A 15-YEAR-OLD schoolboy has described how he found music to be a coping mechanism during the first lockdown of the global pandemic.

Gabriel Roberts, originally from Chester, but who moved to Neston when he was seven, developed an interest in music when he was in Year 7.

He started playing piano and doing covers to songs, and his passion for music grew bigger.

When Covid-19 hit, Gabriel explained that he put a lot of focus into his music, as he found it a coping mechanism when he was stuck indoors.

He said: “I did my piano exam and got a grade 5. Then, in the second lockdown in 2022 I started playing guitar.”

Gabriel learnt around 15 acoustic guitar covers and when lockdown ended, he took to the streets and began busking.

He told the Globe: “Then it just spiralled really. I was invited to play at Liverpool pubs and through school I was lucky enough to play at the Floral Pavilion to a nearly sold-out show.

“Playing at the Floral Pavilion was a massive one for me, just because it was such a big audience.”

Gabriel also had the chance to play at the famous Cavern Club and also at Future Yard in Birkenhead, opening a ‘Battle of the Bands’ show.

Wirral Globe:

More recently, Gabriel has been uploading his own original songs to Spotify and Apple music which are available for anyone to stream.

Talking about his passion for busking, Gabriel explained that he always finds time to go back to the square outside Neston Sainsbury’s.

He said: “Neston is my home more than anywhere.

“Every minute that I get unless I’m at school or away, I’m there busking.”

Gabriel hopes to attend either The Brit School or LIPA University in Liverpool.

He added: “I want to go as far as I can with my music/performing career, and my ultimate dream is to be signed by a major record label.”

To listen to Gabriel’s music, click here.