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Night Creatures Podcast #7: Parisa East from Acoustickle on finding a young Jake Bugg, musical collaborations and juggling life as a promoter

Night Creatures is a LeftLion podcast, shining a light on the promoters of Nottingham. Your  host and interviewer is Beane, co-founder of Nottingham’s beloved Soul Buggin’ night and  he brings with him two decades of experience of putting on great parties in the city. 

Enthralling theatre and crowd pleasing comedy: Here's what's on in Nottingham this week Monday 13 - Sunday 19 April

The weather's getting warmer, and here in Notts everybody's getting out and enjoying culture, whether as part of some memorable screenings at local cinemas, or some top tier local music. Here's some events which we think you shouldn't miss...

LeftLion's Latest Listens #43: Notts music we're currently spinning

In this edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens, our music team reviews new releases from Book of Churches, Dusty 4 Track, Firmament and JJ Lovegrove...

Undercover artist: April Seaworth depicts springtime Notts in motion

The stars align this month, as our regular contributing illustrator April Seaworth presents our April 2026 cover. Below April talks about her work, inspirations, and why we should listen closely to the city and to nature… 

Straight off the top: the Nottingham jam nights where musicians test their skills

Anyone who takes a deeper than average dive into Notts music will probably come across a corner of the scene with a very particular kind of magic – jam sessions – improvisation events where new connections are forged and the music is completely different each time. Acoustickle’s Parisa East and Joe Egan, founder of popular jam Perkalater, talk about why these occasions are valuable. 

Immersive indie theatre, all day gigs, impactful exhibitions: here's what's on in Nottingham this week 30 March - 5 April

This is a great week in Notts for music and art lovers... check out our top picks.

LeftLion's Latest Listens #42: Notts music we're currently spinning

In this week's edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens for 2026, our music team reviews new releases from Leah Wilcox, Eyre Llew and Origin One & Snowy... 

LeftLion Issue #194 April 2026

Featuring Notts County's James Belshaw, Dave Rowntree from Blur, Panya Banjoko, Lace Thief, John Dean's A Semester In Notts, Nadia Whittome on student loans, Nottingham record shops, Jim Glennie from James, and loads more... 

Nottsword April 2026 answers

Did you get the answers right? Have a peek and see...

Musicals, indie markets, creative workshops and animated musical legends... Here's what's on in Nottingham this week 23 - 29 March

Creativity abounds this week in Nottingham! Check out classic West End musicals, mix with other creative folks, check out the handcrafted wares of local artists, or see animated musical legends Gorillaz live. Here's our top picks...

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...  

LeftLion's Latest Listens #41: Notts music we're currently spinning

In this edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens, our music team reviews new releases from Willow Bay, Drivelheads, LOCAL LOSER and Firmament...

Music legends, indie bands, and creative writing at Wollaton Hall: Here's what's on this week in Nottingham 9 March - 15 March

It's Spring and we'll soon be feeling more sunlight on our skin. To accompany the banishment of the winter blues, why not line up something nice to do this week in Notts? There's plenty to check out, including the arrival of not one but two legendary UK guitar bands... 

Music volunteering scheme launches in Nottingham with Tinie Tempah and JayaHadADream on board

Volunteers are invited to give four hours of their time to local community causes, in exchange for a ticket to an exclusive gig at Rock City featuring British chart topper Tinie Tempah and Notts-based rapper JayaHadADream...

LeftLion's Latest Listens #40: Notts music we're currently spinning

Welcome to the fortieth edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens! This week, our music team reviews new releases from Hhymn, Kezia Gill, Matt McCarthy, Vee Adu and Terza Rima...

LeftLion's Latest Listens #39: Notts music we're currently spinning

In this edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens for 2026, our music team reviews new releases from ALT BLK ERA, Book of Churches, The Red Line, People Laughing and Pict...

Class of 2026: six local music acts set to take Notts by storm in 2026

2025 in Notts music was mostly defined by awards. Rave-metal sister duo ALT BLK ERA won a MOBO award, rapper Jayahadadream won two Youth Music Awards including the Rising Star prize – and beloved venue The Bodega was crowned Grassroots Champion at the LIVE Awards.

Locally, we also saw the return of Splendour Festival with the Future Sound of Nottingham winners Saffron Gray and Archie & The Astronauts opening the festival main stage. This got us thinking – who are the next breakout stars from Nottingham and who can we expect to shine in the year ahead? After much deliberation, here’s six artists we expect to have a big 2026…

Tusk 'til dawn: Jim Baron of Crazy P fame on his new musical project White Elephant

Best known as one of the founders of Notts electronic music titans Crazy P, Jim Baron (aka Ron Basejam) is a man with his fingers in several musical pies. This month sees the release of World Elephant Day, the first album from White Elephant – a collaborative project with Ben Smith (of Smith & Mudd fame) and fellow Crazy P member Chris Todd. In a wide-ranging catchup, Jim takes us from the halcyon days of nineties Notts to his solo work, and how The Sopranos played a role in the story of Crazy P… 

Live music, light shows, and classic cinema: Here's what's on in Nottingham this week, 2 - 8 February

From legendary artists and independent musicians, to cinema and light installations, this week brings a wide assortment of events to the Notts creative scene. Here are our picks of this week...

LeftLion's Latest Listens #38: Notts music we're currently spinning

With this year off to a great start for new music, in this edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens for 2026, our music team reviews releases from Divorce feat. Marcus Mumford, Blackadder, Bloodworm and Make Strangers...

LeftLion's Latest Listens #37: Notts music we're spinning in 2026

In this, the first edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens for 2026, our music team reviews new releases from Daudi Matsiko, Ruby Aeron, ktlyle, LYVIA and Verbal Warning...

Fine Fat Funk: Fat Digester talk thirty years of making music ahead of Beat the Streets

Not many Nottingham-based bands and acts can boast a thirty-year longevity, but Fat Digester certainly can. The eclectic, cool and funky collective have been making audiences move and groove in awe since the 90s, and have no intention of stopping or slowing anytime soon. We had a chat with frontman Paul 'Ned' Needham all about the band’s approaches, stage shows and very exciting future plans!

The LeftLion music awards: what we loved in 2025

From thriving new venues to an abundance of local talent gaining national exposure, 2025 proved that our city is one of the best in the country for breeding and platforming exceptional musical talent. With this in mind, we thought we’d celebrate with some end-of-year awards – championing the best local releases and gigs to happen this year in Nottingham. Voted for by our music team, here’s what stood out in the Notts music world in 2025…

Early Christmas parties and dance music at The Model: Here's what's on in Notts this week, Mon 1 - Sun 7 December

December 2025 starts with a bang in Nottingham, as a host of occasions from the festive, to the musical, to the artistic, take place... 

LeftLion's Latest Listens #36: Notts music we're currently spinning

In this edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens for 2025, our music team reviews new releases from Marseille, Kelsey and The Embers, Richard Snow and ALT BLK ERA...