TATS Buskers

Who are the Tatsters?

TATS stands for Traditional Acoustic Tunes Session. The group has existed for over six years in various formats including Zoom meetings during the pandemic.

Our music repertoire consists of an eclectic mix of international folk and popular tunes.

Currently monthly practice sessions for the 38 members are held in the Waterloo Park Pavilion.

TATS play a wide range of musical instruments including whistles, melodeons, concertinas, fiddles and cello. Playing for fun and the enjoyment of companionship, most members are aged over 55 years old, some are retired or unemployed, and many live on their own.

Last year the group were grateful recipients of a small culture award from Norwich City Council, which covered the cost of room hire for practice sessions.

Where can you see TATS perform?

On the first Saturday of each month, some group members meet to busk for charity (beside the Blackfriars Bridge, 12.00 start). This has proven to be very popular with passers-by, and they have managed to raise about £300 for the Matthew project so far!

TATS also perform for the annual Waterloo Park Heritage Open Day on the roof terrace of the Pavilion (scheduled for September 20th this year).

Other performances include park bandstands, street parties, residential and nursing settings, and Christmas celebrations.

In January 2025, TATS started monthly (Sunday night) folk music play sessions hosted by the Gibraltar Gardens Public House on Heigham Street. Called the “Shallow End” sessions, they are designed to help players who are not yet confident enough to jump into the “deep end” and cope with the speed and complexity of other pub sessions. These are well attended and good-humoured. We are currently planning an evening of Festive tunes in December hoping that Pub customers will join in with us.

TATS say; 'We are pleased to support The Matthew Project and hope to increase our financial contribution to the valuable services provided by the charity through our future busking activities.'

Contact [email protected] for more information.