Site search

We talk to a band who define runaway success: Westside Cowboy

Manchester formed four-piece Westside Cowboy are one of the most exciting bands emerging on the current UK circuit. Within three years of forming during freshers week at university, they have toured with masterclass rock group Geese, secured the most viewed performance on the current series of 'Later… with Jools Holland', performed at  Glastonbury and filled venues of  thousands - all before their debut album was even released. Ahead of their Nottingham record store appearance, we sat down with Reuben (vocals / guitar) and Aoife (vocals / bass) to discuss the new album, their upcoming record store and headline tours, and meeting music legend Elton John...

Theatre Review: The Mantrap at Theatre Royal

Set on a wet and wild winter night, a desperate husband is searching for his missing wife and is confronted by a woman claiming to be her... 

Gig review: Antony Szmierek at Rough Trade

By now, there's a good chance you will have heard of Antony Szmierek - the Mancunian poet who has gained a massive following with his mix of electronic beats and spoken word verses. His debut album Service Station at the End of the Universe stood out among all the great music that graced last year. Now, supporting his follow-up offering Decoding Birdsong, Antony has gone on a record store tour giving new and established fans an increasingly rare chance to see him in intimate venues...

Why Multi-Family Chalet Holidays Demand a Geneva Airport French Side Car Hire

From farm to fork: the evolution of Spring Lane Farm

Established in 1939, Spring Lane Farm has been run by four generations of the Spencer family, growing from humble origins into a successful family-run enterprise. We sat down with Jessica Spencer and her grandfather Cyril to discuss the farm’s journey and learn more about its onsite cafe-restaurant, The Old Parlour.

Safe hands: the vital work of Nottinghamshire Hospice and how to keep it going

Nottinghamshire Hospice is one of the most important charities in our county, providing palliative and end of life care and support for the loved ones of those who need it. Sadly, there’s a lot of financial adversity facing organisations like them, but they’ve also got a hardworking fundraising department to help them. Frances Danylec finds out more about the work that they do, and how people around Notts can support it in diverse and often enjoyable ways. 

The Route to Cappyness: Notts filmmaker Sharon Walia on her brand new documentary

Nottingham filmmaker Sharon Walia’s work has covered a variety of topics – from guinea pigs to refugees. With her newest documentary, The Route to Cappyness, she looks at how the world’s largest rodent could be the key to positivity across the globe, from Brazil and Japan to the USA and Wheelgate Park. We spoke to Sharon about why the capybara is important, how she made the film, and her travels across the UK, USA, Brazil, and Japan. 

Preview: Our Story at Nottingham's Libraries.

Our Story is a creative heritage project currently touring our local libraries that celebrates the lives of the county's trans and gender diverse people. Rosalie Spring the Project Producer and Director Jo Tyabji talk Left Lion through the event...

Undercover artist: Lucy Holt on music industry design and her August 2026 cover for LeftLion

Our August cover artist Lucy Holt talks about projection art, previous projects and inspiration…

Tom A. Smith talks energy, dedication, and why he just keeps coming back to a certain local festival

Next week, Tom A. Smith will be returning - again - to the magical, intimate setting of 110 Above Festival, just a few miles from Nottingham. We caught up with the Sunderland artist for a quickfire interview...

Warp drive: visiting Warp Miniatures, Sneinton Market's own fantasy wargaming haven

Nottingham company Games Workshop and its ‘Warhammer’ brand of science fiction and fantasy miniatures have become part of our city’s cultural makeup. But just as every giant planet tends to have moons, a group of smaller stores orbit  it, comprising what’s often called the UK’s ‘Lead Belt’. Sneinton Market’s Warp Miniatures, run by Alex and Wingshan Huntley, is one such business.

LeftLion's Latest Listens #50: Notts music we're currently spinning

We have reached the 50th edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens! Thanks to all our writers who have contributed since our first edition in 2024, and a very big thank you to all the Notts artists who have made our lives better with their music. In this edition, our music team reviews new releases from Di$mal, Wayne Banks, Rainbow Frog Biscuits, Laura Williams and ronnietoldus...

The wondrous world of Ruby D’Woo: meeting Nottingham’s own burlesque and cabaret star

From workshop classes in Haus of Ruby D’Woo, to hosting top-notch live burlesque and cabaret shows across the county, Ruby D’Woo is Nottingham's award-winning burlesque and cabaret artist. Ahead of the Cosy Cabaret coming up next month, she tells us what brought her to the burlesque stage, how she crafts performances, and why burlesque has become a journey of self-expression, confidence, and empowerment for so many…

Theatre Review: Anybody For Murder at Theatre Royal Nottingham

Murder, mayhem and mistaken identities are all tangled together in a cynical comedy from two of British TV’s finest writers, as part of this year's Classic Thriller Season...

Gig review: Kid Spirit at The Grove

Kid Spirit took to the stage last Saturday night at The Grove for an intimate gig showcasing songs from their debut EP, Morning Star...

How Kino Koło Notts Is Bringing the Stories of Eastern Europe to Nottingham

From the Baltics to the Balkans, Eastern Europe is a region rich with diverse cultures, histories and creative voices. Kino Koło Notts is helping Nottingham audiences discover the stories behind the stereotypes, bringing together film screenings, workshops, food and conversations that celebrate the people and traditions of the region. We spoke with the team about community cinema, challenging perceptions and their vision for a more connected cultural landscape in Nottingham.

Putting down roots: the story of the Windrush Generation and St Ann's Allotments explored in a new book

Colin Haynes’ book, Caribbean Pioneer Gardeners, tells the story of men whose love for gardening gave them much more than callaloo and oxheart tomatoes. It shares the true story of a group of Windrush residents who turned the neglected, overgrown Hungerhill Gardens, or St Ann's Allotments, as they would become known, into a Caribbean-inspired culinary and horticultural haven.

MOIST: A Publishing Press with a Difference

Based at Primary in Lenton independent press MOIST is smaller than traditional publishing houses, but for both readers and authors, this smaller size can bring certain advantages. Georgia Hamblett went down to find out more...

Left Magpie: The 2026 Season Preview

Freelance Careers That Keep the UK's Creatives Running Safely

From health and safety consultants to cybersecurity experts and fire risk assessors, these careers demonstrate that creativity and safety go hand in hand...

Saturday Night and Sunday Morning at the Savoy

We've had a chat with the folks behind The Loft Movie Theatre, who will be bringing Saturday Night and Sunday Morning back to Nottingham. The screening is taking place on 15th August at the Savoy.

Left Brian: The 2026 Season Preview

The Classic Thriller Season Returns to Theatre Royal Nottingham

The Classic Thriller Season is a long-running annual summer repertory tradition at the Theatre Royal, Nottingham, featuring live stage performances of comedy murder mysteries and psychological thrillers. It's back this month with three plays that will offer your annual quota of puzzles and adrenalin rushes...

Nadia on… Nottingham’s maternity services

Nottingham East's Labour MP Nadia Whittome discusses Nottingham's maternity services.

Content warning: baby loss, death.

Left Stag: The 2026 Season Preview

August sees the new football season begin for our three local league teams: Mansfield Town, Notts County and Nottingham Forest. Following a summer of World Cup action it’s back to the day-to-day and hopefully hydration breaks, interference from Donald Trump and middle of the night kick-offs will all be a thing of the past. Our regular fan columnists Josh, Julian and Gareth are all on the case to let you know what you can expect from their teams…