Review: Beat The Streets 2026

Our day begins backstage at the legendary Rock City, as the DHP team have put on a short press tour to discuss Beat The Streets and its impact so far on tackling homelessness in our city.

“Every drink you buy today will raise more money… so please get involved!” laughs George Akins, reminding us all to enjoy the day and try not to think about the hangover on Monday. “We’ve got loads of great bands today, every band is playing for free – loads of staff here are working for free, all for an important cause as well.”

Indeed, the volunteer effort is a worthy one as all the proceeds from today go towards Framework, which works to end homelessness in Nottingham and beyond.

“Since last year, Framework’s been able to bring on new staff and Sneinton Hermitage shelter can now stay open,” explains Claire McGonigle, Chief Executive for Framework, as we gather in the Black Cherry Lounge. “Thank you all so much for lending your support for Beat The Streets, we are massively grateful. All the proceeds across each venue and ticket sold gets us closer to beating homelessness.”

The tour and its insights are a firm motivator for the day ahead, which is filled with some of the very best new music Nottingham has to offer. From the venues to the bands performing, there is a real buzz in the air as some of the best breaking artists from the area are being showcased today. From new discoveries to local favourites rising to the occasion, here’s our review of the day’s performances.

Terrianne – Rescue Rooms, 2pm

Our day begins in Rescue Rooms, where we are joined by a few other early starters who have come along to catch powerhouse popstar-in-the-making, Terrianne. Dressed in bright pink sportswear, with her backing vocalists contrasting in neon / lime green outfits, the attire matches the performance perfectly: vibrant, fun and energetic. However, amidst all the cheeky lyrics, angry break-up anthems and ravey synths, it’s the passion at the heart of Terrianne’s music that shines through the brightest. 

This is most apparent during 2025 single Daffodils, a heartbreaking ballad written for her late grandma. She dedicates the song to her sister who is running the London Marathon, before putting on a deeply profound performance that really stops us in our tracks. Hearing the emotional words sung through Terrianne’s mighty vocals firmly puts a lump in our throats, with the singer herself almost becoming overwhelmed at one point. It may be early but it’s already one of the standout moments of the entire day and has us thinking we may have just discovered Nottingham’s next big pop superstar. KB

Cara Flynn – Red Room, 2:30pm

There’s barely a moment to gather ourselves as it’s immediately upstairs for an acoustic performance from upcoming singer-songwriter, Cara Flynn. Her set is a mix of her own material and some excellently chosen covers, which includes Olivia Dean’s Man I Need and Fleetwood Mac’s Go Your Own Way. She does justice to both tracks, but it’s her own songs that impress the most. There’s the instantly catchy Synchronize, the existential No One Knows and delightful set closer Give It Up, with Cara's soft vocals and intricately written songs simply enchanting throughout the performance.

With mention that she has booked studio time to record some of the songs for a debut EP, we’re already keen to hear much more from Cara Flynn in the near future. KB

Bored Marsh - Rock City, 4pm

Their name reflects their subdued energy and Nottingham’s self-deprecating humour very sincerely (and of course is a clever nod to our repurposed shopping centre - Broad Marsh!) The indie alt-rock quartet were second to the stage in Rock City’s main hall, and it so happened to be my first time seeing them live at this year’s Beat the Streets. The familiar spacey synths and soaked reverb from atmospheric Plastic Bag (their first track from their most recent release Particles) aired through the speakers and the band soon followed suit. 

Bored Marsh kicked off with To Have & To Hold, a song that perfectly captures the four-piece's melancholic yet euphoric aesthetic and dynamic genre-merging dark melodic hooks, with elements of grunge, post punk, new wave and shoe gaze circling the room. Frontman Joe Need’s wavering ethereal vocals soared the space and lured the crowd further into a vibey idyllic state. 

Popular singles Alright, OK!, The World In Your View and DoGooder were also featured on their 30-minute set list, which were delivered bewitchingly and greeted with vast applause. Need thanked everyone for the support, having remarked earlier about seeing Reel Big Fish at 14 years old in Rock City – his first live gig ever.

“This is a dream for us” he states, taking in the moment that clearly means the world to him. “Thank you... the music keeps us all going!” KM-W 

Alfie Sharp - Rescue Rooms, 5pm

Soulful Notts star on the rise Alfie Sharp warmed our hearts (and distracted us from the January cold) in the early bustling evening of Beat the Streets. Flamboyantly (and smartly) dressed in a big faux fur coat and black ‘Lover’ print tee, Alfie owned the stage and instantly clicked with the crowd and put everyone at ease with his divine voice and easy-going sense of humour.

