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We caught up with reggae ska band The Hoplites

There's a reason to get excited again about the reggae and ska scene in Nottingham and it's time to start talking about The Hoplites. A nine-piece band of experienced musicians from Nottingham, with a deep love of reggae and ska and a maxi single just released, we were eager to know more about their writing and performance process. Kane, Raph, Big Ben, Mikey, Mike, Amy, Little Ben, Sylvain and Lee took some time out to speak to LeftLion on just that.

GIRLBAND! talk to us about their rising fame, the Notts music scene and what they’re currently listening to

Redefining alternative music and inclusivity, GIRLBAND! are smashing preconceptions with every release and live performance. Michael Prince recently spoke to the band for LeftLion…

We chat to Hollow Stone about new music, and keeping it real

Hollow Stone sport a diverse and unique style, with authenticity and a love of music always being placed at the forefront of their work. We caught up with lead singer James Doherty ahead of the band's album launch show at The Angel on 17th August, to hear about the album and the development of Hollow Stone's eclectic indie sound...

From metal, to jazz-fusion, to outdoor DJ sets. Here's what's on in Nottingham this week: 12 - 18 August

If you're in need of a live music fix then there's plenty to keep you happy in Notts. This week the city will host all kinds of acts, from an Oregon metal four-piece visiting Rescue Rooms on Monday to the arrival of carnival troupes on Sunday. Here are those Picks of the Week from 12 to 18 August.

Emily Catherine shares some of her art ahead of her debut solo exhibition

Nottingham illustrator and Hip Hop enthusiast Emily Catherine is a busy woman. Along with being one of the artists behind Beermat Doodles and the creator of LeftLion’s wonderful editorial illustrations, she has a plethora of her own creative projects under her belt, from album covers to hand painted portraits. Ahead of her upcoming exhibition I Can Heal and Give You Art later this month, we asked Emily to give us a bit of insight into her creative process and the stories behind her artworks…

Our August cover artist Dani Bacon talks photography, creativity and imposter syndrome

We chat to the photographer behind this month’s cover art, Dani Bacon…

Gig review: Sundara Karma at Rescue Rooms

When indie-rockers Sundara Karma played Rescue Rooms last Friday, it fell to the Rescue Rooms crowd to provide the atmosphere and energy, with the band looking like they’d rather be back at their humble beginnings than on the stage. LeftLion discovered some redeeming moments...

Punk-meets-pop-art: the colourful world of Sneinton’s Herbie Hare Gallery

Anyone who has taken a wander around the Sneinton Market Avenues recently is likely to have come across a giant rabbit or a mohawked mannequin lurking in one of the lanes. These are the punk-meets-pop-art creations of local artist and gallery owner Herbie Hare, whose vibrant artworks bring a splash of humour and fun to the area.

In photos: Tomás Doncker at Peggy's Skylight

Gig review: Rumkicks at Ye Olde Salutation Inn

Coming to the end of a gruelling 30-date European tour, South Korean Punk trio Rumkicks landed in Nottingham. We dropped in to The Sal to catch the action...

We chat to Bruce Asbestos about his monster exhibition at Lakeside Arts this summer

Whether it’s creating giant monsters, quirky fashion or video games, one thing that is always integral to the work of Bruce Asbestos is playfulness. With an immersive exhibition of abstract inflatable monsters currently showing at Lakeside Arts throughout August we sat down with Bruce to talk about art, AI, and being a creative in Notts.

Five free family events in Nottingham this summer

The summer holidays are here and with the cost of living crisis raging on; the budget for days out, trips and activities can soon get out of control. However, there’s no need to break the bank this summer as there’s a whole host of free events for families in Nottingham. We’ve gathered our top five and there’s something for everyone here with activities from charities, galleries and local organisations. So if you’re in the thick of it with the long summer holidays, check out these family friendly events – all free!

The ultimate guide to Gloworm Festival as Vicky McClure revealed as special guest

Gloworm is a dedicated family festival that delivers entertainment for both children and their adults, with a jam-packed weekend schedule of activities, performances, live music, and interactive experiences. We give you the lowdown on what's in store for 2024.

