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By K Futur LOCALOn Saturday 21st February 2026, Derby’s grassroots music scene was out in force as Musik Box hosted a Solo Artist Night at Dubrek Studios. With a line-up featuring Jude Forsey, Hannah Dennis, Nallid and Vext, the room was buzzing from the outset. A strong crowd packed into the venue, proving once again that Derby live music is thriving when promoters invest in emerging local talent.
From the first note, it was clear this was going to be a special evening for the city’s independent music community.
Jude Forsey Sets the Tone with 90s R&B Flair
Opening the night, Jude Forsey worked his way through a set of original material drawn from his EP, available now across all streaming platforms. His voice immediately commanded attention, smooth yet emotive, cutting cleanly through dreamy, well-produced backing tracks.
The early part of his set leaned into love songs with a distinct 90s R&B feel, blending nostalgia with a modern bedroom indie and emo aesthetic. The production felt polished but intimate, creating a contrast that worked beautifully in the live setting.
Towards the end, a couple of tracks carried subtle The Weeknd-inspired vibes, moody and atmospheric, while still maintaining Jude’s own sonic identity. He also previewed new material, giving the Dubrek crowd a taste of what is to come. It was a confident and well-executed opening that warmed the room perfectly.
Hannah Dennis Steps Into the Spotlight
Usually the driving force behind Musik Box, Hannah Dennis swapped organiser mode for performer mode on the night, all while still running the event. It is no small task to host and perform, yet she handled both effortlessly.
Opening with a Lana Del Rey cover, Hannah immediately showcased a big, expressive voice. She followed with original material, including a standout track titled “Ulcers”, a beautifully crafted song built on a backing track she recorded and produced herself. The songwriting felt honest and personal, with a strong melodic hook.
Her covers demonstrated impressive range. A stunning rendition of “Jealous Guy”, inspired by the Donny Hathaway version rather than John Lennon’s, brought a bluesy warmth to the room. Taking on Amy Winehouse is never easy, but Hannah delivered with confidence and control.
She closed with Tina Turner’s “Simply the Best”, dedicating it to the crowd. The powerful vocal performance was met with cheers, and her energy filled every corner of Dubrek. It was a reminder that Derby’s grassroots scene is powered by genuine talent and passion.
Nallid Brings SoundCloud Rap Chaos
Next up was Nallid, a rapper-singer hybrid who instantly shifted the mood. Blending cloud rap, emo rap and SoundCloud-inspired aesthetics, he brought a vibrant energy that had the crowd dancing and jumping from the first track.
A fantastic vocalist with strong stage presence, Nallid did not stay static. He was in amongst the crowd, feeding off their energy and giving it back tenfold. His set built momentum throughout, turning Dubrek into a bouncing, sweat-soaked celebration of underground rap culture.
A highlight came when Jude Forsey returned to the stage to perform “How Things End”, a track Jude produced for Nallid. The collaboration worked brilliantly live, showcasing the creative synergy within Derby’s music network.
By the end of his set, the crowd were fully primed for the headline act.
Vext’s Explosive Debut Performance
Headlining the night was Vext, performing his first ever live show. Having already released music on streaming platforms and recently dropped a new EP, anticipation was high. He did not disappoint.
He began with “Future Plans”, a chilled love song that eased the audience in. Promising things would get more energetic, he quickly delivered. “Afters”, “Stayin True” and “Ten Down Bunnin” transformed the venue into a chaotic party.
Twinkly cloud rap instrumentals collided with distorted bass and pounding drums through the Dubrek sound system. The mosh pit grew rowdy, with pushing, shoving and collective chanting filling the room. His short, punchy tracks about good times, friendship and reckless fun hit hard and fast.
When he dropped his first single “All I Wanna Do”, chaos truly ensued. The hook was instantly memorable, the crowd shouting every lyric back at him. The song was so well received he ran it back and performed it twice.
He closed with “Vext Is Next”, cementing a bold debut. At one point he joked that he should have rehearsed more. If that was him underprepared, Derby should be excited to see what a fully rehearsed Vext performance looks like in the future.
Soar’s Pop-Up Shop Sells Out
Adding another layer to the night was a creative pop-up from Mason Toone, who readers will remember from our previous Artist Focus. Also known as Soar or 50AR, he brought his fashion creations to Dubrek Studios, setting up a small pop-up shop inside the venue.
Selling handmade bags and patches that carried his distinctive underground aesthetic, Mason’s stall quickly drew attention. Every purchase came with a free hand-drawn sticker, adding a personal touch that people loved. The response was immediate. By the end of the night, every single bag and patch had sold out.
His girlfriend was also selling her handmade beanies, which proved just as popular and also sold out before the final act had even finished. It was another reminder that Derby’s music scene is deeply intertwined with fashion, art and DIY culture, all feeding into the same creative ecosystem.
A Night That Showcases Derby’s Grassroots Strength
Musik Box’s Solo Artist Night at Dubrek Studios was more than just a gig. It was a snapshot of Derby’s evolving live music culture, spanning R&B, indie, soul, cloud rap and emo influences all under one roof.
Massive respect is due to Hannah Dennis for not only organising the event but also stepping up and delivering a standout performance herself. The strong turnout proves there is a real appetite in Derby for original music and emerging artists.
With sell-out fashion pop-ups, debut headline sets and collaborations between artists on stage, the night captured exactly what makes Derby grassroots music so exciting right now.
If this event is anything to go by, Musik Box is quickly becoming a key name in the city’s independent scene. Derby gigs like this remind us that the future of live music is being built right here, one packed-out Saturday night at a time.
