Hockley Hustle has revealed the final wave of artists for its 20th anniversary, completing a 450-act bill spanning grime, hip-hop, alt-soul, electronic and indie across the city’s grassroots venues.
The latest additions to Nottingham’s biggest DIY music takeover include MOBO Award-nominated grime artist JayaHadADream, Cappo, Congi, Davina Songbird, Saffron Gray, ROB.GREEN, Rainbow Frog Biscuits, Midnight Rodeo, Seas Of Mirth, 94 Gunships, Benjamin Luhis, Floral Pattern, DJ Fever, Local Healers, Moran, Jah Digga, Leah Sinead and Dring.
The final announcement also brings the festival’s Metronome BBC Introducing stage into focus, with Omari Marsalis, People Laughing, Tanuki Moon, LDYA, Sharp Class, HarveyLeo and Mollie Ralph joining the bill alongside a secret set.
The stage will showcase a new generation of artists alongside the hundreds of musicians taking over venues across Nottingham for the anniversary for a stacked line up that stretches from grime and hip-hop to alternative soul, electronic music and indie.
JayaHadADream, nominated for Grime Artist of the Year at the MOBO Awards and a Glastonbury Emerging Artist winner, explains what the festival means to her.
“I remember when Hockley Hustle was on my bucket list when I first moved to Nottingham, so being able to say I’ve performed for the last five or so years is truly amazing. I have built so many memories and connected with so many people through Hockley Hustle. It is one of my favourite times of the year, I get to see all my favourite Nottingham and adjacent communities, projects, artists, creatives, friends and family. I love how it brings us all together.
“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. Since my first Hockley Hustle, I have now done so many shows and festivals across the world. I am so grateful to always come back to Hockley Hustle, an event that represents the start for me, and continues to uplift our scene.”
A Hustle regular for more than 10 years, British alt-soul and pop artist ROB.GREEN will be bringing his stunning vocals to St Mary’s Church having previously shared stages with Earth, Wind & Fire, Alexander O’Neal and Eric Bibb.
Saffron Gray, self-styled as Nottingham’s R&B princess, arrives as the winner of Splendour’s Future Sound of Nottingham competition in 2025, while the other Splendour winners, Archy & the Astronauts, close out the Six Barrels line up with their Royal Blood influenced hard-hitting live energy.
Elsewhere, Nottingham’s independent music scene is represented across venues including Rough Trade, where Gangsta Picnic, Veduna, Willow Bay, Pict, Vona Vella and Cucamaras will perform.
The Carousel will host artists such as Louie. and Sancho Panza, while Airport Dad heads to The Grove, Moonbullet plays The Angel Microbrewery, and OK, LADY appears at The Bodega Downstairs.
The bill features Stone Black Witches and JAHREL JP AND THE FUTURE at The Angel Microbrewery – Chapel, Cheap Dirty Horse at Arc Space, Andrew Tucker Leavis at Goose in Boots and Sam Shaw & The Real EYES at Fox & Grapes.
Poetry takeovers from GOBS, Poets Off The Endz (Ronin Bar), Free Minds and Speech Therapy (Fisher Gate Point) bring the wordsmiths to the stage featuring a special set from Brazilian slam poetry champion, Mileny.
A Dolly Parton tribute at Lord Roberts is set to be special and feature some of Nottingham’s favourite singers with backing band. Look out for a surprise duet, a band cover and a finale performed by two of Nottingham’s most infamous drag artists.
With 50+ line ups, there’s loads to discover from across all corners of the city’s vibrant music community from Hustle regulars to fresh debuts.
Among the artists returning to the festival once again is Nina Smith, the singer-songwriter now turned artist-manager who has supported Belinda Carlisle. Nina first played Hockley Hustle in 2009 and is a familiar face within Nottingham’s music community, managing many upcoming young artists.
Nina said:
“The community aspect is what makes this festival special. People sharing musicians, sharing instruments, running to another venue with a drum kit or piano… there’s nothing else like it!”
The UFO Orchestra returns to St Mary’s Church after a spellbinding experience in 2025 for a special 20th anniversary performance, along with Sancho Panza, Nina Smith, Maia Sudha, Davina Songbird, Vee Adu and ROB.GREEN on vocals. The performance will continue the orchestra’s tradition of bringing together musicians from across Nottingham’s music community for one-off collaborations.
Hockley Hustle director Tommy Rosley said:
“We’re excited! 20 years of Hockley Hustle. It’s been a journey and a half. On Sunday 25th, we’re celebrating not just the past twenty years, but what’s happening right now across Nottingham’s music and arts scene, the people involved and, of course, the Hockley area itself. 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. There’s all sorts going on this year, you are gonna love it.”
Across hundreds of artists and dozens of venues, the festival has become known for musicians joining each other’s sets, unexpected collaborations, surprise performances and artists discovering new audiences simply by wandering into a room they have never played before.
Hockley Hustle began in 2006 as a seven-venue DIY event with a £1,000 budget. Twenty years later, it has grown into a festival bringing 450 artists to 50 venues, while raising £250,000 for local charities.
But the basic idea has remained the same: take a chance on an artist, walk into a venue you’ve never been to, and see what happens.
This year’s Hockley Hustle takes place on Sunday, October 25, with a warm-up show from Channel One Sound System in collaboration with Our Yard and Brickworks on Saturday, October 24.
Early Bird Tickets are now £20 / £25 on the day plus booking fee, giving wristband holders entry to every venue and performance, with student concession tickets available for £10 plus booking fee.
For more info, go to www.hockleyhustle.co.uk
Posted on 14 October 2026
