The Recovery at Bunkers Hill - photo Matt Dalton - See full gallery

Christina Barbian's diary of the day:

With no schedule in mind, no real recommendations or research; I aimed to just wander around and hopefully uncover a few musical gems. This was going to make this years Hockley Hustle different for me as I veered away from the music I usually listen to and took a chance on something new.

1:30pm - I decided to pop my head into COW, what with the offer of free vodka and Red Bull and a fashion show, how can a girl say no?

I was not disappointed with COW - as always pretty dresses, sequins and animal print never fail to impress, and the models looked great as they sashayed through the store to the sound of  DJ Teddy BoShanks who belted out a great soundtrack for the beautiful customers of COW.

At Broadway and catching the end of Timothy J Simpson was a pleasant but unmemorable experience as he provided a relaxing soundscape to mine and my friend’s meals.

Dilk and others creating art outside Broadway - photo by Tom Quigley - See full gallery

5.40pm  - Next up was Leoni Ward who played a soothing electronic lullaby set which for me was not showcased at its best in the throng of hustlers, her fragile sound could at times barely be heard but what crept through was pretty and hypnotic with a dark undertone. Leni could easily be compared to Tori Amos and Bjork or even Massive Attack yet she definitely has her own personal stamp on her sound. Her songs are multi layered as she played with a variety of samplers, drums machines, keys, guitars and pedals to create dark lulling sounds.

Modern day xylophone man performing at  Broadway for LeftLion - photo Dom Henry See full gallery

From Broadway we skipped across the road to Lee Rosy’s Tea Room to be greeted by a scene which looked kind of ‘cult like’ as people sat around with chairs all facing a man who could easily have been mistaken for their happy clapper leader. However the man with the guitar was Daniel Maitland and the crowd around him seemed enthralled by his songs, which to me sounded like a hybrid of Daniel Powter and Newton Faulkner. Perhaps not giving myself enough time to truly appreciate him I made a swift exit, but hey his congregation seemed happy enough - yet somehow it wouldn’t have surprised me if later on they all broke into a big sing-song.

6:30pm - Next stop was a short walk to Bunkers Hill where the music by Glissando was an unexpected treat. 'Glissando' is a French word meaning to glide from one pitch to another and boy could this girl’s voice glide, the songs were epic in sound and duration.

Comparisons could be made to Eluvium or even a cooler version of Enya. With vocals sounding like Regina Spektor at her most reserved, lead singer Elly May Irving has a voice that can only be described as otherworldly. The kind of band that would make perfect night time listening, almost edging into classical at times, and at other times sounding possessed. Glissando are one to listen out for if you like dramatic music which the potential to hypnotise.

From Bunkers Hill we made a quick dash to Stone for the 'OhMyGosh Party'. For a place better known for its stone baked pizzas during the day, Stone really does know how to throw a Hockley Hustle party at night.

7:15pm - Listening to Karizma, one of Nottingham’s most dapper acts, rapping about real life got me excited about Nottingham’s promising hip hop scene. Quick witted and quick minded, the boy's got the rhythm and lyrics to just keep the party going. The atmosphere was buzzing and everyone was having fun, Karizma has definitely got charisma in bucket loads, and later on DJ Switch kept the crowd transfixed mixing old school tracks alongside some newer stuff.  Heading to Hockley Hustle without any must sees was a good thing as I discover some new acts I might otherwise have not of thought of seeing.

Special guests as part of Escucha's uber cool jazz lineup - photo Dom Henry - See full gallery

Several drinks later we rolled into Brownes to celebrate 'Finger lickin’ Records 10th Anniversary'. At Brownes our ears were treated to some old school Jackson Five alongside some James Brown, throughout the night there was a good mix of old and new funk, soul and hip hop by Pete Jordan and Soul of Man.

12:30pm - As the drink began to take hold I realised it was time to go home. We got ripped-off by a dodgy taxi driver; yes we really did somehow manage to fork out £16 to get back to Sherwood, yet that did not spoil what was a great night, discovering lots of new music. Great job done by the Hockley Hustle team, again - here’s to next years Hockley Hustle!

Matt Croxall's (who played with Rebel Soul Collective) diary of the day:

2.30pm – I arrive at the band's studio and practice room on Market Street. There is an atmosphere of nervous excitement as we pack our instruments up to head over to Dogma. It’s the first time any of us have played the Hockley Hustle, and more to the point it’s the first gig with our new lineup and my first full gig with the band. As we walk across Market Square the sun is out and it’s a beautiful day. Who, we ask ourselves, would want to spend their afternoon in a basement watching us on a day like this?

Papa La Bas - photo Matt Dalton See full gallery

3.30pm – We arrive at Dogma. Any concerns we might have had about the sound being a problem without a proper soundcheck are quickly allayed, as we listen to Alberto Veto, who have just started an enjoyable set that is very rhythmic, punchy and occasionally thunderous. And, as a pleasant surprise, there is a healthy sized crowd in.

4.30pm – As Lois are playing downstairs we take a moment upstairs to relax and get ourselves ready to play. The nerves are really building now and we take on a quick sambuca to calm them. As Lois finish up, we head downstairs to start setting up.

5.00pm – Our linecheck is done and we get into position to start our set. The bar is busy and the crowd has grown, swelled by a number of Captain Dangerous fans who are to be disappointed as the band have pulled out. We do our best to compensate them as we launch into our first song.

5.30pm – We close our set with two new songs, 'Shanty Shake' and 'Boho Rodeo'. For us, the gig is a triumph – we make it through without any of the big mistakes that you dread making, and more importantly, the crowd really get into it – it was great to see the dancing down at the front during 'Shanty', whoever you guys were!

6.15pm – We put off moving our gear for 45 minutes to catch Yunioshi’s set. It’s great to hear them maturing into their rockier sound behind some funky live drumming, although the classic pop sweetness of the vocals still shines through. Great stuff.

7.15pm – Back at the studio, we’re in high spirits as our equipment is stowed away, our little musical contribution to the day is concluded and the rest of the night is ours to enjoy. And there’s a glut of great stuff to choose from. Why can’t every Sunday be like this?

The Hockley Hustle is a music festival rasing money for Oxfam and local NSPCC projects. It took place on Sunday 5 October 2008 at various venues in and around Hockley.

Check out the Hockley Hustle 2008 gallery

Hockley Hustle website

 

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