Hockley Hustle celebrates 20 years of music, arts and fundraising

This Sunday, 25 October, one wristband will open the doors to around 50 venues across Hockley as the Hockley Hustle celebrates its 20th festival. Bars, pubs, cinemas, chapels and galleries will be filled with hundreds of artists from midday until late, and every wristband raises money for local charities.

The Hustle began in 2006 as part of Oxjam, the UK-wide series of DIY music events raising money for Oxfam. The first edition used just seven venues and a budget of £1,000. Founder Adam Pickering was only 18 when he started asking promoters to host shows, among them Tommy Farmyard, now the festival's director. Over the years the event grew into a standalone festival backing Nottingham causes.

Looking back, the festival's own team describes a journey that has seen the Hustle change shape, growing and shrinking and even pausing before returning, but the raw, grassroots spirit has held firm. Over twenty years it has raised around £250,000 for local charities, and this year it aims to raise £20,000 for six of them.

The anniversary is too big for one day. The celebrations have included an anniversary exhibition at Broadway Cinema, a Sleaford Mods screening, a warm-up show and an R&B line dancing flashmob. On the day itself there is a parade, and the UFO Orchestra will perform at St Mary's Church, continuing a tradition of orchestral shows that has featured vocalists such as Liam Bailey, Natalie Duncan and Alfie Sharp.

The Hustle has long been a launchpad for local talent. Sleaford Mods, Jake Bugg, alt blk era, Natalie Duncan and Myles Smith all played early in their careers. Past highlights include samba and silent discos in the streets, choirs on the Broadway steps and beatbox battles at The Bodega, and venues such as Rough Trade and Metronome have hosted stages.

Reflecting on two decades, the organisers wrote: "It has been a truly wonderful journey." Their message for the future is simple: "Roll on the next 20 years of Hustling."

Wristbands are available in advance and can be exchanged at Broadway Cinema on the day, with the full programme on the Hockley Hustle website.