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In photos: Forzafest at Trent Navigation

Forzafest is a new live music event promoted by members of the Nottingham Forest fan group Forza Garibaldi and hosted at the Trent Navigation's brilliant Big Shed venue. LeftLion was there to capture some of the action...

Gig review: Bernard Butler at Metronome

Singer, songwriter and legendary guitarist Bernard Butler dropped in to Metronome recently to promote his new album. The result was a night of great music and fascinating stories from his 35 years in the business...

Review: The sun shines on Radfest Community Festival 2024

As I park up for Radfest 2024 the clouds suddenly part and the sun shines brightly, writes Bassey who's reminded of the similar weather at Radfest last year and already feels the day will be a success...

Alchemilla and Mollis founder Alex Bond talks about bringing Michelin star food to Nottingham

What do fried chicken and fine dining have in common? More than you might think if you know where to look. From the Michelin-star menus of Alchemilla to a Mollis takeover of the kitchens at Saltbox bar, Alex Bond is on a mission to elevate the Nottingham dining scene. We took a trip down to Derby Road for a chat with the star chef. 

We speak to University of Law Nottingham students about their experience of offering free legal advice to the community

Nottingham’s blessed with world-renowned universities, but there’s one you might not know about - The University of Law (ULaw). Opening their Nottingham city campus in 2019, they offer law-specific courses for those looking to get into the profession. ULaw does plenty for the wider Notts community too, by offering pro bono (without charge) services, where students can get hands-on experience whilst being supported by practising lawyers. We paid a visit to find out more from some of the law students hoping to make a difference in the world…

Gig Review: Teen Mortgage with Jools at The Bodega

Rent is due! Teen Mortgage are taking over The Bodega and the compensation? An all-round good time. Talia Robinson was there...

Gig review: Gen and The Degenerates at The Bodega

Anything but ‘anti-fun’, this post-punk propaganda brought us straight to
The Bodega to witness Gen and The Degenerates do their thing...

We speak to poet Luke Wright before his appearance at Nottingham Poetry Festival

You’re invited to Luke Wright’s Silver Jubilee! He’s throwing the ballad bunting up and stacking the plates full of poems for a visit to Nottingham Poetry Festival tomorrow, commencing his five date UK tour celebrating his 25 year long career.

We speak to Craig Chettle, CEO of Nottingham’s Confetti Institute of Creative Technologies which turns thirty this year

Nottingham’s Confetti Institute of Creative Technologies turns thirty this year. Over that time it has grown from a college course with ten students to an institution with 3000 students and 400 staff, currently spreading its wings into London. We put some questions to their CEO and founder Craig Chettle about his journey over the last three decades…

In photos: Gary Numan at Rock City

Gig review: Pet Shop Boys at Motorpoint Arena

Longtime and new fans of the iconic English synth-pop duo were recently treated to a two-hour concert at Nottingham's Motorpoint Arena. LeftLion's Rachel Imms immersed herself in the experience...

We speak to Benjamin Wigley, director of Paa Joe & the Lion ahead of Nottingham Poetry Festival

Next year, Nottingham Poetry Festival will be celebrating its tenth anniversary. The longevity and success of the festival, which began as a project by Confetti and is now its own company, is an ode to Nottingham’s burgeoning poetry scene. This year, part of a jam-packed programme, is a screening of three films featuring poetry by the late, great, Benjamin Zephaniah. We spoke to the film's director and friend of Zephaniah, Benjamin Wigley, along with the festival’s creative director, Alma Solarte-Tobón.

A Decade on Screen: 10 great moments from Notts TV

With local journalism becoming an endangered species in recent years, Nottingham is very lucky to have Notts TV. Along with training our students to become broadcasters and journalists, the company has made their mark over the years in both modest and mighty ways. Here’s some of their best moments, according to Channel Manager Chris Breese…

Five Leaves Opens Submissions for Diverse Debut Poets

Throughout June, Five Leaves Publications is accepting submissions for debut poetry pamphlets, particularly from under-represented or marginalised communities...could it be you?

Gig review: Bruce Dickinson at Rock City

The floors of Rock City took a beating as Iron Maiden front-man and rock legend Bruce Dickinson visited Nottingham to celebrate his new album, and prove that he's still at the top of his game...

Gig review: Thirty Seconds to Mars at Motorpoint Arena

Bringing that misty-eyed quality of Hollywood to the Motorpoint Arena, LeftLion witnessed Thirty Seconds To Mars reaching for the stars...

LeftLion's Guide to Summer Festivals 2024

The sun is out, summer is here, which can only mean one thing – it’s officially festival season! And while not everyone is lucky enough to win the Worthy Farm lottery by getting tickets to Glastonbury, the good news is there are plenty of incredible events happening right on our doorstep. To give you the lowdown, here’s our ultimate guide to the best local festivals taking place in Nottingham and the surrounding areas over the next few months…

We chat to They Might Be Giants about life, music and everything in between

In November, offbeat alternative rockers They Might Be Giants will grace Rock City with their presence. LeftLion’s Izzy Morris sat down with John Flansburgh to discuss life lessons, the band's huge back catalogue, and a certain stick...

Bearing Fruit: We hear from Fruit Market, who are providing low-energy homes and community-first architecture in Sneinton Market

A once crumbling Sneinton Market has become a thriving new neighbourhood of independent businesses. Providing low-energy homes with considerate, community-first architecture, Fruit Market is the next chapter in a story of local organic regeneration

We chat with Romy and The RHADs ahead of their Radfest gig

We caught up with Romy, Hayden, Ali and Dom – better known as Romy and The RHADs – fresh from their Dot To Dot debut and as they geared up for more gigs, including a performance on the Introducing Stage at Radfest...

Festival review: Bearded Theory 2024

Despite the unpredictable British weather, Bearded Theory 2024 proved to be a fantastic weekend of music and merriment. With an excellent line up, which included several of Notts' own talented bands, revellers were not deterred by a bit of mud during the four-day extravaganza...

Gig Review: Honeyblood at The Bodega

We dropped in to The Bodega to witness Honeyblood's storming returning to full form...

We speak to dub poet Linton Kwesi Johnson ahead of Nottingham Poetry Festival

Pioneer of dub poetry, NME journalist, trailblazing activist, father and grandfather, the first black poet published by Penguin Modern Classics - Linton Kwesi Johnson has worn all these hats and more. Wondering which hat he’ll wear at the Nottingham Poetry Festival on June 14, we gave him a call…

Spoken word, album launches, restaurant week and the Castle Rock Yard Party: Here’s what’s on in Nottingham this week: 3 – 9 June 2024

In photos: The Lovely Eggs at Rescue Rooms

The Lovely Eggs returned to Nottingham for a sold-out show at Rescue Rooms, with Loose Articles and Violet Malice in support. Nigel King captured the action for us...