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From migrant poetry to psychey deepsea disco: Here's what's on in Nottingham this week, 30 September - 6 October, Pick of Week

Whether you're a poetry fan, a Kate Bush aficionado, a sucker for local alt-folk, or just a pirate at heart, there's plenty to keep you busy this week in Nottingham. 

We catch up with Lace Thief ahead of her Rough Trade show

Laura Dickinson is the name behind indie-folk project Lace Thief. We spoke with her as she prepared to celebrate the launch of her new single with a show at Rough Trade Nottingham where there will be support from Peter Hall and Cracked Hands, and appearances from artist Gemma Vincent and DJ Jay Sandhu... 

We speak with Pale Waves about influences and their mature new album, Smitten

With their fourth album Smitten released on 27th September, Pale Waves are continuing to make big waves of their own. Ahead of the release, we caught up with drummer Ciára Doran to hear about the band’s influences, creativity and experiences…

Comedian Pierre Novellie talks about autism, the Isle of Man and his dislike of mouth noises

Acclaimed comedian, Pierre Novellie, returns to Nottingham for a gig at the Canalhouse. Leftlion caught up with Pierre recently to find out more about his recent autism diagnosis and his new act. 

We chat with DECO about their debut album and the joy of touring

Formed in 2011, with roots in the Midlands and beyond, there’s a lot to unpack with 80s-influenced band Deco – and they've only just released their debut album. With two Nottingham shows imminent, lead singer Max Kendall found time to sit down with LeftLion to talk about the new record, as well as the band’s headline tour, and everything in between…

LeftLion Interviews Podcast #4: Daudi Matsiko on Music, Songwriting, Depression and Robin Hood Prince of Thieves

The latest episode from our 'Live at the Library' podcast features British-Ugandan singer-songwriter Daudi Matsiko...

Comedy Queen and RuPaul Drag Winner Bianca Del Rio charms Nottingham

Sam Harvey checks out Bianca Del Rio's Dead Inside tour as it stops off at the Royal Concert Hall 

Actor and Comedian Colin Hoult on ADHD, Mapperley Hospital and Being a Vampire

He's worked with vampires, ghosts and Ricky Gervais. Now Colin Hoult is bringing his new comedy show to Nottingham and reveals to us how it all began, as a child, in the shadows of Mapperley...

We talk to Boston Manor about chart success and Nottingham memories

Experienced Blackpool-based rockers Boston Manor have recently released their fifth album, but success still brings them joy and surprise. We spoke with vocalist Henry Cox as the band waited for news of Sundiver's chart position, and prepared to lift the roof off Rock City...

Fear and nationhood: a look inside Nottingham's preserved Cold War bunker

Over in Aspley, nestled in a modern housing estate, a preserved relic of the Cold War era stands solemnly. With a multitude of curious features, from furniture to forgotten documents, The Nottingham War Rooms holds a wealth of insight into how the Government were preparing in the Midlands for a nuclear attack.

With renovations planned to give the building a new life, we spoke to architectural photographer and Nottingham Trent University (NTU) Senior Lecturer Martine Hamilton Knight, who recently had the chance to photograph the space, and Dr Daniel Cordle, until recently an Associate Professor at NTU, who specialises in nuclear culture and history, to find out more.

Gig review: American Football at Rock City

25 years ago, four friends from Champaign, Illinois formed a band, made a record together and then headed off to college - not once thinking of the potential impact of their music. Little did they know that album would go on to become a seminal masterpiece, one that would inspire a whole genre, as well as a new generation of artists and legions of fans all around the globe. Now travelling the world in 2024 celebrating that album’s quarter century, American Football stopped by Rock City to play their iconic LP1 in full…

Comedy and conspiracies: we chatted to Dom Joly about his upcoming show at Nottingham Playhouse

Can Dom Joly save Nottingham from the conspiracy theorists? He chats with LeftLion about his struggle with extreme believers, his new book and his globe-trotting adventures. 

