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Gig review: The Dangerous Summer at Rescue Rooms, with Happydaze and Broadside

All the way from Ellicott City, Maryland, The Dangerous Summer graced Nottingham's Rescue Rooms, delivering an unforgettable alternative rock performance. Known for their emotionally raw lyrics and anthemic sound, the band did not disappoint...

Gig review: Divorce at The Bodega with Catmilk

We stopped by The Bodega to catch the first night of a four-date residence for fast-rising local band Divorce. Combining elements of grunge, country and alt-rock, the four piece put on a blazing show...

Gig review: Mad Dog Mcrea at Rescue Rooms, with 5 Hills Out

With heavy storms expected, we headed indoors to the comfortable surroundings of Rescue Rooms to await the visit of Devon folk rockers Mad Dog Mcrea...

We catch up with Lace Thief ahead of her Rough Trade show

Laura Dickinson is the name behind indie-folk project Lace Thief. We spoke with her as she prepared to celebrate the launch of her new single with a show at Rough Trade Nottingham where there will be support from Peter Hall and Cracked Hands, and appearances from artist Gemma Vincent and DJ Jay Sandhu... 

Gig review: Maximo Park at Metronome

For more than 20 years, Geordie heroes Maxïmo Park have been one of the UK’s best manufacturers of certified indie bops. Now back with their eighth studio album Stream of Life, we went down to Metronome to hear the new album played in full before its official release on Friday…

Gig review: Frank Carter and the Sex Pistols at Rock City

Expectations were high as Frank Carter took to the stage at Rock City with one of the most legendary acts of all time - the Sex Pistols - for what proved to be the ultimate punk reunion...

Gig review: Deco at Rough Trade

At what was somewhat of a hometown gig for the band, at a venue they played many times in their early days, Deco gave an intimate performance of songs from their debut album Destination: I Don’t Know, as well as a handful of fan-favourites. We were at Rough Trade to listen in...

We spoke to Scouting for Girls ahead of their gig at The Weekend Festival

Since their formation in 2005, Scouting for Girls have earned a well-deserved place in the English pop-rock hall of fame, and cemented that status with the release of their latest studio album The Place We Used To Meet in 2023. The trio – Roy Stride on piano and lead guitar/vocals, Greg Churchouse on bass guitar and Peter Ellard on drums – combine irresistibly catchy tunes with boundless energy and a knack for crowd interaction, making their live shows particularly memorable.

Ahead of their upcoming gig at The Weekend Festival, we asked the band to share some insights into their music, touring, and dream gigs.

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.

Legendary and local music, art and 2000s telly at the theatre: Here's what's on this week in Notts 16-23 September

This week in Notts! Check out live music, from the legendary to the local, enjoy some art, or have a bloody good time at the theatre.

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...