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Gig review: Nova Twins at Rock City

Supported by the excellent genre-mashing talents of Precious Pepala and the histrionic, witchy goth-grunge power of Venus Grrrls, Nova Twins visit to Nottingham sat atop a bill that brilliantly demonstrates the ever-flourishing female talent in rock today. It’s a vanguard they are very much at the forefront of as they support their latest album Parasites & Butterflies. Expansive tours and devoted fans are the reward for the sheer hard work and creativity in pushing the punk aesthetic and sound forward into the modern landscape...

Gig review: Connexion Man at The Grove, with flöat and Andrew Tucker Leavis

The Grove has hosted a steady run of single, EP and album launches over the past year and a half, and this time it was Connexion Man stepping up to mark the release of their debut record A Forest and a Town...

Theatre review: Nine Sixteenths at Nottingham Playhouse

The story and epic fallout of Janet Jackson’s 2004 Super Bowl is creatively re-examined through the lens of a real-life, queer black girl coming of age tale in this authentic, eye-opening and funny four-woman show.

Musicals, indie markets, creative workshops and animated musical legends... Here's what's on in Nottingham this week 23 - 29 March

Creativity abounds this week in Nottingham! Check out classic West End musicals, mix with other creative folks, check out the handcrafted wares of local artists, or see animated musical legends Gorillaz live. Here's our top picks...

From The Kitchen: Jake Dodsley, Head Chef at Jake’s at The Fox & Grapes talks burgers and his Ma’s Chilli

We dropped into the Fox & Grapes in Sneinton to chat to Head Chef Jake Dodsley about burgers and his Ma’s Chilli

A one way ticket to nostalgia: visiting Alfreton's 80s Video Shop

Right on the border between Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire sits the 80s Video Shop – a one-way ticket to the age of neon, fuelled by original Big Box Rental VHS Tapes. Owners Chris Annable and Rob Lane talk to us about the story behind this tucked away portal to another time… 

Theatre Review: Punch at Nottingham Playhouse

Punch premiered at the Nottingham Playhouse in 2024 and went onto international acclaim. A true story that shocks yet inspires. Now, by popular demand, it has come home. With a whole new cast, how is it bearing up?  

Theatre Interview: Rosalie Minnit, star of Clementine, appearing at Nottingham Playhouse in April

Lady Clementine has until her 27th birthday to find The One. But love is never easy and Clementine promises a show that is both funny and thought provoking. Rosalie Minnit, actress and writer behind the show, shares her insights with Leftlion...  

In photos: Pentire at Rescue Rooms, with Eighty Eight Miles and Kayla Grace

Gig review: Artio at Rough Trade

Hailing from Leeds, with their fiercely unique, self produced, DIY ethos Artio are a band perfectly suited to be playing Rough Trade for the intimate opening show of their tour. Fresh off the back of the release of their new album Soul Rot, an ode to creative burnout, identity, and the emotional toll of simply having to exist, especially to a baying algorithm, the band brought out many a new and dedicated fan alike, setting off the evening with an even more intimate meet and greet before taking to the stage...

St. Paddy's Day and... unemployed donkeys? Here's what's on this week in Nottingham, 16 - 22 March

Each week in Notts is different, but during the coming week there's set to be a particularly high amount of events that set themselves aside from the norm... here's what's going on... 

Gig review: Widow's Rock n Rollium with Hystamine and You Want Fox at Billy Bootleggers for International Women's Day 2026 Nottingham

On International Women’s Day Billy Bootleggers played host to the Widow’s Rock n Rollium - a spicy night of cabaret, burlesque, bands and fierce femme energy, featuring bands You Want Fox and Hystamine. We went down to check it out…

Gig review: The Vaccines at Rock City

English indie rock band The Vaccines triumphantly returned to Rock City to celebrate the 15-year anniversary of their debut album. They delivered a legendary performance to an electrified crowd, creating a striking and memorable night for the masses...

Gig review: Only Notts at The Palais

“Turn pain into purpose” are the words of Only Notts director Reece Walker to summarise his mission through the cause. After a close and tragic loss, Reece and his friends found comfort in creativity. This has snowballed into a successful mission to raise awareness for men’s mental health and the power of music, all while encouraging the community to engage in the arts in some form or the other...

Seascapes and cemeteries: Spring 2026 at the Nottingham Contemporary

Two intriguing new exhibitions titled Lines That World A River and Cemetery of Martyrs have found a home at the Nottingham Contemporary, exploring culture and history in Pakistan and the Middle East.

Theatre Review: The Marriage of Figaro at Theatre Royal

Scheming Spaniards, slapstick, mistaken identity and cross dressing make for an entertaining update to the Mozart classic in Opera North's new staging of The Marriage of Figaro at Theatre Royal...

In photos: Au Pairs at Metronome, with Gina Birch

Legendary post-punk band Au Pairs took the roof off Metronome as they celebrated 45 years of their album Playing with a Different Sex. Support came from a special guest: Nottingham-born Gina Birch...

Gig review: Folk Bitch Trio at The Bodega

All the way from Australia to start a sold-out headline tour of the UK and mainland Europe, Melbourne’s Folk Bitch Trio debuted at The Bodega on Saturday night...

An interview with Crystal Mah-Wing about the Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature Map

Nottingham was awarded UNESCO status as a City of Literature in December 2015. As part of their celebrations to mark this decade milestone, Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature, the University of Nottingham and Visit Nottingham worked together on an AHRC funded research bid to bring the map to Nottingham.

As part of the project, Research Affiliate Crystal Mah-Wing was employed to help create a map, showcasing our cities best literary locations, for locals and tourists alike. We spoke to Crystal about the process, the team she worked with and what to expect when it’s out at the end of March…

Theatre Review: Fixing at Nottingham Playhouse

Repairing a 1952 Sunbeam Talbot Mark II becomes a metaphor for growing up, self care and finding your identity...  

Music legends, indie bands, and creative writing at Wollaton Hall: Here's what's on this week in Nottingham 9 March - 15 March

It's Spring and we'll soon be feeling more sunlight on our skin. To accompany the banishment of the winter blues, why not line up something nice to do this week in Notts? There's plenty to check out, including the arrival of not one but two legendary UK guitar bands... 

Gig review: Gene at Rock City

Gig review: Leigh-Anne at Rough Trade

Leigh-Anne brings her debut album My Ego Told Me To to life in an intimate Rough Trade performance where, in a stripped back setting, the former Little Mix star proves that authenticity and connection can be just as powerful as arena scale pop success…

Pick six: Veronica Pickering, Nottinghamshire's Lord-Lieutenant

To celebrate International Women’s Day we put some questions to Veronica Pickering, the first woman to be appointed as Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, a former High Sheriff, and a champion of our local communities.

ThreadsXchange: the sustainable fashion event set to foster community in Nottingham

This month, a brand new stylists and designers market takes over the ground floor of Hyson Green’s New Art Exchange. Blending music, art, and sustainable fashion, Thread Xchange aims to make itself the antidote to perpetual fast fashion, doomscrolling, and in general, cultural habits that aren’t good for us and prevent us from connecting with other people. Emmanuel ‘Manny’ Ighofose, who founded the event, walks us through why Thread Xchange is well worth a visit.