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Gig review: DMA's at Rock City

Australian rock band DMA's have become a core part of musical memories for so many people. With music spanning a decade-and-a-half, their tours have become pilgrimages for their loyal fans worldwide. Their return to Nottingham was, of course, centred on Rock City...

Gig review: The Wonder Stuff at Rock City (again!)

Four decades on from their small Stourbridge beginnings, The Wonder Stuff are still here playing live at one of their favourite venues. Tonight they are celebrating their 40th anniversary. But this isn’t just a nostalgia act: loss, line-up changes, hiatuses and everything else that you can throw at a band have taken their toll over the years, but their fans have remained loyal and they’re packing out Rock City tonight.

How Sneinton's Stonebridge City Farm connects the local community

Stonebridge City Farm is Nottingham’s only urban farm, located just around the corner from Sneinton Market. Home to piglets, goats, sheep, cows, turtles, and more, it’s also a rich community hub which welcomes 160 volunteers a week and hosts an impressive array of events. There’s also been recent news about an uncertain financial future for the farm – recently established CEO Rick Harrington tells us more, and reflects on what makes this space special.

Art works: PRF by Iulia Matei

For this month’s artworks, illustrator and regular LeftLion contributor Iulia Matei shares the concept behind her new graphic novel PRF (Punk Rock Fairies) and why we need independent art now more than ever.

Thought-provoking theatre, alternative rock music and local art: Here's what's on this week in Nottingham 11 - 17 May

This week in Notts! Enjoy original theatre and gritty alternative rock, or head south of river and meet Ladybay's artists in their studios. Here's our top picks...

Golden era: catching up with electronic-rock duo ALT BLK ERA before their Rescue Rooms show

In 2022, sister duo and Notts natives Nyrobi and Chaya Becket-Messam emerged onto the local music scene as electronic-rock act ALT BLK ERA. Since then, they’ve gone from strength to strength, from winning a MOBO award in 2025 to touring late last year with drum and bass band Pendulum. It’s been a while since we’ve caught up with Nyrobi and Chaya, so they set aside time to walk us through their crazy journey to this point.

Gig review: Smash Into Pieces at Rock City

Swedish rockers Smash Into Pieces made a memorable stop in Nottingham, squeezing into Rock City as part of their UK and EU tour. While the venue was left in one piece, the impact of the gig will be marked in our minds for a long time to come...

Locating Lawrence: April 1926

‘It is queer, this Fascist movement: one wonders what the end will be.’

Jazz, indie gigs and rock legends: Here's what's on this week 27 April - 3 May

This week in Notts! Enjoy the return of The Charlatans, The Clare Teal 5, tiny gigs, and lots more. Here's our top picks...

Plans for new statue of Maid Marian in Nottingham City Centre unveiled

Nottingham City Council, Backlit Gallery and It’s in Nottingham, have announced plans for a new statue of Maid Marian to be unveiled this summer and located on Maid Marian Way...

Why Nottingham could be the UK’s next indie film city

Last month, we were lucky enough to be invited to the Q & A screening of The Correction Unit hosted by the folks at cinema collective Lounge Trip. From there, we mingled with the cast and crew of the film as well as local filmmakers to find out just what Nottingham needs in terms of funding for films, plus one big question: could Nottingham become the UK’ next indie film capital? 

LeftLion Interviews Podcast #16: Notts County’s James Belshaw on his career, coming home and how he nearly signed for Notts several times before

This episode we are joined by Notts County FC goalkeeper James Belshaw who talks about his career, coming home to play for Notts County FC and how he nearly signed for Notts several times before...

Gig review: James at Motorpoint Arena

Touring across sold-out arenas throughout England on their Love is the Answer tour, James returned to Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena giving an awe–striking performance to an ever-eager crowd. Support came from Doves...

Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature's Youth Advisory Board Celebrate the Launch of their Poetry Pamphlet

Join Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature's Youth Advisory Board as they celebrate the launch of their first poetry pamphlet on the 12th of April

Gig review: RockCorps at Rock City with Tinie Tempah, JayaHadADream and LYVIA

Nottingham RockCorps rocked Rock City on Wednesday night, with unforgettable performances from local stars JayaHadADream and LYVIA. The main headliner was the one and only Tinie Tempah...

Laid bare: James bassist Jim Glennie talks the story of the band before their Motorpoint show

Plenty of legendary bands have come out of Manchester but James are one of the most enduring. Through four decades the group have continued to evolve – delivering iconic indie anthems like Sit Down, She’s a Star and Laid – alongside their famously unpredictable live performances.

They’re playing Motorpoint Arena this month, as part of a UK tour in support of their new Definitive Best Of collection – in advance bassist and founding member Jim Glennie looks back on the story of the band… 

Notts County goalkeeper James Belshaw on his storied life in football

Born and raised in Clifton in a Notts County-supporting household, James Belshaw took a circular route to finally becoming Notts County’s goalkeeper. After dropping out of the Magpies youth system in 2005, at the age of 35 he finally signed for the club last January. This followed a journey via the USA, the English National Leagues, two play-off final wins for Harrogate (including one against Notts), and player of the season award at the Bristol Rovers…

Locating Lawrence: March 1926

Capri in 1926 was decadent, cosmopolitan, and bohemian, providing refuge for writers and intellectuals from the ugliness of modernity...

Gig review: Nova Twins at Rock City

Supported by the excellent genre-mashing talents of Precious Pepala and the histrionic, witchy goth-grunge power of Venus Grrrls, Nova Twins visit to Nottingham sat atop a bill that brilliantly demonstrates the ever-flourishing female talent in rock today. It’s a vanguard they are very much at the forefront of as they support their latest album Parasites & Butterflies. Expansive tours and devoted fans are the reward for the sheer hard work and creativity in pushing the punk aesthetic and sound forward into the modern landscape...

Gig review: Widow's Rock n Rollium with Hystamine and You Want Fox at Billy Bootleggers for International Women's Day 2026 Nottingham

On International Women’s Day Billy Bootleggers played host to the Widow’s Rock n Rollium - a spicy night of cabaret, burlesque, bands and fierce femme energy, featuring bands You Want Fox and Hystamine. We went down to check it out…

Gig review: The Vaccines at Rock City

English indie rock band The Vaccines triumphantly returned to Rock City to celebrate the 15-year anniversary of their debut album. They delivered a legendary performance to an electrified crowd, creating a striking and memorable night for the masses...

Notts folk rockers Connexion Man talk songwriting and shared history

Connexion Man are a relatively fresh name on the Nottingham circuit, but their roots in the city still run deep. Built on long standing friendships, shared history and a renewed love for their home’s music community, the group are reconnecting with the scene that first shaped them. Ahead of a debut record and gig at The Grove, the band talk about returning to Notts and their evolving sound. 

An interview with Crystal Mah-Wing about the Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature Map

Nottingham was awarded UNESCO status as a City of Literature in December 2015. As part of their celebrations to mark this decade milestone, Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature, the University of Nottingham and Visit Nottingham worked together on an AHRC funded research bid to bring the map to Nottingham.

As part of the project, Research Affiliate Crystal Mah-Wing was employed to help create a map, showcasing our cities best literary locations, for locals and tourists alike. We spoke to Crystal about the process, the team she worked with and what to expect when it’s out at the end of March…

Gig review: Gene at Rock City

Gig review: Less Than Jake, The Bouncing Souls, The Aquabats and The Bar Stool Preachers at Rock City

On their ninth time appearing at Rock City, ska-punk legends Less Than Jake brought waves of nostalgia and cheer to Nottingham, supported by The Bar Stool Preachers, The Aquabats!, and The Bouncing Souls...