Site search

Local artist Laura Dickinson talks her forthcoming debut album as Lace Thief

Laura Dickinson's Lace Thief project epitomises the creative spirit of Nottingham: unafraid of challenge, independent, and deeply committed to her art. In advance of her debut record’s release, Laura talks to us about family, curiosity, and the city that has helped her express herself. 

Bus driver Louise Lawrence is Awarded trentbarton Bus Driver of the Year 2026

The results of the 2025-2026 trentbarton really good service awards are in...

Blues, dance, and Hong Kong culture: Here's what's on in Nottingham

There's lots of events this week set to spread some strong community spirit and selfless sentiment here in Notts. Here are some of our favourites... 

LeftLion Interviews Podcast #15: Blur’s Dave Rowntree on NASA, Nottingham gigs and his new book of old Blur photos

This episode we are joined by Blur drummer Dave Rowntree who talks about Blur's early years, his memories (or lack of) of their Nottingham appearances, NASA and space and his new photo book No-one You Know'..

Undercover artist: April Seaworth depicts springtime Notts in motion

The stars align this month, as our regular contributing illustrator April Seaworth presents our April 2026 cover. Below April talks about her work, inspirations, and why we should listen closely to the city and to nature… 

Blurry photos: Blur drummer Dave Rowntree talks his brand new photography book

As well as being one quarter of seminal English alternative rock band Blur, Dave Rowntree has been a politician, lawyer, animator, composer and alcoholic (not necessarily in that order). He’s heading to Metronome this month to showcase No One You Know, a book of photos from the early days of the band…

Theatre Review: Apple of Discord at The People’s Hall

When gods gather for a wedding, chaos is never far behind. So say Nottingham's theatre company Chronic Insanity in their amazing immersive production entitled Apple of Discord. LeftLion joins the madness..

Perfect Pawtraits: Dog Life Drawing at Blend Cafe

Dog Life Drawing is much like any regular life drawing class except for one key difference; the models all have four legs! Kathy Giddins went along to the latest session at Blend Cafe...

Theatre Review: Horrible Histories Live (& Dead): The Concert at the Royal Concert Hall

It may be horrible but still it is a much-beloved children's TV series that educates as much as entertains. And this weekend the horribleness came to Nottingham...

Immersive indie theatre, all day gigs, impactful exhibitions: here's what's on in Nottingham this week 30 March - 5 April

This is a great week in Notts for music and art lovers... check out our top picks.

A semester in Notts: US photographer John Dean's snapshot of Nottingham in the 70s

In the Spring of 1976, a then twenty-year-old photography student named John Dean arrived in Nottingham unaware that he would go on to capture some of the most beautiful, compelling and personal street photographs our city has ever seen. Five decades later, many of those images are being shown for the first time in a new exhibition at Bonington Gallery; A Semester in Nottingham, 1976. 

Ahead of his exhibition, held at the very university that he briefly studied at fifty years ago, Dani Bacon sat down for a transatlantic Teams call (with a questionable signal), to talk to John about his time in Nottingham, his career and why he’s chosen now as the perfect time to unveil his photographs.

Locating Lawrence: March 1926

Capri in 1926 was decadent, cosmopolitan, and bohemian, providing refuge for writers and intellectuals from the ugliness of modernity...

Undercover Artist: Dani Bacon snaps Notts most curious emporium, Hopkinson Vintage, Antiques and Art Centre

We chat to LeftLion Photography Co-editor and this month’s cover artist, Dani Bacon about photography, juggling projects and Bjork...

From The Kitchen: Jake Dodsley, Head Chef at Jake’s at The Fox & Grapes talks burgers and his Ma’s Chilli

We dropped into the Fox & Grapes in Sneinton to chat to Head Chef Jake Dodsley about burgers and his Ma’s Chilli

Classical Concert Review: The Hallé Orchestra at the Royal Concert Hall with Denis Kozhukhin

The Hallé Orchestra returns to Nottingham's Royal Concert Hall with an astonishing performance by pianist Denis Kozhukhin...

St. Paddy's Day and... unemployed donkeys? Here's what's on this week in Nottingham, 16 - 22 March

Each week in Notts is different, but during the coming week there's set to be a particularly high amount of events that set themselves aside from the norm... here's what's going on... 

Gig review: Widow's Rock n Rollium with Hystamine and You Want Fox at Billy Bootleggers for International Women's Day 2026 Nottingham

On International Women’s Day Billy Bootleggers played host to the Widow’s Rock n Rollium - a spicy night of cabaret, burlesque, bands and fierce femme energy, featuring bands You Want Fox and Hystamine. We went down to check it out…

LeftLion's Latest Listens #41: Notts music we're currently spinning

In this edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens, our music team reviews new releases from Willow Bay, Drivelheads, LOCAL LOSER and Firmament...

Hidden Threats: Why Creatives Should Scan for Rootkits on Their Devices

Today's creative workers spend practically all of their time working in digital environments. Designers, editors of videos, photographers, musicians, and artists keep everything on their devices. We are talking about portfolios and client data, sensitive projects and even personal thoughts. That is why their laptops became an attractive target for cybercriminals.

Interview with Andre Harris: 'Memory Making' fundraiser and his Power of Drums

Leftlion had the pleasure of catching up with community figure Andre Harris - well-known for supporting young people through his love of drums, and commitment as a youth worker and teacher. For years, Andre has worked with members of the Nottingham community for many years, but has sadly been diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. Now, Andre’s son, Tom, has organised a special fundraiser event for his dad, called Memory Making, hosted at Bestwood Lodge on Saturday 14 March...

Collaborative gaming and the revolutionary epic of a jobless donkey: asses.masses comes to Broadway Cinema

If you’re looking for the ultimate day full of collaborative gaming - you’re in luck - asses.masses is a totally one-of-a-kind experience that has you playing as a herd of unemployed donkeys taking turns to hold the reins as you attempt to get your job back. We sat down with the creators of the experience, Patrick Blenkarn and Milton Lim, to hear their thoughts behind the game…

Here's what's happening this International Women's Day in Nottingham

There's plenty happening in Nottingham this weekend to celebrate International Women's Day - check out workshops, performances, and exhibitions and support our city's wonderful women.

Home away from home: life for Nottingham's Ukrainian diaspora

For decades, there has been a strong Ukrainian community in Notts, organising events and fundraisers to keep their culture and traditions alive. As such, Russia’s 2022 invasion of the country made our city an obvious destination for many refugee families. As we pass the invasion’s fourth anniversary, members of City Hub Ukraine and the Ukrainian School Band talk about supporting the diaspora and people caught up in the conflict… 

Theatre Review : I’m Muslamic, Don’t Panik at the Lakeside Arts Theatre

From Bristol to Tehran and back again, Bobak invites the audience on a journey to accept his own heritage, in the face of a hostile western media...

Locating Lawrence: February 1926

Lawrence is well stocked up with vino, but the weather is as ‘dismal as Hades.’ Perhaps it's time for another adventure...