Review: Hockley Hustle 2024
One of Nottingham's most-loved festivals returns to the streets of Hockley
Hockley Hustle, Nottingham’s beloved multi-venue music and arts festival, returned with its usual dose of chaos, creativity, and community spirit on 20 October 2024.
Over the years, it’s become a must-attend event in the city’s cultural calendar, taking over the bars, pubs, and streets of Hockley for a full day of live music, art, and charity fundraising.
What started as a grassroots initiative in 2006 has blossomed into a vibrant showcase for local talent, with artists spanning genres from indie and hip-hop to jazz and grime, rubbing shoulders with some of the best up-and-coming talent in the East Midlands.
Raining Blue - Bodega (Upstairs), 3:30pm
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 Raining Blue’s first gig under their new name, the band performed with confidence and ease. The singer acknowledged a break from performing, telling the audience it was “very good to be back.”
This performance signaled 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.
Jerub - Saltbox, 4pm
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 favorites like Finding My Feet, Higher, 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.
ALT BLK ERA - Saltbox, 5pm
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. Opening with Freak Show, they immediately set the tone for their high-energy set, 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 cut the set slightly short, but with a headline show at Saltbox on January 25th and other projects 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.
Leah Wilcox - Bodega (Downstairs), 7pm
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, written 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 in just a week. 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.
Stan Buckroyd - Das Kino, 7:30pm
Stan Buckroyd delivered a laid-back yet witty performance at Hockley Hustle, 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 and added a personal touch to the set.
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, humor, and stripped-back sound left the crowd intrigued and eager for what’s next.
Vona Vella - Rough Trade, 8pm
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 the day after, this performance showed off Vona Vella’s versatility and growing confidence as they continue to captivate both new and long-time fans.
Jayahadadream - Antenna, 8.30pm
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 tracklist 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 for the latter half of the performance. Switching gears, 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, 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.
By Gemma Cockrell