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Left Brian: June 2023

After something of a hiatus, LeftLion's monthly Nottingham Forest FC column is back with reflections on staying up, new and old signings, waiting for Hendo, Lingard-ium Leviosa and ...erm Goldilocks. 

Theatre Review: Strictly Ballroom

The cult Aussie ballroom dancing love story takes to the floor

Why Are Podcasts So Popular? We Dive Into the Global Sensation

People love podcasts. Okay, maybe not all people - but with over 464 million worldwide podcast listeners, it’s pretty fair to say that they’re popular. Plus, Nottingham has a wealth of podcast creators, ranging from gossip in The Girls Bathroom to historical tours through We Share These Streets. That’s why we decided to dive into the world of this ever-growing form and create a podcast edition of our magazine - starting with the most important question, why are they so beloved?

Notts Filmmakers Michael and Rafe Bird Discuss Genre-Bending Short Spooky Bastard

We chat to the brothers about their fantastic, subversive film...

Meet The FSN 2023 Finalists: Tom Shawcroft

Ahead of the Future Sound of Nottingham showcase on 2 July, we're catching up with each finalist to find out more about them. Meet Tom Shawcroft...

We Visit Gasleak Mountain, Nottingham’s Newest Inclusive Art Space

A brand new art gallery called Gasleak Mountain has just opened in Nottingham - we sit down with its founders to learn all about this exciting, inclusive space...

We Catch Up With Matt Davies-Adams, Notts-Based Host of the Straight Outta Cobham Podcast

The path from Nottingham to Chelsea is hardly a well-trodden one - yet that’s exactly the route that Matt Davies-Adams, commentator for Chelsea TV and host of the Straight Outta Cobham podcast, has taken. We hear from the Forest fan about what it’s like covering the modern form of the beautiful game, especially with a focus on a team that’s not your own… 

Interview: The Stranglers On Their Upcoming 50th Anniversary Tour

Ahead of their 50th anniversary tour which will come to the Royal Concert Hall next March, Benedict Watson spoke to JJ from The Stranglers...

We Chat to Scott Taylor, the Brains Behind the We Share These Streets Podcast

Do you ever consider the streets you’re walking on? What happened on them hundreds of years ago? These are the exact questions Scott Taylor asked himself when he created We Share These Streets - the twenty-episode podcast exploring the days of Nottingham past…

We Visit Project Pies, the Carlton Hill-Based Lockdown Sensation That Has Changed Our City’s Food Scene

From plastering walls to baking pastries, Dan Lione has had a unique journey into the culinary world. We hear all about his internet-conquering, pie-focused passion project: Project Pies…

Film Review: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Miles Morales returns in this hotly-anticipated sequel to Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse - but was it worth the wait? 

Gig Review: Swim Deep at Rescue Rooms

Swim Deep came to Rescue Rooms to celebrate the ten-year anniversary of their debut album, Where The Heaven Are We…

Meet Jayahadadream, Nottingham’s Hip Hop Sensation Set to Take the Music Industry by Storm

Raised in Cambridge with Jamaican and Irish heritage, Jayahadadream moved to Nottingham in 2018 to study at university. Since then, her time has been split between the two locations, and we were lucky enough to catch her for a chat in our LeftLion offices while she was visiting our city for the weekend…

Gig Review: Sir Chloe at The Bodega

Following the official release of their sophomore album I am the Dog, alt-rock band Sir Chloe take the stage at Nottingham’s Rescue Rooms, promising fans a culmination of tracks new and old...

We Visit COW’s Brand New Nottingham Thrift Store

Thrifty vintage treasure hunters rejoice! Popular independent vintage clothing brand, COW, has opened the doors to its third Notts store...

TankSpace: The Ollerton-Based Underwater Studio Offering Stunning Practical Effects for Film, Television and More

We speak to Kai Coombes, co-founder and Managing Director of TankSpace, an Ollerton-based underwater studio that enables film directors and photographers to achieve shots that wouldn’t be possible anywhere else…

From Green Hustle Festival to Kinky Boots, Here’s What’s on in Nottingham This Week

Lots of live music and theatre this week, so hopefully you're a fan of one or the other...

Binks Yard Sessions Provide Real Hope to Musicians in Nottingham With a Unique Deal

Ben Hicklin is the Head of Events at Nottingham canal side bar, restaurant and entertainment venue Binks Yard, and he kindly took time out to answer questions about the Binks Yard Sessions…

Gig Review: Scott Matthews at Metronome

Scott Matthews was in town to promote his eighth studio offering, Restless Lullabies...

Gig Review: Sharp Little Bones at Peggy's Skylight

Sharp Little Bones celebrate the launch of their album...

We Catch Up With Fashion Designer Suzanne Ford About the Opening of Her Beeston Shop, Ford and Guy

Gig Review: Sad Boys Club at The Bodega

Reeling from the release of their highly-anticipated debut LP Lullabies from the Lightning Tree, indie-rock four piece Sad Boys Club bring everything but sadness to Nottingham’s The Bodega...

From Zombie Life Drawing to a Poetry Festival, Here’s What’s on in Nottingham This Week

With three different festivals to choose from, you'll have to make a tough decision this week...

Meet Stage Door Keeper Steve Harvey, the Man Who Greets the Stars at Nottingham's Theatre Royal

There’s been a stage door keeper on duty at Nottingham’s Theatre Royal every day since 25 September 1865, providing a warm, friendly welcome to the venue’s staff, members of the public, visiting companies, orchestras, and celebrities alike. Over 150 years since the role first originated, we catch up with the incumbent, Steve Harvey, to learn more about the comings and goings of one of the UK's most successful touring venues…

We Chat to Surf Pop Sextet Midnight Rodeo Before Their Dot To Dot Debut

Midnight Rodeo, Nottingham’s genre-bending, boundary-pushing “woozy surf pop sextet” (as they put it), are debuting Dot To Dot Festival as a band this year. We catch up with them ahead of their sure-to-be-a-sell-out show…