A Student’s Guide to Hockley Hustle, 2025
- Daniela Roux
- Oct 9
- 8 min read
Updated: Oct 25
Nottingham’s prolific Hockley Hustle returns this October, transforming the city into a vibrant scene of sound, rhythm, and consensus. For just £15, you’ll gain access to over 45 venues and more than 400 performances across Hockley and Sneinton. Whether you’re into jazz, hip hop, drag, indie riffs, or have never seen a 60-piece orchestra in-person – the 19th of October is a date to remember. The Mic's Daniela Roux reports.
Beyond the glitz and noise, the festival lives and breathes for an ambitious aspiration: to reach its goal of raising £250,000 (in total for the last 19 years) for local charities. So, whilst you move between stages, digest new stories, and experience new cultures, take a moment to remember this isn’t just a celebration of the arts. It’s a contribution to the community.
What is Hockley Hustle?
Hockley Hustle is not just a festival, but a love letter to Nottingham’s creative hub. As it approaches its nineteenth year, the festival shows no sign of slowing down. To date, it has donated an impressive £237,500 to charity. This year, the festival will be donating its proceeds toward six new charities: Friends & Bredrins Prostate Cancer Support Group, Juno Women’s Aid, Nottinghamshire Hospice, Refugee Roots, The Pastel Project, and The Uniform Project Nottingham.
Funded by Arts Council England and made possible with support from It's In Nottingham, Hockley Hustle brings entertainment and activism to a junction. Like many creatives, I believe that the arts are a powerful catalyst for political activism, and Hockley Hustle embodies this belief. It does not merely settle for the highs of applause or a roaring city for an evening. Rather, it thrives on the lingering echo – the whispers of a city grateful for the care it has received.
Musical Must-Sees
This year, the Hustle’s curated soundscape mirrors Nottingham’s vibrant, creative scene while introducing new perspectives. The Broadway Stage, one of the festival’s crown jewels, welcomes Kweku of Ghana. The Sheffield-based, Ghana-born artist commands his stages with his triadic blend of English, Pidgin, and Ga. Fresh from Later with Jools Holland, his performance is not to be missed.
Joining him is Aziza Jaye, a soul-permeating vocalist with roots in Nubiyan Twist. Her unmistakable voice alchemises vulnerability into something profound. Her return to the city is certainly awaited by many. Headlining the Broadway Stage is Origin One, a dub-reggae powerhouse, whose sound places grit and grace in a perfect equilibrium. Be attentive for the showcase, as you will see many familiar faces of the city.
Nottingham’s own Jah Digga debuts with a live band, fresh from welcoming Prince Harry to the city. His poetic hip hop livens anyone lucky enough to experience it.
Sharing the stage with him is ROB.GREEN – one of Nottingham’s most beloved local artists. GREEN’s charismatic and unique sound has become synonymous with the city’s sonic identity. Organisers have revealed that secret sets are scattered throughout the day, ready to surprise the unsuspecting wanderer.
For the first time in its history, St Mary’s Church will host the, returning, UFO Orchestra. And if that didn’t catch your attention, let me set the scene. A 60-piece ensemble performing beneath classic gothic arches with guest appearances from Davina Songbird, Eyre Llew, and MelonyX. If esotericism could manifest as a sound – this may be it.
At The Bodega, Nottingham’s rising star JERUB brings his soulful indie-pop, shaped by Nigerian roots and a Nottingham upbringing, to the festival. Other highlights include: V Rocket at 31K, producer Riddla, and BBC Introducing Artists Cappo, Sancho Panza, and Alfie Sharp. Across venues like The Angel, Carousel, JamCafe, and Rough Trade, expect to see Nottingham’s own. From Leah Sinead to Seas of Mirth, each brings their own individualism whilst never faltering from existing in this city’s fibre.
For our jazz fans, you can find a haven at Peggy’s Skylight, where Jazz re:freshed and Acoustickle collaborate to spotlight emerging artists from London.
This is your opportunity to catch an emerging artist. Your chance to brag to your friends one day that you “saw them before they were headlining”.
"If esotericism could manifest as a sound – this may be it."
Beyond Music
Inclusivity takes center stage with Queer Hustle — a four-venue exhibition exploring ballroom culture and voguing. The Hustle is clearly determined to follow their ethos of inclusivity. Workshops run by international icons Eric Scutaro and Chimelle Winter culminate in a showcase at Das Kino. Expect a fusion of artistry and activism – and perhaps a death drop or two.
The Lord Roberts in the Rainbow Quarter will be offering drag bingo, sit-down performances, and karaoke with flair. Meanwhile, Broadway Gallery will host Queer Up Duck’s exhibition. Do not forget to collect a memento for the day, and stop by to pick up one of a thousand copies of Jade Brambley’s Queer Notts Zine – which chronicles Nottingham’s queer music history.
Hockley Hustle thrives off of surprise: whether it be a spontaneous choir flash mob on Broad Street or a citywide Silent Disco – be sure to find yourself shoulder to shoulder with creatives alike.
On Heathcoat Street, Speaker’s Corner offers a platform for local charities, creators, and visionaries to share their work. This platform reminds us that community spirit is not just a marketing ploy or a catchy tagline for a month, but a concerted and communicative effort.
For those who still have energy after dusk, the afterparties await. Following their sold-out Soho Theatre run, House of Life returns to Baa Bar, hosted by The Raverend. If you’re anything like me, you’ll be in bed sipping chamomile tea by then — but if you’re still on your feet, keep your ears open for the plethora of afterparties following the daytime acts.
