The clash between two buskers over a prime performance venue has gone viral on social media.
A TikTok video by singer Widya Tjong showing the confrontation between her and violinist Vasiliy Shapkin over a performance in Sydney’s Pitt Street Mall has been viewed a staggering 2.4 million times despite being posted just one day ago.
In the video, Mr. Shapkin on Ms. Tjong packing up and giving him the best performance slot because he had it booked for 1 p.m. 2pm, according to ‘rules’ she was not aware of.
Busker Widya Tjong has shared a TikTok video of her row with another performer over a venue on a busy shopping strip in Sydney
‘I think you should start packing, I’ll start at 2pm,’ he can be heard saying in the video.
‘My things were there, I just stood in line until 14, do you want to start packing?’
“I’m literally just getting started,” she argues.
As the row continues, voices of onlookers can be heard objecting to Mr Shapkin bullying Ms Tjong, and at one point a well-wisher even gives her $10.
Mr. Shapkin said that because he left his belongings on a nearby seat and only left briefly, he had made his claim on the spot.
“Buskers, we negotiate with ourselves, we manage ourselves, as you can imagine you can’t just leave your stuff here, you can’t sit here for three hours,” he said.
Ms Tjong said there was no one there when she started.
Violinist Vasiliy Shapkin insists he had booked the performance at 14.00, according to a system that Mrs. Tjong was not aware of.
“Someone was already there,” Mr Shapkin continues.
‘The rules are that it is on a first-come, first-served basis.’
‘There is no such thing as written rules,’ Ms Tjong shoots back.
“Not all rules are written down,” Mr Shapkin replies.
‘This is so frustrating. New buskers come, they think there is no one there. We won’t start until 2.’
Asked why he waited for that starting time, Mr. Shapkin says it’s the time for the best shade from the sun.
Finally, Ms. Tjong concedes and Mr. Shapkin can be heard beginning his performance.
“I broke down, I was filled with anger at not knowing how to stand up for myself anymore, so I gave in and left him alone,” Ms Tjong wrote.
Another bystander takes her side, telling her she’s been bullied but is ‘absolutely amazing’.
In the TikTok caption Ms Tjong said she would not normally post something like this, but today was “a turning point”.
‘This came from a busker to a busker, as a musician it’s hard enough to get out there and see a fellow busker not only not supporting but trying to take you down, that’s the biggest disappointment and that’s the gaslighting and the threat ,’ she wrote.
She explained that she usually drove to the back of an H&M store, but when she arrived it was busy.
“I decided to move to another place, it turned out that the one near Zara was empty, no one was there, no speaker or bags to be seen and I didn’t see the busker who is in this video ,” she wrote.
‘It was about 1.30pm, I started my set and managed to sing about 6 songs and then about 13.55, that’s when the video started.’
Those who commented were very much on her side.
‘As a former busker who has performed at that venue, you’re right!’ wrote a person.
“He’s clearly trying to bully you into leaving, good for you and the people who entered,” said another.
“Girl throw us the times you bust,” said another.
‘We will come in and support you.’
Meanwhile, a number of people wanted to express their displeasure with Mr Shapkin.
The backlash was so severe that he removed his various social media accounts.
On Saturday morning, Ms Tjong posted to say she had been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support.
‘I just want to take a moment right now to thank each and every one of you for sending out love, kindness and support. I really, really don’t know what to say. You guys are so powerful and I really appreciate all the moves you made,” she wrote.
‘I keep doing what I love to do. I don’t give up, something like this can’t make me give up on a dream. I’ve had it for 25 years, so don’t worry, I’ll still be banging and performing, just maybe not today, not anytime soon.’