is a bit messy right now. Music might be the little bit of beauty that someone needs to hear.