Hockley Hustle has unveiled the final names for its landmark 20th anniversary edition, rounding off a sprawling bill of more than 450 acts set to take over Nottingham’s pubs, churches, bars, record shops and DIY spaces this October.
The latest wave cements the festival’s reputation as one of the UK’s most vital grassroots music celebrations, with MOBO Award-nominated grime star JayaHadADream, Nottingham hip-hop heavyweight Cappo, soul favourites ROB.GREEN and Davina Songbird, plus Saffron Gray, Midnight Rodeo, Seas Of Mirth, 94 Gunships, Floral Pattern, Rainbow Frog Biscuits and more joining the city-wide crawl.
Also revealed is the full line-up for the festival’s BBC Introducing stage at Metronome, where Omari Marsalis, People Laughing, Tanuki Moon, LDYA, Sharp Class, HarveyLeo and Mollie Ralph will perform alongside a mystery guest whose identity remains firmly under wraps.
Spanning grime, hip-hop, alt-soul, indie, electronica and everything in between, Hockley Hustle’s 20th birthday edition looks set to be its most ambitious yet. Across more than 50 venues, audiences will be encouraged to do exactly what the festival has always done best: wander, discover and stumble across their next favourite artist.
One of the festival’s most celebrated success stories is JayaHadADream, who has gone from local newcomer to MOBO-nominated artist and Glastonbury Emerging Talent winner while remaining a fixture of the Nottingham scene.
“I remember when Hockley Hustle was on my bucket list when I first moved to Nottingham,” she says. “I’ve built so many memories and connected with so many people through Hockley Hustle. It’s one of my favourite times of the year.”
She added: “It is rare to be able to see such a range of moving acts on one day, in one city. I love the journey of it, walking between different stages, running into people in between and finding new acts. Better yet, we get to raise money at the same time.”
Elsewhere, ROB.GREEN will bring his acclaimed alt-soul sound to the remarkable surroundings of St Mary’s Church, while Saffron Gray, recently crowned winner of Splendour’s Future Sound of Nottingham competition, arrives as one of the city’s fastest-rising R&B voices.
The city’s thriving independent scene is reflected throughout the programme. Cucamaras, Gangsta Picnic, Vona Vella, Veduna, Willow Bay and Pict headline a packed schedule at Rough Trade, while artists including Louie., Sancho Panza, Airport Dad, Moonbullet and OK, LADY spread the action across venues from The Carousel to The Grove and The Bodega.
Beyond the music, Hockley Hustle’s reputation for unexpected moments remains intact. Poetry collectives including GOBS, Poets Off The Endz, Free Minds and Speech Therapy will stage takeovers across the city, while a gloriously left-field Dolly Parton tribute spectacular promises surprise collaborations, guest appearances and a finale featuring two of Nottingham’s best-known drag performers.
Among the most anticipated anniversary performances is the return of the UFO Orchestra, bringing together musicians from across Nottingham’s creative community for a one-off collaborative set at St Mary’s Church. Joining them will be Nina Smith, Maia Sudha, Davina Songbird, Vee Adu, Sancho Panza and ROB.GREEN.
Festival director Tommy Rosley said: “We’re celebrating not just the past 20 years, but what’s happening right now across Nottingham’s music and arts scene. With 500 acts across 50 venues, there is something for everyone. Come down, have a party, discover some new music and raise some money for charity while you’re at it.”
What began in 2006 as a seven-venue DIY event running on a budget of around £1,000 has grown into one of the East Midlands’ defining music festivals, bringing hundreds of artists together annually while raising more than £250,000 for local charities.
Yet the spirit remains unchanged.
The appeal of Hockley Hustle has never been the headliners. It’s the chance encounter. The artist you’ve never heard of. The band playing to a packed room upstairs in a pub. The moment you walk into a venue on a whim and leave with a new obsession.
Twenty years on, that sense of discovery is still the festival’s greatest headline act.
Hockley Hustle takes place on Sunday October 25, with a special warm-up show from Channel One Sound System, presented with Our Yard and Brickworks, on Saturday October 24. Tickets grant access to all participating venues and performances.