Alife Sharp's candid lyrics are powerful with such sincerity and sentiment, discussing fragments and poignant stories from his life; friendships, rocky relationships, growing up gay in a Nottingham council estate, his childhood battle with leukaemia and having had a bone marrow transplant. Recent single LYING was featured, (as well as classic fan favourites Nostalgia and Wasted) were all very well-received from the audience. Alfie Sharp is a commendable reminder of how the power of resilience, hope and self-love can transport you to places you didn’t even know were possible. KM-W

Bloodworm - Rock City, 5pm

A belter of a set from Nottingham’s leading three-piece band, the Bloodworm boys owned the stage at a packed out Rock City with a set composed of sonic fury, a marriage between gothic and intricate indie rock, and oscillating vocals from frontman George Curtis, who commands such a presence it's hard not to be charmed by. This was a set brimmed with surprises, with the inclusion of a brand new track BloodLust and the announcement of a Halloween headline gig at Rescue Rooms.

The link-up between guitar, bass and drums has never sounded so good. It would be a huge insult if you do not go and catch them on tour with Suede next month. The ceiling for this band is ascending by the minute, it's only a matter of time until they are regular headliners here in the future. LO

Eyre Llew - Rescue Rooms, 6pm

As one battles the elements outside, he comes into contact with the elements going on inside as ambient post-rockers Eyre Llew showcases a powerful set imbued with experimentation and gravitas fit enough to battle any storm. The band’s experimental curiosity sees them perform in Korean and test the conceptual nature of music with thought-provoking phases as opposed to a conventional set. Eyre Llew are the post-rock band that Nottingham has been crying out for some time. A genre often seen as too inaccessible has its new local flag-bearers determined to subvert that outdated view. This was a set for the newcomers determined to go beyond their instincts and find something beyond the pale. LO

Marvin’s Revenge - Rock City, 7pm

Martin’s Revenge's Offer of Love unleashed hell in Rock City. The alt-rock trio commanded the stage with such gnarly intensity, their grunge-infused energetic blend of bass reverb, gritty guitars and pounding drums felt reminiscent of Nirvana, IDLES and Pixies. Luke Eaton’s baritone deadpan vocals ascended and screamed, as he handled the slightly faulty microphone feedback with cautious vigour and grit. Harsh red strobe lights amplified the chaos and visceral ambience; matching Job Gregory’s thrashing drums as a wall-of-death mosh pit circulated, drawing a male-heavy crowd across generations towards the very centre. Catch the lads at The Bodega in April for another electrifying performance. KM-W

Swallowtail - Rescue Rooms, 8pm

The Brighton-based four-piece return to BTS after last year's cracking set with new members and new ideas. Despite the change in personnel, it hasn’t affected their musical talent, nor their ability to grip an audience's interest. The delicate vocals of new vocalist Lucy is a perfect fit for the new chapter of the band. The band have always lived up to their name well by creating a cacophony of sound to mirror the flight of swooping swallows in the harshness of winter weather and this was no exception. A truly spellbinding set to captivate the Rescue Rooms crowd from floor to balcony. LO

Hunch Power - Rough Trade, 8.30 pm

For me, Hunch Power are one of the most underappreciated acts on the local circuit. The complete punk package, they are bestowed in frontman Harvey Springfield, the ultimate fusion of attitude and assurance on stage. Springfield’s delivery is no different, despite their set being announced later than billed. He is a great storyteller in between songs and never afraid to speak the daring truth of our fraught political times. The raw aggression pulsating from serrated guitar riffs and primal drum beats blend together so well and just perfectly matched for the bouncy echo of the Rough Trade walls. 

Be sure to catch them at 99 Fest at the Mist Rolling Inn in August for your next dose of punk rock, infused with political symbolism and artistic anarchy! LO

Fat Digester - Rescue Rooms, 9pm

The too-cool-for-skool eclectic collective began their set a minute early, but no one in the audience was complaining in the slightest. Formed in 1995, Fat Digester are a strong intoxicating cocktail of funk, ska, reggae, dubstep, jazz, soul, hip hop and Latin, with bass heavy grooves, brass, woodwind, guitar and upbeat percussion. Frontman Paul ‘Ned’ Needham’s voice is cordially distinct and blends deliciously with Jo-Jo Hudson’s honeyed vocals and Deriq Philips’ eloquent spoken words.

Fat Digester’s set was a celebration of good mates and good vibes, showcasing the past 30 years of music and friendship in the collective. Infectious energy from start to finish, everyone in the venue was getting their groove on, drinking and dancing. A true privilege to witness live and the perfect act to end Rescue Rooms and Beat the Streets on a complete high – in a safe party haven to be free and be yourself. KM-W

Beat The Streets took place at various venues across Nottingham on 25th January 2026.

beatthestreetsuk.com