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By youth, for youth: Nottingham celebrates 25 years of International Youth Day

This year marked the 25th anniversary of International Youth Day; we headed down to the pop-up shop organised by Nottingham City of Literature’s Youth Board to join in with the celebrations...

Musicals, outdoor cinema and music gigs: Here's what's on in Notts this week, 18 - 25 August

While it's nearing the end of a summer of fun, Notts will never run of fun things to do. Here's our pick of the week...

Gig review: Wet Leg at The Level

Having released their second album, moisturiser, Wet Leg have found a new image and buckets of new energy. We dropped in on their gig at The Level to discover a band who are at their most confident, and having more fun than ever...

LeftLion's Latest Listens #29: Notts music we're currently spinning

Summer's not over yet, and the new music just keeps coming, too! In this edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens for 2025, our music team reviews new releases from Blu Syrup, The Doubtfires, Long Pockets, Michael Vickers and Nicole Hannah...

In photos: Vona Vella at The Grove, with Jmaes and Modern Coven

Pick Six: Heidi Hargreaves

For this month’s Pick Six we turned to Heidi Hargreaves: co-founder and creative director at Dukki Gifts. 

Our August cover artist Paul Turner-Groves talks about collage, creativity and his love of Notts

Collage artist Paul Turner-Groves talks us through his art process and the inspiration behind this month’s LeftLion cover…

Exhibition review: the New Art Exchange Open Exhibition

How do you capture and represent the vast talent of artists across the UK? How can an organisation elevate this work, highlight key themes, and further its own mission in the process? At its core, the New Art Exchange Open Exhibition provides answers to these questions.

Theatre Review: Death by Fatal Murder

A hilarious love letter to the classic crime thriller

Gloworm Festival Review

Gloworm Festival made its vibrant return from 8–10 August at its beloved home, Thoresby Park! Our very own Natalie took her family along to dive into the fun and experience all the magical moments the weekend had to offer…

Festival review: LeftLion at Y Not Festival 2025

This year, the turnout for Y Not Festival was unmatched and another big musical step forward for Nottingham artists. Along with huge bands including The Prodigy, Courteeners, Franz Ferdinand, The Last Dinner Party, Sigrid, and Madness, the festival audience from all over the country witnessed many of our own city's top bands in a diverse, friendly and passionately musical environment. LeftLion was there to sample as much of the local action as possible...

Experiencing Nigeria and musical experiments: Here's what's on in Nottingham this week, 11 - 18 August

If someone tells you there's nowt happening in Notts, just direct them here - as we approach the end of summer, things continue to be buzzing in our fine old city, as various events - from experimental music, to art shows about gardening, kick off. Also, a lot of it's free...

Under the microscope: who won NTU's Images of Research competition 2025?

What is this intriguing image you may ask? No, it’s not a distant vision of our universe or a throwback to an early 2000s screensaver. Each year the talented researchers at Nottingham Trent University – at which 86% of research is classed as world-leading or internationally excellent – are asked to submit one photo of their discoveries to the annual Images of Research competition. 

This year’s winner is Shraddha Bajpai, a Research Assistant in the School of Science and Technology, who took viewers deep into our genetic make-up with her image, Last Duct Standing.

LeftLion's Latest Listens #28: Notts music we're currently spinning

With summer at its height, here's what our music team has been listening to recently. In this edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens, we review releases from Antonio Panzera, Marvin's Revenge, Richard Snow and EMiDORA & Darling I Dreamt

Book review: The Undisputed King of Selston by Danny Scott

Writer Danny Scott’s memoir, The Undisputed King of Selston, delves into Nottinghamshire's rich mining history from a personal and emotional perspective. Marcus Lawrence delves into the journalist’s newest book, and his deep-rooted, generational connections to the city.

Behind the curtain of Niche Artefact: the Notts collective combining cabaret, art, and storytelling

Studio 54, surrealism, mythology, erotica, the Golden Age of Hollywood… These are just a few of the intriguing themes of Niche Artefact, an artist showcase combining drag, cabaret, circus, art, and storytelling. Ahead of their two-year anniversary showcase next month, we spoke to founder Robin Da Silva to find out how they are bringing flamboyance, inclusivity, and creativity to the city’s creative LGBTQI+ scene…

Exhibition Review: 30 Objects Representing Justice at the National Justice Museum