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

Thousands of people flocked a city streets to celebrate music, art and culture.

Hockley Hustle returned for another year to fill 50 venues across Nottingham with live music and performances yesterday (October 20).

Despite the day having started with a lot of rain, the sun quickly rushed to shine and brighten up everyone’s day alongside the festival.

From jazz, drum and bass, poetry, soul, and house to folk, hip hop, reggae and funk, there was a place for everyone to listen to some of their favourite artists and add a few more to the list.

From day until night, the atmosphere around the city centre was vibrant, filled with colour, music, people and contagious happiness.

It was impossible not to bump into an act, be it musical, dance or art seemingly in each corner.

Even though I tell myself every single year that I will try and run across the city to see as many artists as possible, I wasn’t able to have 50 Martas to attend every single act all at once.

As some of the festival promoters are known across the county, many of the artists we saw at Hockley Hustle have also played at the Newark Festival on August 24 this year and in previous editions of the festival.

I often notice in festivals in Nottingham that before 5pm there aren’t as many people around to fill the rooms, despite empty being a word that doesn’t fit the festival, however, this year, all venues were amazingly packed.

Playing downstairs at Bodega, Zach Thrasher, of Normanton on Trent, is one of Nottingham’s emerging artists, with its rocky acoustic tunes.

It is a band that you can surely tell that they deserve and will succeed in the music world and a name to add to the lists for future concerts.

An artist that comes with the promise of a good time and music, followed by humble talent.

On the list of great artists, we went upstairs to Bodega to watch Sancho Panza, one not to forget.

With its funky indie songs, the band is one of Nottingham’s most loved artists and if you attend one of their concerts you will soon realise why.

If I had to describe their music, I would say the type of music you imagine when you are falling in love, at some points you slow dance and close your eyes and then next, surprise surprise, you are energetically dancing and singing along as the band carries the crowd’s energy and emotions.

Moving along to Jam Cafe, Wizards Can’t Be Lawyers were playing, another name that is well known across the Nottingham music scene.

Their groovy music, sometimes even created on stage, got the small cafe rammed with some people even peaking from the outside to find who the wizards behind such music were.

Looking around, it was impossible not to find a single person not enjoying themselves, the majority of the room singing along or simply swinging from one side to the other (or attempting to).

Moving from funky and dancy bands, PASTE. performed at Rough Trade, the alternative rock band always delivers an energetic multi-genre bending songs show.

With great public interaction and loud vibrant music, not only familiar faces to the band showed up, but new curious ones, to hear, jump, mosh and sing along.

Swallowtail, a band offering post-punk melodies performed downstairs at Bodega, setting up the perfect evening mood.

With an angelic voice yet vibrant and loud guitars, bass and drums, the band formed last year, is one not to miss out on and to add as a must-see in the near future.

Some artists that also stood out on the day are Tom Hewitt at 31K, 94 Gunships and Drone Queen at the Chapel, Komboloi Star at Jam Cafe and Benjamin Luhis who performed upstairs at the Bodega.

Outside Broadway there was a silent disco with two channels open as two DJs were performing right in front of the crowd, filling the street with people dancing and vibing to their favourite of the night.

As the night seemed to approach the end, the after-parties were just beginning with DJs playing in venues such as Bar11 where Tano entertained the crowds that were not ready to go home but rather celebrate life and carry the festival through.

Knowing that the money raised on the day will be supporting nine charities across the area — The Rose Thompson Foundation, SFiCE, Base 51, IMARA, Emmanuel House, Nottingham Women’s Centre, AKA CIC, Nottingham Refugee Forum and Tuvida Young Carers Notts, makes such a full-on festival even more special and one to return to.

I will see you next year Hockley Hustle.