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Gig review: Hamish Hawk at Rough Trade
Wed 21 Aug 2024Hamish Hawk’s latest album A Firmer Hand is here, and to celebrate, the Scottish singer-songwriter brought his witty lyricism and enchanting vocal performance to Nottingham’s Rough Trade for a good old-fashioned in-store gig...
Gig review: ACHB at JT Soar
Wed 21 Aug 2024Choosing a space at the fabulous JT Soar venue, Notts locals ACHB hosted a fun-packed, eclectic line-up of local acts. LeftLion contributors Gemma and Natalie experienced an entertaining evening, with a few surprises, too...
Festival review: Gloworm 2024
Mon 19 Aug 2024Our youngest reviewer at 20 months old, Silvia, has had a total blast at Gloworm Festival 2024 and we are here to give you lovely Notts folk a rundown of the day…
Gig Review: The Xcerts at The Bodega
Sun 18 Aug 2024Five years since their last visit to The Bodega, Scottish alt-rock trio The Xcerts returned this past week to that wonderful loft on Pelham Street. Armed with a new album in the form of 2023’s Learning How To Live and Let Go as well as celebrating the 10-year anniversary of There Is Only You, this was one show we couldn’t miss…
Gig review: Hurray For The Riff Raff at Metronome
Sun 18 Aug 2024For well over 15 years, NY-based singer-songwriter Alynda Segarra has been enchanting fans the world over under the guise of Hurray For The Riff Raff. Making a rare pit stop on their mammoth world tour to the intimate surroundings of Metronome, we decided to don our best cowboy hats and head along…
Food review: Alora Tapas Mapperley
Sun 18 Aug 2024Our trusty food editor Julia Head took a jaunt just ten minutes out of the city centre to Mapperley Top’s new tapas restaurant Alora, where the food, service and vibe all scored a perfect ten.
Gig review: Fat Freddy's Drop at Rock City
Sun 18 Aug 2024New Zealand seven-piece Fat Freddy's Drop are renowned for their live energy and eclectic style. When they made a visit to Rock City recently, who better to send down to see them than super-fan LeftLion staffer Adam Pickering. He had no regrets...
Gig review: Rockabilly Americana Show at Binks Yard
Sun 18 Aug 2024The Binks Yard outdoor terrace was recently transformed into an Americana extravaganza, coming alive with all things Rockabilly, including four of the UK's top bands of the genre, along with dancing, costumes and vintage American cars. Andrew McCartney was there...
LeftLion's Latest Listens: Notts music we're currently spinning
Fri 16 Aug 2024Kicking off a new regular New Music review series, LeftLion's Latest Listens is our picks of the latest and greatest sounds from all around Nottingham and the Midlands. This week, LeftLion listens to new releases from Hollow Stone, Ben Blackadder, Molly Hindley and LYVIA.
Theatre Review: The Trials
Fri 16 Aug 2024Sharon Stevens went to The Trials at the Nottingham Playhouse...
Theatre Review: Fatal Encounter
Wed 14 Aug 2024Just one more question... it's classic whodunnit time at the Theatre Royal.
GIRLBAND! talk to us about their rising fame, the Notts music scene and what they’re currently listening to
Mon 12 Aug 2024Redefining alternative music and inclusivity, GIRLBAND! are smashing preconceptions with every release and live performance. Michael Prince recently spoke to the band for LeftLion…
Festival Review: Y Not 2024
Sun 11 Aug 2024It’s the Midlands’ biggest indie extravaganza – Y Not Festival. Taking place a mere 35 miles from Nottingham, this year’s line-up boasted some of the best bands in the land, but also an abundance of the very best up-and-coming local talent too. With a big Notts representation on the bill, the LeftLion Music team went along to report on how their sets went down in the sun-sprinkled Pikehall fields, along with a couple of other highlights from across the weekend.
Food review: affordable fine dining at Cleaver and Wake Nottingham
Sun 11 Aug 2024A new fixed evening menu has launched at Cleaver & Wake, offering you a taste of fine dining at a more affordable price. The canalside restaurant also welcomes guests to its new champagne terrace, just in time to enjoy the lighter summer evenings.
Gig review: Sundara Karma at Rescue Rooms
Wed 07 Aug 2024When indie-rockers Sundara Karma played Rescue Rooms last Friday, it fell to the Rescue Rooms crowd to provide the atmosphere and energy, with the band looking like they’d rather be back at their humble beginnings than on the stage. LeftLion discovered some redeeming moments...
Gig review: Love with Johnny Echols at Rescue Rooms
Tue 06 Aug 2024Cited as a major influence on rock luminaries including Led Zeppelin, The Doors, REM and Primal Scream, Love just might be the most important band you’ve never heard of. LeftLion stopped by Rescue Rooms for a night of psychedelic wonder, and much more besides. Support came from Midnight Rodeo and Bye & Bye...
Gig review: Rumkicks at Ye Olde Salutation Inn
Mon 05 Aug 2024Coming to the end of a gruelling 30-date European tour, South Korean Punk trio Rumkicks landed in Nottingham. We dropped in to The Sal to catch the action...
We delve into Notts Queer History with CJ DeBarra
Fri 02 Aug 2024With the colour and joyfulness of Pride celebrations now a key part of our calendar, it’s easy to forget that not too long ago the LGBTQ+ community had to carefully hide their identities. The history books may skirt around it, but Queer people have existed forever - in Notts and beyond - and gradually their stories are coming out. Historian and journalist (and LeftLion’s newly appointed History Editor), CJ DeBarra has been researching Nottingham’s Queer history ahead of the upcoming release of their LGBTQ+ History Project. LeftLion HQ caught up with them to hear more about Nottingham’s Queer history…
Theatre Review: An Officer and a Gentleman
Wed 31 Jul 2024An outstanding blend of powerhouse vocals, an 80s soundtrack and a storyline to melt your heart...
Big City Reads book reviews: Seven Million Sunflowers
Wed 31 Jul 2024Through July, we've been publishing book reviews from local young people, as part of Nottingham City of Literature's campaign to give out thousands of free books. To finish this series, Ukrainian NTU graduate Anastasiia Denysiv reviews Seven Million Sunflowers by Malcolm Duffy, a story about the Russia-Ukraine conflict to which Anastasiia reflects upon her personal connection.