To hear some of the most joyful live music in Wollongong, head to the Dapto Aldi carpark

A bluesy guitar echoes across the Dapto Aldi carpark in a way that forces you to look up at the sky, out at the mountains, and feel thankful to be alive.

Regular shoppers will recognise Dingo-Djingo in his black felt hat, sunnies and boots. With an electric guitar in his lap and a tip jar in front of him, Dingo plays like he’s on stage in a Melbourne bar.

What they might not know is Dingo trained as a classical guitarist in Germany in the 60s, before a repetitive strain injury stole his ability to play.

Medical advances in the 90s meant he could pick up the axe again, and he taught and played in various jazz and blues bands in Melbourne.

His stage name was inspired by “guitar god”, Belgian jazz guitarist and composer Django Reinhardt.

He began busking about four years ago, when he was living out of his van.

“I met a German backpacker in Port Maquarie and I used to teach him a bit,” Dingo said.

“I was wondering how he was surviving after he gave up his job fruit picking and he said he busked at Aldi, and it was a good place because people need the coins to put into the trolleys, so they have cash on them.

“I travelled on but about a year later I was spending my days playing anyway, so I thought I’d give busking a go.”

Although he was homeless for four years, Dingo said it wasn’t a sad time in his life.

On his way down the coast, the COVID-19 pandemic struck and stranded him in Wollongong, where he found housing.

Fortunately, for Dingo and his listeners, he’s no longer keen on the nomadic lifestyle.

“It’s one of the most beautiful places on earth to live so I decided to stay,” he said.

“I really appreciate the landscape around here; people around Australia still think of Wollongong in the sense of being an industrial town, they have no idea.

“It’s a beautiful area and I hope I’ll stay here for good.”

Although he’s played on and off for more than 50 years, Dingo believes he’s playing some of the best music of his life, which he credits to the joy of recovering his ability to play after health issues.

His influences span from classical to jazz, flamenco to rock and country, but most of what he plays is improvised.

He said his audience at Dapto Aldi were among the most welcoming and receptive he’d ever played to.

“There’s no place in Wollongong that’s as good to busk for me as busking here,” he said.

“I’ve built up a clientele basically. I don’t think there’s a busker anywhere around Australia who would have a more generous public audience than I do.

“There’s been a nice response, a nice rapport with people.”