Site search

Nottingham Restaurant Week Returns from 2-8 June 2025

Nottingham’s vibrant food scene is set to sizzle once again as Nottingham Restaurant Week makes its much-anticipated return offering deals and discounts in over 50 establishments...

The Health Shop on Broad Street tell us how they're reducing harm among those afflicted by addiction

[Trigger warning: This article contains reference to needles, drug use and abuse]

Tucked away on the bustling Broad Street, is a place you might not have noticed unless you’ve needed to - The Health Shop. With their inclusive drug and sexual health services, they have established a legacy in harm reduction going back to the HIV epidemic. A vital part of this is their needle exchange - which has kept people in Nottingham safe for more than thirty years.

Get Your Skates On at Nottingham's National Ice Centre

When was the last time you went ice skating? With arguably the nation's best facilities right on your doorstep we look at what's coming up at the National Ice Centre over the next few months and how you can get involved...

Crowned in Sound: Talking memorable interviews, The Chameleon and Billy Bootleggers with music journo Dom Gourlay

Growing up in Mansfield, Dom Gourlay didn’t realise he’d later become one of the country’s top music journalists. We grabbed a long overdue coffee with Dom, currently the Festivals and Live Reviews Editor for Under the Radar. 

Gig review: The Amazons at Rough Trade

The sun is out, the weather is warm, and Nottingham's Rough Trade is buzzing with energy as the dance floor fills with eager gig-goers, all gathering to see The Amazons. Now two days into their in-store Rough Trade tour, the rock band, known for their anthemic sound and blistering live performances, continue to draw crowds with ease... 

LeftLion Interviews Podcast #10: Comedian Matt Forde on His Early Life In Notts, Kier Starmer, Spitting Image, Forest, Cancer and The End of An Era Tour

Originally from Lenton, Matt Forde is a comedian, TV and radio presenter, writer, impressionist and quite a lot more. He’s perhaps best known for his podcast The Political Party, but he's also a regular face on TV and currently on his End of An Era Tour...

War Horse: an interview with actor Damian Lynch

Damian Lynch is a British actor and voiceover artist, currently starring in War Horse at the Royal Concert Hall. Emma Hornsby spoke to Damian to get a glimpse behind the scenes of this momentous and memorable theatre production.

Gig review: Kid Spirit at Mist Rolling Inn

Alt-rock four-piece KID SPIRIT are carving their own path in Nottingham, and Mist Rolling Inn provided the perfect venue to showcase their talents...

On the Road again: The story behind Igloo Hybrid, Nottingham's sole hostel accomodation

Tucked away in a quaint courtyard just off Wheeler Gate, Igloo Hybrid is Nottingham’s only hostel accommodation for visitors to the city. After thirty years of welcoming guests from around the world, owner B Kristiansen is getting ready to sell up and return to her native Denmark, but not before finding a buyer that will keep the heart of Igloo beating. We spoke to B to find out what kept her in Nottingham for so long and what goes into running this local establishment.

Indie trio The Amazons talk Rock City, The Chameleon and their love of Nottingham ahead of their Rough Trade gig

While they may proudly herald from Reading, rock trio The Amazons’ thriving career has long been intertwined with our city too. From cutting their teeth in The Chameleon to sold out shows at Rock City, to even playing Motorpoint Arena with Royal Blood, they have spent the last decade making memories and building a strong fanbase right here in NG1. Now with shows at Rough Trade and Rock City coming up in the next six months, we decided to catch up with frontman Matt Thomson to discuss their longstanding romance with Nottingham…

LeftLion Issue #183 May 2025

Featuring 20 Years of Dot To Dot, comedian Matt Forde, boxer Leigh Wood, Igloo Hostel, Nottingham Restaurant Week, NottAlone, Dom Gourlay, the 1525 Collective, The Amazons, A Projectionist in Notts and more...

We catch up with Moonlit, winner of the 2025 Ultimate Battle of the Bands competition

Following their triumph at the Ultimate Battle of the Bands this year, and ahead of their Rough Trade appearance, we caught up with all six members of Moonlit to find out what the win meant to them, how they feel about playing Splendour Festival, and what else is on the horizon for them as a band…

The Winners of The 2025 Duckies Are...

It's in Nottingham hosted it's inaugral The Duckies awards evening at St Mary's Church on Tuesday 29 April to celebrate and champion the hundreds of high street businesses who contribute to life in Nottingham City Centre...

Artist Luke Jerram tells us about Gaia: an installation displayed this month at Mansfield Palace Theatre

This month the avid stargazers of Notts can experience a new perspective of life on earth over at Mansfield Palace Theatre. Featuring audio soundscapes and stunning visuals, Gaia is a vast, breathtaking replica of planet Earth by artist Luke Jerram. Aiming to get to the core of this installation, we spoke to Luke about public collaboration, merging science with art and what it takes to create on such a large scale….

Interview: The Northern Rascals present Sunny Side at Lakeside Arts

Northern Rascals are bringing their dance drama Sunny Side to Nottingham, a painfully honest account of male mental wellness, or the lack if it.  Founders Anna Holmes and Sam Ford talk to Left Lion about their work championing those outside the mainstream...

We speak to Alabama 3 about nicknames, The Sopranos theme song, and keeping it very real

Our writer Ria was thrilled - and a little nervous - to speak with Alabama 3 frontman Rob Spragg following the band's triumphant Rescue Rooms show. But nerves were quickly put aside as the conversation turned to nicknames, storytelling and The Sopranos...

Gig review and interview: Pale Blue Eyes at The Bodega

Following the release of their third album New Place, Pale Blue Eyes have been bringing their new record, carefree charm and hypnotic energy to the stage. The innovative Totnes-Sheffield shoegaze trio have travelled far and wide, and we were lucky to be graced with their surreal presence yet again at The Bodega in Nottingham, and have the chance to chat to the band, too...

Have You Got What It Takes To Be Nottingham’s New Nature Poet Laureate?

Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature has announced an open call for a Nature Poet Laureate...

We chat to Cliffords ahead of their Bodega headline show

In this part of the world, it feels as if Cork five-piece Cliffords have come out of nowhere. They broke through onto the scene with their EP Strawberry Scented followed up by the powerhouse single Bittersweet, packed with a gorgeous blend of melody and layered guitars, shoegaze and grunge influences abounding. But as LeftLion found out when chatting with vocalist Iona Lynch, the band have a rich history…

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...

Interview : Sam Lupton and Tom Major the stars of Only Fools and Horses at the Royal Concert Hall

Only Fools and Horses has to be one of the UK's most popular sitcoms ever. And now the musical revamp is coming to Nottingham. Leftlion chats with Sam Lupton and Tom Major as they become the new Del Boy and Rodney... 

As Motorpoint Arena celebrates its 25th birthday, we look through the stories from 25 of their seminal gigs

From Beyonce to Bieber and Dolly Parton to the Dalai Lama, Nottingham Motorpoint Arena has brought some of the world’s most famous people into our city. As the Arena celebrates its 25th birthday, we look through the stories from 25 of their seminal gigs…

The Thompsons on The Marcus Garvey Centre, International Women's Day and Wild Swimming

Here's what the Thompsons had to say about The Marcus Garvey Centre, International Women's Day and wild swimming. 

LeftLion Issue #182 April 2025

Artworks: Hallo Ceramics talks about their projects, inspirations and making a name in pottery

Popping up at this month’s Ay-Up Market, Heather Kirk of Hallo Ceramics talks us through their journey to becoming a ceramic artist.