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Gig review: John Cale at The Playhouse

LeftLion's Ria Serena recently had the enviable pleasure of seeing John Cale live, while he was on the road to promote his latest album, POPtical Illusion. The setlist featured selections from Paris 1919, covers ranging from Elvis to Nico and newer tracks from his latest album. The result? A performance that was nothing short of spectacular...

Gig review: David Gray at the Royal Concert Hall

Gig review: Tunng at Metronome, with Dana Gavanski

2005: The year indie rock peaked. The charts are dominated by Kaiser Chiefs, Franz Ferdinand and, latterly, the rise of Arctic Monkeys. It was also (probably) the last year that the NME could be considered the sole arbiter of one’s music taste. Amongst all of that is the release of a debut album that was incredibly ground-breaking for its time. This is Tunng...

Gig review: Anna Erhard at The Bodega

Gig review: Levellers at the Royal Concert Hall

Gig review: bdrmm at Rescue Rooms

Despite some mishaps, and skirting the borders of the Rescue Rooms curfew, vowel-less shoegaze outfit bdrmm performed an impressive, emotional and transcendent set to a patient Nottingham crowd...

In photos: Mike & The Mechanics at the Royal Concert Hall

In photos: White Denim at Rescue Rooms

Gig review: The Bracknall at Rescue Rooms

Essex's finest Britpop revivalists, The Bracknall, arrived at Rescue Rooms in style, performing a beautiful, blissful set drawing heavily from their latest album...

Gig review: HotWax at Rough Trade

We were all in for a Hot Shock at Rough Trade – with their debut album blistering its way through the charts, HotWax took us on a sonic rollercoaster of noise...

"The power is with the people": standing up to knife violence in Old Market Square

After three tragic spates of knife violence rocked Nottingham, and were subsequently highly publicised, local campaigners organised a demonstration in Old Market Square to draw attention to the underlying, community problems that cause it. LeftLion went down to report...

Gig review: Doves at Rock City, with White Flowers

With frontman Jimi Goodwin only at Rock City 'in spirit', Doves fought on to perform a Nottingham show that proved the resilience and quality of their back catalogue...

Gig review: Divorce at Rough Trade

Last time Divorce played live in Nottingham they did four consecutive nights at the Bodega. This time around, they’re doing two gigs on the same day, taking place at Rough Trade. We headed down to the first of the shows to hear the band perform in their hometown for the first time since their debut album Drive to Goldenhammer was released to great acclaim…

Gig review: Wille and the Bandits at The Bodega

Wille and the Bandits mesmerised the crowd at The Bodega on Saturday with a stunning display of their unique take on rock music, which is all brought together in a musical tapestry, woven in a way that only this band know how. It's safe to say the show left those who’d ventured out early that evening something to really think about...

Gig review: The Boxer Rebellion at Rescue Rooms

Imagine being featured in Hollywood movies and that is not even the coolest thing about your band! The Boxer Rebellion put on a wonderful, mellow performance at Nottingham’s Rescue Rooms and made a packed out venue feel like an intimate show with their heart-warming and rousing tracks...

Gig review: Matilda Mann at Rough Trade

Roxwell, the debut album from the up-and-coming Matilda Mann, echoes the styling of some indie-folk greats. Understated and well-formed, Mann’s sound is perfect for the intimate loft space at Rough Trade Nottingham, a treat for fans who can anticipate a big 2025 for an exciting new artist...

Gig review: You Me At Six at Rock City

You Me At Six bid farewell to their Nottingham fans with three shows at Rock City on their Final Nights of Six Tour. Intensity and nostalgia were mixed with the undeniable energy of a band at their peak...

Gig review: Vazum at The Chapel, with Stained Glass and City Flowers

Travelling all the way from Detroit, rock duo Vazum are welcomed warmly to Nottingham's upper room venue, The Chapel. With two rapidly rising local groups in support, the result was an atmospheric and intoxicating night of incredible music...

Gig review: PENGSHUi at Rough Trade

More often seen on large festival stages, PENGSHUi's visit to the cosy environs of the upper room at Rough Trade was a show we could not miss. Matt Pratt braved the noise - and darkness - as the band, with no less than four support acts, did their best to bring the house down...

Gig review: Bilk at Rescue Rooms

Bilk don’t mess around when it comes to smack-you-in-the-face instrumentation and brutally honest lyricism. Their anthemic agenda arrived in Nottingham, bringing with them joyous debauchery and an instant mosh pit...

Gig review: The Kilkennys at The Greyfriars Club

Irish balladeers The Kilkennys delighted the Nottingham audience, choosing the ever-popular and hospitable Greyfriars Club in the Thorneywood district for their first-ever visit to our city. The band delivered a dose of pure joy as they performed a multitude of well-known songs, sparking plenty of audience participation. It's safe to say great craic was had... 

Gig review: Berlioz at Rock City

Jazz, house, electronica... all is fused in a wondrous and poetic musical array in the work of Berlioz. His performance at one of Nottingham's most legendary rock venues proved that our city welcomes all genres with open arms...

Gig review: Man/Woman/Chainsaw at The Bodega

Let's face it: Man/Woman/Chainsaw should be on your ones-to-watch list. Hailing from London, the talented five-piece have been a true come-of-age story. Upheld in a vibrant and supportive DIY community, their debut EP Eazy Peazy has been snatching headlines with its theatrical beauty and joyous experimental frolics. During a celebratory tour, the band hit up Nottingham's beloved Bodega with a point to prove...

Gig review: Punk Rock Factory at Rough Trade

After catching Punk Rock Factory’s unforgettable performance at Rock City last year, our designer Natalie was so impressed that she didn’t hesitate to grab a ticket for their intimate gig at Rough Trade, and an unforgettable experience...

Gig review: Circa Waves at Rock City

Celebrating the release of new album Death & Love Pt.1, Circa Waves brought their festival anthems to the legendary venue that is Rock City with a high-energy performance that spanned across the range of their six studio albums. Birmingham indie rockers Peace joined as main support...