Big City Reads book reviews: Seven Million Sunflowers

Through July, we've been publishing book reviews from local young people, as part of Nottingham City of Literature's campaign to give out thousands of free books. To finish this series, Ukrainian NTU graduate Anastasiia Denysiv reviews Seven Million Sunflowers by Malcolm Duffy, a story about the Russia-Ukraine conflict to which Anastasiia reflects upon her personal connection. 

Competition: Craig Charles Funk & Soul House Party at Saltbox

Craig Charles will be taking over Saltbox on Saturday 31 August with his Funk & Soul House Party! Our friends at Saltbox have secured a mighty prize for us to give away to LeftLion readers, with 4x tickets and a £50 bar tab going to the lucky winner...

Live Review: Stone Soup Academy Presents... Stand Up To Knife Crime at Metronome

Stand Up To Knife Crime has become an essential annual fixture in the Notts music calendar, hosted each year by the fantastic Stone Soup Academy. Delivering an impactful evening of music, film and spoken word designed to unite, raise awareness and change perceptions surrounding knife crime in our community, the LeftLion Music team went along to support this important event...

The Thompsons on Pride, protests and charity shops

Nottingham's most opinionated greengrocers on Pride, protests and charity shops

We speak to Notts based men’s mental health charity Tough to Talk

Since forming in 2022, Notts based charity Tough to Talk has already been making positive waves in workplaces and male-centric communities. With his own personal mental health struggles giving him first hand knowledge of the struggles some men have with talking, founder Steve Whittle tells us about their successes so far and strategy for the future.

Live Review: ME REX, Schande & ACHB at The Carousel

The Carousel over in Hockley is quickly becoming one of the go-to spots for excellent live music from up-and-coming local artists. Heading along to the venue for the first time was our writer Bassey, who managed to catch the trio of ACHB, Schande and ME REX...

We talk to CIC Pulp Friction about supporting people with learning disabilities and Autism and their Chelsea Flower Show awards

Running for fourteen years, it all started with one college leaver’s simple ambition - getting a job. Pulp Friction has now grown into a multi-faceted organisation offering learning disabled and autistic people across Notts opportunities to get into work. Strings to their bow include running a community garden, community café, catering service, and their nominative mobile smoothie bike. Now they can add several Chelsea Flower Show awards. We met the team to hear all about their work…

Ahead of his Pride set, Hacienda DJ Graeme Park talks Selectadisc, the evolution of clubbing culture and being a DJ in the 90s

From starting out as a teenager working in a Notts record shop to DJing around the world and playing to 8000 alongside a classical orchestra, Graeme Park is one of the original founders of the UK’s clubbing and rave scene. We caught up with him ahead of two new shows in the city at Nottingham Pride and Hacienda Live at Wollaton Hall…

We spoke to Emma Gray and Grace Carter about their new play at Broadway

Emma Gray and Grace Carter met behind the famous Broadway bar. Now they've come full circle, launching their new play Yeah, No, Fine at Broadway. But how did they do it? What challenges were there to overcome?   

We spoke to genre-defying queer electro-punk duo Arch Femmesis

Punk meets Club Kid with the genre-defying queer outfit, Arch Femmesis. Izzy Morris chatted to Zera Tønin and Princess Stephen about visual inspirations, Nottingham’s queer spaces and the city’s LGBTQI+ scene.

We spoke to Charity Shop Sue creators Dead Sweet TV about comedy writing, creating a LGBTQ+ icon and working with Shane Meadows and Vicky McClure.

From her beginnings as a YouTube mockumentary star to appearing MTV Cribs, Charity Shop Sue has won the hearts of many - but what were the beginnings of Bulwell's iconic boss laydeh? We spoke to Stu Edwards and brothers Tim and Matt Chesney, creators at Dead Sweet TV to talk about comedy writing, creating a LGBTQ+ icon and working with Shane Meadows and Vicky McClure.

Big City Reads book reviews: Stand Up Ferran Burke

Books can be the spark that makes us want to know more, and according to young reader Kelsi, Steven Camden’s “astounding” Stand Up Ferran Burke is one of them. Here’s Kelsi’s review, as part of Big City Reads - a campaign ran by Nottingham City of Literature to get thousands of free books in the hands and hearts of local young people.