Beat The Streets Artists Share Their Stories Ahead of This Year’s Festival
We caught up with three Beat The Streets performers ahead of this year's festival...
Dring
Hi! For those who are coming along to Beat The Streets this year, could you share a bit about yourself and your music?
Hi, I'm Dring, an upcoming singer-songwriter, home-grown here in Nottingham. My music sits in the folk genre, with it's own unique acoustic tone, taking inspiration from the likes of Joni Mitchell, Hozier, and Tracy Chapman. For me song-writing has always served as an outlet, and so I shape my writing around its ability to convey messages and emotions to those who will listen, and to build genuine connections with my audience through my music.
Do you have any memorable moments from previous years of the festival, or if this is your first time at Beat The Streets, what are you most excited about?
This is only my second year performing at Beat The Streets, and my biggest stage at the festival yet, so I'm so excited to be involved in the event. Nottingham as a city has so many incredibly talented artists so it's of course an honour to be performing, especially for an event that raises so much money for such an important cause. I'm also particularly excited this year as I'll be performing some new songs ahead of my upcoming debut EP, set to be released in 2025!
Lastly, what can the audience expect from your performance at Beat The Streets this year?
At a Dring performance the audience can expect an acoustic, emotional, and intimate set where you can sit back, take a breather, and let yourself become immersed in the songs. I always want my performances to be a welcoming environment, with music that those who need it can find solace and comfort in. So if at Beat The Streets you find yourself needing a moment to recharge (and maybe have a little cry) my set might be just the right thing.
Leah Wilcox
Hi Leah! For those who are coming along to Beat The Streets this year, could you share a bit about yourself and your music?
Hi, my name is Leah and I’m a singer/songwriter from Derbyshire making indie pop-rock with some New Americana influences. I’d say there’s a mix of silly songs, romantic songs and ones with a bit more grit under the fingernails - so hopefully a little bit of something for everyone! I’m really inspired by bands like Fleetwood Mac, Slow Pulp, Boa and CMAT. I write a lot about wine too, whoops.
Do you have any memorable moments from previous years of the festival, or if this is your first time at Beat The Streets, what are you most excited about?
I did go last year actually and I remember loving Alfie Sharp’s set in Rock City Beta, and Jonny Olley in the Bodega. I just love the whole festival really - every venue is fab and every act is fab and you float around watching incredible music all day no matter whether you have a plan on who to see or not!
Lastly, what can the audience expect from your performance at Beat The Streets this year?
Ooh okay! I have my fab little band with me so expect dashes of choreography, energy, emotion, good fun and smiley faces. I’m gonna play vulnerable songs and make happy memories playing them.
Evil Scarecrow
Hi there! For those who are coming along to Beat The Streets this year, could you share a bit about yourself and your music?
We are Evil Scarecrow, The greatest comedy metal opera to ever grace the earth… from Nottingham… called Evil Scarecrow. I jest, we’re a rag tag group of music enthusiasts that dress up and entertain the masses with our own playful blend of heavy metal and props we built in our garage. We write songs that are highly relatable to the everyday person, robotic crab overlords, bad weather relations, homicidal submarines. You get the gist, problems we all face on a daily basis.
Do you have any memorable moments from previous years of the festival, or if this is your first time at Beat The Streets, what are you most excited about?
We played once before and it’s been an honour to be welcomed back. The last time we played Beat The Streets was a mind-blowing experience, there were a few familiar faces dotted about but it exposed us to a whole new crowd. I think those fresh-faced individuals didn’t know what to expect but we won them over in the end I hope. Because the acts on the line up are so eclectic the most exciting part for us is giving them a little silly pallet cleanser.. or clearing the room in a timely fashion. Either way we’re super excited to play for you all!
Lastly, what can the audience expect from your performance at Beat The Streets this year?
As its a shorter set than our usual offering we put our brains together and picked out all the tracks that have something going on in the stage show. It’ll be a non-stop prop-a-thon encrusted with dancing and peppered with some crowd participation. That does sound delicious. A lovely slice of Evil Scarecrow lunacy we can all eat together.
Beat The Streets is taking place on 26th January 2025. You can buy tickets here.