The iconic Camden Assembly will host fifteen bands later this month in an action-packed week, which will see the winning band playing a set at Hellfest Festival in Clisson, France. Hosted by Hellfest, No Sleep ‘Till Hellfest is the first new talent competition open to UK grassroots punk and hardcore bands.
“Living locally in Camden and having worked for Hellfest for 14 years, I always wanted to do something between the UK and France,” Nabila Slama, Project Manager at Hellfest Productions, told MetalTalk. “And where better to host the contest than in the heart of punk’s capital – London!”
Following a gruelling shortlisting process of over 250 applicants, organisers at Hellfest are now set to showcase the best new talent that the UK has to offer in the renowned Camden Assembly. Metal fans in attendance will have a chance of winning two four-day passes to the 2024 festival.
Fifteen bands will play over three nights (25-27 March), with the winner from each evening battling in a finals night on 28 March. The judges include Nick Collins from Camden’s DIY record store, All Ages Records, former U.K. Subs drummer Jamie Oliver (now Hüsker Dü’s Greg Norton, 4ft Fingers and Anti Nowhere League) and Nabila Slama from Hellfest.
The winning band will then join a showcase evening on the 30 March Petbrick – comprising Sepultura founder Igor Cavalera and Big Lad’s Wayne Adams – rising punk stars Split Dogs, Last Hounds, 4ft Fingers and Hellfest resident DJ Mike Rock.
This will be a big celebration as the winning band will receive an all-expenses paid trip to perform at this year’s Hellfest.
Camden Assembly will also be serving up a Hellfest-themed food and drinks menu that will be available only during the competition week with everything from classic and imaginative cocktails to scrumptious starters and Camden Assembly’s ever-popular burgers and fried chicken dishes – including vegan options.
Tickets are available from The Camden Assembly website.
No Sleep ‘Til Hellfest
25 March – Yurmum, Broken Jaw, Phat Problem, Own Your Life, Top Left Club
26 March – Frontside, Jawless, Fantazmaz, Hell Can Wait, The Dying Hour
27 March – Street Soldier, Barriers, Be N!CE, Manic Aggression, Regrets
28 March – Finalists from each heat, Face up
30 March – Petbrick, Last Hounds, Split Dogs, 4ft Fingers, Contest Winner, DJ Mike Rock
Doors: 6pm – 11pm (25 to 28 March) / 4pm – 11pm (30 March)
Age: 14+. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.
Tickets: Heats: £15 (25-26-27 Mar)
Semi-Final and Final from £20 (28-30 Mar).
Various packages are available, including goodie bags and a lottery ticket entry to the Hellfest ticket giveaway.
Week-long tickets: £95
