This time last week, Hockley Hustle was in full swing, filling 50 venues across this beloved quarter of Nottingham with music from an incredibly diverse and talented array of artists, and raising money for local charities. Ignoring genre boundaries, our music team joined the action all day - here we present some highlights in words and pictures...
Be sure to check out our full photo gallery below!
The Revenge of Calculon, Rough Trade
With a new album about to be launched at Rough Trade on 26th October (vinyl in lurvely white on the day too) I was looking forward to this performance by The Revenge of Calculon.
The Nottingham duo did not disappoint, as they delivered their own style of funkatronic and wearing their trademark luchador headgear. Spacefunk vibes and some serious gritty synth riffs, reminded me of a bad-ass 1970s detective theme tune.
Music this good and so early in the festival was appreciated by the packed room with a mass of nodding heads and dancing breaking out all around. Check out their new album! Bassey
Raining Blue, The Bodega
Raining Blue made a memorable debut at Hockley Hustle, delivering a dreamy, soulful set that captivated the crowd. The show opened with a unique twist as the lead singer sang into an old rotary telephone, producing distorted, haunting vocals. Her deep, reverb-laden voice floated through the venue, creating an ethereal atmosphere that set the tone for the rest of the performance, evoking shades of early Halsey.
Adding to the band’s distinct aesthetic, the guitarist stood out in a sparkling bedazzled tracksuit, playing a glittery silver guitar that shimmered under the lights. Despite this being the band’s first gig under their new name, the band performed with confidence and ease. The vocalist acknowledged her break from performing, telling the audience it was “very good to be back.”
This performance signalled the emergence of a band ready to carve out its place with a genre-blurring sound that seamlessly blends soulful emotion with a dreamlike, otherworldly vibe. It was a triumphant return and a promising new beginning for Raining Blue. Gemma Cockrell
Private Joy, Rough Trade
So.... somebody had to follow up The Revenge of Calculon on the Rough Trade stage and Private Joy was the perfect choice. Despite sound check difficulties at the beginning of the performance – and huge respect to the Rough Trade sound engineer on the day Laura Birkin for all her hard work in getting the sound right – the band gave us a beautiful set of street soul songs that were perfect for a chilled Sunday afternoon. The mix of synths, harp, flute, sax, vocals and recorded beats and loops gave everyone a huge soulful hug. For a moment I felt like time stood still. Private Joy is a huge part of the Manchester music scene and Nottingham folks showed their love and appreciation for this very special performance. Bassey
Baby Tap, The Bodega
One of my favourite artists in Nottingham at the moment is Baby Tap, with some of the hardest of hardcore electronic sounds around. A mean machine armed with one bottle of water, one bottle of fake blood and a juggernaut of real talent. I knew this was going to be a special performance when Baby Tap asked the sound engineer for as much bass and volume as the room could handle. Producer/Rapper/DJ, take your pick. Baby Tap can do them all and with a very special energy, crossing many genres including industrial/hardcore/electronic/punk and so much more. If you missed him, you missed out. Bassey
Jerub, Saltbox
Jerub delivered a powerful and heartfelt performance, captivating the crowd with his soulful vocals and emotional depth. Performing on the BBC Introducing stage, Jerub described it as a “full circle moment,” reflecting on his journey as an artist. His setlist featured fan favourites like Finding My Feet, Hometown and You and I, each track showcasing his raw emotion and compelling storytelling.
Midway through the set, Jerub introduced Paint Me in Gold, a standout track that brought a new level of energy to the performance, with its anthemic quality and soaring melodies. His ability to switch between intimate ballads and more upbeat, powerful numbers kept the audience fully engaged throughout.
Closing with There Till the End, Jerub left the crowd on a high note, his passion and sincerity shining through every lyric. His performance felt deeply personal yet universally relatable, resonating with the audience on an emotional level. With his dynamic stage presence and powerful vocals, Jerub’s set was a highlight of the festival, leaving a lasting impression on everyone in attendance. Gemma Cockrell
ALT BLK ERA, Saltbox
ALT BLK ERA delivered a bold and engaging performance on the BBC Introducing stage, blending music and personal storytelling in a way that resonated with the crowd. When performing Freak Show, they immediately set the tone for their high-energy set, before introducing the additional band members who brought even more depth to their sound. Reflecting on their first Hockley Hustle show in 2022 – one I was lucky to attend – they acknowledged the support of BBC’s Dean Jackson, who was the first to take notice of their music. His early encouragement clearly means a lot to them, as they expressed during the set.
Vocalist Nyrobi, who deals with chronic illness, proved once again that she’s a force on stage, pushing through challenges to deliver a powerful performance. Their latest release, Straight to Heart, was a highlight, showcasing their continued evolution as artists.
