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

A festival that brings thousands of people together for a celebration of diversity with music of all cultures and genres is set to fill the streets.

Hockley Hustle returns for another year to the streets of Nottingham with 400 acts playing across 50 venues across Hockley and Sneinton 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.

Star in the making JayaHadADreamw will join Nottingham legends Cappo, Alfie Sharp, Bridie Squires and more at Antenna.

For intimate sets backed by Rob Rosa's string quartet, while Hip Hop Klashnekoff makes his way to Can’t Stop Won’t Stop as part of his UK tour.

The Bodega sees the return of band Cecille Grey with other familiar faces returning to stages including Sancho Panza, Hhymn, 94 Gunships, Cheap Dirty Horse and Vee Adu.

The Bath Inn on Sneinton Market features a day of traditional music and choirs from around the globe while Lord Roberts is hosted by a trio of queer promoters — Queer Notts, Unnamed Drag and Queerwise.

Other stages are programmed by a flock of Nottingham promoters such as Fluent in Both, Jah Digga, Nottanother, Can’t Stand The Rain, Poets Off The Endz, Cultural Vibrations, I’m Not From London and Notts Black Creatives Network, with Big Nature Collective and SwingDash hosting the silent disco.

A massive part of the festival’s flavour will come from the expanded street entertainment representing many cultures with Dhol drummers, samba bands and choirs combining to create a carnival vibe.

Lighting designers and projection artists are being commissioned to develop the overall design of the festival.

Festival producer Ben Welch said: “We're buzzing to have received the support to expand the festival without losing the vibe and community spirit.

“The world feels more disparate than ever so we want Hustle and all the amazing people involved to offer a way to reconnect all our communities.

“We're looking at developing the next generation of creative scene makers to prioritise and deliver community based projects and events that help foster unity and combat hate.

“And it’s all in support of some amazing local charities that work across many different communities.

“Last year, we raised £15,000 and are getting close to £250,000 raised for charity since the festival began in 2006.”

An award from Arts Council England has allowed the festival to work to develop the next generation with an enhanced promoter mentorship scheme, running an industry day of free training and networking for 300 plus creatives; delivering a Global Roots project with pop up events ahead of the festival and staging an exhibition celebrating the legacy of three female promoters.

The multi venue exhibition of the three promoters celebrating career milestones — Rastarell of Cultural Vibrations and Parisa of Acoustickle, both celebrating 15 years, and Lay V of V Rocket Sound with 60 years of business.

The three will feature memorabilia, posters, photos and video interviews with each of the trailblazers.

The Global Roots project in collaboration with the festival of the same name will see pop up events taking place ahead of the Hustle with a focus on World Music.

The Global Roots stage will showcase world music, African music, reggae and more curated by promoters from those communities.

The festival supported by Arts Council England, It’s in Nottingham and Confetti Institute of Creative Technologies donates all the ticket income, with other funds coming from sale of merchandise and T-shirts to the chosen charities.

Alex Flint, CEO of Nottingham’s Business Improvement District, It’s in Nottingham, adds: "We're excited to be part of the Hustle again this year and look forward to seeing the vibrancy, colour and culture it will bring to the streets of Nottingham city centre.

"Supporting Nottingham's diverse communities with events like this shows the size of the city's heart; we are a city which cares, and with the promise of music, dance and street entertainment, we also know how to come together, in style.”

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

Alex Flint, ceo of Nottingham’s Business Improvement District, It’s in Nottingham, added: "We're excited to be part of the Hustle again this year and look forward to seeing the vibrancy, colour and culture it will bring to the streets of Nottingham city centre.

"Supporting Nottingham's diverse communities with events like this shows the size of the city's heart; we are a city which cares, and with the promise of music, dance and street entertainment, we also know how to come together, in style.”

Aspiring artists and industry professionals looking to hustle and make connections can sign up for the free industry day taking place September 28 at Fisher Gate Point.

Partnering with Ladies Music Pub, it will be a jam-packed day of panels and workshops alongside a special guest keynote speaker looking to develop and nurture the Notts scene.