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Gig Review: Soft Launch at Rough Trade, with Lizzie Esau

But there’s no bad blood 'cause Soft Launch look too good on the Rough Trade stage. LeftLion's Talia Robinson headed to the record store's legendary upstairs stage to find out why the new kids on the block are so hotly anticipated by critics...

Review: An Audience with Sir Paul Smith at Nottingham Playhouse

The Beeston-born fashion guru took time out from his busy schedule to support Nottingham Playhouse with an evening of conversation...

Locating Lawrence: October 1924

Lawrence feels the urge to head southwards to Mexico where a mammoth drinking session awaits him.

Queer Up Duck! New LGBTQ+ Arts Festival Takes Over Nottingham

A brand new LGBTQ+ Arts Festival is taking place across Nottingham from 21 October to 2 November, celebrating the diversity and creativity of LGBTQ+ artists and communities. We took a closer look at some highlights of this very special celebration of queer arts and culture. 

Gig review: Cardinal Black at Rock City

They may have taken the scenic route but Cardinal Black are finally here, and they’ve got plenty of stories to tell on the Rock City stage...

Gig review: Punk Rock Factory at Rock City

At the LeftLion office, it's no secret that Head Designer Natalie Owen is a rock music enthusiast and a massive Disney fan. So, when we heard that Punk Rock Factory, a rock band known for their Disney covers, were coming to Nottingham, there was only one choice to review the gig...

We met local Reggae and Dub royalty Quantro Tone Sound System

One of Notts first sound systems and originally called Iron City, Quantro Tone Sound System started as a hobby for nine bored young friends. They went on to support some iconic names in Reggae and Dub, from Don Sinclair to The Mighty Diamonds, and perform in cities across the country. On the day of their fifty year anniversary celebration at St Ann’s, we heard more from them about that golden era and how they’ve maintained their strong friendships over the decades. 

The original members were Lenny, Robert, Kenneth, Leslie, Colin, Winston, and Eric as Iron City. Later, they were Quantro with Keith and Johnny. The 'box men' and bouncers were Desmond, Brown, Austin, Fisherman and Devon with Mr Brown and Trevor Mitchell acting as the trusty van drivers.

Gig review: Jet at Rock City

Celebrating 21 years of debut album Get Born, Jet landed at Rock City to prove exactly why their songs have such long-lasting appeal...

Gig review: Snayx at The Bodega

Hard-working, noisy but relentlessly proficient: Snayx have a fearsome reputation. Their set at The Bodega, partnering with Safe Gigs for Women, was characteristically respectful if very sweaty...

In photos: Good Neighbours at The Bodega

Paul Smith, Horror films, Hockley Hustle, Veggie food and KittyArama: Here's what's on this week in Nottingham: 14-20 October 2024

There's so much happening in Nottingham this week, we couldn't narrow it down! Enjoy some horror movies, gigs galore, hear from Notts fashion legend Paul Smith and lots more.

Gig review: Tusks at The Bodega

Emily Underhill's Tusks has taken on a wonderful life of its own, an excitingly atmospheric project which enthralls in recorded form. At her first headline gig in Nottingham, her music proved captivating - even on a Monday...

Gig review: Seas of Mirth at The Old Bus Depot

For one night only, The Old Bus Depot was transformed into a neon-lit sub-aquatic world of wonder, as genre-blending independent band Seas of Mirth made their incomparable mark. LeftLion's Lewis Oxley dived in...

Gig review: FEET at Rescue Rooms, with Otala and L’Objectif

Put away your umbrellas, our English Weather just got a whole lot brighter. Coventry five-piece FEET adorned the Rescue Rooms stage with enough indie-pop to pack a punch, and we headed down to get our fix...

The hidden history behind Nottingham's Express Building

Many people pass by the Tesco Express on Parliament Street in Nottingham every day, unaware of the rich history behind this iconic building. Known simply as the Express Building, this early Gothic-style masterpiece stands as a testament to the brilliant vision of renowned British architect Watson Fothergill. For over a century, it has been a distinctive feature of Nottingham’s cityscape - serving multiple purposes, adapting with time, and telling the story of a city in transition.

Gig review: Bess Atwell at Rescue Rooms, with Pem

Stopping off on her Light Sleeper tour, Bess Atwell enthralled a well-filled Rescue Rooms with a precise but emotive set. With intense and ethereal sounds from Pem in support, it was a memorable evening...

Gig review: Rhoda Dakar at The Bodega

Rhoda Dakar is a legend of the 2-Tone scene with a decades-long career winning her multitudes of fans. Many of those fans gathered at The Bodega for a jubilant and celebratory performance...

Hitchcock meets Lord of the Flies in this exciting comedy-thriller at the Nottingham Playhouse

Rotten is a comedy about the Instagram generation that is as dark as it is funny. Its creator, Josie White, speaks with Leftlion about terrible things and how she came to write them... 

Gig review: Apocalyptica at Rock City

Back in 1996, Finnish metal outfit and classically trained cellists Apocalyptica made a name for themselves by playing Metallica’s music through their revolutionary and mightily impressive string arrangements. Now almost 30 years and 10 albums later, they have returned to play Metallica’s greatest hits once again in their own unique style. To witness this one-of-a-kind event, we headed down to catch their show at Rock City…

In photos: Seb Lowe at Rescue Rooms, with The Guest List

Gig review: Wunderhorse at Rock City

Nottingham’s Rock City played host to a night of raw energy and exceptional musicianship, headlined by Wunderhorse with support from London-based HighSchool. It’s soon to say, but it might just be a contender for gig of the year…

Gig review: Marseille at Rescue Rooms

Rescue Rooms played host to a mid-week Derbyshire triple bill as Marseille arrived for a huge headline show, joined by The Blooms and Shadows of a Silhouette...

Gig review: Night Swimming at The Bodega Bar

Sometimes a gig breaks from the usual mould, and Monday night at The Bodega offered just that: a seated, laid-back atmosphere in the downstairs bar with free entry, where the crowd gathered around small tables in a casual but attentive setting…

In photos: Gaffa Tape Sandy at The Bodega, with Really Big Really Clever and Airport Dad

Nadia on... the benefits of wealth tax

Nottingham East Labour MP talks about the benefits of wealth tax