• Reviews

• All
• Music
• DVDs
• Live
• Cinema
• TV
• Books
• Comic Books
• Video Games

Oct 15, 2025 By Dom Gourlay Web Exclusive

This weekend (Sunday 19th October) sees the Hockley Hustle return to Nottingham for its 18th edition having initially started in 2006. The 2025 edition will play host to over 400 performers across nearly 50 stages situated in venues and spaces around the city’s Hockley district. Over the nineteen years of its existence, the Hockley Hustle has raised over £237,500 for local charities and this October are hoping to break the £250,000 mark.

This year’s charities include prostate cancer support group Friends & Bredrins, domestic abuse charity Juno Women’s Aid and Refugee Roots which helps asylum seekers. A full list of charities involved can be found HERE.

The Hockley Hustle also prides itself on having a family friendly vibe with its Young Hustlers programme aimed at families and children taking place from 11am until 5pm in conjunction with the main festival itself.

Meanwhile, the 2025 music programme has some new venue additions, most notably St Mary’s Church which plays host to the UFO Orchestra and special guests including Under the Radar favourites Eyre Llew.

In the meantime, here’s 10 other acts we’re excited about seeing in no particular order.

Modern Coven

(The Grove, 4pm)

Nottingham based duo Modern Coven make haunting, acoustic folk pop in the vein of Mazzy Star or Beach House that’s seen them wow audiences across the city in recent months. Playing their spiritual home of The Grove, expect mid-afternoon gothic vibes and a songbook from heaven.

Jonk

(Fisher Gate Point – Downstairs, 7pm)

A relatively new name on the Nottingham music scene having only formed last year. This five-piece make music people can escape to and feel good about themselves. They’ve been compared to Los Campesinos! or a punkier Broken Social Scene and are one of the must-see acts at this year’s Hustle.

Revenge Of Calculon

(Rough Trade, 145pm)

Arguably the most colourfully dressed act on this year’s line-up. Revenge of Calculon can also claim to be one of the most original musical ensembles to emerge from Nottingham in recent years. Their music has been described as Daft Punk meets Parliament and Beastie Boys soundtracking a sci-fi movie, neither of which are far from the truth.

Jahrel JP and the Future

(31K, 6pm)

This Nottingham-based trio have been creating a storm around with their hybrid melting pot of funk, blues, punk and dub that’s seen them compared with Santana, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix and Killing Joke among others. We’re expecting their teatime slot at 31K to be one of the busiest shows of the day so get there early to see what the fuss is all about.

In Chimera

(Liquid Light, 5pm)

Fusing elements of post-punk, grunge and noise rock, In Chimera are another name that’s been doing the rounds on the Nottingham circuit for all the right reasons. This five-piece are not to be missed especially in the intimate surroundings of Liquid Light and it highly recommended assortment of beverages.

Of Cruelty

(Fox & Grapes, 830pm)

The new goths on the block as it were, and natural successors an heirs to the throne of fellow Nottingham goth megastars-in-waiting Bloodworm. Although they’ve still only played a handful of shows, the buzz around Of Cruelty intensifies with every performance and this closing slot at the Fox & Grapes marks their biggest headline show to date.

Stained Glass

(Fox & Grapes, 530pm)

With members based in South Yorkshire and Nottingham, Stained Glass straddle the thin line between emo-tinged metal and grunge-flavoured shoegaze. The five-piece have already established themselves as one of the most exciting new bands on the rock circuit in recent months, while for keyboard player this represents one of three shows she’ll playing at this year’s Hustle along with her other band City Flowers (830 @ The Angel Microbrewery) and an afternoon solo set at Metronome (4pm).

Possum Kid

(Carousel, 8pm)

This six-piece band contains a former member of Dura Mater amongst their number and plays experimental music that veers towards the slowcore end of shoegaze and beyond. It’s probably best to expect the unexpected but one thing’s for certain, you won’t be disappointed.

Matt Edible & The Obtuse Angels

(The Angel Microbrewery – The Chapel, 430pm)

A Hull-based supergroup of sorts, featuring past and present members of The Holy Orders, Fire (The Unstoppable Force) and Kingmaker among others. Recent album The Optometrist came out earlier this year to a wealth of critical acclaim so it represents a bit of a coup for the organisers to have them playing at this year’s Hustle.

Leah Sinead

(Rough Trade, 345pm)

Perhaps better known for her work as Keto, Leah Sinead has been a regular face around the East Midlands music scene for over a decade and played with several internationally acclaimed artists including Julia Jacklin and Alan Sparhawk from Low. She’s also released one of 2025’s finest EPs in the shape of Western Buzz and her early afternoon set at Rough Trade looks set to be one of this year’s most eagerly anticipated.

The Hockley Hustle takes place on Sunday 19th October. Tickets are still available and can be purchased HERE