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Gig review: Less Than Jake, The Bouncing Souls, The Aquabats and The Bar Stool Preachers at Rock City

On their ninth time appearing at Rock City, ska-punk legends Less Than Jake brought waves of nostalgia and cheer to Nottingham, supported by The Bar Stool Preachers, The Aquabats!, and The Bouncing Souls...

Beyond Van Gogh and Beyond Monet launches yoga sessions alongside their immersive Nottingham summer exhibition

Fancy doing some stretches to a backdrop of Van Gogh's Starry Night? Or perfecting your balance while staring at Monet's The Beach at Sainte-Adresse? Nottingham art lovers have the opportunity take part in a unique series of yoga sessions this summer set amid some of the world’s most mesmerising masterpieces.

Music volunteering scheme launches in Nottingham with Tinie Tempah and JayaHadADream on board

Volunteers are invited to give four hours of their time to local community causes, in exchange for a ticket to an exclusive gig at Rock City featuring British chart topper Tinie Tempah and Notts-based rapper JayaHadADream...

Gig review: Sleaford Mods at Rock City

Following the release of their stunning new album The Demise of Planet X, Nottingham’s own Sleaford Mods headed to the iconic Rock City in their home town for two nights on the No War No Death tour. Both nights were completely sold out, an indication of the popularity of this minimalist post-punk duo…

Exploring antiques, art and community treasure trove Hopkinson Vintage

Hidden gem Hopkinson could be described as what happens when a Victorian hardware store has a wildly creative midlife crisis - and we mean that in the best way. Part-shop, part-café bar, part-museum (and occasionally part-maze), this four storey antiques and art centre is packed with independent artists, vintage trinkets, handmade oddities, and curiosities you definitely didn’t plan on buying but absolutely will. Co-owner, Bryony Woodgates, talks about her tenure co-directing the space with Ash Hudson…

Shakespeare Unfolded Festival: A celebration of insightful performances and creative exploration coming to Nottingham

Between Mon 16 – Sat 21 March Nottingham's Theatre Royal and Royal Concert Hall will be hosting a free festival of performances, workshops, academic insight and open mic nights; inviting audiences to experience William Shakespeare’s classic works in new ways...

Gig review: Willow Bay at The Carousel

Willow Bay welcomed their new EP Evangeline to a jam-packed Carousel last Saturday night. They crafted together an evening with undeniable chemistry, between both the band and the audience…

Theatre Review: Matt Parker – Getting Triggy With It at the Nottingham Playhouse

Matt Parker is a best-selling author and stand-up performer, who has built a reputation for being a wizz at mathes.  As part of his mission to bring maths to the masses, he has just been in town. Leftlion crunches the numbers... 

Julie Pritchard 1966-2026

It is with deep sadness that we mark the passing of Julie Pritchard, columnist for LeftLion and the founder of the original Nottingham Forest fanzine Brian, who passed away after a short illness on 17 February 2026.

Collaborative gaming and the revolutionary epic of a jobless donkey: asses.masses comes to Broadway Cinema

If you’re looking for the ultimate day full of collaborative gaming - you’re in luck - asses.masses is a totally one-of-a-kind experience that has you playing as a herd of unemployed donkeys taking turns to hold the reins as you attempt to get your job back. We sat down with the creators of the experience, Patrick Blenkarn and Milton Lim, to hear their thoughts behind the game…

Here's what's happening this International Women's Day in Nottingham

There's plenty happening in Nottingham this weekend to celebrate International Women's Day - check out workshops, performances, and exhibitions and support our city's wonderful women.

Gig review: Sorry at Rescue Rooms

In celebration of their defiant record Cosplay, released late in 2025, Sorry hit Nottingham's Rescue Rooms as part of their tour. They proved distinctive and compelling in their own right...

From painting, to our Panthers and gigs in between: Here's what's on this week in Nottingham, 2 - 8 March

We're welcoming march in true Notts fashion: a week filled with live music, creative meet-ups, and a celebration of positive change...

Home away from home: life for Nottingham's Ukrainian diaspora

For decades, there has been a strong Ukrainian community in Notts, organising events and fundraisers to keep their culture and traditions alive. As such, Russia’s 2022 invasion of the country made our city an obvious destination for many refugee families. As we pass the invasion’s fourth anniversary, members of City Hub Ukraine and the Ukrainian School Band talk about supporting the diaspora and people caught up in the conflict… 

Gig review: Myles Smith at Rescue Rooms

This week, University of Nottingham graduate Myles Smith returned to Rescue Rooms, a venue he last played in 2019 for one of the intimate BRITs Week 2026 shows supporting War Child. Seeing Myles back in Nottingham, in a smaller venue that holds memories, made the night feel even more special...

Theatre Review: The King Stone at Nottingham Playhouse

A brand new play channels the mystical energy of the Nine Ladies, Derbyshire's stone circle. But what can ancient monuments and the spinning cosmos say about relationships down here on earth... 

Theatre Review : I’m Muslamic, Don’t Panik at the Lakeside Arts Theatre

From Bristol to Tehran and back again, Bobak invites the audience on a journey to accept his own heritage, in the face of a hostile western media...

Gig review: Of Monsters and Men at Rock City

Icelandic legends Of Monsters and Men are back making folk-music history with their UK & Europe Tour following the release of their latest album All is Love and Pain in the Mouse Parade. We caught them as they stopped of at - where else - Rock City...

Gig review: The Ukrainians at Nottingham Ukrainian Cultural Centre

Locating Lawrence: February 1926

Lawrence is well stocked up with vino, but the weather is as ‘dismal as Hades.’ Perhaps it's time for another adventure...

Gig review: Kezia Gill at Rock City

Kezia Gill, backed by a band of top musicians, realised her dream of playing a headline show at Rock City, in the city where she was born. She performed to an enthusiastic and appreciative crowd, which included all of her family and friends, and plenty of fans...

Gig review: The Callous Daoboys at Rescue Rooms

The Callous Daoboys were back in town this week, riding the high of their highly praised 2025 album I Don’t Want to See You in Heaven. After quickly selling out The Bodega, the gig was promoted to Rescue Rooms which (unsurprisingly) also sold out! LeftLion headed there to catch the band for what is likely to be the last time before they graduate to Rock City and beyond…

How do you brew? We meet the owners of The Hidden Brew, a new coffee haven in Cobden Chambers

The Hidden Brew is Nottingham’s newest independent coffee shop, quietly opening in Cobden Chambers back in December. Still learning and growing, the café was set up by Ed Dodd and Masha Cooper, who met at a local music event before deciding to bring their shared idea to life. Designed as a warm, welcoming space, it’s somewhere you can stop by for a coffee or settle in with a sketchbook and get creative. We paid a visit to chat all things coffee beans, shoestring budgets and the ever-important question of whether syrup in your coffee should be allowed.

Gig review: Blackbeard's Tea Party at The Bodega

Starting out as an acoustic busking band in York nearly 20 years ago, Blackbeard’s Tea Party have evolved into a solid five-piece folk rock band whose live performances have included the legendary festivals of Glastonbury and Fairport’s Cropredy Convention. If you insist on your folk delivered in a traditional acoustic way complete with flat caps, then this may not the band for you. However, if you’re up for something a bit livelier, then check them out. We did, at The Bodega...

Murder mysteries and powerful performances: Here's what's on this week in Nottingham 23 February - 1 March

As February draws to a close, the week ahead in Nottingham spans gripping theatre, film, live music and atmospheric storytelling...