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Gig review: Welly at The Bodega

Last week, Welly returned to The Bodega with more banging tunes, bigger moshpits and a sky full of bubbles. Walking out to the tune of The Macarena, Welly promises a night defined by character and charisma, with songs charged with social commentary to a soundtrack that inspired endless moshpits...

How the Sisterhood Collective is connecting women photographers in Nottingham

Meet the Sisterhood Collective — a volunteer-led network giving women and women-identifying photographers in Nottingham a space to connect, create, and be seen. Run by photographer and arts programmer Susana de Dios and Alecia Barnes, co-owner of Sneinton Market’s film camera shop and film lab LensFayre, the Collective has grown into a supportive hub where photographers can share their practice, sharpen their skills, and build confidence together.

Born out of a need to challenge the systemic barriers that women in photography still face, from limited access to funding and equipment, to a lack of exhibition opportunities and mentorship, the Sisterhood Collective blends monthly meet-ups with hands-on workshops, peer critique sessions, themed projects, informative talks, and more.

Ahead of their collaborative exhibition at Nottingham Central Library, on 6 November, Susana and Alecia spoke about what it means to create a safe and educational space for Nottingham’s women photographers…

Primary talks about their new open exhibition and visual arts in the Lenton and Radford community

Primary  has a lot going on. After years of renting, the multi-purpose arts organization bought their own building in 2020 (no mean feat in a sector that’s often chronically underfunded), and have since enjoyed an incredible period of growth, with investment from Arts Council England kicking off an upgrade project for their pretty beautiful Grade II listed former school building. This month Primary will host an exciting new open exhibition, so we decided to find out more about the building and its connection with the local community.

Gig review: Allo Darlin' at The Old Cold Store

A reunion of many, with the moon looking down on it all... LeftLion's Michael Prince found himself in awe and happiness as he witnessed the long-overdue return of indie-pop band Allo Darlin'...

Gig review: Goldie Lookin Chain at Metronome

In 2004 Goldie Lookin Chain burst onto the music scene with their top three single Guns Don’t Kill People Rappers Do, quickly followed by a top five album Greatest Hits. There had been nothing like them before, and it could be said that GLC did for rap what the Macc Lads did for Rock. The lyrics are funny, often explicit and satirise hip hop culture with a heavy emphasis of growing up and living in Wales, and specifically the town of Newport. While the group have not enjoyed the same chart success, they continue to regularly release albums and have a large and loyal following, many of whom turn up to gigs in dodgy shell suits and chunky gold chains. It is the live experience where GLC truly shine and tonight’s gig at Metronome was a sell out...

All singing, all dancing: Here's what's on in Nottingham 13 - 19 October

There's plenty to do this week in Nottingham, whether you're flexing your singing muscles, enjoying some immersive theatre, or participating in the yearly Reclaim the Night march. Here are our Picks of the Week. 

A laughing matter: meeting four performers at the Nottingham Comedy Festival 2025

The Nottingham Comedy Festival returns between Friday 31 October - Sunday 9 November for its 17th year, and will see a diversity of comedians from across the country visit Notts for ten days of unparalleled fun and laughter. Wondering what to expect? Below we meet four performers featured on the festival line-up…

How the NottAlone podcast is helping Nottingham musicians to discuss mental health

In an industry often defined by image, performance, and pressure, talking about mental health can feel daunting. But here in Nottingham, a community of musicians is breaking through that silence– and the NottAlone Podcast is giving them the space to do it...

LeftLion's Latest Listens #33: Notts music we're currently spinning

In this edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens, our music team reviews new releases from Bored Marsh, George Gadd + The Aftermath, Molly Godber and The Red Line...

Theatre Review: To Kill a Mockingbird at Nottingham Playhouse

What an exciting prospect it is to watch a classic play adapted by a true Hollywood legend of screenwriting - Aaron Sorkin. He’s no stranger to this genre of busy courtrooms, channelling his signature style of fast-talking characters into a modern and energetic adaptation... 

In photos: LYVIA at Rescue Rooms

Gig review: Atreyu at Rock City

Atreyu are giants of the alternative and emo musical world. Famed for heavy riffs, powerful screaming verse sections and vocally rousing choruses, we caught them at Rock City (rightly described by vocalist Brandon described as a "legendary venue") on the final night of the UK leg of their tour celebrating the 20th anniversary of their breakthrough album The Curse, which has recently received a gorgeous re-issue special edition. They were joined by the fantastic acts Zero 9:36 and Eighteen Visions...

