No Sleep Till Hellfest: UK punk and hardcore contest to take place later this month at Camden Assembly

Camden Assembly, formerly known as the Barfly, is a London institution dedicated to alternative and independent music, having staged the likes of Kasabian, The Strokes and Muse before they went on to become international stars, making it one of most exciting venues for new talent to appear. Later this month, this iconic venue will be the center stage for a massive contest. Called No Sleep Still Hellfest, the event will host fifteen of UK’s hottest punk and hardcore outfits, which will go head-to-head and up against a heavyweight judging panel that includes Nick Collins from Camden’s DIY record store, All Ages Records; former drummer of U.K. Subs, Jamie Lee Oliver (now Hüsker Dü’s Greg Norton, 4ft Fingers and Anti-Nowhere League); and Nabila Slama from Hellfest. The winner will win a slot at this year’s edition of the world-renowed Hellfest, itself already hosting an enormous lineup featuring bands such as Machine Head, Metallica, Foo Fighters, Queens Of The Stone Age, The Prodigy, Saxon, Body Count and Suicidal Tendencies, among many others. Not only that, this winner will also receive an all-expenses paid trip, so they can play a coveted set during the opening day of the 60,000 capacity, sold-out Hellfest.

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. Therefore, the band shortlist for No Sleep Till Hellfest has already been revealed, as well as a series of nail-biting bouts running from March 25th to March 28th. On such a significant occasion, Nabila Slama, Project Manager at Hellfest Productions, said, “Living locally in Camden and having worked for Hellfest for 14 years, I always wanted to do something between the UK and France. And where better to host the contest than in the heart of Punk’s capital – London!”. The aforementioned judges will deliberate on March 28th before the event resumes on March 30th, when the chosen winner will step back on the Camden Assembly stage to make a celebratory performance alongside special guests Petbrick – comprising Sepultura founder Igor Cavalera and Big Lad’s Wayne Adams -, as well as rising punk stars Split Dogs, Last Hounds, 4ft Fingers and Hellfest resident DJ, Mike Rock. 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, scrumptious starters, and Camden Assembly’s ever-popular burgers and fried chicken dishes – including vegan options – this special menu is the perfect lip-smacking addition to the event. For fans of punk, hardcore and all things hellbanging, No Sleep Till Hellfest is a chance to discover the scene’s stars of tomorrow. And for those desperate to experience the sold-out Hellfest, we encourage you to head down to Camden Assembly on March 30th to have a chance of winning two four-day passes to the 2024 edition of the festival.

No Sleep Till Hellfest takes place at Camden Assembly, in London, from March 25th-30th. Ticket options range from 15 to 95 pounds – all ticket and band information can be found via Camden Assembly’s website, here.