There was a fair bit of talking between tracks, which may have made the set feel slightly short in terms of track list, but with a headline show at Saltbox on 25th January (2025) and their debut album to promote, it made sense, as they rounded out the set with Come on Outside and I’m Normally Like This. All of this was made even better by enjoying some delicious Mollis Chicken, which is served at the Saltbox venue. Gemma Cockrell
Lawrence County Band, Broadway Cinema
I'll admit to missing the start of Lawrence County Band's performance and the packed room instantly told me that I should have run faster. A five-piece local band playing percussion, violin, bass, guitars and vocals, heavily influenced by the Americana/Alternative Country & Folk sounds, these guys put on a class act and it was the busiest Broadway crowd I'd seen all day. Folks were singing and dancing along throughout the show and my personal favourite was when they played Lights Go Out, as the crowd stayed quiet and hung on every note and word. A magic moment, thank you Lawrence County. Bassey
Leah Wilcox - Downstairs at The Bodega
Leah Wilcox brought an intimate, folk-infused performance to Hockley Hustle, accompanied only by her guitar. Her delicate, country-tinged sound was well-received by the fans who crowded into the Bodega, though at times the lively, chatty crowd made it hard to catch her between-song banter.
Her set included a standout cover of Just a Girl, adding a personal touch to the well-known track. She also shared some original songs, including Origami Flowers, released earlier this year, which demonstrated her knack for heartfelt storytelling. One of the highlights of her set was when she invited fellow artist Dorothy Ella on stage for a duet, adding warmth and depth to the performance, before she performed Backwards - a song about those people in your life who hold you back.
Wilcox wrapped up her set with an exciting announcement, sharing that her final song of the evening, Blue, will be released next Friday. Despite the slightly disruptive noise of the crowd, Leah’s talent and emotive songwriting left a strong impression, making her performance a quietly powerful moment amidst the festival buzz. Gemma Cockrell
Stan Buckroyd, Das Kino
Stan Buckroyd delivered a laid-back yet witty performance, showcasing tracks from his new EP Aderol Spritz in their acoustic form. The crowd – many of whom were taking advantage of Das Kino’s cocktail offering and sipping pornstar martinis– was treated to a mix of indie charm and Buckroyd’s occasionally self-deprecating humour. He acknowledged his recent stint on The Voice UK, quipping, “I got kicked off it though, because I wasn’t good enough,” which drew laughter from the crowd.
His songs, including one he wrote while waiting for hand surgery, reflected his unique songwriting style, and his banter between songs was sharp. He thanked the crowd for sticking around – “apart from the ones who left” just as he said this, which kept the mood light.
He ended his set with an unfinished song, Photo Booth, written just days before, giving the audience a glimpse into his evolving creative process. With an upcoming headline show at The Chapel in December, Buckroyd’s performance felt like a preview of more exciting things to come. His blend of relatable lyrics, humour, and his stripped-back sound left the crowd intrigued and eager for what’s next. Gemma Cockrell
Vona Vella, Rough Trade
Vona Vella delivered an energetic, full-band performance at Hockley Hustle, bringing a more upbeat vibe than I’ve seen in their previous acoustic sets. The shift in energy added a dynamic layer to their sound, allowing them to explore a richer, more expansive feel while still maintaining the charm that makes them stand out.
Their harmonies were as stunning as ever, with Izzy and Dan’s vocals perfectly complementing each other throughout the set. A standout moment came when they performed Thought We Were Falling in Love, a fan favourite, followed by some brand-new, unreleased tracks, which gave a taste of their evolving sound.
Izzy’s playful banter between songs, including the humorous exchange, “Who said I love this? It’s not even out. Oh, I love you as well,” added a warm, personable touch to the set. It was a reminder of the close connection they’ve built with their audience. With a support slot for The Libertines at Rock City taking place the day after the festival, this performance showed off Vona Vella’s versatility and growing confidence as they continue to captivate both new and long-time fans. Gemma Cockrell
Dog Explosion, Jam Café
It was great to see Dog Explosion, aka Oliver Lovley, back on the Nottingham music scene and in much better health. He's about as experimental as it gets in the electronic genre and he just keeps on getting better. A couple of years ago I described him as "the kinda sound Sleaford Mods would make if they were middle class executives living in 1984 and singing about ulcers caused by their stressful jobs". He's aged well, got darker, heavier and more sinister. A powerful baritone vocal delivery that flits between vulnerable to threatening in a millisecond. Dog Explosion is a beautiful eccentric and the Jam Cafe folks gave him all their love and appreciation. Welcome back Oliver. Bassey
Jayahadadream, Antenna
Jayahadadream’s performance at Hockley Hustle was a powerful showcase of her growth as an artist since I first discovered her at the very same festival two years ago. She played through her EP in track-list order, accompanied by the Rob Rosa String Quartet, which added a rich, cinematic depth to her already compelling sound.
Introducing herself as "born in Cambridge but raised in Nottingham, for real,” she ended the initial portion of the set with Redemption Songs, the title track of her EP and her first collaboration with producer Zoutr, who was present on stage with her as always. Switching gears in the second half of her set, Jaya performed songs like Butthurt Men, blending humour and sharp lyricism. Then, before diving into Sick of the Chatter, she invited the crowd to imagine being at a festival in a field, which energised the room. The audience engaged fully, chanting along to “Olly olly olly, oi oi oi!” and shouts of “Hockley Hustle!”
She closed the set with the Zoutr remix of Force and left the crowd with an inspiring message: “Jayahadadream is about creating something out of nothing. Any creatives in the room, keep creating.” A fitting end to a set that highlighted her artistry and resilience. Gemma Cockrell
Hockley Hustle took place in Nottingham on 20th October 2024.
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