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Left Magpie: A Zip in the Data

Julian McDougall, our resident reporter for all things Notts County FC, tell us what's going on for the Magpies over the international break...

Left Stag: Clough's future and Halloween nightmares

The start of October is one of those times of year that feels transitionary. Nights draw in, temperatures drop, the countryside changes. In football, it's often said that you can tell a lot about your team for the season, by this point... Josh Pickering looks into the events at Mansfield Town F.C.

Cover to cover: the LeftLion team pick six personal favourite covers

Over the years, many wonderful illustrations and photos have featured on the front cover of LeftLion. To celebrate our 200th issue, our office team has each picked out a personal favourite… 

Gig review: Keo at The Level

Keo are arguably one of the most talked about new bands in the indie scene blowing up in England. Within just a year of releasing music, they have amassed a fanbase of such ferocity and admiration that it would put Swifties to shame. Just a week after releasing their acclaimed and incredibly popular album Put A Smile On For Me, they put on two massive shows at Nottingham’s The Level, pointing towards just how big these lads are going to be...

Gig review: We Are Scientists at Rock City

More than 20 years ago, We Are Scientists wowed with their major label debut With Love and Squalor. Now, with the album certified gold and a cult career on their belt, they have returned with a tour celebrating this seminal record. We caught them at Rock City...

Forward thinking: a conversation with Claire Ward, the Mayor of the East Midlands

In May 2024, there was a fairly big change in the way that Nottinghamshire, and the East Midlands at large, were run. As part of the government’s ‘devolution’ agenda – giving more decision making power to local authorities – Labour's politician Claire Ward became the very first Mayor of the East Midlands. For this special 200th issue of LeftLion, we sat down for a chat with her… 

Good neighbours: Emmanuel House on their 50th birthday

Over in Hockley, Emmanuel House has been a pillar of the community for fifty years, providing a huge range of services to people experiencing homelessness in Nottingham. Extending from hot meals and shelter, to offering a multi-functional community hub and signposting, the centre’s work is imbued with care and compassion.

Ahead of their anniversary concert events coming up this month, we chatted to Emmanuel House Marketing and Communications Manager Nicola Ramsdale, to hear about their history and the services they offer.

Small talk: catching up with renowned Notts street artist Kid30

Kid30 (aka Small Kid) has been creating art in Notts for the best part of three decades, including the cover of our 200th issue. We had a chat with him about his history, his exhibitions, the Notts graffiti scene and why he’s been bulk-buying old condom machines... 

Competition: Win a pair of tickets to Wingtoberfest

The ultimate mash-up of chicken wings, beer, live music and Bavarian-style mayhem is coming to Nottingham for a two-day celebration on 23-24 October. We have two pairs of tickets to give away for two clucky readers...

Canne-t? A Friendly, Short Film Festival at Mammoth Cinema

A look at Canne-t, a DIY short film festival bringing friends, creativity and plenty of humour together at Nottingham’s Mammoth Cinema. From heartfelt stories to surreal comedies, the festival was a reminder to make something simply for the joy of creating.

LeftLion's Latest Listens #53: Notts music we're currently spinning

In the 53rd edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens, our music team reviews releases from Otala, Matt Blaney, Wayne Banks and Make Strangers...

Exhibition Review: Rosemary Wels, A Retrospective at the Nottingham Society of Artists

Rosemary Wels’ final exhibition at the Nottingham Society of Artists is as educational as it is impressive as you walk through the story of her career from school sketches to Nottingham rainy-night landscapes.

LeftLion Issue #200 October 2026

It's our 200th issue featuring Kid30, Claire Ward the Mayor of the East Midlands, Hockley Hustle, Neon Raptor, Nottingham Arts Theatre, psychic Kerry Ward and lots more...

Theatre Review: MAMMA MIA!

The ever popular ABBA musical is in town

Gig review: Sports Team at Metronome

The news this past week has all been about one sports team, one that has been up to all sorts of things, creating chaos in the process. No, this isn’t the biggest scandal in the history of sport, but a chaos brought about by the end of a storming tour. Tonight was the final leg, and, as the cliché goes, you save the best till last. Sports Team’s chaos was being put to good use, better than the  dishonourable chaos that a certain other sports team has been found guilty of… 

Comedy Interview: Ben Macpherson from Nottingham Comedy Festival

Ben is a familiar face on the Nottingham comedy circuit, including Club Wormhole and Apple of Discord. And in November he's one of the acts at the Nottingham Comedy Festival. He shares some of his comedy secrets with Left Lion...

Gig review: Gurriers at Rough Trade

The confines of the Rough Trade stage proved to be no barrier for Gurriers and their signature manic energy...

The Scientist: LeftLion chats 20 years of With Love And Squalor with We Are Scientists' Keith Murray

20 years ago, in the midst of an indie boom kickstarted by a thriving New York rock scene, We Are Scientists emerged as the band seemingly just there for a good time, rather than a long time. However, two decades and nine albums later, they have become one of the mainstays from that flourishing mid-00s period, all thanks to a consistently solid discography and their natural chemistry with one another. Ahead of their show at Rock City later this week celebrating 20 years of their beloved debut album, With Love And Squalor, LeftLion caught up with the band’s charismatic frontman, Keith Murray…

Gig review: The Sisters of Mercy at Rock City

The Sisters of Mercy proved beyond any shadow of doubt that they are still at the forefront of the Gothic music scene, with a breathtaking and flawless performance at a packed Rock City, that will likely linger in the memory of the those there for a long time to come...

Theatre Review: X at the Lace Market Theatre

A research station on Pluto has a crew with an unclear mission waiting for their replacements to arrive so they can return to earth.  The tension is soon mounting in that station as what is outside becomes of less importance...

Overheard in Notts: September 2026

Nicotine and the Babadook feature in this month's Overheard in Notts. 

The Kingston Queen: A profound coming-of-age novel with accompanying musical album

A spare time lockdown project lay dormant in Melvin Grant’s drawer for three years before resurfacing as an emotional, inspiring coming-of-age novel, spanning themes of abuse, homophobia, racism, love and loss. And if that isn’t enough, The Kingston Queen even has an accompanying musical album, written entirely by Melvin.