From theatre trips to interstellar journeys: Here's what's on in Nottingham this week, 9 -16 September

This week in Notts there are events catering for everyone from emo-fans, to local indie-gig-goers, to stage savants. Here are our picks of the week from 9 to 16 September. 

Interview: Ed Byrne

Ed is coming to Newark with a show that's hilarious while tackling a very sensitive subject. He exclusively shares with us how Tragedy Plus Time came to be ...

Gig review: A golden era of dance music with Haçienda at Wollaton Hall

Haçienda, the iconic music brand that has captivated audiences for over three decades, made history once again amid the beauty and heritage of Nottingham's Wollaton Hall. Headlined by Soul II Soul with DJs galore, and other big name acts including 808 State and Ultra Naté, the event proved to be an eye-opener...

Interview: Comedian Mark Thomas

Cathy Symes interviews Mark Thomas, the left-wing political comedian and protestor about his new stand-up show Gaffa Tapes which is coming to the Nottingham Lakeside on Friday 25 October...

We chat to photographer Fabrice Gagos about his recent exhibition Poetraits

Through August, Phlexx Records at Cubed Cuts & Coffee hosted Poetraits, an exhibition by LeftLion photography co-editor Fabrice Gagos, showcasing a series of photographs which captured the essence of eight poets: their personal identities and creative voices. Featured as part of the 2024 Nottingham Poetry Festival, the project was made possible with support from Arts Council England. We caught up with Fabrice to discuss life behind the lens as a professional photographer.

From indie gigs to horror film festivals: Here's what's on in Nottingham this week 2 - 8 September

Whether you're mad for musicals or already looking forward to the Halloween season, there's plenty to counteract the September blues this week in Notts. Here are our picks of the week from 2 September to 8 September. 

LeftLion Issue #175 September 2024

LeftLion Issue #175 features... The Circus of Life Surrealist exhibition, The Angel Microbrewery, Raymond's, Phlexx Records and coffee, the Nottingham War Rooms, The Savoy Cinema, Poetraits and lots more.

Gig review: Rockabilly Americana Show at Binks Yard

The Binks Yard outdoor terrace was recently transformed into an Americana extravaganza, coming alive with all things Rockabilly, including four of the UK's top bands of the genre, along with dancing, costumes and vintage American cars. Andrew McCartney was there...

Playing for laughs: we chat to the Robin Hood International Improv comedy Festival

Hundreds of comedians and improvisers are descending on Notts, and not one has learnt their lines! The Robin Hood International Improv Festival is returning to Nottingham for the third time in September. We sat down with artistic co-director and improviser Lloydie James Lloyd to talk about the festival, the local scene and what people make of Nottingham.

LeftLion Interviews Podcast #3: Emily Catherine on Hip-Hop, Fine art, Album Covers, Graffiti and Her New Exhibition

Welcome to the third episode of our ‘LeftLion Interviews’ podcast. Our guest is the incredibly talented artist and illustrator Emily Catherine...

History, style and roses: we visited The Bath Inn in Sneinton Market

Among Nottingham’s huge array of historical pubs, The Bath Inn, near the LeftLion offices in Sneinton Market, is one of our favourites, distinctive for its quasi-Egyptian decor, beautiful flower arrangements and the rich sense of history that hits you from the first step you take through the door. We visited for a chat with the Nottingham-born landlord Piers Baker, previously a rose grower by trade, to find out how the 19th century bar became the unique spot that it is today. 

We chat to Hollow Stone about new music, and keeping it real

Hollow Stone sport a diverse and unique style, with authenticity and a love of music always being placed at the forefront of their work. We caught up with lead singer James Doherty ahead of the band's album launch show at The Angel on 17th August, to hear about the album and the development of Hollow Stone's eclectic indie sound...

Our August cover artist Dani Bacon talks photography, creativity and imposter syndrome

We chat to the photographer behind this month’s cover art, Dani Bacon…