Bloodworm, Marvin’s Revenge, Lexa, Campfire Social

Hockley Hustle 2023, Nottingham, UK, October 22, 2023,

Oct 26, 2023
By Dom Gourlay
Pictures by Will Clay
Internet Unique

​Having grown past all expectations from its humble beginnings in 2006, Nottingham’s Hockley Hustle has turn out to be an integral function on the East Midlands’ annual music calendar. This yr’s occasion performed host to over 350 artists enjoying throughout over 35 taking part venues and areas, creating probably the most vibrant atmospheres town will see in 2023. Its additionally probably the most inclusive too, it’s Younger Hustler programme particularly designed for youngsters of all ages who in addition to watching stay music within the majority of venues, can even become involved in varied workshops starting from DJ courses and Bhangra drumming to graffiti artwork and even a household themed rave.

Add the variety of excessive profile gigs additionally happening within the metropolis this night – The Bug Membership at Rescue Rooms, The Warlocks and hotly tipped native four-piece Bored Marsh on the Chameleon, and Maisie Peters at Rock Metropolis being three bought out exhibits occurring – and it’s clear to see why Nottingham is at the moment experiencing a resurgence as one of many UK’s most fun cities on the inventive map.

As with every line-up, the mark of an incredible competition is often the variety of clashes all through the day, making it nigh on unimaginable to see everybody we’d initially deliberate on seeing. Then after all, there’s at all times these performances one stumbles upon by likelihood that depart us wanting extra. Step forwards Lexa, aka Nottingham born and now Leeds based mostly singer/songwriter Lexa Lambert. Though nonetheless solely sixteen years of age, her two units on the Previous Bus Depot and Das Kino exude a confidence and maturity far past her years. Influenced by Taylor Swift and Hayley Williams in equal measures, we predict large issues for her within the none too distant future.

Over in Tough Commerce, supergroup of types Responsibility Mighty are making their debut. The five-piece – Spiritualized guitarists Martin Lynch and Tony “Doggen” Foster, drummer Kevin Bales, former Champyun Clouds multi-instrumentalist Asa Hudson and native musician and poet Sophie Diver – play a frazzled blues not too dissimilar to Doves or Sunhouse. Drawing a big crowd that features Everton soccer supervisor Sean Dyche amongst its quantity, Responsibility Mighty are one other outfit we count on to listen to extra of within the coming months.

Staying in Tough Commerce, the Hockley Hustle isn’t simply confined to Nottingham based mostly artists. Which is simply as effectively for Chester’s Campfire Social. Hailed because the Welsh Damaged Social Scene or Los Campesinos!, their quick however candy repertoire additionally attracts a sizeable quantity that joins in enthusiastically with their catchy numbers, even discovering time to want singer/guitarist Thomas Hyndman a cheerful birthday earlier than the top.

Earlier within the day, Bloodworm show why the good cash’s on them to be the subsequent band to interrupt nationally from the area. Taking inspiration from the darker recesses of Nineteen Eighties post-punk (suppose The Treatment, The Smiths, Bauhaus and The Chameleons) they’re one thing of a revelation in a Jam Cafe that’s packed to capability with dozens extra queuing exterior to get in. Songs like “Bloodlust” and “Cemetery Dance” have turn out to be stay favourites over the previous few months, and with speak of file offers and excursions within the offing, 2024 may very well be an enormous yr for them.

The Six Barrels Drafthouse can be jammed to the rafters for Mollie Ralph. Enjoying a set of largely new materials and backed by a three-piece band, her inimitable rock-tinged mix of blues and soul proves a success with these squeezed into no matter recesses of the venue they’ll discover.

Elsewhere, The Publics fuse ska, indiepop, dance and the whole lot else in between (the guitarist is sporting a Chappaqua Wrestling t-shirt which supplies you some concept of the place their heads are at) that creates a melee of limbs and shapes throughout their adrenaline pumped set on the BBC Introducing Stage on the Bodega. Whereas post-hardcore trio Marvin’s Revenge additionally show why they’re one other of town’s bands hotly tipped to make important waves over the subsequent yr or so. New single “Jack (Let Go Of The Expensive)” proving significantly standard with these out entrance, a lot of whom are in different Nottingham bands it must be mentioned!

After all this solely a small choice of what was on provide all through the day and evening, however nonetheless it additionally serves as a transparent illustration of the place Nottingham is at musically proper now.

Right here’s to 2024!