Charity festival Hockley Hustle returns to the streets of Nottingham for another year

Less than a month until a charity festival returns with 400 acts celebrating diversity with music of all cultures and genres.

Hockley Hustle returns to the streets and 50 venues of Nottingham for a day of live music on Sunday, October 20.

The money raised through the charity festival will support nine charities across the area, including The Rose Thompson Foundation, SFiCE, Base 51, IMARA, Emmanuel House, Nottingham Women’s Centre, AKA CIC, Nottingham Refugee Forum and Tuvida Young Carers Notts.

There will be a variety of activities on the day, varying from live performances, choirs, orchestras, spoken word, carnival parades, silent discos, the Hustle after party and street food.

Popular venues involved in the festival include Broadway Cinema, The Bodega and Rough Trade and some new additions to the Hustle such as The Bath Inn and Saltbox.

A few performances to wait for are The Rob Rosa String Quartet, which will be joined by a stellar line up of guest vocalists all bringing their distinct vibes at Antenna including one of the UK’s fastest rising artists JayaHadADream, soul singer Alfie Sharp, poet and undefeated battle rapper Bridie Squires, hip hop royalty Cappo and alt folk star Catmilk.

Hosted by drag superqueen Arthole Thom, Broadway will have some of the city’s established acts — Hhymn, Davina Songbird and Dusty 4 Track whilst Sancho Panza, Franky Bones and Cecille Grey are highlights at The Bodega and festival regulars 94 Gunships are stompin’ down the street at The Angel.

Lord Roberts will be taken over by a trio of Nottingham’s queer promoters — Queerwise, Notts Queer Zine and Unnamed Drag.

Ladies Music Pub is collaborating with Rough Trade on their lineup and hosting a meet-up for female, non-binary and trans-local artists.

JERUB, who performed at the Coronation of King Charles, and the Alt Blk Era feature as a part of BBC Introducing at Saltbox.

A new venue for this year, Sneinton’s Bath Inn will have gospel choirs and traditional music from around the globe and the Global Roots lineup at Metronome will be marking the 60th anniversary of V Rocket International Sound System.

011live, a platform for new artists curated by Jah Digga, will feature fresh talent from across the city at Suede with spoken word Gobs collective and Poets off the Endz bringing beautiful words to Emmanuel House.

Vibe City, one of Nottingham’s newest promoters has organised a backing band for what could be the biggest hip hop and soul cypher the city has ever seen at Baa Bar featuring a selection of vocalists and rappers.

The Swingdash Silent Disco on Broad Street provides the tunes for a late night dance while not one but two after parties.

Ella Knight takes over at Baa Bar for the Hockley Hustle afterparty, with Tano hosting the second afterparty right next door at Bar Eleven.

Hockley Hustle festival director Tommy Farmyard said: “Another Hustle is upon us and we cannot wait. The Hustle team are absolutely buzzing to present this year's line ups, there are some absolute corkers that go to show Notts creative scenes are more than thriving.

“Come and see what this city is all about, hear some fantastic music, eat great street food, dance, smile, laugh, possibly cry, and raise some money for charity whilst you’re at it.

“Book the Monday off work and bring your joyous selves for the party of the year.”

Earlier in the day, the party will take over the streets with parades, dancing and music from inclusive community carnival troupe IMPACD based in Sneinton, as well as the Zodiac All Stars, an award winning carnival troupe in Nottingham made up of young performers aged seven and up, while Hit The Dhol will fill the streets with the rhythms of Asian drumming.

The festival will be leaving a lasting legacy with the commission of a mural on the wall of The Lord Roberts pub by the artist Kim Thompson, made possible with funding from the UK Government fund allocation given to Nottingham City Council to improve neighbourhoods and develop communities.

All the lineup announcements can be found at the Hockley Hustle’s Instagram and wristbands are £15 for access to all venues and acts.