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Gig review: Millie Manders and the Shutup at Rescue Rooms, with Ramona's Tea Party

Anarchic fun... All killer, no filler... Earworms aplenty. Exhausting all the superlatives, Millie Manders and the Shutup returned to Nottingham and proved that social awareness and a sense of justice need never be dull...

In photos: Spinn at The Bodega, with Cam Mannix and Black Cats & Magpies

Gig review: Deco at Rescue Rooms, with Cam Mannix

Their sold-out secrets are embedded within their empathy for pop music. Deco have become one of the most hotly anticipated live acts this year, and we were lucky enough to catch them at Rescue Rooms...

Classical Concert Review: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra at the Royal Concert Hall

An all-English programme brings planets, battles and a cello to the Royal Concert Hall...

Concert Review: Steeleye Span at the Playhouse

After fifty-five years of gold discs and international tours, folk rockers Steeleye Span are taking their music back on the road. Andrew McCartney reviews their performance at the Nottingham Playhouse... 

Comedian Pierre Novellie talks about autism, the Isle of Man and his dislike of mouth noises

Acclaimed comedian, Pierre Novellie, returns to Nottingham for a gig at the Canalhouse. Leftlion caught up with Pierre recently to find out more about his recent autism diagnosis and his new act. 

In photos: Boston Manor at Rock City, with Trophy Eyes and Split Chain

Riding high on the wave of fifth album Sundiver, Boston Manor arrived at Rock City to play a blistering set. Support from Ozzie punk rockers Trophy Eyes and genre-blenders Split Chain made the night one to remember...

We talk to Boston Manor about chart success and Nottingham memories

Experienced Blackpool-based rockers Boston Manor have recently released their fifth album, but success still brings them joy and surprise. We spoke with vocalist Henry Cox as the band waited for news of Sundiver's chart position, and prepared to lift the roof off Rock City...

Book Review: Mark Vanner's 'The Bone That Swallowed A Man'

Modern tech is able to represent real life with increasing detail - but it doesn't get to the heart of the truth like surreal poetry can.

Left Stag: April

We take a look at the history of zines, including many homegrown mini-mags made right here in Notts

From its roots in 30s sci-fi fan fiction and 70s New York punk, the illustrious medium of the zine has sprouted many fascinating publications, with many homegrown mini-mags made right here in Notts. Let us take you on a whistlestop tour of this curious corner of culture…

Drivers, Day Trips and Lost Teeth: Trentbarton Buses Managing Director Tom Morgan Talks to Us About Their Community on Wheels

There’s an old saying that a bus is not just a means of transportation, it's a community on wheels. Local bus company trentbarton have been part of our community for over a century now. We put some questions to their Managing Director Tom Morgan about their history, their team and their local environment…

Pick Six: Sarah Manton

For this month’s pick we turned to Vice President of Nottingham City Women’s Institute, studio owner at Sneinton Markets Curious? and all round creative queen Sarah Manton.

We Speak to Paul Leatham, the Man Who Handcrafts Gratitude Guardians in His Garden Studio

Around the streets of Sherwood, something magical is happening. Hidden in the cracks of walls, nestled in bushes, and sat on park benches, these Gratitude Guardians are benevolently watching over us all and keeping you safe. We spoke to Paul Leatham, who has been handcrafting the cute critters in his garden studio for the past three years...

Gig Review: Bad Manners at Rock City

Was there a better way to see out the end of 2023 than with the notorious ska legend Buster Bloodvessel’s band Bad Manners performing their pre-Christmas gig at our musical Mecca, Rock City?

We Chat to Hallowed Men About Their New Album ‘Hollow Man'

Fellow LeftLion writers Bassey and Rich Higton (AKA Jarrow Junction) have come together as Hallowed Men to release a collaborative album titled Hollow Man. We find out more about it...

Manchester Wins Slamovision 2023

Manchester’s Esther Koch is the winner of Slamovision 2023, against the finest spoken word artists across the UNESCO Cities of Literature network...

Match Report: Nottingham Panthers vs Manchester Storm 18.11.23 - Adam Johnson Memorial Game

The Nottingham Panthers held a memorial game at the Motorpoint Arena in honour of their player Adam Johnson, playing against Manchester Storm in a friendly match on Saturday night. Natalie Owen was at the game to report for LeftLion. Here's how they got on…

Left Stag October: The Nottinghamshire Derby

What could possess someone to get up at 7.30am on a Saturday morning, head into town and drink Guinness out of a plastic cup surrounded by men with neck tattoos and Stone Island clobber? An away day, of course! 

Gig Review: The Manatees at The Chameleon Arts Café

Acknowledged by the likes of BBC Radio One for their reserves of great potential, The Manatees are building their own empire amongst the indie-rock soundscape. The London-based three-piece have had a big year so far, with the release of their debut EP Dream in Colour. Jay, Tyler, and Miller clearly intend to end the year on the same smashing note on which they started, as they embark on their biggest UK headliner tour yet, including a date at Nottingham’s own The Chameleon Arts Café…

Theatre Review: The Real and Imagined History of the Elephant Man

Ian C Douglas reviews The Real and Imagined History of the Elephant Man... 

Left Stag: September 2023

Our man Josh Pickering is back with a run-down of the last month of action at for Mansfield Town and some news of his own offspring donning the amber shirt...

The Real and Imagined History of the Elephant Man

A bold re-telling of the Elephant Man story – the man, not the specimen. Nottingham Playhouse announces the cast and creative team for their exciting autumn season headline production, The Real and Imagined History of the Elephant Man. This European premiere of Australian playwright Tom Wright’s acclaimed play is a fresh new telling of the story of Joseph Merrick. 

Left Stag: August 2023

We've recently bought back our monthly Forest and County columns after a few years in the wilderness. But it's about time we covered the other football team in Notts too, right? We are delighted to launch our new monthly Mansfield Town FC column penned by lifelong stags fan Josh Osoro Pickering...

In Photos: Mangata Festival 2023

If you're a metal fan, Mangata is the place to go...