Site search

Concrete Jumble: how Nottingham could reinvent itself ready for an ever-evolving future

A pertinent question is being asked across the country: what to do about the once busy city centres now rife with empty buildings? Bereft of the bustle, and with a derelict shopping centre to boot, Sophie Gargett explores how Nottingham could reinvent itself ready for an ever-evolving future.

Nadia on... the right to protest

Nottingham East Labour MP talks about the right to protest

Gig review: Royal Republic at Rock City

Combine a packed crowd with a contagiously charismatic and high-energy performance and you’ll get a show that’ll leave you saying “wow, wow, wow”! Royal Republic had the whole crowd bouncing, with Dea Matrona perfectly setting the scene for a night that was both fast-paced and fun. Phillippa Walsh enjoyed a true feast for the senses...

In photos: The Mouse Outfit at Peggy's Skylight

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…

Gig review: Bloodworm at The Bodega

Bloodworm’s sold-out Halloween gig at The Bodega was nothing short of iconic, packed with humour, heavy riffs, and Halloween energy that Nottingham fans won’t forget anytime soon. With support from the mesmerising Swallowtail, the night was a celebration of raw talent and dedication from both bands…

Gig review: Pale Waves at Rock City

In October, Rock City was graced by indie-rock stars Pale Waves on the third date of their Smitten tour. Supported by rising trio Swim School, it was a captivating night...

Gig review: Uncle Lucius at The Bodega

It's a long road from Texas to The Bodega, but Uncle Lucius made that journey last week, filling the intimate Nottingham venues with tales of whiskey, bar fights and God's own country...

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.

Gig review: Young T & Bugsey at Rescue Rooms

Bugsey and Young T got Nottingham moving at their first hometown show in eight years, headlining Rescue Rooms. We were there to see it all...

We tried out two immersive escape rooms at Escapologic

When the LeftLion team were invited to Escapologic for a competitive, team-building afternoon, it seemed too good of an opportunity to miss, but what mind-bending and mysterious fun awaited...

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..

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: Evan Dando at Rescue Rooms

Evan Dando, frontman of the Lemonheads, dropped in to our very own Rescue Rooms as part of a solo tour. We went along to witness the musician in action, as he pushed through a nervy yet endearing show...

Live Review: An Evening Without Kate Bush at Nottingham Playhouse

A night of beating around The Bush, suitable for both Fish People and casual observers alike...

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...

Theatre review: Maisie Adam: Appraisal at Nottingham Playhouse

Swedish interrogations, accidentally looking like Rod Stewart and snogging a barista from Rotherham... Maisie Adam appeared at Nottingham Playhouse this week.

Gig review: Revenge of Calculon at Rough Trade

A busy Saturday night at Rough Trade was the perfect launchpad for the debut album by Revenge of Calculon, a collection of super funky sounds on a lovely white slice of vinyl. Bassey reports...

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...

Theatre Review: GNAW at the Nottingham Playhouse

A play that's not a photocopy: we drop in on the bright & bizarre new show from performer Daniel McVey...

Review: Hockley Hustle 2024

This time last week, Hockley Hustle was in full swing, filling 50 venues across this beloved quarter of Nottingham with music from an incredibly diverse and talented array of artists, and raising money for local charities. Ignoring genre boundaries, our music team joined the action all day - here we present some highlights in words and pictures...

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...

Gig review: KYTES at The Chapel

If you were to see indie-pop trio KYTES over in their homeland of Germany, you would likely see them packing out the country’s biggest festival stages. But here in the UK, the band are only just starting to make a name for themselves, creating a word-of-mouth following from their absolutely electric live shows. So, with the band stopping by Nottingham for a super intimate performance in The Chapel on a buzzing Halloween weekend, we knew we had to go along…

From local rap to national comedy: Here's what's on this week in Nottingham, 28 October-3 November

There's plenty to keep you busy this week in Nottingham, from hip-hop, to poetry, to comedy...