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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.

In photos: Acoustickle Summer Showcase at Nottingham Playhouse

This year marks the 15th anniversary of Acoustickle, the local live music event representing original jazz, soul, RnB, hip hop and poetry artists from the UK. Since 2009, Acoustickle has established a fearsome reputation for being the spot to discover the next wave of artists. Last Friday's Acoustickle Summer Showcase saw emerging artists and promoters of the Global Ethnic Majority take over Nottingham Playhouse for a micro-festival within Transform Festival...

Haunting Ballet, sonic soundscapes, chilled open mics and wild bingo parties: Here's what's on in Nottingham this week 15-21 July

This week in Nottingham, enjoy some haunting ballet, wild bingo, have a chilled, creative Sunday at Cherry of Top, or check out new live music from the East Midlands.

Gig review: Ben McElroy at By Our Hands, with R.Dyer and Leah Sinead

A special evening of experimental folk at the unique, intimate venue By Our Hands, in Sneinton Avenues...

We talk shop with Nottingham legend and boss laydeh Charity Shop Sue

Fashion guru, DJ, LGBTQ+ icon, boss laydeh and star of her own TV show, it could be said that Charity Shop Sue is Nottingham’s biggest export. Having first graced our screens a decade ago, we thought it time to catch up, reflect on her illustrious career, and get some sahnd advice for living your best life.

Book Review: Heartsound by Clare Stevens

A coming-of-age drama in drainpipe jeans.

LeftLion Interviews Podcast #1: DJ Graeme Park on Selectadisc, The Hacienda and the UK Club Scene Past and Present

Welcome to the first episode of the ‘LeftLion Interviews’ podcast. Our guest is the radio and nightclub DJ Graeme Park.

In photos: Jimmy Rocket and Friends V2 at Mimm Studios

The second edition of the renowned Jimmy Rocket and Friends event at Mimm Studios featured sets from Lvndlxrd, Rukus Regardless, Stan, Kyeza, Vandal, Savage, Origin One, and of course Jimmy Rocket...

Review: Gate To Southwell Festival

Despite its size, Gate To Southwell Festival offers a surprisingly deep and wide array of music and entertainment for all the family, attracting folk and roots artists from all over the world. LeftLion spent Saturday there and came away very impressed...

Nottingham designer and entrepreneur, Sara Christie talks about merging representation, authenticity, and empowerment with her family heritage

Nottingham designer and entrepreneur, Sara Christie, is no stranger to turning heads with her iconic, bold, statement accessories and signature chunky chains. Since the launch of her label BYSARACHRISTIE in 2020, her pieces have garnered a cult following. Fans include the likes of global superstar Kelis, popular singer-songwriter RAYE and actress Sarah Niles to name a few. Following the launch of her latest collection, The Empress Collection, we caught up with Sara to find out more…

Kings Of Leon, PETEBOX, Acoustickle, Women in S.T.E.M and a picnic. Here's what's on in Nottingham this week - 8th-14th July 2024...

This week Nottingham is bringing you music galore, kicking it off with BRIT Award winners Kings of Leon on Monday night. Then, later on in the week, the first LeftLion Live Podcast with The Petebox, and local acts from Acoustickle and Cultural Vibrations will come together for 15th anniversary showcases. Plus we have an exciting day of talks, that will celebrate women in S.T.E.M, a comedy night and much more.

Gig review and interview: Calva Louise speak our language at The Bodega

The feast is far from over: a band fluent in electronica rock and fuzzy grunge, before their Rough Trade Nottingham gig, we sat down with Jess Allanic, Alizon Taho, and Ben Parker of Calva Louise to discover what it really means to be an oportunista...

Burrata, focaccia, sangria - oh my! Explore the Notts food scene with this tasty new tour

A new treat for cuisine connoisseurs in town is EAT: Nottingham Food Tours. Our two intrepid Food Editors, Julia and Lucy, take a wander through the streets of Nottingham to sample some of the best food the city has to offer - and along the way, they uncover historic tales that bring Nottingham’s past to life.

Pick Six: writer, podcaster and resident drag artist at Gladrags, Nana Arthole

For this month’s Pick Six, we turned to writer, entertainer, and all round creative type, the fabulous Nana Arthole.

Gig review: Sting and Nile Rodgers at Forest Live

The Forest Live concert series at Sherwood Pines – our area's largest public woodland, and part of Nottingham's back garden – has become a firm favourite on the local music festival scene. LeftLion went down to the woods and witnessed two legendary names, Nile Rodgers & CHIC and Sting, in action...

We speak to The Pastel Project about safety, healthcare, education, and making Nottingham a Trans Sanctuary City

Trans identities have become a huge news topic in recent years. Despite only 0.5% of the population reporting their gender identity and sex to be different than when registered at birth*, the media often leads us to believe that trans people pose a risk to the wider society, while trans people are rarely given a voice.

To learn more from the community themselves, we put some questions to Nottingham organisation The Pastel Project, to hear how they are looking to make Nottingham a Trans Sanctuary City, and understand their perspective on topics such as safety, law-making, healthcare, and education.

*respondents in the 2021 UK census

Concert Review: Sir Mark Elder's Farewell Concert

The Hallé marks the end of Sir Mark Elder's glittering career with a farewell concert at the Royal Concert Hall...

Dig it! We speak to York Archaeology about community digs at Wollaton Hall

Every year since 2019, a motley crew of students and local history enthusiasts has descended upon Wollaton Hall for a series of archaeological training excavations. They can be easily spotted about the grounds: a happy-looking crowd clad in mud stained high-vis, gleefully digging away or enthusiastically explaining themselves to curious park-patrons. These digs are run by Laura Parker and Tristan Cousins, community archaeologists from York Archaeology, who I met to talk about the project…

Sneinton Community Festival is 20!

Sneinton Community Festival is a free family festival, this year taking place from the 6 to 14 July, for the people of Sneinton and beyond. This year’s theme ‘There’s no place like home’ celebrates the diversity, different cultures and ways of being in the area. Organiser Kathryn Cooper takes a look at the history of the festival and what is coming up this year.