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Breakin’ Convention brings Hip Hop to Notts: founder Jonzi D tells all

Founded by Jonzi D, Hip Hop dance festival Breakin’ Convention returns to the Theatre Royal and Concert Hall this month. Bringing together world-class artists such as Ivan Michael Blackstock – a visionary creative behind choreography for Beyoncé - and local voices from rapper and spoken word performer Jah Digga to Hyson Green’s Take1Dance studio, in a celebration of dance, music and storytelling. Ahead of what’s guaranteed to be a boundary pushing celebration of one of the most exciting art forms to watch, Jonzi D talks to us about challenging preconceptions about where Hip Hop belongs… 

Nouvelle Vague's Marc Collins and Mélanie Pain talk about the band's beginnings ahead of the Metronome show

With twenty years of covering some of the most seminal post-punk and new wave tracks of all time, French band Nouvelle Vague bring their elegant live performance to Metronome next Wednesday. We sat down to speak to producer Marc Collins and singer Mélanie Pain to discover how the band began and what inspired their sound...

We chat to Day Fever co-founder Jonny Owen

Day Fever is less than two years old but has already become a cultural sensation. Launched in early 2024 with a debut event in Sheffield’s City Hall Ballroom and growing to a nationwide tour that’s sees thousands around the UK hit the dance floor each month, the message is clear: people everywhere are craving a space to let loose, laugh, and dance, all before 8pm. Ahead of Day Fever's return to Nottingham on 20th September, We sat down with co-founder Jonny Owen to discuss how the event came about, how it has become so popular and why Nottingham is the ideal venue...

Soul Survivor: veteran DJ Jonathan on cutting his teeth at The Palais in the 1970s

Jonathan (aka Jonathan Woodliffe) has a long history of DJing in Nottingham. To many his name is synonymous to many with the early days of Rock City, but before that he cut his teeth as a DJ at The Palais. We asked Jonathan about his experiences of the Palais back in those halcyon days of the 1970s…

LeftLion's Latest Listens #20: Notts music we're currently spinning

In this Easter weekend edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens, our music team reviews recent releases from Katie Keddie, Joey Collins, Blu Syrup, Lace Thief and Karen Macleod...

LeftLion Interviews Podcast #9 DJ Jonathan on The Palais, the changing art of DJing, Northern Soul, Jazz Funk and Tiswas

Our first podcast of 2025 and we're back with a chinwag with a veteran DJ, talking through the 1970s Nottingham scene at The Palais De Danse, as well as the changing face of music, festivals and more...

In photos: Robert Jon & The Wreck at Rock City, with Eddie 9V

City Councillor comments on the launch of Nottingham Climate Assembly, and progress towards Carbon Neutral Nottingham 2028

Let's talk about Nottingham Climate Assembly. After five years of dedicated work from volunteers, the initiative has launched its crowdfunder campaign this week. LeftLion Environment Editor Adam Pickering, who is part of the push himself, reports on this moment. He also speaks to Councillor Sam Lux, whose motion to support the Climate Assembly has just received the full backing of Nottingham City Council...

Classical Concert Review: The Nuremberg Symphony Orchestra with Jonathon Darlington at the Royal Concert Hall

Review: Monuments and Melodies all-dayer at Rough Trade

2024’s Monuments & Melodies Festival at Rough Trade Nottingham promised to be "a beacon for music enthusiasts”. LeftLion spent the day, and discovered a varied and dazzling array of talent, showcasing alternative music at its best...

Nottingham's Greek-born Councillor Explains Why Lord Byron Is A Folk Hero In Greece

As Nottingham celebrates the 200th anniversary of the death of Lord Byron, we put some questions to Councillor Pavlos Kotsonis, Nottingham City Council’s Greek-born Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture,  about Nottingham's Byron 200 celebrations and why Byron is a hero in Greece…

Jax Jones, The Selecter and More Join Madness, Tom Jones, Becky Hill, Ricky Astley for Derby Summer Sessions

The mighty Live Nation and leading live music and event promoter Cuffe & Taylor have announced the latest artists to join the bill at the inaugural TK Maxx presents Derby Summer Sessions music festival this July...

In Photos: Martha Tilston and Joey Collins at The Bodega

Sheriff of Nottingham Shuguftah Quddoos on the Nottingham cuts and her suspension from the Labour Party

Following on from famous film depictions by the likes of Alan Rickman and Matthew MacFadyen, Shuguftah Quddoos is the current Sheriff of Nottingham, a role which stretches back to the Norman conquest. We caught up with her on what has been quite a week on the council…

We Chat to Clifton’s Karl Collins About His Role as Shaun Temple in Doctor Who’s Sixtieth Anniversary Specials

Clifton’s own Karl Collins is making a return to a little show called Doctor Who for a certain sixtieth celebration. We talk to the Shaun Temple star about his time at the Television Workshop, Your Mother Wouldn’t Like It and jumping back into the Whoniverse…

We Catch Up With Jon McGregor, Chief Editor of The Letters Page, About the Evergreen Tradition of Letter Writing

As The Letters Page journal turns ten, chief editor Jon McGregor looks back at the beginnings of his journal and delves into how the evergreen tradition of letter writing weaves into the digital age as he sheds light on what makes the appeal of finding a letter in your postbox forever greater than a ping on a screen…

Gig Review: Jonny Kerry at Peggy's Skylight

If you are lusting for warm evenings in a quaint bustling Italian town in the middle of summer, then look no further - Jonny Kerry and his band can take you there...

In Photos: Mamas Gun and MT Jones

Mamas Gun returned to Peggy’s Skylight to promote the undiluted soul music and meaningful lyrics of their latest album Cure The Jones alongside support from MT Jones’ distinct crooning vocals…

Jonathon Doering Reflects on Upcoming Book, Enlarging The Tent

Ahead of his new book Enlarging the Tent, Jonathon Doering reflects on George Floyd and the importance of activism

Interview: Joey Collins - The Yin and the Yang

Phil Taylor interviews Nottingham based singer-songwriter Joey Collins...

Out of Time: William Collins and the Andersonville Raiders

Considered one of the darkest chapters of the American Civil War, the Andersonville Raiders were an organised mob of thieves and murders who preyed on their fellow prisoners at Andersonville prisoner of war Camp. Led by William Collins, a former knitter born in Nottingham, they created a reign of terror amidst the already miserable conditions, and paid the ultimate price…

Nusic New Music Podcast #237 with Mez, Jonny Olley, Chloe Rodgers, George Gadd and More...

This week’s New Music Podcast features new music inspired by Maccy D’s, the most long-awaited debut single ever, plus a detailed breakdown of a rapper’s tax arrangements.

This podcast may contain some fruity language. Sensitive ears – you have been warned.

Nottingham Contemporary is Reopening with Grace Before Jones: Camera, Disco, Studio

It’s hard to sum up someone like Grace Jones in a single word. Singer, model, actress, songwriter, record producer. Icon. With a life as eclectic as it was iconic, it’s only fitting that she’s the subject of the expansive, multimodal new exhibition, Grace Before Jones: Camera, Disco, Studio at Nottingham Contemporary. Caroline Barry headed there for a sneak preview to find out more... 

Under Cover Artist: Stuart Jones

We’re back in print with a bang, and Stuart Jones’ cover – a love-letter to all things print – is the cherry on top of this 48-page cake. We chat with this month’s cover artist to find out more about his work...

Interview: TV funnyman Spencer Jones is coming to Notts

Meet Spencer Jones; Twice nominated in the Edinburgh Festival comedy awards, a regular in BBC2's Upstart Crow and coming to Notts this month for an appearance at Just The Tonic...