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We chat with Ian Broudie about goals, inspirations and Nottingham memories

The Lightning Seeds were formed in 1989 and named after a misheard Prince lyric, with frontman Ian Broudie going on to become one of the best tunesmiths of his generation, a writer of wonderfully melodic and uplifting indie-pop songs tinged with the band's custom vulnerability. Ahead of the band's return to Nottingham on 14th November, as part of their tour celebrating 35 years of the band and aptly timed to follow up on the release of their Greatest Hits album, Tomorrow’s Here Today, we had the chance to speak to frontman, producer and songwriter Ian Broudie...

How a Mini Cooper led to success on the stage and an acclaimed solo performance of A Christmas Carol

Guy Masterson's renowned Scrooge performance is coming to the Playhouse. He lets Leftlion in on how Richard Burton helped him along the way...

Film Review: Small Things Like These

A delicate and moving portrayal of a specific trauma, the Irish Magdalen Laundries, but one that speaks to the universal conflict between what's right and what's easy.

Everything Everything: In Conversation with Chris Hawkins at Saltbox

Art-rockers Everything Everything have already performed twice in Nottingham this year, having launched their latest opus Mountainhead at Rough Trade back in March before bringing the album to life at Rock City a month later in April. However, this their third show of the year in Notts was something a bit different, with frontman Jonathan Higgs and guitarist/producer Alex Robertshaw sitting down with BBC 6Music presenter Chris Hawkins, to talk through their career and play acoustic tracks from each of their albums. With the promise of a special night down at Saltbox, we went along to observe this unique event and report back what we learned…

In photos: The Mouse Outfit at Peggy's Skylight

Review: Aren't We Havin' A Good Time (Short film)

A short poignant film about dementia and the toll it takes on both sufferers and the people who love them...

Gig review: Seckou Keita and the Homeland Band at Metronome

Bringing a taste of Senegal to Metronome on a dark October night, Seckou Keita and the Homeland Band performed a rich and blistering set...

Gig review: Sum 41 at Motorpoint Arena

For over 30 years, Sum 41 have remained one of the biggest names in pop punk. For 90s kids like me, the band would soundtrack our adolescence, with their impressive catalogue of hits finding their way into numerous parts of 00s pop culture. Sadly though, all good things must come to an end, with the band announcing these Autumn dates will be their last ever here in the UK. So, to bid a final farewell to a band that many grew up with, we headed over to the arena to catch Sum 41’s last show here in Nottingham…

Chapters of history: author Simon Smalley turns the pages on Nottingham’s queer past

The history of St. Ann’s has always been a fascinating one. Today, the idea that the council could bulldoze entire areas of communities separating neighbours and friends is one that is difficult to imagine. However, for those who lived it, it’s still all too real. CJ De Barra speaks to St Ann’s born-and-bred author Simon Smalley about growing up in the area as a young gay man in the 60s and 70s.

Notts County Council Seeks Opinions on New Ten-Year Library Plan

As the County Council launches a consultation on its new ten-year library strategy, Dr David Hindley of Nottingham Trent University wonders what that will mean...

LeftLion's Latest Listens #9: Notts music we're currently spinning

In this week's LeftLion's Latest Listens, our music team reviews new releases from Luna & The Lime Slices, The Junipers, Jude Forsey and Kelsey & The Embers ...

Gig review: Soft Play and Panic Shack at Rock City

For anyone feeling an impending monotony as the nights creep in, I highly recommend booking yourself a loud, chaotic and crazed gig to look forward to. The mighty Soft Play, supported by Panic Shack at Rock City this week, was just the antidote, shaking the crowd out of a midweek malaise..

Comedian Kiri Pritchard McLean: Fostering a stage show with a difference

Comedian Kiri Pritchard McLean is on her way back to Nottingham and bringing one of her most personal shows to the stage. CJ DeBarra met with Kiri to talk about fostering, stage shows and the dark humour of social workers.

Watch: Road to Tram Line Spot

Road to Tram Line Spot is a new short film by Georgianna Scurfield, which tracks the creation of the city's first (intentional) city centre skate spot, whilst documenting the famous (unintentional) Broadmarsh Banks spot it has replaced. LeftLion are proud to co-present this sixteen and a half minute movie for your viewing pleasure...

Gig review and interview: Stone at Rescue Rooms

STONE are no ordinary band: they are a movement; they are a lifestyle; they are one of the most hotly anticipated bands of this year. Talia Robinson tells of their tales as they performed at Nottingham's very own Rescue Rooms...

The Thompsons on JT Soar, Ratcliffe-on-Soar and Goose Fair

We revisited Nottingham's most opinionated grocers this month to have a chat about Ratcliffe on Soar power station, which turned off its chimneys on 30 September, JT Soar and Goose Fair.

Chris Lawton of Skate Nottingham talks about the new Road to Tram Line Spot film by Georgianna Scurfield

Skate Nottingham's Chris Lawton walks (or should that be skates?) us down the long, sometimes arduous, road to the new Road to Tram Line Spot film by Georgianna Scurfield, now released on LeftLion...

The Last Horror Show at Backlit is a creepy yet curiously dark delight

Backlit Gallery have just launched their new, Halloween-appropriate exhibition The Last Horror Show, we went along to check out its otherwordly appeal...

Theatre Review: Body and Soul at the Nottingham Playhouse

Can Tiktok superstar make it in stand-up comedy?

The Gen-Z internet sensation brings his fast paced stand-up and character sketch comedy to Nottingham. But deprived of his Tiktok medium will he be any good?
 

Gig review: Public Service Broadcasting at Rock City

You hear it about lots of bands: that their live show is “unrivalled”. Sometimes it is, sometimes it’s a bit of hyperbole. However, in the case of musical historians Public Service Broadcasting (PSB), this praise is fully warranted. With a 7-piece band playing accomplished art-rock and electronica to a backdrop of archive footage, PSB truly offer a one-of-a-kind live experience. To witness it for ourselves, we headed down to catch their fourth visit to Rock City…

Gig review: Pete Doherty at The Grove

Did you hear? The Libertines came to Nottingham this week to perform at Rock City. However, Pete Doherty also played a small intimate solo set at Nottingham's newest music venue The Grove a few hours before...

Interview : Laura Turner dares us to decide whether to sell our soul or sell our body

A Midlands-based, female-led powerhouse, is about to ignite the stage at Nottingham Playhouse with a question that will leave audiences breathless. Emma Oldham interviews Laura Turner, the artistic director behind Fury Theatre, about why they're asking such a bold question...

Crazy Little Sing Called Pub and the joy of communal singing

From relieving stress and tension to releasing endorphins, it’s no wonder more than two million people across the UK sing regularly in choirs. But singing classic anthems like James’ Sit Down and The Killers’ All These Things That I’ve Done in a pub with a bunch of strangers? Well, that’s a new one. At local event Crazy Little Sing Called Pub the impact has been undeniable, with hundreds gathering each month to take part. We caught up with event founder Abi Moore to find more about this communal phenomenon.

Theatre Review: Santi and Naz at the Nottingham Playhouse

Two best friends live in pre-partition India. One is Sikh, the other Muslim; religion is about to divide them forever...