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Review: Backyard Festival at The Bodega

When Nottingham’s music scene comes together for a cause, magic happens — and that’s exactly what unfolded at this year’s Backyard Festival at The Bodega...

Standing In This Place: Artist Rachel Carter tells us her inspirations behind a new sculpture for Nottingham's Green Heart park.

With just 17% of statues in the UK depicting women and only 2% dedicated to people belonging to ethnic minorities, there is a clear need for more varied representation in public art. Luckily, one local artist is looking to change this in Nottingham, whilst also representing the long and diverse history of our city’s textile industry. 

Standing In This Place, a sculpture by Rachel Carter will be erected in the Green Heart park in February. We asked Rachel to tell us more about the piece, how she became an artist, and what it’s like to work as a sculptor.

Film Review: Nosferatu

We review Nosferatu, a timeless nightmare reimagined...

Switch Up founder Marcellus Baz talks about changing the lives of disadvantaged young people

The story of Dr Marcellus Baz BEM is stuff of Nottingham legend. From a kid weighed down by poverty to the leader of an internationally recognised social enterprise, he’s lifted countless people out of disadvantaged backgrounds while inspiring others along the way. Having started collaborating more often with businesses and charities across the city, he made time in his busy schedule to chat with us about the credo behind his long career.

A remedy for January blues - jazz, comedy, art: Here's what's on this week in Nottingham 13-19 January

Take a dive into how Nottingham is continuing to kick off 2025. From music to comedy... there's enough going on to cure any New Year dejection.

All you need to know about the International Postcard Show at Surface Gallery Nottingham

This month, Surface Gallery's International Postcard Show unites artists across the globe with an inclusive exhibition showcasing a multi-medium array of postcard-sized artworks, created by artists as far-flung as Japan. Charlotte Pimm-Smith talks to exhibitions co-ordinator Jez Kirby about it.

Moving on Up: 10 new hobbies to take up in Nottingham for 2025

Once again, January has sprung upon us like an unwelcome morning alarm. The new year, with its best intentions of changing habits and fresh starts, can seem cruelly placed back to back with the gluttonous festivities of December, but once the Christmas debris has been cleared and desire for revelling abated, it’s time to look ahead and see how you can decorate your days over the upcoming year.

Want to run away with the circus in 2025? Fancy brushing up on your Spanish in time for your next holiday? Feel like it's time to learn those outdoor survival skills for when the revolution comes? Look no further. In Nottingham there are dozens of classes, courses and groups to join, offering valuable skills and time well spent in the company of likeminded people. To brighten up the dark nights as we trudge towards spring, we thought we’d shine a light on some of the things you can get stuck into.

Magic, caves, exhibitions and music: Here's what's on in Nottingham events 6 - 12 January 2025

It might be cold outside, but there's no need to be bored in January. This week in Notts there's magic, exhibitions, caves, live music and more....

The Garage: A 1980s Nottingham Music Haven

We take a look at The Garage nightclub, a fixture in the Lace Market during the 1980s opened by Selectadisc founder Brian Selby and home to live bands, house music, and much more besides…

Promote and advertise your business to people in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire with LeftLion

LeftLion Magazine has been shouting loud about the best of Nottingham culture since 2003. We're passionate about showcasing our partners to over 50,000 readers each month. Find out more about the reach we can offer you...

Where To Find A Copy of LeftLion Magazine and How It Is Distributed

A bit of information for those interested about how we distribute LeftLion magazine across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire each month and the nearest place to you that you can find a free copy...

The Nottingham Culture Review of 2024

Welcome to our annual culture review of 2024, a year marked by a national changing-of-the-guard from fourteen years of the Tories. On a local level, we saw highs and lows in Nottingham arts and culture, from the sad final days of some loved businesses to inspiring successes for individuals, artists, groups and charities….

In photos: Lucy Spraggan at Rock City

In photos: Bad Nerves at Rescue Rooms

LeftLion Interviews Podcast #8: George Akins on Rock City, Beat The Streets, Thekla, Dot To Dot, Massive Attack and 30 years working in live music

A bonus eighth episode  talking with the most influential man in the Nottingham music scene, George Akins; owner of DHP Family, Rock City, Rescue Rooms, Bodega, Stealth, Splendour Festival, Dot To Dot and more...

Music Reviews: December 2024

This Christmas, our music team have highlighted new releases from Notts artists...

LeftLion Music: The Best of 2024 Awards

What a year it’s been for the Nottingham music scene: from new venues opening to local talent gaining national exposure, 2024 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 which took place in our city since the start of the year. Without further ado, here’s what stood out in the Notts music world in 2024…

Gig review: Christmas Covers at The Bodega

Mitch Gavell put his Christmas jumper on and headed to The Bodega for the Nottingham institution that is the Christmas Covers Party…

Gig review: The Publics at Rescue Rooms

Gig review: The Unthanks at Royal Albert Hall

The Unthanks filled the magical space of Nottingham's Albert Hall with timeless tales, and warm music despite the strains of Northumbrian winter...

In photos: Karate at Rescue Rooms, with Tangled Hair

In photos: While She Sleeps at Rock City

Gig review: Otala at The Bodega, with Bram Bancroft and Martial Arts

They’ll be back eventually, but for now, local sweethearts Otala have performed what they say could be their last gig in Nottingham for a “long while”. Jake George was there to witness the celebration...

Flowers Appearing On Walls Around Nottingham

Has anyone else noticed flowers appearing on walls around Nottingham recently? From Sneinton, to West Bridgford to the city centre, here's some we've noticed and photographed around over the last few weeks...

Gig review: Catmilk at Metronome, with Sobscene and Mouse Teeth

Originally scheduled for October but postponed until last Thursday evening, Catmilk have been keeping us all on our toes. Last performing at Hockley Hustle 2024 at Antenna, and returning once again as an alt-folk four piece (with a brand new single), we found they were truly worth the wait...