Next Up 2026 at Binks Yard

Following the success of First Up at Jam Café in May, Inspire Youth Arts took the next step in its two-part gig series with Next Up, an open-air music showcase at Binks Yard in Nottingham on Sunday 28 June. 

Bringing together emerging young artists from across Nottinghamshire, Next Up gave young musicians developing their skills through Inspire Youth Arts the opportunity to take to a larger stage and share their music with a live audience. The event featured an exciting mix of bands, solo artists and young DJs, showcasing styles ranging from rock and indie to R&B, folk, pop and hip hop. 

With performers supported through Inspire Youth Arts sessions at The Old Library in Mansfield, schools and community settings across Nottinghamshire, the event was a brilliant celebration of the young musical talent being nurtured across the county. 

The line-up included DRING, Lemoneye featuring Inspire Youth Arts young DJs, The Revivals, Something Or Other, Niicole, The Streaks, Will Hickman, Bittersweet Something and many more. For some performers, Next Up was an opportunity to build on their live experience, while for others it was a chance to step onto a larger outdoor stage and reach a new audience. 

Alongside the live performances, audiences could get involved in Djembe drumming and beatboxing workshops and an Inspire Music instruments pop-up. Music producer, Trekkah, circulated through the crowd sampling sounds to create a new track. The event was hosted by radio presenter Jackie P. 

Next Up built on the ethos of the first event in the series. While First Up at Jam Café created an intimate and supportive space for young people to try new material and experience performing live, Next Up gave these emerging artists the chance to take that experience onto a bigger stage as part of a vibrant summer music showcase. 

The impact of Next Up also extended beyond the young people who performed. One parent shared how, after attending the gig all afternoon, his younger daughter returned home and immediately began writing two new songs, having not written for many months. She was clearly inspired not only by the performances, but by the sense of community amongst the young musicians, their friends and families, as well as the Inspire Youth Arts staff, whose dedication and professionalism shone through the entire day. 

Together, First Up and Next Up have created two connected performance opportunities - from an intimate first step onto the stage at Jam Café to a larger outdoor celebration at Binks Yard. Both events have showcased the incredible talent of young musicians while providing valuable opportunities to build confidence, develop skills and share their creativity with others. 

A huge well done to all the young musicians, bands and DJs who performed at Next Up, and to everyone who helped make it such a memorable celebration of Nottinghamshire’s next generation of musical talent.