Landmark year ahead as the most diverse platform in the city returns for 2026
Sunday Best UK has confirmed that THE BUMP. will return to Queen Square on January 15. The announcement marks the start of a landmark year for the platform.
While THE BUMP. recently celebrated a breakout six-month residency at Slug & Lettuce, it is merely the latest chapter in a much larger story. 2026 officially marks the 10th anniversary of Sunday Best, a milestone that sees the brand evolving from its grassroots origins into the backbone of Wolverhampton’s creative circuit.
What began in 2016 as a charity showcase at the Clarendon Pub in Chapel Ash has evolved into a decade-long crusade to build an inclusive, self-sustaining entertainment community. Reflecting on the journey from grassroots to the city’s creative hub, Founder Kupid Val-Essoné (professionally known as Kupid the King) notes: “You have to study the landscape before you can build on it. It’s not just about what you want to build, or what the venue wants. It’s about how every part of the ecosystem, the artist, the community, the space, works together. We spent 2025 studying the gaps. 2026 we build.”
This deep understanding of the local landscape drove the creation of THE BUMP. Operating on the simple promise that “I don’t turn any artist away”, Founder Val-Essoné reveals that the motivation was to destroy historical gatekeeping in the local scene.
“Historically, the city’s open mics were guarded spaces for acoustic acts, indie bands, and folk singers,” says Val-Essoné. “As a Black artist, I often felt that I had to code-switch for my art to be accepted. I knew I couldn’t be the only one.
“I didn’t want Wolverhampton’s Rap artists to only exist underground, or our Grime artists to be trapped in studios or sets. The Sunday Best open mic platforms musos and THE BUMP. were built to ignore genres and hierarchy. I wanted a stage where an MC coming from the studio with a backing track was treated with the same respect as a singer performing acoustic covers on guitar.”
A Broadcast-ready stage
The platform has backed up this mission with high-level infrastructure. Partnering with Cellar Rooms Studios for professional-grade audio and utilising a broadcast-ready lighting rig, the weekly event feels more like a gig than an open mic. This setup supports THE BUMP. Live, a TikTok broadcast hosted by the BBC 1Xtra-recognised tastemaker Kupid the King, showcasing Wolverhampton talent to an international audience.
The return comes at a poignant moment for Wolverhampton. Following recent tragic events in the city, the need for safe, regulated social spaces has never been more urgent.
“I started the platform to connect talent with the people, but it’s the community who grew it into the sanctuary it is today,” Val-Essoné adds. “It is a place where people can chill out, connect with friends, or focus on the art.”
Expanding the mission: Wolves Days Out
Recognising that everyone needs a break from the city now and then, The Industry Spot is also introducing Road Trips: Wolves Days Out. This new initiative is designed to make family escapes affordable and simple by handling all the logistics, so the community can just turn up and relax.
The first trip is scheduled for Easter Weekend (Saturday, April 4) to Stratford-Upon-Avon. With prices set at just £18 for adults and £60 for families, it offers an accessible getaway including visits to the Butterfly Farm and Riverside markets.
ITV partnership and student giveaway
To kick off this anniversary year, The Industry Spot has partnered with Wolverhampton Racecourse ahead of the ITV broadcast of Friday Night Live on January 9. This partnership bridges the gap between grassroots culture and elite leisure.
Through this collaboration, The Industry Spot provides direct access to 500 free tickets for University of Wolverhampton students (standard price £12), alongside 1,000 free pints (courtesy of Guinness & Carlsberg), free winter bobble hats, and Golden Circle access. These are available via The Industry Spot’s bio link and selected partner channels.
Upcoming schedule
The new season launches with a packed diary designed to connect the student and creative populations, while providing essential escapes for local families:
Jan 8: Media Capture (Slug & Lettuce) Open Session. Be part of the history books. There will be no live broadcast this week; instead, we are dedicating the night to capturing the faces of the 2026 campaign for THE BUMP., Slug & Lettuce, Visit Wolverhampton, and the University of Wolverhampton. Come camera-ready.
Jan 9: Friday Night Live (Wolverhampton Racecourse) A televised spectacle live on ITV. We have secured exclusive perks for students including free tickets, Golden Circle access, and 1,000 complimentary pints.
Jan 15: THE BUMP. returns (Slug & Lettuce) the residency resumes. The city’s most diverse open mic returns to claim its Thursday night throne.
Jan 19: musos (Luna Lounge, University of Wolverhampton) The People's Platform returns for a special Monday session. With a strict All Ages Welcome policy, this is our most family-friendly environment. Bring the kids, grab a coffee, and watch the next generation find their voice. Note: While free, entry is strictly ticket-only. Advance reservation via Skiddle is mandatory.
Jan 22: The Barcrawl The official start to Thursdays in Wolves. An all-access tour connecting students with the city's best venues, including Genting Casino, Bohemian, WV1 Bar, SPACE, and ending at Slug & Lettuce.
Feb 8: A Sunday Best Story (LitFest) A special 10th anniversary event. Kupid Val-Essoné takes the stage at the Wolverhampton Literature Festival to reveal the untold origin story of the brand.
Mar 20: Road Trips Booking Deadline Last call for Stratford-Upon-Avon. The final date to secure your family’s seat for the Easter weekend escape (departing Saturday, April 4).
