While there’s a trend of some buskers being overly reliant on a straightforward acoustic-rock sound, Australian-born artist Harry Marshall completely breaks that trend. His brand of indie-rock is big, powerful, and beautifully unapologetic

What you need to know about Harry Marshall
Born in Australia, rising busker Harry Marshall is now based in London and considers the city to be a key part of his musical identity.

He began to receive public attention in 2023, thanks to his unique indie-rock sound, which was full of big catchy hooks and soaring lyrics. As an artist, Harry Marshall has been writing his own music and performing in all manner of venues (from pub backrooms to major stages) since the age of 13. But one of the most successful chapters of his career came when he found himself as a regular on the Central London busking circuit. Over the course of five eventful years - roughly from 2018 to 2023 - he performed throughout the city nearly every week, building his fanbase one passerby at a time.

This helped sharpen Harry’s abilities and turn him into the fully-fledged artist that he is today. In the last few years, he has shown that he’s as adept in the studio as he is in front of a busking audience. Harry Marshall has released plenty of singles, as well as an EP titled Falling Into That Life, and his 2021 album Not Yet,.

As his artistry continues to grow, Harry has moulded from being an excellent solo street performer to being a commanding artist with a full backing band. He has performed major gigs in recent months, including performing a sold-out show at the OMEARA in London. He has also performed with a full orchestra - and he regularly goes back to his Piccadilly Circus stomping ground for impromptu full-band gigs.

Harry Marshall calls himself “music’s next indie-pop protagonist”, and there is a real sense from his music that he’s the main character in a musical biopic about his own life. His songs are passionate, fiery, and emotive. He cites The 1975, The Kooks, David Bowie, Post Malone, Troye Sivan, and The Sex Pistols as being some of his biggest inspirations. And, as crazy as it sounds, his songs do sound like a nice meeting point between all of these artists.

Probably the main reason why it’s worth listening to Harry Marshall is that he sounds very unlike most other artists who have emerged from that pipeline of busker-turned-major-star. His music is complex, layered, well-produced, and stadium-sized. With the inclusion of electronica and synth elements in his songs, he sets himself apart from some of the cloying gentle-acoustic folk-rock that many other (lesser) buskers opt for.

It’s a welcome change - and it makes Harry Marshall’s music sound fresh and original.

Where you can hear Harry Marshall perform

Harry Marshall is touring the UK throughout early 2024, as his growing stature means that he’s able to sell out shows in big venues from London to Edinburgh. But for those who want to hear him busking, he still performs occasionally in Piccadilly Circus. You can find out when he’ll be down there by checking his social media channels.