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We spoke to Nottingham’s oldest cinema, The Savoy

There’s nothing quite like a vintage movie experience, and Nottingham is lucky to have an original Art deco cinema in Derby Road’s Savoy Cinema. Built in the 30s, the building still contains many original features to admire, and now after a recent refurb to bring deluxe seating in three screen rooms, there’s even more reason to visit. We went down to chat to General Manager Paul Scotton to get some insider info on the Savoy’s 89 year history…

From alt-rock and grunge, to football and surrealism. Here's what's on in Nottingham, 23 -29 September

There's no shortage of energetic gigs, side-splitting comedy, or thought provoking art and design shows, to keep you busy in Notts this week. Here's what's on. 

We chat with DECO about their debut album and the joy of touring

Formed in 2011, with roots in the Midlands and beyond, there’s a lot to unpack with 80s-influenced band Deco – and they've only just released their debut album. With two Nottingham shows imminent, lead singer Max Kendall found time to sit down with LeftLion to talk about the new record, as well as the band’s headline tour, and everything in between…

We caught up with Nish Kumar ahead of his two gigs at Nottingham Playhouse

The man’s so funny, they booked him twice. Nish Kumar brings his razor-sharp political insight to the Nottingham Playhouse two times in October during the Nish, Don’t Kill My Vibe tour. Here he gives LeftLion an exclusive peek…

In photos: Boston Manor at Rock City, with Trophy Eyes and Split Chain

Riding high on the wave of fifth album Sundiver, Boston Manor arrived at Rock City to play a blistering set. Support from Ozzie punk rockers Trophy Eyes and genre-blenders Split Chain made the night one to remember...

Comedy Queen and RuPaul Drag Winner Bianca Del Rio charms Nottingham

Sam Harvey checks out Bianca Del Rio's Dead Inside tour as it stops off at the Royal Concert Hall 

In photos: Smokescreen Soundsystem – 35 years of DiY

Nottingham’s iconic and anarchic music collective DiY Soundsystem joined forces with kindred friends Smokescreen Soundsystem for an all-night, sold-out party at Hidden Warehouse on 7 September 2024

Robin Hood Beer and Cider Festival Returns Celebrating 47 Years of Beers and Cheers

Nottingham’s flagship celebration of ale and cider is back at Trent Bridge from Wednesday 9 – Saturday 12 October...

Gig review: Nilüfer Yanya at Rough Trade

Currently amid a creative purple patch, British singer-songwriter Nilüfer Yanya has just released her much-anticipated third studio album, My Method Actor, garnering her further critical acclaim. Ahead of her performance at Rescue Rooms in December, Nilüfer made an additional stop in Nottingham as part of her in-store promotional tour for the new record…

We talk to Boston Manor about chart success and Nottingham memories

Experienced Blackpool-based rockers Boston Manor have recently released their fifth album, but success still brings them joy and surprise. We spoke with vocalist Henry Cox as the band waited for news of Sundiver's chart position, and prepared to lift the roof off Rock City...

Fear and nationhood: a look inside Nottingham's preserved Cold War bunker

Over in Aspley, nestled in a modern housing estate, a preserved relic of the Cold War era stands solemnly. With a multitude of curious features, from furniture to forgotten documents, The Nottingham War Rooms holds a wealth of insight into how the Government were preparing in the Midlands for a nuclear attack.

With renovations planned to give the building a new life, we spoke to architectural photographer and Nottingham Trent University (NTU) Senior Lecturer Martine Hamilton Knight, who recently had the chance to photograph the space, and Dr Daniel Cordle, until recently an Associate Professor at NTU, who specialises in nuclear culture and history, to find out more.

In photos: The Plot In You at Rock City

In photos: Venus Grrrls at The Bodega with Retina and Penny Moon

Gig review: American Football at Rock City

25 years ago, four friends from Champaign, Illinois formed a band, made a record together and then headed off to college - not once thinking of the potential impact of their music. Little did they know that album would go on to become a seminal masterpiece, one that would inspire a whole genre, as well as a new generation of artists and legions of fans all around the globe. Now travelling the world in 2024 celebrating that album’s quarter century, American Football stopped by Rock City to play their iconic LP1 in full…

Comedy and conspiracies: we chatted to Dom Joly about his upcoming show at Nottingham Playhouse

Can Dom Joly save Nottingham from the conspiracy theorists? He chats with LeftLion about his struggle with extreme believers, his new book and his globe-trotting adventures. 

Gig review: Molly Payton at The Bodega

Molly Payton has taken back the driver’s seat after a tumultuous period in her career: finding herself completely independent for the first time, navigating the limbo of being between managers and labels, and emerging more determined than ever. Following the release of her debut album YOYOTTA, she is revelling in how fun making music can be, while performing her new songs around the UK with her full band. We were lucky enough to catch her performance at The Bodega in Nottingham, alongside daydream indie-pop artist tinyumbrellas...

Review: Proms Nottingham-Music of Sherwood Forest

The BBC orchestra visits Nottingham for a first for the world-famous Proms. 

Gig review: The Hoplites and friends at Metronome

Brand-new Nottingham ska group The Hoplites have already impressed listeners with their blend of original tunes and stomping rhythms, and as they took to the stage for the first time at Metronome, they proved that their live sound is also something very special...

Food Review: Raymonds, Stoney Street

Another highly anticipated new spot in Nottingham, Raymond’s, finally opened its doors in August. Our Food Co-Editor, Julia Head, took a stroll through Lace Market to check out the buzz and capture the first impressions of this vibrant addition to the local dining scene.

From theatre trips to interstellar journeys: Here's what's on in Nottingham this week, 9 -16 September

This week in Notts there are events catering for everyone from emo-fans, to local indie-gig-goers, to stage savants. Here are our picks of the week from 9 to 16 September. 

GrowNotts talk to us about greening up Nottingham with their colourful street planters

You may have seen some of the planters dotted around town looking extra loved up lately - a dash of colour around Canning Circus, Bridlesmith Gate becoming an altogether more pollinator-friendly aisle to walk down. A lot of this greening action can be traced back to GrowNotts. Angelena Efstathiou caught up with grower-in-chief Jack Harris, to hear all about how they’re greening up our city whilst bringing the community with them…

Gig review: A golden era of dance music with Haçienda at Wollaton Hall

Haçienda, the iconic music brand that has captivated audiences for over three decades, made history once again amid the beauty and heritage of Nottingham's Wollaton Hall. Headlined by Soul II Soul with DJs galore, and other big name acts including 808 State and Ultra Naté, the event proved to be an eye-opener...

Interview: Comedian Mark Thomas

Cathy Symes interviews Mark Thomas, the left-wing political comedian and protestor about his new stand-up show Gaffa Tapes which is coming to the Nottingham Lakeside on Friday 25 October...

Gig review: Melt-Banana with Arch Femmesis at Rescue Rooms

Japanese noise rock band Melt-Banana are known for speed, energy and experimentation. Dropping in for a whirlwind gig as part of hurricane of a world tour, they subjected Rescue Rooms to a dose of that legendary power...

Gig review: Lime Cordiale at Rescue Rooms

Adding a splash or two of Lime Cordiale to your playlist is guaranteed to make your day a little sweeter! One of Australia’s biggest and busiest bands performed to a sold-out Nottingham Rescue Rooms crowd, and we couldn’t wait to have a taste...