Actor Matt Gavan gives the inside scoop on Nottingham Playhouse's new play Eureka Day

Matt Gavan has acted in big hitting films and series like Christopher Robin, Masters of the Air and Pennyworth. But now he is treading the boards in Nottingham Playhouse's new comedy Eureka Day. Leftlion caught up with Matt on day two of rehearsals... 

Gig review: Daudi Matsiko at Metronome

The one-and-only “King of Misery” Daudi Matsiko moved us all with his heartfelt music, latest stories, mental health activism and his award-winning personality during a magical evening at Nottingham’s Metronome…

Driving hope: Renew therapy at Nottingham Women's Centre

Since 1971, Nottingham Women’s Centre has provided a comfortable and supportive space for self-identifying women based in and around Nottingham. Within this time, the centre has been met with many changes and new developments. Among these is Renew: individualised counselling which has been self-funded for the past three years. Today more popular than ever, the team at NWC are keen to give Renew a boost. Kayla Sibanda spoke to Emilly Gill-Howe, Senior Fundraising Officer at NWC, to find out why the service is so important and their upcoming fundraising activities…

Gig review: Ellur at The Bodega, with Fright Years and Cara Flynn

In the middle of a breathless and busy UK tour, Yorkshire-based indie-pop purveyor Ellur stopped off at The Bodega, bringing happiness and a uniquely collective experience. With Fright Years as main support, the night also gave local songwriter Cara Flynn the chance to shine...

Director Eoin McKenzie on masculinity, role models and The Show for Young Men

Glasgow-based theatre producer and director Eoin McKenzie’s The Show for Young Men – a GuestHouse Projects production – which comes to Nottdance in November as part of a national tour, uses dance to explore the friendship between a man and a boy. We chatted to McKenzie, who delves into the creative processes behind The Show for Young Men and shares his thoughts on masculinity and community among men...

In photos: Belly at Rescue Rooms

Gig review: Club Onion 5 at The OId Cold Store

Club Onion is the brainchild of Twisted Onion promoters Steve Solbé and Steve Hardaker. The events bring a mix of live bands, electronic artists and DJs to locations across the UK with the vibe being very much 1988–1992, bringing to mind the Megadog events from back in the day. The fifth Nottingham edition took place at The Old Cold Store...

Hustle Up: Queer Hustle, bands not to miss and what to expect from Hockley Hustle 2025

It’s hard to find a better way to describe Hockley Hustle than by its own succinct label: Nottingham’s arts and music festival. It’s a day of creativity, showcasing the best of our city and at the same time letting us give back to Nottingham – while having loads of fun. We all know the drill by now, but before you start planning your itinerary, why not check out what’s new this year and some of our recommended highlights…

Comedy Review: John Shuttleworth's Raise the Oof at the Nottingham Playhouse

Celebrating forty years in showbiz, John Shuttleworth flew into Nottingham on his Yamaha organ and wowed audiences. But what is an oof? And is it true that there is more to Mr Shuttleworth than his mild-mannered personality suggests...  

Atticus Finch, Sunk and cider: here's what's on in Nottingham this week Monday 5 - Sunday 11 October 2025

October is here! To start the month off, you can find everything in Nottingham from the punk scene to uplifting singing-storytelling, from a stage adaptation of a world-famous American Southern Gothic novel to the annual Robin Hood Beer and Cider Festival...

Comedy Review: Mark Steel at the Nottingham Playhouse

BAFTA-nominated Mark Steel, a regular on the nations TV, radio and bookshelves, gives us insight into his journey surviving cancer...

LeftLion's Latest Listens #32: Notts music we're currently spinning

In this autumn edition of LeftLion's Latest Listen, our music team reviews new releases from Vona Vella, Cara Flynn and Dekker...

LeftLion Issue #188 October 2025

Featuring Wolf Wytch Apothecary, ghost stories from the National Justice Museum, Hockley Hustle 2025, Sisterhood Photography Collective, Trancesexuals club night, Nottingham Comedy Festival, Nottingham's new nature poet laureate, Primary, the Nottingham Women's Centre, George Gadd, Adam Curtis, and loads more...