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"I love an ethical hacker": Overheard in Notts May 2025

Ethical hackers, Yorkshire Terriers and jacket potatoes feature in this month's Overheard in Notts...

Community, culture and the music at The Concert Hall: here's what's on events this week in Nottingham 26 May- 1 June

This week in Notts, cultural vibrations ring from the arrow of Robin Hood! 

"I'm the one with the torch": local boxer Ezra Taylor's journey to fighting at Motorpoint Arena

While the headline story from Queensberry Promotions’ recent Nottingham show may have been Leigh Wood’s unfortunate defeat to Anthony Cacace, in the same arena Ezra Taylor stepped into the spotlight - not just to win, but to announce himself. While it didn’t have the exclamation mark moment, it was a solid performance that marked a quieter moment of transition - a fighter beginning to find his rhythm on the big stage - and in doing so, offering Nottingham a glimpse of his next chapter. LeftLion was fortunate to be in the Taylor camp in the weeks leading up to, and on, fight night...

We chat to Davoli about music, life and Dot To Dot

Dot To Dot Festival is almost upon us! One of the hundreds of musicians performing at the day-long musical extravaganza is local artist Davoli. We spoke to him about his brand new EP, his inspirations, and what DTD means to him...

Green Hustle Festival Returns to Nottingham's Old Market Square at the End of May

Music, food, fashion, art and environmental action will once again all come together at the free entry Green Hustle Festival in Nottingham city centre on Saturday 31 May

Nottingham Restaurant Week Returns from 2-8 June 2025

Nottingham’s vibrant food scene is set to sizzle once again as Nottingham Restaurant Week makes its much-anticipated return offering deals and discounts in over 50 establishments...

New frontiers: Co(l)laboratory at Universities for Nottingham seeks new community partners for 2025

It's that time of year again, when the Co(l)laboratory programme, facilitated by the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent, is seeking new research and PhD proposals from local organisations. If you work for and represent a community organisation, in fields like medicine or education, and think you know how best communities in Nottinghamshire can be progressed, Co(l)laboratory wants to hear from you. 

Get Your Skates On at Nottingham's National Ice Centre

When was the last time you went ice skating? With arguably the nation's best facilities right on your doorstep we look at what's coming up at the National Ice Centre over the next few months and how you can get involved...

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

Stories, stages, and sharp needles: here's what's on events this week in Nottingham 19 - 26 May 2025

This week in Notts, dance meets discourse, literature leads the way, and the tattoo machines are buzzing...

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...

Crowned in Sound: Talking memorable interviews, The Chameleon and Billy Bootleggers with music journo Dom Gourlay

Growing up in Mansfield, Dom Gourlay didn’t realise he’d later become one of the country’s top music journalists. We grabbed a long overdue coffee with Dom, currently the Festivals and Live Reviews Editor for Under the Radar. 

Art exhibitions, community events and legendary gigs: here's what's on events this week in Nottingham 12 - 19 May 2025

This week in Notts, explore our material world, take One Step At A Time for community, or listen to some big tunes shaking the Arena... 

Film Review: The Accountant

Join us as we review the Accountant 2. It's got action, twists and turns, and comedy - did it pack in just a little too much? 

LeftLion Interviews Podcast #10: Comedian Matt Forde on His Early Life In Notts, Kier Starmer, Spitting Image, Forest, Cancer and The End of An Era Tour

Originally from Lenton, Matt Forde is a comedian, TV and radio presenter, writer, impressionist and quite a lot more. He’s perhaps best known for his podcast The Political Party, but he's also a regular face on TV and currently on his End of An Era Tour...

War Horse: an interview with actor Damian Lynch

Damian Lynch is a British actor and voiceover artist, currently starring in War Horse at the Royal Concert Hall. Emma Hornsby spoke to Damian to get a glimpse behind the scenes of this momentous and memorable theatre production.

Gig review: Kid Spirit at Mist Rolling Inn

Alt-rock four-piece KID SPIRIT are carving their own path in Nottingham, and Mist Rolling Inn provided the perfect venue to showcase their talents...

Connecting the Dots: Celebrating 20 years of Dot2Dot Festival

From intimate beginnings to sprawling across iconic venues in Nottingham and Bristol, Dot to Dot has become a cornerstone of the UK’s festival calendar. Celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2025, the festival has been championing emerging artists since the mid-00s indie boom, many of which have risen to international acclaim. 

With this in mind, we decided to take a look back at the festival’s history, speaking to the team behind the UK’s best metropolitan festival and explore the global superstars that have emerged from Dot To Dot over the last two decades…

On the Road again: The story behind Igloo Hybrid, Nottingham's sole hostel accomodation

Tucked away in a quaint courtyard just off Wheeler Gate, Igloo Hybrid is Nottingham’s only hostel accommodation for visitors to the city. After thirty years of welcoming guests from around the world, owner B Kristiansen is getting ready to sell up and return to her native Denmark, but not before finding a buyer that will keep the heart of Igloo beating. We spoke to B to find out what kept her in Nottingham for so long and what goes into running this local establishment.

Indie trio The Amazons talk Rock City, The Chameleon and their love of Nottingham ahead of their Rough Trade gig

While they may proudly herald from Reading, rock trio The Amazons’ thriving career has long been intertwined with our city too. From cutting their teeth in The Chameleon to sold out shows at Rock City, to even playing Motorpoint Arena with Royal Blood, they have spent the last decade making memories and building a strong fanbase right here in NG1. Now with shows at Rough Trade and Rock City coming up in the next six months, we decided to catch up with frontman Matt Thomson to discuss their longstanding romance with Nottingham…

Experience different cultures, historical theatre, and homegrown Notts music: here's what's on this week 5 - 11 May 2025

This week in Notts, learn the Afro Brazilian martial art of Capoeira, experience Greek culture, check out some historical theatre or enjoy some lovely homegrown talent from local musicians...

LeftLion's Latest Listens #21: Notts music we're currently spinning

We're back once again with a pre-Bank Holiday edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens. This week, our music team reviews new releases from Swallowtail, highspeedpeach, MCØ and Drew Thomas...

LeftLion Issue #183 May 2025

Featuring 20 Years of Dot To Dot, comedian Matt Forde, boxer Leigh Wood, Igloo Hostel, Nottingham Restaurant Week, NottAlone, Dom Gourlay, the 1525 Collective, The Amazons, A Projectionist in Notts and more...

We catch up with Moonlit, winner of the 2025 Ultimate Battle of the Bands competition

Following their triumph at the Ultimate Battle of the Bands this year, and ahead of their Rough Trade appearance, we caught up with all six members of Moonlit to find out what the win meant to them, how they feel about playing Splendour Festival, and what else is on the horizon for them as a band…

The Winners of The 2025 Duckies Are...

It's in Nottingham hosted it's inaugral The Duckies awards evening at St Mary's Church on Tuesday 29 April to celebrate and champion the hundreds of high street businesses who contribute to life in Nottingham City Centre...