Calum Bowie, a 23-year-old singer from Banchory, Aberdeenshire, has experienced a meteoric rise from busking out of his Edinburgh living room window to performing at Glastonbury.
In just a few years, Bowie has gone from viral TikTok videos to winning the Scottish Breakthrough Artist of the Year award and selling out shows across Europe.
From Window Busking to Viral Sensation
Calum Bowie’s journey began with impromptu busking sessions out of his Edinburgh flat window, capturing the attention of passers-by and eventually going viral on TikTok. His window performances, featuring popular cover songs, led to him being dubbed the ‘window guy’, gaining 470,000 followers and amassing 11.7 million likes on the platform.
The regular window busking sessions also attracted attention from his neighbours, who often requested songs and even threw money into his flat. This unconventional start was a stark contrast to his later performances at major festivals such as Glastonbury, which Bowie described as a ‘pinch me’ moment.
Meteoric Rise to Fame
Bowie’s newfound fame on social media was a double-edged sword. While it helped him gain a substantial following, he often encountered people on the street who only recognised him from his online presence. ‘It’s funny when people bump into me and say they love my music. Other times, they will be with a friend who doesn’t know who I am but then say, “Oh, the guy who hangs out of his window,”‘ he explained.
Despite his initial recognition as a social media sensation, Bowie has successfully transitioned to being a recording artist who sells out shows across Europe. His success culminated in winning the prestigious Scottish Breakthrough Artist of the Year award in 2024.
Glastonbury and Beyond
Bowie’s performance at Glastonbury was a significant milestone in his career. He described the experience as surreal, stating, ‘To go from playing out my window to busking on the street and doing smaller gigs to playing these huge festivals is pretty mindboggling.’
At the age of 23, Bowie has already achieved what many musicians can only dream of. His set at Glastonbury in 2024, along with his performances at Worthy Farm and Belladrum, showcase his rapid ascent in the music industry.
The singer’s journey did not stop at Glastonbury. He continued to build on his success with a series of singles that have reached over a million streams on Spotify, hinting at the possibility of an upcoming album.
Recognition and Awards
Winning the Scottish Breakthrough Artist of the Year award was a remarkable achievement for Bowie. He is set to receive the accolade at a ceremony at the Barrowlands in November, a venue known for hosting some of the biggest names in music.
Previous winners of the award include acclaimed artists such as Lewis Capaldi and The Snuts, placing Bowie in esteemed company. ‘That is some serious boots to fill,’ he remarked. ‘It is nice to even be in the same sentence as those guys. It’s a total vote of confidence and if they have won it, maybe my career is going to go in the right direction.’
Future Endeavours
With a series of successful singles under his belt, Bowie is looking to the future. Although he has not revealed many details, he mentioned that an album is likely to follow, keeping his fans eagerly anticipating his next project.
Bowie’s upcoming ‘through the window tour’ is set to take him across Europe, with stops in cities like Paris and Berlin. The UK leg of the tour will feature headline shows at Glasgow’s SWG3 and The Garage in London.
Unwavering Dedication
Despite his success, Bowie has not abandoned his window busking roots. ‘I still have not really stopped doing the window stuff but I’m travelling more and producing my own music,’ he said.
Bowie’s dedication to his craft and his humble beginnings continue to endear him to fans, old and new alike. ‘I have no plans on stopping the window performances anytime soon,’ he added.
Calum Bowie’s rise from busking out of his living room window to performing on some of the world’s most famous stages is nothing short of inspiring.
His journey serves as a testament to the power of social media and sheer determination, promising even greater achievements in the future.
