Dublin, October 2025 – Buskers, at Temple Bar Hotel Dublin by The Unlimited Collection, is proud to announce its live music competition, Battle of the Buskers, launching this October, hosted by Irish comedian and presenter Eric Lalor. 

 

On the 15th of October, the streets head to the stage for a high energy, seven-week live music competition where street performers and emerging artists go head-to-head for a chance to claim the spotlight. 

 

Held in the hotel’s Buskers Bar on the iconic Fleet Street, Dublin’s home of live music, each week is set to deliver standout performances, powerful stories, and unforgettable nights, turning ordinary evenings into must-see showcases.  

 

Eric Lalor said: “Battle of the Buskers is what live music is all about, raw talent, big dreams, and even bigger voices. It’s an absolute honour to host a stage where our future stars can shine. I can’t wait to see what talent the street of Dublin has to offer. Get up, show up, and blow us away!”  

Every Wednesday night seven acts perform two songs each, with a winner chosen by audience vote and judging panel, with one wildcard selected. By week seven, the grand finale, the top acts will battle it out to be crowned the Battle of the Buskers Champion 2025.  

 

The hotel launched an open call for buskers to enter the competition as a way to support local artists, resulting in over 37 entries.  

Declan Bowe, General Manager, at Temple Bar Hotel Dublin by The Unlimited Collection said: “Street performers in Dublin face significant challenges to make a living. Buskers in Dublin work within guidelines set by Dublin City Council, which include permits, noise levels, and time limits on performances. Combined with Ireland’s famously changeable weather, it can sometimes make building an audience a challenge. 

 

At the same time, we recognise that the city’s busking culture has given rise to incredible international talent, with artists such as Allie Sherlock, Dermot Kennedy, and Cian Ducrot starting their journeys on Dublin’s streets. That’s why we’re proud to launch Battle of the Buskers, a new platform to celebrate and shine a spotlight on Dublin’s street talent.” 

 

Jordan O’Keefe, singer and songwriter taking part in the competition said: “Music has been my way back to myself. After 12 years of battling addiction, I’m now over two years sober and finally rediscovering my voice, not just in music. I’ve had big opportunities in the past, from the BGT finals to signing with Warner Music, but addiction held me back. Battle of the Buskers is giving me another chance to have my music and passion seen and heard, and I’m ready.”  

 

The winner of the competition will receive €5,000, and one full day studio recording session sponsored by Total Entertainment. The finalists will also receive a two-year free subscription to Amuse, one of the world’s leading music distribution companies, allowing artists to upload their music to all the leading streaming services and keep 100% of the royalties.  

 
Matt Sheratt, Artist Marketing Manager said: “At Amuse, our mission is to support independent artists at every stage of their career, from busking in the streets to selling out global tours, so we’re delighted to be part of this initiative that brings new talent to the stage. Opportunities like this can have a huge impact on an artist’s career, so we want to make it as easy as possible for them to distribute their music globally via the world’s biggest streaming platforms and kickstart the next chapter of their careers.” 

Battle of the Buskers is proudly sponsored by Hop House 13 (Diageo), and Total Entertainment, and each week will feature influential judges including Irish radio presenter, DJ, and music producer Steven Cooper, and Total Entertainment director, Rob O’Neill. 

Buskers, in Temple Bar Dublin by The Unlimited Collection, offers guests an immersive stay that captures the unique spirit of Dublin with modern, vibrant atmosphere and a deep connection to local culture. Battle of the Buskers is a new initiative to celebrate and support local artists by giving them a platform and chance to showcase their skills to a wider audience.  

Visit https://buskersbar.com/ for more information