Hockley Hustle has named the final wave of artists for its 20th anniversary, completing a bill of around 450 acts across grime, hip-hop, alt-soul, electronic and indie in grassroots venues around Nottingham. The festival takes place on Sunday 25 October 2026.
The latest additions include MOBO-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 announcement also puts the Metronome BBC Introducing stage in focus. Omari Marsalis, People Laughing, Tanuki Moon, LDYA, Sharp Class, HarveyLeo and Mollie Ralph join that bill, alongside a secret set. The stage is set up to showcase a newer generation alongside the hundreds of musicians taking over the city for the anniversary.
JayaHadADream, nominated for Grime Artist of the Year at the MOBO Awards and a Glastonbury Emerging Artist winner, said Hockley Hustle was on her bucket list when she first moved to Nottingham. She has now played it for the last five or so years. “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,” she said, adding that she loves walking between stages, running into people and finding new acts, while raising money at the same time. “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 bring his vocals to St Mary’s Church. He has previously shared stages with Earth, Wind & Fire, Alexander O’Neal and Eric Bibb. Saffron Gray, who styles herself as Nottingham’s R&B princess, arrives as the winner of Splendour’s Future Sound of Nottingham competition in 2025. The other Splendour winners, Archy & the Astronauts, close out the Six Barrels line-up with hard-hitting live energy influenced by Royal Blood.
Nottingham’s independent scene is spread across the city’s rooms. Rough Trade hosts Gangsta Picnic, Veduna, Willow Bay, Pict, Vona Vella and Cucamaras. The Carousel will host artists including Louie. and Sancho Panza. Airport Dad heads to The Grove, Moonbullet plays The Angel Microbrewery, and OK, LADY appears at The Bodega Downstairs. Stone Black Witches and JAHREL JP AND THE FUTURE are 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 in, including a special set from Brazilian slam poetry champion Mileny. A Dolly Parton tribute at Lord Roberts will feature some of Nottingham’s favourite singers with a backing band. Look out for a surprise duet, a band cover, and a finale from two of Nottingham’s most infamous drag artists.
With more than 50 line-ups, the day runs from Hustle regulars to fresh debuts. Among those returning is Nina Smith, the singer-songwriter turned artist-manager who has supported Belinda Carlisle. She first played Hockley Hustle in 2009 and now manages many upcoming young artists. “The community aspect is what makes this festival special,” she said. “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 set in 2025, this time for a special 20th anniversary performance. Sancho Panza, Nina Smith, Maia Sudha, Davina Songbird, Vee Adu and ROB.GREEN join on vocals. The performance continues the orchestra’s habit of pulling musicians from across Nottingham together for one-off collaborations. Earlier announcements had already flagged the church show as one of the weekend’s centrepieces, with special guests still to be named at the time. That earlier wave is covered in Hockley Hustle’s 20th anniversary plans.
Director Tommy Rosley said: “We’re excited! 20 years of Hockley Hustle. It’s been a journey and a half.” He said Sunday 25 October is a celebration of the past twenty years and of what is happening now across Nottingham’s music and arts scene, the people involved, and 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.”
The festival has become known for musicians joining each other’s sets, unexpected collaborations, surprise performances, and artists finding new audiences by wandering into a room they have never played before. It began in 2006 as a seven-venue DIY event with a £1,000 budget, originally as part of Oxjam. Twenty years on, it has grown into a festival bringing hundreds of artists to 50 venues, and it has raised £250,000 for local charities. The basic idea has stayed the same: take a chance on an artist, walk into a venue you have never been to, and see what happens.
This year’s Hockley Hustle is on Sunday 25 October. Channel One Sound System warm things up on Saturday 24 October, in collaboration with Our Yard and Brickworks. Early Bird tickets are now £20, or £25 on the day, plus booking fee. A wristband gets you into every venue and performance. Student concession tickets are £10 plus booking fee. More information is at hockleyhustle.co.uk.
Image credits: Nigel King
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