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Gig review: Circle of Light album launch at Fishergate Point

The award-winning creative collective Circle of Light took over Fishergate Point on World Mental Health Day 2024 to celebrate the launch of their fifth album, COL5...

Gig review: Jet at Rock City

Celebrating 21 years of debut album Get Born, Jet landed at Rock City to prove exactly why their songs have such long-lasting appeal...

Theatre Review: Rotten at the Playhouse

Something at the Playhouse is rotten. Cue a sell-out production of social media influencers and nasty case of blackmail...

Gig review: Snayx at The Bodega

Hard-working, noisy but relentlessly proficient: Snayx have a fearsome reputation. Their set at The Bodega, partnering with Safe Gigs for Women, was characteristically respectful if very sweaty...

In photos: Good Neighbours at The Bodega

Paul Smith, Horror films, Hockley Hustle, Veggie food and KittyArama: Here's what's on this week in Nottingham: 14-20 October 2024

There's so much happening in Nottingham this week, we couldn't narrow it down! Enjoy some horror movies, gigs galore, hear from Notts fashion legend Paul Smith and lots more.

Concert Review: Steeleye Span at the Playhouse

After fifty-five years of gold discs and international tours, folk rockers Steeleye Span are taking their music back on the road. Andrew McCartney reviews their performance at the Nottingham Playhouse... 

Comedy Review: Nish, Don't Kill My Vibe

Nish Kumar returns to the Playhouse and the blade of his wit is sharper than ever...

Gig review: Fairground Attraction at The Royal Concert Hall

Oasis aren’t the only band reuniting; Fairground Attraction are back together after a whopping 34 years apart. LeftLion caught their Royal Concert Hall show and discovered a reborn band working together in joyous harmony...

Seann Walsh moves from stand-up to drama in this new play at the Theatre Royal

Comedian Seann Walsh has made a name for himself in the world of stand-up. But will his move to acting be stand out?

Gig review: Tusks at The Bodega

Emily Underhill's Tusks has taken on a wonderful life of its own, an excitingly atmospheric project which enthralls in recorded form. At her first headline gig in Nottingham, her music proved captivating - even on a Monday...

Punks and weirdos: Celebrating 15 Years of studio and performance venue JT Soar

From the headquarters of a fruit and vegetable wholesaler near Sneinton Market to one of Nottingham’s best loved recording studios and truly intimate, DIY music venues - it’s been quite a journey for JT Soar. 

When Phil Booth and his business partner Nick first took over the space at number 2 Aberdeen Street, they saw beyond an empty concrete room with metal grilles and a scooter garage next door. Their vision was to create something truly special: a recording studio, rehearsal and gig space, with a truly barrier-free ethos in all senses of the word.

Now fifteen years later, JT Soar celebrates its decade-and-a-half anniversary since it first opened its doors, marking the occasion with a “two-day, one stage, all killer-no filler line-up” of some of Phil Booth’s favourite bands. Ahead of what is being billed as ‘JT Soar Fest’, we asked staff, promoters, bands and community members to share their favourite memories of JT Soar, and outline what makes it so special.

Joker: Folie a Deux Review

"I’m not sure whether it was the intention of Todd Phillips, director of Joker: Folies a Deux, for audience members to leave the cinema laughing somewhat maniacally just as the title character does, but I certainly did."

Gig review: Seas of Mirth at The Old Bus Depot

For one night only, The Old Bus Depot was transformed into a neon-lit sub-aquatic world of wonder, as genre-blending independent band Seas of Mirth made their incomparable mark. LeftLion's Lewis Oxley dived in...

Gig review: FEET at Rescue Rooms, with Otala and L’Objectif

Put away your umbrellas, our English Weather just got a whole lot brighter. Coventry five-piece FEET adorned the Rescue Rooms stage with enough indie-pop to pack a punch, and we headed down to get our fix...

The hidden history behind Nottingham's Express Building

Many people pass by the Tesco Express on Parliament Street in Nottingham every day, unaware of the rich history behind this iconic building. Known simply as the Express Building, this early Gothic-style masterpiece stands as a testament to the brilliant vision of renowned British architect Watson Fothergill. For over a century, it has been a distinctive feature of Nottingham’s cityscape - serving multiple purposes, adapting with time, and telling the story of a city in transition.

Gig review: Bess Atwell at Rescue Rooms, with Pem

Stopping off on her Light Sleeper tour, Bess Atwell enthralled a well-filled Rescue Rooms with a precise but emotive set. With intense and ethereal sounds from Pem in support, it was a memorable evening...

Gig review: Rhoda Dakar at The Bodega

Rhoda Dakar is a legend of the 2-Tone scene with a decades-long career winning her multitudes of fans. Many of those fans gathered at The Bodega for a jubilant and celebratory performance...

Hitchcock meets Lord of the Flies in this exciting comedy-thriller at the Nottingham Playhouse

Rotten is a comedy about the Instagram generation that is as dark as it is funny. Its creator, Josie White, speaks with Leftlion about terrible things and how she came to write them... 

Gig review: Apocalyptica at Rock City

Back in 1996, Finnish metal outfit and classically trained cellists Apocalyptica made a name for themselves by playing Metallica’s music through their revolutionary and mightily impressive string arrangements. Now almost 30 years and 10 albums later, they have returned to play Metallica’s greatest hits once again in their own unique style. To witness this one-of-a-kind event, we headed down to catch their show at Rock City…

In photos: Seb Lowe at Rescue Rooms, with The Guest List

Festivals of beer and film, theatre and storytelling - Here's what's on this week in Notts 7 - 13 October 2024

Check out a celebration of short films, sample a huge range of beer and cider, enjoy some human stories, or be entertained by a bit of music and theatre this week in Notts.

Gig review: Wunderhorse at Rock City

Nottingham’s Rock City played host to a night of raw energy and exceptional musicianship, headlined by Wunderhorse with support from London-based HighSchool. It’s soon to say, but it might just be a contender for gig of the year…

LeftLion's Latest Listens #7: Notts music we're currently spinning

This week's edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens, our music team's picks of the latest and greatest sounds from all around Nottingham and the Midlands, features new releases from Bored Marsh, Jake Bugg, Jake Greener, Dorothy Ella & Gordon Parma, and Malin Hill...

Gig review: Marseille at Rescue Rooms

Rescue Rooms played host to a mid-week Derbyshire triple bill as Marseille arrived for a huge headline show, joined by The Blooms and Shadows of a Silhouette...