Live music, free exhibitions and artistic workshops, here's what's happening in Nottingham this week.
John Kearns: Tilting at Windmills
When: 10 June
Where: Nottingham Playhouse
How much: £27.50
Tilting at Windmills is the brand-new stand-up show from Taskmaster alumni and double Edinburgh Comedy Award Winner, John Kearns. A self-declared fragmented, digressing portrayal of a 38-year-old man’s life, alluding to books he hasn’t read, touching on the modern condition. A night of great quality, often bleak, comedy on a Wednesday night in Nottingham.
When:12 June
Where: Drawing Room Gallery
How much: Free entry
This is a new exhibition by Harvey Tomlinson – a Notts photographer in his twenties – who, as well as featuring in LeftLion’s Notts Shots multiple times, has won two awards at the British Photography Awards 2025: Architecture Photographer of the Year, and People’s Choice in the documentary category. The exhibition, Nottingham in Infrared, paints our city in, literally, a whole new light, with an infrared lens portraying everything in Nottingham Forest Garibaldi red, creating some sci-fi-esque images. The Drawing Room Gallery in Cobden Chambers is hosting, and there’ll be drinks and snacks on opening night, plus calendars and prints on sale.
Fat Digester: 30th Anniversary
When: 12 June
Where: The Old Cold Store (next to the Vat & Fiddle)
How much: £11.00 (£3.30 early bird)
Nottingham’s legendary collective Fat Digester mark their 30th anniversary with a very special Yard Party at Castle Rock Brewery. Renowned since the 90s for their explosive, genre-smashing blend of funk, soul, hip-hop, dub, jazz and Latin rhythms, Fat Digester are all about one thing: getting people moving. The night promises surprise appearances from collaborators old and new, as well as a specially commissioned anniversary beer. If you're looking for somewhere to dance on Saturday night, a proper Fat Digester party awaits, exactly as it should be.
When: 13-14 June
Where: Motorpoint Arena
How much: From £18.00
Em-Con is a film and TV convention, and our city’s biggest pop culture event, which this month returns to Notts after the huge success of previous instalments. They’ve been regularly announcing the appearance of some pretty big actors from the world of fantasy, sci fi, and action media, including Paul Anderson who was Arthur Shelby in Peaky Blinders, David Bradley and Sylvester McCoy, previous doctors from Doctor Who, and Alfie Williams, star of the 28 Years Later films, plus many other big names. As well as actor meet and greets, there’ll be film sets, exclusive props, merchandise, and plenty more fun aspects of the immersive atmosphere for you to absorb.
When: 14 June
Where: Nottingham Contemporary
How much: Free entry
Join artist Feng-Ru Lee (Milee) in a workshop to explore the art of calligraphy as a bridge between cultures. Head down to Contemporary on Sunday afternoon for this unique opportunity to have fun trying out different inks, papers and tools to find your flow and create your own style and designs. Aimed at 15-25 year olds, no experience required!
Future Sound of Nottingham 2026
When: 14 June
Where: Rock City
How much: Free entry
Future Sound of Nottingham is back again and provides you with a rare chance to go to Rock City for free (no ticket required). If you’re unaware of how it works, eight of the city’s artists and bands play Rock City’s main stage through one night, competing before a judging panel for the chance to play Wollaton Park’s Splendour Festival, in the summer. There’s a fantastic lineup this year, including funk band Sancho Panza, neo-soul quintet Sun & Moon, folk singer Emily Ashberry, jazz rap artist Omari Marsalis, pop singer Louie Walsh, grime collective Two 2’s, soul singer Chantelle Marquez, and alt-rock trio Content Provider.
We have a favour to ask
LeftLion is Nottingham’s meeting point for information about what’s going on in our city, from the established organisations to the grassroots. We want to keep what we do free to all to access, but increasingly we are relying on revenue from our readers to continue. Can you spare a few quid each month to support us?
