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Interview: Author Ian C Douglas' new creative writing courses at Nottingham Trent University

This summer, local author Ian C Douglas is teaching two new world-building courses as part of Nottingham Trent University's Creative Short Courses programme. He chats to LeftLion about making stuff up... 

Finn Forster on supporting Stereophonics, Radio 1's Big Weekend and the emotions of touring...

The latest rising star from the North East’s explosive music scene, Finn Forster, sat down with LeftLion in the midst of his largest headline tour. We caught up about all things Stereophonics, his latest release, and the rollercoaster of tour emotions 

Spilling the tea: Frances Russell on managing the White Rabbit Teahouse through adversity

Serving tea, cake and scones, White Rabbit Teahouse is a quintessential British tearoom, providing a peaceful setting among the noise and crowds of the city centre. Behind the scenes, owner Frances Russell has weathered many storms to keep the business alive. Food co-editor Lucy Campion sat down with Frances to talk about the evolution of her teahouse, how the hospitality landscape has changed and what the future holds. 

Interview: Alexis Gregory in Smoke, a queer thriller at Nottingham Playhouse

Smoke is a new play from acclaimed queer theatre-maker Alexis Gregory coming to Nottingham this month. As well as a hard-hitting, savage, comic-thriller, a panel follows the play, hosted by You Are Loved and exploring issues from the play. LeftLion speaks to Alexis about social media, drugs, homophobia and much more...    

LeftLion Interviews Podcast #18: Nyrobi and Chaya of ALT BLK ERA on winning a MOBO, playing Jools Holland, touring with Pendulum and homecoming gigs

This episode we are joined by Nyrobi and Chaya of ALT BLK ERA, who talk about their whirlwind year of winning a MOBO, appearing on Jools Holland and touring Europe with Pendulum…

Life Behind Bars: with Isad ‘Happy’ Habibovic, General Manager at 400 Rabbits

We visit 400 Rabbits to chat to Isad the General Manager about cocktails and Ed Sheeran.

Interview: Aisling Loftus, Nick Preston and Oliver Huntingdon on Television Workshop's new play ' I Had A Wheelbarrow'

Nottingham’s Television Workshop and acclaimed director Shane Meadows are collaborating on I Had a Wheelbarrow, a play about football. Leftlion were invited along to the County Stadium for the filming and met with a hat-trick of Workshop alumni. Aisling Loftus (Sherwood), Nick Preston (Ladhood) and Oliver Huntingdon (Grantchester) kindly tackled the questions…

We meet battle victors Cherry Stone

When indie five-piece Cherry Stone stepped on to the stage at Metronome for the 2026 edition of the Ultimate Battle Of The Bands contest, they were hoping to do well – but winning following a unanimous judges’ decision proved to be a euphoric and surreal moment. We caught up with the band as they prepared for their next episode(s)...

LeftLion Interviews Podcast #17: Crazy P’s Jim Baron on international tours and festivals, soundtracking The Sopranos and his new venture White Elephant

This episode we are joined by Jim Baron from Crazy P who talks about his career in music, starting a band in Notts that became internationally renown, soundtracking for film and TV and his new venture White Elephant...

Interview: BalletBoyz directors Michael Nunn and Billy Trevitt at Nottingham Playhouse

After 25 years of pushing boundaries, BalletBoyz return to Nottingham with a radical new show celebrating their silver anniversary. Artistic Directors Michael Nunn and Billy Trevitt talk to Leftlion about the story so far...  

Alex Hale and the Private Sector talk new name and new music

Alex Hale is a well-known name for anybody versed in the Nottingham music scene. In the newly-named Alex Hale and the Private Sector, joined by bandmates Daniel Barradell, Dominic Brady, Luke Gilborn, Stephen Marsh and sometimes (when he's not busy running The Grove) Cam Worne, he is embarking on a new era…

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...

In conversation with Bob Mould about Sugar, politics and the power of finding your voice

Thirty years on from their untimely split, American indie punk pioneers Sugar reunite to play an extensive UK tour with a date at Rock City on 31st May. 2026 is shaping up to be a landmark year for the power punk trio with the super deluxe reissue of their 1992 debut album Copper Blue and the release of two new songs: House of Dead Memories and Long Live Love. We chatted with Iconic frontman Bob Mould about all things Sugar, Hüsker Dü, and the current state of political affairs in the US...

Theatre Interview: Sam Harry Macgregor actor and writer from Hold The Line at Nottingham Arts Theatre

Hold the Line is a new play coming to the Nottingham Arts Theatre that lifts the lid on life and work at the NHS 111 telephone service. Rising star Sam Harry Macgregor, who wrote and stars in the play, talks to Leftlion about the journey...  

LeftLion Interviews Podcast #15: Blur’s Dave Rowntree on NASA, Nottingham gigs and his new book of old Blur photos

This episode we are joined by Blur drummer Dave Rowntree who talks about Blur's early years, his memories (or lack of) of their Nottingham appearances, NASA and space and his new photo book No-one You Know'..

Life Behind Bars with Tong Man, Proprietor at The Pillar Box Sherwood

We dropped into Sherwood hotspot The Pillar Box to speak to proprietor Tong Man

Gig review: Connexion Man at The Grove, with flöat and Andrew Tucker Leavis

The Grove has hosted a steady run of single, EP and album launches over the past year and a half, and this time it was Connexion Man stepping up to mark the release of their debut record A Forest and a Town...

Theatre Interview: Rosalie Minnit, star of Clementine, appearing at Nottingham Playhouse in April

Lady Clementine has until her 27th birthday to find The One. But love is never easy and Clementine promises a show that is both funny and thought provoking. Rosalie Minnit, actress and writer behind the show, shares her insights with Leftlion...  

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. 

Interview with Andre Harris: 'Memory Making' fundraiser and his Power of Drums

Leftlion had the pleasure of catching up with community figure Andre Harris - well-known for supporting young people through his love of drums, and commitment as a youth worker and teacher. For years, Andre has worked with members of the Nottingham community for many years, but has sadly been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. Now, Andre’s son, Tom, has organised a special fundraiser event for his dad, called Memory Making, hosted at Bestwood Lodge on Saturday 14 March...

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…

Julie Pritchard 1966-2026

It is with deep sadness that we mark the passing of Julie Pritchard, columnist for LeftLion and the founder of the original Nottingham Forest fanzine Brian, who passed away after a short illness on 17 February 2026.

Catching up with Willow Bay ahead of their EP launch show at The Carousel

Melodic folk-trio Willow Bay are back with a bang on 28th February as The Carousel hosts the launch of the band's first-ever EP, Evangeline. The live-performance chemistry between the three members is contagious, and they have been known to silence every audience member in sight with their angelic harmonies. We caught up with the band (lead vocalist and guitarist Aaliyah, guitarist and banjo player Matt, and electric guitarist Ben) to dig deep into the story of the EP and their development as a band...

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... 

Life Behind Bars: with John Slee, Manager at The Lincolnshire Poacher

We popped in to see John Slee, Manager at The Lincolnshire Poacher, to talk about whiskey, stables and famous guests...