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Musicals, markets, gigs and beer: here's what's on this week in Notts 24 - 30 March 2025

With MOBO tributes and Old Market Square filling up with market stalls, to Calamity Jane stopping at Theatre Royal, there is non-stop entertainment in Nottingham this coming week…

Notts writer Hongwei Bao on the poetics of queer and diasporic experiences

Raised in Inner Mongolia, Dr. Hongwei Bao is now a Director of Research at the University of Nottingham and the industrious community organiser of events like the Queer Chinese Arts Festival, Poetics of Migration, Ode to Notts, plus many more. He’s also one of our most exciting creative writers, so we decided to invite him for a coffee…

LeftLion's Latest Listens #18: Notts music we're currently spinning

In our latest edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens, our music team reviews a selection of recent new releases. This time it's the turn of ROB.GREEN, Dead Mint, Drew Thomas, Sam Oakley and Stuart Pearce...

Theatre Review: Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at Nottingham Arts Theatre

The joyful coming-of-age musical struts into Nottingham Arts Theatre with a bright young cast and plenty of sass

Market economy: could stallholder markets revive independent retail in Notts?

The decline of the high street and independent retail is an issue that weighs heavily on the UK, as grassroots traders often lose money and shut shop just as quickly as they open for business.

However, with recent research, and examples available here in Nottingham, there’s a case to be made for stallholder markets as a saviour of independent businesses, providing that reliable sense of community and authenticity in shopping that so many of us look for today. Assistant Editor Caradoc Gayer takes a look at Nottingham’s history of markets, and how it could serve as an example for today.

Competition: E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial at the Royal Concert Hall

One of the most iconic movies of the 1980s is coming to the Royal Concert Hall big screen, accompanied by a magnificent live orchestra. We have two pairs of tickets to give away…

Mancunian indie-rockers Doves talk past gigs in Notts and their brand new sixth studio record

When people think of great Manchester bands, alt-rockers Doves can often be overlooked. But across their six albums and multiple decades together, the band have rarely put a foot wrong. With their latest opus Constellations of the Lonely just released – their first in five years - and a show at Rock City on the horizon, we sat down for a catch up with drummer Andy Williams.

Overheard in Notts: February 2025

This month's Overheard in Notts features cacti and broken escalators...

LeftLion's Latest Listens #16: Notts music we're currently spinning

In this edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens, our music team reviews new releases from Otala, Sam Shaw & The Real Eyes, Green Grango, Fallowed and Divorce...

Living Sobar: Friar Lane's Café Sobar talk redefining recovery

Founded back in 2014 by local addiction recovery charity Double Impact, Café Sobar has become a beacon for change for many in Notts. Providing people in recovery a space for growth via meetings, volunteering and work opportunities, the venue team is ever-ambitious to redefine recovery through a unique, community driven approach. We met team-members Char Ogley and Pete Grimes to find out how, ten years on, the venue’s mission has evolved. 

LeftLion's Latest Listens #15: Notts music we're currently spinning

In this edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens, our music team reviews new releases from Confyde, Idolvein, Cara Flynn, Marseille and ALT BLK ERA...

The Beautiful Game: Notts County through the photographer’s lens

John Anderson is a professional photographer with a passion for Notts County FC. After years of corporate jobs and taking photos of Queen Elizabeth, in 2016 he decided to pursue a passion project and take photos at Meadow Lane. However, his focus is usually on the crowd rather than on the pitch… 

Notts actress Aisling Loftus talks about her one-woman play Girls and Boys currently at Nottingham Playhouse

Nottingham’s own Aisling Loftus comes to Nottingham Playhouse with one-woman play Girls and Boys, an award-winning depiction of how love can go badly wrong. She shares her journey with LeftLion…

Overheard in Notts: January 2025

Oversized emojis and The Queen's Speech feature in this month's Overheard in Notts...

Nottingham Counselling Service talk tackling loneliness through community

Frances Danylec talks to Shoana Qureshi-Khan of NCS about community and loneliness...

Our January cover artist Paula Reid talks creative community and her love of Brutalism

This month’s cover artist Paula Reid tells us about her inspirations, projects and love of Brutalism…

Competition: Win Family Tickets For The Sooty Show at Nottingham Arts Theatre This Half Term

The Sooty Show is British institution that dates back to the 1950s. A new family show featuring Sooty, Sweep, and Soo with presenter George Akid is coming to the Nottingham Arts Theatre this February half-term, with shows at 11.30am and 3.30pm on Thursday 20 February. We have four tickets to give away to a lucky winner.

LeftLion's Latest Listens #14: Notts music we're currently spinning

In this, the first edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens for 2025, our music team reviews new releases from Rainbow Frog Biscuits, Bad Milk Blood Robot, Eleanor McGregor and Divorce...

Human rights barrister and author Christian Weaver talks about his second book, The Right To Protest

Rising Nottingham star Christian Weaver was named Legal Aid Newcomer of the Year in 2023 for his tenacious work addressing dangerous public housing. The Secret Barrister called his first book ‘exceptional‘ - we join him now as he releases his second, Your Right To Protest...

Switch Up founder Marcellus Baz talks about changing the lives of disadvantaged young people

The story of Dr Marcellus Baz BEM is stuff of Nottingham legend. From a kid weighed down by poverty to the leader of an internationally recognised social enterprise, he’s lifted countless people out of disadvantaged backgrounds while inspiring others along the way. Having started collaborating more often with businesses and charities across the city, he made time in his busy schedule to chat with us about the credo behind his long career.

"The lows pale in comparison": Growing up as a trans person in Notts

Local lad Liam Pearce tells us about the experience of growing up as a trans person in Nottingham...

Local metal group Evil Scarecrow talk puppets, props and crowd participation

With over two decades under their belts and a record for theatrical live performances, Evil Scarecrow are one of Nottingham’s most eccentric and entertaining live bands. Playing Beat the Streets later this month, Iulia Matei caught up with them to see what wickedness we have to look forward to.

Alternative sister duo ALT BLK ERA talk songwriting, honesty and working with Wheatus

From a MOBO award nomination and TikTok fame to playing packed tents at the country’s largest rock festivals, alternative duo ALT BLK ERA became one of Nottingham’s big breakout acts in 2024. With their highly anticipated debut album Rave Immortal set for release at the end of January, 2025 is shaping up to be an even bigger year for sisters Nyrobi and Chaya. To find out more about the making of the record and their plans for the upcoming year, we sat down for an expansive chat…

Promote and advertise your business to people in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire with LeftLion

LeftLion Magazine has been shouting loud about the best of Nottingham culture since 2003. We're passionate about showcasing our partners to over 50,000 readers each month. Find out more about the reach we can offer you...

Overheard in Notts: December 2024

Beach balls, chip shops, and springing a sentence together all feature in this month's Overheard in Notts...