“Piano Bike Girl” Chloe back in the saddle for more busking adventures after van theft

The ancient art of busking – performing in a public place for voluntary donations – dates back to the Romans, although the word “busking” only began pulling in a crowd in the English language in the mid-1800s.

Many of your favourite singers/musicians are likely to have started their careers as fresh-faced talent on bustling city street corners or down poorly lit subways, desperate to earn a living and maybe, just maybe, attract the attention of a passing music mogul with the ability to unlock a door and make a dream come true.

Ed Alleyne-Johnson (New Model Army’s short-term violinist/keyboard player) Tracy Chapman (“Fast Car”), Australian band 5 Seconds of Summer, Michael Rosenberg (aka Passenger) and Ed Sheeran, to name but a few, have all trodden – or tapped their feet on – the well-worn path to fame and fortune.

Kristyna Myles, a MOBO-nominated British singer-songwriter, even won BBC Radio 5 Live’s Busk Idol in 2005, which led to a recording career and touring support slots for the likes of Chris de Burgh and Mick Hucknall.

Now, there’s a new ‘kid’ on the block – quite a few blocks, actually – tearing up the rule book and squashing any pre-conceived notions of street performers who ply their trade on foot with just a microphone, a battered guitar or an out-of-tune keyboard for company, bringing joy to shoppers at tried and tested pitches in return for a few coins or some admiring glances.

Her name is Chloe Marie Aston, and she’s the newly crowned holder of the record for the most towns and cities busked in by a musician – 190 to be precise (and counting…), as of 5 February.

This figure includes great swathes of south-west England, but she’s also ventured as far afield as Leicester, Ipswich, the Isle of Wight and St Davids (the UK’s smallest city by population) in Pembrokeshire, Wales.

On her website (chloemarieaston.uk), she documents each busking journey by adding place names to a map, one day hoping to visit every town and city in the UK – of which there are well over 1,000.

And here’s the interesting bit: by day and night, and in all weather, Chloe is the “Piano Bike Girl”. Busking with a beautiful, pale blue, electric piano. Attached to a bike. Homemade, mobile, and warmly appreciated wherever she pedals.

Not even the loss of her touring van to heartless thieves in Tamworth, Staffordshire, in October 2025, which temporarily put the brakes on her busking activity, can stop this determined and ambitious young woman.

The talented and elegantly dressed musician, 21, from Ilfracombe (b. Barnstaple) in Devon, who has “loved singing and performing from a very young age”, started busking at the age of 14 – initially with a guitar, which hurt her fingers, so she tried the piano at the suggestion of her dad, Lee, who lovingly built her a piano bike to set the wheels in motion.

Chloe belonged to various musical theatre groups until the age of 18. She studied music performance at Petroc (now North Devon College) and left with a distinction, only to turn down an offer at BIMM (British and Irish Modern Music) Bristol as she had gigs to fulfil with the piano bike, and she “decided to make the most of that instead”.

It’s a decision she hasn’t lived to regret. “I now travel around the country busking in as many towns as I can, as well as performing at county shows and weddings,” says Chloe. “I also enjoy writing my own songs.”

In addition to being a singer and pianist, Chloe produces her own music and films the accompanying videos in Ilfracombe.

Her favourite track is “In My Mind” (2024), described as “very personal and emotional” and her “best work”. “I’m also proud of “Maniac” [2024], which is a dance track and definitely took me out of my comfort zone.”

Chloe’s most recent singles, “Traveller” and “Coffee in Bed”, were both made available for streaming in 2025.

As well as clocking up the miles on her eye-catching piano bike, Chloe has revealed that she’s working on an album that could be released towards the end of this year.

The singer, who names The Last Dinner Party, Kate Bush and Sigrid as inspirations, has set her sights (or should that be cyclometer?) on performing stadium tours and recording and releasing music professionally.

Saddling up with Chloe as we put her in the frame for a Guinness World Records title, this was her ‘chain’ of thought…

Describe yourself in three words.

I had to ask my followers for help with this one. Inspiring. Unique. Cheerful.

What is your favourite song to perform as the “Piano Bike Girl”?

