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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...

Film review: Hamnet

Chloe Zhao (acclaimed director of Nomadland) treats the story with dignity, passion and dedication. Knowing how tough the scenes would be to film, she insisted on the cast having dancing sessions after particularly difficult takes

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…

Film review: Train Dreams

Answering Johnathan Ross’s question on ‘…choosing an ambitious project like Crime and Punishment for a debut’, Aki Kaurismaki responded, ‘Hitchcock said he would never touch that book because it is too difficult. And I said, “I’ll show you, old man.” It was too difficult.’

Theatre review: Midsommer Murders at Theatre Royal is a classic who dunnit with a set stage twist

Nostalgia and crime merge in Midsommer Murders, currently showing at Theatre Royal...

A new immersive theatre show, The Apple of Discord, comes to The People's Hall Notitngham. We speak to Director Joe Strickland...

Set against the legendary backdrop of the Trojan War, Apple of Discord offers a mythically unique experience through the medium of immersive theatre and takes place in the historic People’s Hall. LeftLion sits down with director Joe Strickland to find out what makes this show worthy of Zeus’ blessing!

Gig review: Suede stun at Rock City, with support from Notts own Bloodworm

On Thursday night, 90s Brit-pop darlings Suede brought their 'Dancing With The Europeans Tour' to an adoring audience at Rock City, with support from Notts own dark dreamwave trio Bloodworm...

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...

The best burgers in Nottingham? Meet Bomba, the newest contender...

There are new burgers in town and they rival Nottingham’s greatest. Bomba is rejecting gourmet fillings and towering stacks for the nostalgia of a simple American burger. Food co-editor Lucy Campion shares her thoughts on their new Wild-West-inspired menu.

Gina Birch on truth, insight and how to live a life devoid of convention

An emblem of passion, a staple of creativity... Gina Birch has been key to establishing and presenting the female voice within the punk music movement. Nottingham born Gina is well-known as a founding member of The Raincoats but her contribution goes much, much wider. Ria Serena found out more for LeftLion... 

Gig review: Big Special at Rescue Rooms

Black Country duo Big Special are one of those bands that is so much more than the sum of its parts, punching well above their weight in many different ways. Their rise has been rapid, and their new album charts that journey. We caught them at Rescue Rooms, along with two other unique duos...

Theatre Review: Kiss Me Kate by the West Bridgford Operatic Society at the Squire Performing Arts Centre

The West Bridgford Operatic Society puts on Kiss Me Kate, Cole Porter's famed musical that juggles a play within a play. Ambitious stuff. So how did they do...  

Gig review: Mogwai at Rock City

Eleven studio albums, nine live albums, with nearly as many film scores, composed over the course of 30 years. A discography this plentiful is enough to be the envy of most well-established bands. Mogwai, the owners of said discography, have achieved this through a combination of creative vision, technical virtuosity and instrumental skill to become one of the metaphorical heads on the “Mount Rushmore” of post-rock. The Scottish band’s delve into the genre has seen them appeal to an expanding fan base, evidenced by the acclaim of their 2021 album As the Love Continues… which went to #1 in the album charts and earned them a Mercury prize nomination...

Theatre Review: Sunny Afternoon at the Theatre Royal

You truly do feel as if you’re in the crowd of a rock’n’roll gig...

Gig review: Mumford and Sons at Rock City

Downsizing from their usual arena shows, Mumford and Sons treated an afternoon crowd at Rock City to a snapshot insight into their new album, Prize Fighter...

Gig review: Chasing Abbey at The Bodega

Traditional Irish meets alt-electric band Chasing Abbey played a storming sellout gig to a lively and enthusiastic crowd, some of whom had travelled over from Ireland to witness the band’s first ever visit to The Bodega in Nottingham...

Gig review: Coach Party at Rescue Rooms

Parking up in Nottingham for the second stop of their Club Caramel 2026 tour, Coach Party delivered buzzing tunes, joy and a genuine sense of togetherness. Local band Marvin’s Revenge and honorary local Lizzie Esau provided solid support - and proof that rainy Thursdays can still be the best nights out…

Gig review: Fozzy at Rock City

The love affair between Chris Jericho-fronted metal outfit Fozzy and Nottingham is one almost as old as the band itself. From their first UK show back in 2005 to their biggest ever headline show in 2024, Nottingham has been there through many of the band’s career highs. It seems only fitting then that on the eve of Valentine’s Day, Fozzy once again returned to Rock City, this time to celebrate their 25 years together as a band…