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Comedy Review: Matt Forde's End of an Era Tour at the Nottingham Playhouse

Another local lad done well, Matt Forde hits a packed out Playhouse on his End of an Era tour...

LeftLion's Latest Listens #23: Notts music we're currently spinning

In this week's edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens, we review new releases from Lucy Crisp, Pretty Windows and Rhythm Eaters...

Gig review: Penfriend at Rough Trade

Laura Kidd, aka Penfriend, returned to the stage for the first time in several years, finding an appreciative audience at Rough Trade. What followed was a very special night...

Classical Music Review: The Hallé with Kahchun Wong at the Royal Concert Hall

With Sir Mark Elder stepping down from the conductor's podium, the music world has been buzzing with who would be the new frontman at Hallé. Well, the answer is here in the shape of Kahchun Wong. So how does he shape up?  

Film Review: Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning

Your mission, should you choose to read it: Join us as we review the eighth instalment in the Mission: Impossible film series with Tom Cruise and the rest of the star-studded cast...

Film Review: Fountain of Youth

Some films are eternal and deserve to live forever, some should promptly fade away after screening. Join us as we review The Fountain of Youth to find out which category it belongs to…

Theatre Review: The Book of Mormon

Outrageously irreverent and infectiously joyous, with almost divine precision...

Gig review: Little Simz at The Level

It’s not every day that genuine rap royalty drops into town. However, with highly anticipated new album Lotus dropping this Friday, the mighty Little Simz rolled into The Level for a Rough Trade outstore show to promote the new project. Armed with a vault of bangers she’s been hoarding, we headed over to The Level for this must-attend show with one of the greatest artists and rappers in the world today…

Festival Review: Dot To Dot 2025

The Sunday of the late May Bank Holiday in Nottingham – often the greatest day of the year in our city. Why? Well, because of Dot To Dot of course! Arguably the greatest metropolitan festival in the country, it takes place in multiple venues throughout Bristol on Saturday and right here in Nottingham on Sunday. With the 2025 edition marking the festival’s 20th Anniversary, there was an even greater sense of occasion at this year's event. Heading out to take in the sights and scope out the very best emerging talent from the local scene, the UK and some artists from even further afield, here’s the LeftLion live report from Dot To Dot 2025…

Festival Review: Bearded Theory 2025

Back for its 17th year, this independent gem - which sits by the Trent and straddles the Derbyshire and Staffordshire border - is somewhat of a starter gun for the local festival season. Following last year’s quagmire-like conditions, attendees are thankfully greeted with blue skies and sunshine for the 2025 edition of Bearded Theory. Here’s what went down…

Gig Review: George Murphy & The Rising Sons at Greyfriars Club

The Craic was good in Thorneywood on Saturday evening as George Murphy and the Rising Sons made a return visit to Nottingham's ever popular Irish club on Gordon Road...

Documentary Review: Ocean with David Attenborough

Join us as we review David Attenborough's new documentary, Ocean, which doesn't hide the destruction of the natural world, but inspires and motivates too...

Gig review: Sunday (1994) at The Bodega

Review: Opera Cocktail at Mansfield Palace Theatre

OperaUpClose return to Mansfield Palace Theatre with an hour-long show composed of translated operatic pieces, performed by a cast of lovers and friends sharing a picnic...

Theatre Review: The Zoo That Comes to You at Lakeside Arts

Gig review: Supergrass at Rock City

There were no bands quite like Supergrass, in 1995. At least, not our writer's hazy recollection. They stood out; slightly apart from their contemporaries. Off to the side seemingly having just that little bit more fun than anyone else. On the evidence of this riotous, rollocking show at Rock City, the same is just as true in 2025...

Gig review: Bryan Adams at Motorpoint Arena

With new songs under his belt, and a vast back catalogue of hits, Bryan Adams has come a long way since his 90s Wembley Stadium heyday. We headed to Motorpoint Arena to find out if the Canadian rocker is still on form...

Film Review: Final Destination: Bloodlines

Join us as we review Final Destination: Bloodlines. Will it make you watch your step next time you cross the road? Absolutely...

LeftLion's Latest Listens #22: Notts music we're currently spinning

In this edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens, our music team reviews new releases from Blackadder, Mollie Ralph and Set In Motion...

Gig review: Hachiku at The Grove, with Lucy Crisp and Emzae

Following its win at the Duckies last week, we headed to The Grove to catch two local artists - and one from very far away…

Theatre review: A Thousand Splendid Suns at Nottingham Playhouse

Stage reviewer Beverley Makin went along to see literary adaptation A Thousand Splendid Suns at Nottingham Playhouse, a moving adaptation by Ursula Rani Sarma in conjuction with Birmingham Rep and Leeds Playhouse.

Gig review: Moonlit at Rough Trade

Recent winners (for good reason!) of the Ultimate Battle of the Bands, Moonlit, headlined Rough Trade Nottingham alongside fellow NTU artists Skunk and Emily Sanders…

Gig review: The Waterboys at Rock City

To celebrate the release of Life, Death and Dennis Hopper - a concept album celebrating the film pioneer the project is named after - The Waterboys have embarked on an impressive 32-date tour across the UK. Naturally, LeftLion couldn’t miss their visit to Nottingham...

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... 

Theatre review: Detention at Nottingham Playhouse

The final instalment in Gary Clarke’s masterpiece trilogy of dance theatre, Detention takes us through the shameful history of Section 28, reliving how life was like for the queer community. Capturing their fear, determination and drive that led to breakthroughs in LGBTQ+ rights as we know them today - and a sobering reminder of how far we still have to go.