I have a lot of favourites. It's amazing when people recognize the songs. At the moment, with “Pink Pony Club” being very popular, that is a favourite of mine as people join in. I also love “Piano Man” and a childhood favourite, “Part of Your World” [from Disney’s The Little Mermaid], which gets children's attention.

Do you play your own songs as well as covers?

Yes, I play a couple, normally the newest ones to promote them. Covers are always more popular, but with my song “Traveller” I’ve had some good comments and people asking whose song it is.

What reaction do you get from passers-by?

Lots of double takes and disbelief. I get positive comments about my voice.

What is your most memorable busking experience?

One of my favourite performances of 2025 was at the St Ives September Festival. Multiple street performances took place and performers would switch locations. I did three performances through the day and drew in the biggest crowds I've ever had. I had videos and photos taken and felt like a star. I was looked after very well too. I busked in Bicester [in 2024] and had such a warm welcome. I ended up being wheeled into an Irish pub, The White Hart, where I was greatly appreciated. They took my box around the pub and I did quite well for myself.

Read more stories about record-breaking musicians in our Arts and Entertainment section.

And your favourite location?

This is the trickiest question I get as every place has a story. Some personal favourites from last year [2025] are: St Ives, Faversham, Padstow, Winchester, Thornbury, Wells, Bridgwater and Cambridge.

Any horror stories along the way?

In Royal Leamington Spa [in 2024] I had some coins taken from my box and was sworn at in the street. In Tamworth [in 2025], we sadly had our van stolen in a central car park. Luckily the piano wasn't inside, but it meant we were stuck in Tamworth with no way home. The event had a lot of media coverage. I was on various BBC radio stations and news channels. It even got the attention of Jeremy Vine, who I had met [at] Appledore [Book Festival].

What are your biggest challenges on the road?

The weather is definitely the biggest challenge. I’ve had to cancel visits to towns due to weather warnings, and then sometimes I get caught in the rain unexpectedly. We decided to buy a massive fishing umbrella for these moments as the piano doesn't like the rain.

Who supports you with transport, encouragement, social media videos, etc., when you’re out and about?

We travel in our van and stay on campsites. When I'm away, I'll place tours and move sites to suit the locations, then spider off from the campsite.
I travel with my dad and brother. Dad drives and is there to look out for me. I run my own social media and dad takes my photos/videos. My brother will tell me what's trending on TikTok.

Your dad has been instrumental in your busking journey so far. Is he your biggest fan?

Yes, he’s my biggest fan. He gets very emotional watching me, especially when I pull in a crowd. Sometimes he even does interviews.

Do you make enough money from donations to feed/entertain yourself in each place you visit?

People are very generous and I can make a living doing this, which is amazing.

Is there any charity element to your adventures?

I perform at various charity events throughout the year. In 2025, I performed at Test Fest, raising awareness for testicular cancer, Appledore Book Festival, who help children with reading and getting books into schools, and a tea garden party for Moments, who raise money for various suicide charities.

You’ve said that you hope to visit every town/city in the UK. How long do you think it’s going to take to busk in every location?

So far, I’ve busked in 190 towns and cities, many of them multiple times. It will probably take a very long time! [But] it’s a dream to make it in the music industry and I'm enjoying this path.

Is busking something you plan to do indefinitely, or do you have even bigger ambitions?

I would love to do proper tours, stadium tours perhaps. Recording and releasing music professionally, and taking it all to the next level. I wouldn't want to not busk, as it’s such a big part of who I am.

You’re always looking so smart and elegant when you busk. How much importance do you place on your image as well as your music?

When I started performing with the piano bike, I wore casual clothing. I was then invited to a steampunk event in 2021, so got my first steampunk outfit. I had lots of compliments and felt more confident, as if I were in character. Now it's very important to me. I think it's important for younger people to see so they know there’s nothing wrong with standing out and being yourself.

How would you like to be remembered by the people who have heard you busk?

I hope they enjoy my music and listen to my online tracks. I'd like to be seen as professional. I know I make people emotional with the songs I pick and I think that’s very special.