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As autumn begins to take hold, with rain replacing the sun, the LeftLion music team are taking refuge in the best new local music. This week, the team reviews recent releases from Stone Black Witches, Amantes, People Laughing and Revenge of Calculon...

Night Creatures Podcast #9: Chloe Leak on the Nottingham scene, the challenges of working in the industry as a woman and promoting independent nights

Night Creatures is a LeftLion podcast, shining a light on the promoters of Nottingham. Your host and interviewer is Beane, co-founder of Nottingham’s beloved Soul Buggin’ night and he brings with him two decades of experience of putting on great parties in the city...

A Review of This Isn’t Italian Romance by Teo Eve

Sophie, an optimistic and carefree recent graduate, decides to sample the dolce vita by moving to Italy to teach English. In Teo Eve's debut novel This Isn't Italian Romance.

Folk legend: Jim Ghedi on his soundtrack for Michael Sarnoski's The Death of Robin Hood

Sheffield musician Jim Ghedi has for years carved a unique corner of folk music, but now that he’s composed the soundtrack for a new film starring Hugh Jackman: The Death of Robin Hood, a lot more people will probably be recognising his name from here on out. He’s also playing a gig in Nottingham in October, so there was no better time for us to meet and chat with him…

Left Magpie: September 2026 - Everything Flows

It's been an encouraging start to the season for the (at the time of writing unbeaten in the League) Notts County FC. To celebrate our columnist Julian McDougall has gone all Zen Buddhist on us...

Gig review: The Grove turns two!

When it opened in 2024, The Grove immediately became a vital part of Nottingham's grassroots music scene. With legendary sound, friendly staff and a truly inclusive attitude, it has since grown as a favourite among bands and gig-goers alike. The venue recently celebrated its 2nd birthday with a series of performances by local acts Rainbow Frog Biscuits, Jacquline, Veduna, OK, Lady, Amantes, Riley Marsh, George Gadd + The Aftermath, Cheap Dirty Horse and Hystamine. We sent Ryan and Nigel along for a slice of cake and some top tunes...

We speak to Freya Ridings about songwriting, empowerment and Nottingham memories

Since breaking through with her top 10 single Lost Without You in 2017, Freya Ridings has established herself as one of the UK’s most impressive vocal talents, able to deliver tender balladry and euphoric moments of power with equal skill. Not content to rest on her laurels with the launch of her third album Mother Of Pearl, Ridings quickly launched into a huge UK and EU tour. We caught up with her ahead of the Nottingham date...

Theatre Review: Annie at Theatre Royal Concert Hall

Pieces of Orphan Annie’s dream are jigsawed together to find the truth behind her origins. Following paths through the dark streets of 1930’s New York to political offices of power, Annie finds her heart in a place she can call home...

Review: The Last Laugh at the Theatre Royal

Wed 02 Sept 2026

Fans of classic British comedy will enjoy this new show at the Theatre Royal...

Locating Lawrence: September 1926

Wed 02 Sept 2026

Oh, we do like to be beside the seaside, even if it’s bracing… The latest Locating Lawrence tells all about what DH Lawrence was up to in September 1926.

Breaking Ground: how Nottingham Forest Women are scaling up their ambitions

Wed 02 Sept 2026

As Nottingham Forest Women prepare for a new Women’s Super League 2 (WSL2) campaign, Head of Women's and Girls’ Football Amber Wildgust tells us about their new manager Tom Mallinson, recruitment strategy, a landmark pre-season tour to Canada, and why they want to become the destination club for emerging talent.

Nadia on... Access to green spaces

Tue 01 Sept 2026

Labour Mp for Nottingham East Nadia Whittome discusses the need to access green spaces.

Overheard in Notts: August 2026

Mon 31 Aug 2026

Karma and iPad watches feature in this month's Overheard in Notts...

Everything to know about The Garage: Chilwell's lively independent weekend market

Mon 31 Aug 2026

At first the base of Nottingham bus operator Barton – in 1913 – and now the home of Nottingham’s largest independent market, The Garage in Chilwell has been a pillar of its local community since it began. Every weekend this family run business welcomes numerous traders and locals through its doors. From its most well known weekend markets to comedy and beer festivals, the success of The Garage is constantly evolving as a local favourite for Beeston and Notts residents alike. Here’s how they got to the point they’re at today…

The Thompsons on St Ann's Allotments, singing and summer 2026

Mon 31 Aug 2026

Our latest chat with Nottingham's most opinionated grocers.

From the Kitchen: With Bryan Henesey, owner at Breadmill Bakery

Sat 29 Aug 2026

Bryan Henesey owns Sneinton Market Avenues' award winning Breadmill Bakery. For this month's instalment of From The Kitchen we chat to him...

Forged in Mansfield: local playwright Beth Steel on her play Till the Stars Come Down and going international

Sat 29 Aug 2026

Born and brought up in Warsop, playwright Beth Steel has seen her work performed in London, Tokyo, Mexico, Iceland, Peru and more. What’s particularly brilliant about this is that they’re usually set in her hometown of Mansfield. She tells us more about her fifth play Till the Stars Come Down, which is coming home to Nottingham Playhouse one week from now …

LeftLion Issue #199 September 2026

Fri 28 Aug 2026

Featuring playwright Beth Steel, musician Jim Ghedi, photographer Alan Lodge, The Garage in Chilwell, hidden spots in Nottingham, creative opportunities, and more...

Festival review: LeftLion at 110 Above

Almost hidden on a Leicestershire plateau set at the lofty altitude of 110m above sea level, the lucky few (hundred) can discover a music festival like no other. Without any sign of corporate sponsorship or gimmick, 110 Above exists to create a shared experience, for all ages, based on good music. LeftLion spent two special days there...

We talk to a band who define runaway success: Westside Cowboy

Manchester formed four-piece Westside Cowboy are one of the most exciting bands emerging on the current UK circuit. Within three years of forming during freshers week at university, they have toured with masterclass rock group Geese, secured the most viewed performance on the current series of 'Later… with Jools Holland', performed at Glastonbury and filled venues of thousands - all before their debut album was even released. Ahead of their Nottingham record store appearance, we sat down with Reuben (vocals / guitar) and Aoife (vocals / bass) to discuss the new album, their upcoming record store and headline tours, and meeting music legend Elton John...

Theatre Review: The Mantrap at Theatre Royal

Set on a wet and wild winter night, a desperate husband is searching for his missing wife and is confronted by a woman claiming to be her...

Life Behind Bars: With Gaz Peacham, Deputy Manager at The Embankment Pub