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LeftLion Interviews Podcast #1: DJ Graeme Park on Selectadisc, The Hacienda and the UK Club Scene Past and Present

Welcome to the first episode of the ‘LeftLion Interviews’ podcast. Our guest is the radio and nightclub DJ Graeme Park.

Nottingham designer and entrepreneur, Sara Christie talks about merging representation, authenticity, and empowerment with her family heritage

Nottingham designer and entrepreneur, Sara Christie, is no stranger to turning heads with her iconic, bold, statement accessories and signature chunky chains. Since the launch of her label BYSARACHRISTIE in 2020, her pieces have garnered a cult following. Fans include the likes of global superstar Kelis, popular singer-songwriter RAYE and actress Sarah Niles to name a few. Following the launch of her latest collection, The Empress Collection, we caught up with Sara to find out more…

In Photos: Push Rope with Airport Dad and Retina at Rough Trade

Review: Monuments and Melodies all-dayer at Rough Trade

2024’s Monuments & Melodies Festival at Rough Trade Nottingham promised to be "a beacon for music enthusiasts”. LeftLion spent the day, and discovered a varied and dazzling array of talent, showcasing alternative music at its best...

Pick Six: writer, podcaster and resident drag artist at Gladrags, Nana Arthole

For this month’s Pick Six, we turned to writer, entertainer, and all round creative type, the fabulous Nana Arthole.

Festival review: Day three at Download Festival

A fortnight ago, Download 2024 had reached its final day. LeftLion was there to witness an incredible climax to a weekend of rock and metal music at Donington Park...

Festival review: Day two at Download Festival

This time two weeks ago, LeftLion was fully immersed in the world of Download, the spiritual home of rock and metal music. Here's what happened on day two of the festival...

Festival review: Day one at Download Festival

Every year, thousands of rock fans from across the globe make the pilgrimage to Donington Park, only half an hour from Nottingham city centre. This year, LeftLion joined them for an epic weekend at the 2024 edition of Download, perhaps our country's most legendary rock and metal music festival. Here's what happened on day one...

Dig it! We speak to York Archaeology about community digs at Wollaton Hall

Every year since 2019, a motley crew of students and local history enthusiasts has descended upon Wollaton Hall for a series of archaeological training excavations. They can be easily spotted about the grounds: a happy-looking crowd clad in mud stained high-vis, gleefully digging away or enthusiastically explaining themselves to curious park-patrons. These digs are run by Laura Parker and Tristan Cousins, community archaeologists from York Archaeology, who I met to talk about the project…

In photos: Eyre Llew with Pacific K and Matt Darin at Rough Trade

Well-loved local band Eyre Llew took to the Rough Trade Nottingham stage to play a very special local show before setting off for a European festival trip. Support came from Pacific K and Matt Darin. Nigel King captured the action...

Bestselling author Constanza Casati tells us about lions, dust and PTSD

The twenty-nine year old author's mythological retelling 'Clytemnestra' was a Saturday Times bestseller - now she's back with the heroic follow-up, 'Babylonia'...

We caught up with her at Nottingham Waterstones ahead of her epic book tour earlier in the summer.

Preview: Live At The Hall at Wollaton Hall

Get ready for an epic night of music at Wollaton Hall on Friday 30 August, as "Live at the Hall" brings together an all-star lineup featuring Razorlight, Feeder, The Pigeon Detectives, The Sherlocks and more...

Gig review: Gen and The Degenerates at The Bodega

Anything but ‘anti-fun’, this post-punk propaganda brought us straight to
The Bodega to witness Gen and The Degenerates do their thing...

Comedy Review: Punt and Dennis at the Playhouse

Two of The Mary Whitehouse Experience reunite...

Locating Lawrence: June 1924

Will 12 bottles of smuggled whisky and five wild horses tame D.H. Lawrence’s rage? Probably not. Here's what D.H. Lawrence was up to in June 1924

We speak to Benjamin Wigley, director of Paa Joe & the Lion ahead of Nottingham Poetry Festival

Next year, Nottingham Poetry Festival will be celebrating its tenth anniversary. The longevity and success of the festival, which began as a project by Confetti and is now its own company, is an ode to Nottingham’s burgeoning poetry scene. This year, part of a jam-packed programme, is a screening of three films featuring poetry by the late, great, Benjamin Zephaniah. We spoke to the film's director and friend of Zephaniah, Benjamin Wigley, along with the festival’s creative director, Alma Solarte-Tobón.

Gig review: Deap Vally farewell tour at Rescue Rooms

The two woman powerhouse that is Deap Vally brought their heavy blues rock n roll to Rescue Rooms this week, marking their farewell tour after thirteen years together...

A Decade on Screen: 10 great moments from Notts TV

With local journalism becoming an endangered species in recent years, Nottingham is very lucky to have Notts TV. Along with training our students to become broadcasters and journalists, the company has made their mark over the years in both modest and mighty ways. Here’s some of their best moments, according to Channel Manager Chris Breese…

Five Leaves Opens Submissions for Diverse Debut Poets

Throughout June, Five Leaves Publications is accepting submissions for debut poetry pamphlets, particularly from under-represented or marginalised communities...could it be you?

Gig review: Bruce Dickinson at Rock City

The floors of Rock City took a beating as Iron Maiden front-man and rock legend Bruce Dickinson visited Nottingham to celebrate his new album, and prove that he's still at the top of his game...

We speak to dub poet Linton Kwesi Johnson ahead of Nottingham Poetry Festival

Pioneer of dub poetry, NME journalist, trailblazing activist, father and grandfather, the first black poet published by Penguin Modern Classics - Linton Kwesi Johnson has worn all these hats and more. Wondering which hat he’ll wear at the Nottingham Poetry Festival on June 14, we gave him a call…

Review: Dot To Dot Festival 2024 in Nottingham

The late May Bank Holiday can mean only one thing: it’s time for Dot To Dot, one of the country’s premier multi-venue metropolitan festivals. After round one in Bristol on the Saturday, Nottingham played host to more than 170 artists across 17 stages on Sunday 26th May. A team from LeftLion was there all day to witness the action…

Classical Concert Review : BBC Philharmonic- Discovering Glazunov

The Royal Concert Hall plays host to a long overdue revival...

Gig review: Ferocious Dog at Rock City

In May, Rock City played host to a very special gig as local folk rock supergroup Ferocious Dog returned, accompanied by multiple support acts. We went along to witness the rebellion and passion...

We chat to Home Counties on the sidelines of Dot To Dot Festival

As Dot To Dot Festival raged around us, LeftLion caught up with Will Harrison and Bill Griffin of Home Counties, to talk about the band's debut album, their sound transformation, and vodka shots...