Community Spirit & Giving Back
At its core, Hockley Hustle celebrates, challenges, and expresses identity. Jumbo Productions, the team behind Glastonbury, will bring their creative touch to Nottingham through street décor workshops. For all of the fashion lovers out there desperate to break into such an exclusive industry, this just might be your opportunity. Look out for a Hustle T-shirt design competition for young artists aged 16+.
The festival also showcases three emerging artists from a competition that featured over 30 acts — truly the best of the best. With over 45 venues, including: Fisher Gate Point, Fox and Grapes, Can’t Stop Won’t Stop, The Grove, The Bath Inn, Liquid Light Brewery, Movers, The Carousel, Bunkers Hill, Emmanuel House, 31K, The Model, Pogo, Lost Again, Dispatch, and JamCafe, there’s something for everyone.
Tips for Students
Plan ahead: With 45+ venues, you may struggle to make a decision. Choose a few must-sees but leave room for spontaneity. It is certain that some of the best discoveries happen by accident.
Arrive early: The popular venues fill up fast!
Stay curious: Venture beyond your comfort zone. This is an opportunity to fall in love with a genre you may not have experienced yet.
Bring friends: A wristband is your passport for the day — hop between venues, share the chaos, and build memories.
NOTE: Student Concessions and Young Hustlers tickets for under-18s are available, though admission varies by venue.
A final word from the organisers:
Questions answered by Laurie Illingworth and the Hustle team.
For those who’ve never been before, what makes Hockley Hustle special?
"Nottingham’s thriving creative scene has pulled together another incredible day of music, comedy, art, poetry, workshops and talks. Celebrating the very best of all the city has to offer across its most eccentric, eclectic and independent district. Thousands of revellers, hundreds of artists and dozens of venues across Hockley will once again gather to throw the party of the year on Sunday 19th October, all while giving something back to the local community. That’s what makes the Hustle special. Join us?"
This year marks the 19th edition. How has the festival grown since it started?
"Hockley Hustle started in 2006 as a seven venue affair with a budget of £1,000 (thanks to original sponsors Ridewise, who we still collaborate with, for the trust!). When the Hustle began, there weren’t many venues open so we’d have to hijack hairdressers, vintage shop windows, basically anywhere that could become a venue.
We’ve also expanded to not one, but three staple annual festivals. There’s of course Hockley Hustle, there’s our family festival Young Hustlers, and there’s our community-led climate and nature festival, Green Hustle. We also now help deliver big Hustle-branded festivals in other places, like Newark, and we run a whole range of projects year round, from making and mentoring the next wave of artists and promoters, to planting 10,000 trees all over the city.
It must be said that the forerunner to Hockley Hustle was Drop in the Ocean, organised by a (then) older crew of people from LeftLion Magazine and Dealmaker Records, which was a similar concept but spread all over the city (which made venue hopping pretty tricky to be honest, you kind of had to pick a handful of lineups). The rest is history."
The Hustle has raised over £237,500 for charity so far. Why is the fundraising side so important to the festival?
"Helping people is what it’s all about. When we started the festival, it was mostly because we loved music and wanted to showcase the amazing Notts artists that didn’t have a platform. The first event raised about £2,500 which we were really excited about... obviously we donate considerably more than that each year now and we are so grateful to the community for turning up year in, year out, to support people in need from our city and to have a blast while they’re at it!"
The 2025 line-up is packed — are there any acts or events you’d personally recommend for students and first-time attendees?
"The UFO Orchestra is back for 2025 with a special performance in the beautiful St Mary’s Church on Lace Market, featuring special guests Eyre Llew, MelonyX and Davina Songbird - that’ll be special! Give it all a go if you can!"
The Queer Hustle expansion is a major feature this year. Why was it important to spotlight that part of Nottingham’s scene?
"Events like Queer Hustle at Hockley Hustle provide safe settings where queer people can express themselves freely, through drag, ballroom, voguing, workshops, art and more! The Hockley area has recently been renamed the Rainbow Quarter and we as a team really wanted to help celebrate this."
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What’s your top tip for students or first-time festival-goers to get the most out of the day?
"Get yourself down nice and early, grab a brochure and a refreshing beverage and get stuck in. Give as many stages a chance as you can. Go in blindly and see what happens."
Beyond music, what other experiences should people look out for at this year’s Hustle?
"Lots of JOY! Speakers’ corner is a fun addition to this year’s lineup, with speakers from various fascinating backgrounds and organisations setting the world to rights. The street entertainment is always a highlight with parades, street entertainers and pure carnival vibes. For the first time this year, we’ve introduced drop-in yoga/pilates sessions to the lineup, courtesy of the Roar Movement on Broad Street. Plenty going on!"
How does the festival impact Nottingham’s creative scene more broadly?
"The Hustle is a melting pot for creative folk in our city. Every year, the Hustle Collective supports the next wave of promoters and artists to get their foot in the door, paving the way for the next generation of scene-makers."
If you had to sum up Hockley Hustle in three words, what would they be?
"COMMUNITY. CHAOS. LOVE."
How to get involved
Hockley Hustle is so much more than just a festival. It is a collection of people coming together to celebrate creativity, generosity, and joy. It is about “community”, “chaos”, and “love.” Whether you’re going to have a pseudo-spiritual experience under the arches of St. Mary’s or swaying side-to-side in a crowded backroom, Hockley Hustle 2025 promises a day where Nottingham’s heartbeat becomes your own. Grab your wristband and prepare to experience Nottingham like never before.
Daniela Roux
Buy your tickets at: www.hockleyhustle.co.uk
Keep up to date with the festival at: https://www.instagram.com/hockleyhustle and https://www.facebook.com/hockleyhustle
Edited by Daniela Roux
Photos courtesy of the organisers of Hockley Hustle