Site search

Undercover Artist: Dani Bacon snaps Notts most curious emporium, Hopkinson Vintage, Antiques and Art Centre

We chat to LeftLion Photography Co-editor and this month’s cover artist, Dani Bacon about photography, juggling projects and Bjork...

A one way ticket to nostalgia: visiting Alfreton's 80s Video Shop

Right on the border between Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire sits the 80s Video Shop – a one-way ticket to the age of neon, fuelled by original Big Box Rental VHS Tapes. Owners Chris Annable and Rob Lane talk to us about the story behind this tucked away portal to another time… 

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...  

The Thompsons on antiques, Beeston and VHS tapes.

Nottingham's most opinionated greengrocers tells us their thoughts on antiques, Beeston and VHS tapes.

Gig review: The Vaccines at Rock City

English indie rock band The Vaccines triumphantly returned to Rock City to celebrate the 15-year anniversary of their debut album. They delivered a legendary performance to an electrified crowd, creating a striking and memorable night for the masses...

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...

Community champions: joining volunteer group Clean Champions on a litter pick

It’s March, so many of us are probably considering a spring clean of our homes. Environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, however, are thinking in bigger terms, and running a litter picking initiative The Great British Spring Clean – set to be the nation’s biggest mass action environmental campaign. Taking part here in Notts are the Nottingham Clean Champions, a City Council-supported volunteer program – we join them on a litter pick… 

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…

Pick six: Veronica Pickering, Nottinghamshire's Lord-Lieutenant

To celebrate International Women’s Day we put some questions to Veronica Pickering, the first woman to be appointed as Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, a former High Sheriff, and a champion of our local communities.

Beyond Van Gogh and Beyond Monet launches yoga sessions alongside their immersive Nottingham summer exhibition

Fancy doing some stretches to a backdrop of Van Gogh's Starry Night? Or perfecting your balance while staring at Monet's The Beach at Sainte-Adresse? Nottingham art lovers have the opportunity take part in a unique series of yoga sessions this summer set amid some of the world’s most mesmerising masterpieces.

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...

Exploring antiques, art and community treasure trove Hopkinson Vintage

Hidden gem Hopkinson could be described as what happens when a Victorian hardware store has a wildly creative midlife crisis - and we mean that in the best way. Part-shop, part-café bar, part-museum (and occasionally part-maze), this four storey antiques and art centre is packed with independent artists, vintage trinkets, handmade oddities, and curiosities you definitely didn’t plan on buying but absolutely will. Co-owner, Bryony Woodgates, talks about her tenure co-directing the space with Ash Hudson…

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...

The Thompsons talk Victoria Centre Market, Light Night and Andy Warhol

Nottingham's most opinionated greengrocers give us their take on Victoria Centre Market, Light Night and Andy Warhol

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... 

Gig review: VUKOVI at Rescue Rooms

The rise of Scottish rock duo VUKOVI has been quite something to witness. From emerging out of the independent alternative scene over a decade ago, the band have built a devoted cult following off the success of their four studio albums. With 2025 long player My God Has Got A Gun marking their biggest release to date, we headed along to their sold-out Saturday night show at Rescue Rooms to join in the party…

Stirring things up: meeting the voices behind local chronic illness and business podcast 3Spoonies

Running a successful podcast is quite the task in itself, but what happens when you pair it with chronic illness, fluctuating energy levels, and times when you feel like your body is fighting against you? Emily Davies sat down to talk to the minds behind 3Spoonies, a Nottinghamshire-based podcast hosted by Karen Duncan, Claire Napper, and Jo O’Neil, about everything from balancing their work and home lives to how we can make entrepreneurship more inclusive.

Comedy Review: Vittorio Angelone's 'You Can't Say Nothing Any More' at the Nottingham Arts Theatre

Vittorio Angelone is back in town again with his new show at the Nottingham Art's Theatre. The show is titled You Can't Say Nothing Any More. However, our Leftlion critic had plenty to say about that...  

We speak to Nanna Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir from Of Monsters and Men

We catch up with Sunna Margrét ahead of her Rough Trade show

Icelandic alt-pop artist Sunna Margrét will be performing live at Rough Trade as part of her UK mini tour. Ahead of the date, she shares her thoughts on the influence of her country, language and culture on her music, as well as her bond with Nottingham electro-funk masters Revenge of Calculon...

We chat to Stuart Braithwaite of Mogwai

Scottish post-rock would be nothing without Mogwai, who have now entered their fourth decade. Ahead of their date at Rock City on 15th February, we spoke to the band - in the shape of frontman Stuart Braithwaite - about their new album, film scores, and the upcoming tour...

Market value: the past and present of Victoria Centre Market

Over the last few years, a part of Nottingham’s history has slowly started to vanish, with traders at the Victoria Centre Market being asked to end their hundred year leases partway through. A space that once hosted hundreds of local traders is now home to just a few- who find themselves in a state of limbo. Matteo D’Alesio visits to hear some of their concerns, while taking a step back in time to highlight what made the market special in the first place. 

Love at first sight: a look inside Southwell's newest vintage boutique

Fashion editor Addie Kenogbon-Harley catches up with Lottie Baxter, owner of one of Notts’ latest vintage boutiques, Love at First Sight, to find out more about how her teenage dream became a reality in the form of a small but mighty fashion hideaway in Southwell with a cult following.

Interview: Stevie Gray comedian and MC at Comedy in the Caves

There's a new venue for stand-up in the city. And it's a cave. Left Lion chats with award-winning comedian Stevie Gray on his bold gamble to shake up Nottingham's comedy circuit...