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Festival Review: Dot To Dot 2025

The Sunday of the late May Bank Holiday in Nottingham – often the greatest day of the year in our city. Why? Well, because of Dot To Dot of course! Arguably the greatest metropolitan festival in the country, it takes place in multiple venues throughout Bristol on Saturday and right here in Nottingham on Sunday. With the 2025 edition marking the festival’s 20th Anniversary, there was an even greater sense of occasion at this year's event. Heading out to take in the sights and scope out the very best emerging talent from the local scene, the UK and some artists from even further afield, here’s the LeftLion live report from Dot To Dot 2025…

Restaurant week, comic con, body positive art and Japanese pop-punk: Here's what's on in Nottingham 2 - 8 June 2025

There's a great mix of stuff happening this week in Notts - we've got Japanese pop-punk from Shonen Knife, Sneinton Avenues Vegan Market, Comic-con, Restaurant week and some inspiring exhibitions. Here's our top picks...

LeftLion Issue #184 June 2025

This month featuring our guide to local summer music festivals, Nottingham Poetry Festival, actor LaQuarn Lewis on BBC's What It Feels Like For A Girl, the Nottingham Attacks Two Years On, Nottingham Playhouse's Adam Penford, Nottingham Craft Beer Festival, the Lenton Centre, Future Makers and more...

The Thompsons talk Restaurant Week, Cinemas and Hyson Green

Here's what Nottingham's most opinionated grocers had to say about restauarant week, cinemas and Hyson Green Community Action...

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! 

Documentary Review: Ocean with David Attenborough

Join us as we review David Attenborough's new documentary, Ocean, which doesn't hide the destruction of the natural world, but inspires and motivates too...

Gig review: Sunday (1994) at The Bodega

"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...

Out of Time: A gander down the history of Goose Gate

History writer David Hunter takes a wander through the historic district of Hockley to find out the story behind the curious street name ‘Goose Gate’, and the industries and architecture which defined the area.

Gig review: Supergrass at Rock City

There were no bands quite like Supergrass, in 1995. At least, not our writer's hazy recollection. They stood out; slightly apart from their contemporaries. Off to the side seemingly having just that little bit more fun than anyone else. On the evidence of this riotous, rollocking show at Rock City, the same is just as true in 2025...

Gig review: Bryan Adams at Motorpoint Arena

With new songs under his belt, and a vast back catalogue of hits, Bryan Adams has come a long way since his 90s Wembley Stadium heyday. We headed to Motorpoint Arena to find out if the Canadian rocker is still on form...

Film Review: Final Destination: Bloodlines

Join us as we review Final Destination: Bloodlines. Will it make you watch your step next time you cross the road? Absolutely...

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...

We catch up with three city centre restaurants ahead of Nottingham Restaurant Week in June

Nottingham Restaurant Week is set to take place across the city from Monday 2 to Sunday 8 June. Organised by It’s in Nottingham, it’s a chance for you to access exclusive discounts and try out some new flavours from the city’s vibrant food scene. To mark the occasion, we caught up with representatives of three popular dining spots involved: Antonio Oriente from Pizzamisu, Amita Sawhney from MemSaab and Terry Hayfield from Fellows, Morton & Clayton.

Gig review: Hachiku at The Grove, with Lucy Crisp and Emzae

Following its win at the Duckies last week, we headed to The Grove to catch two local artists - and one from very far away…

Theatre review: A Thousand Splendid Suns at Nottingham Playhouse

Stage reviewer Beverley Makin went along to see literary adaptation A Thousand Splendid Suns at Nottingham Playhouse, a moving adaptation by Ursula Rani Sarma in conjuction with Birmingham Rep and Leeds Playhouse.

Comedian Matt Forde talks Notts, politics, podcasts and Forest, ahead of his upcoming Nottingham Playhouse gig

Nottingham’s own Matt Forde is a comedian, TV and radio presenter, writer, impressionist and more. He’s perhaps best known for his podcast The Political Party, where he interviews politicians. However, he’s also a regular on radio, TV and even voiced Donald Trump in the reboot of Spitting Image.

Collective Creations: we heard about the 1525 Collective at Nottingham Contemporary

Nottingham Contemporary is home to the 1525 Collective, a youth programme for Nottingham’s young creatives and has welcomed members such as local MP Nadia Whittome. From networking, to skill-building, workshops and projects, the collective extends a helping hand to the city’s creative youths. 

Gig review: Moonlit at Rough Trade

Recent winners (for good reason!) of the Ultimate Battle of the Bands, Moonlit, headlined Rough Trade Nottingham alongside fellow NTU artists Skunk and Emily Sanders…

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.