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As Motorpoint Arena celebrates its 25th birthday, we look through the stories from 25 of their seminal gigs

From Beyonce to Bieber and Dolly Parton to the Dalai Lama, Nottingham Motorpoint Arena has brought some of the world’s most famous people into our city. As the Arena celebrates its 25th birthday, we look through the stories from 25 of their seminal gigs…

Theatre Review: The Paper Cinema at Lakeside Arts

The Paper Cinema’s take on moving pictures dazzles and delights at Lakeside...

Overheard in Notts: March 2025

Slippers, stand-up and Sleazy Stu, here's what you've overheard in Nottingham this month... 

In photos: Vona Vella at The Grove, with Jude Kirk and Plum Jr

Christie Classics, Castle Beer Festival and the Netball Super League: Here's what's on this week in Nottingham 31 March - 6 April 2025

Whether your idea of a good time is brushing up on your Orwell and Christie in the theatre, or enjoying live music and a drink in the sun, there's plenty going on in Nottingham for you this week... 

Beyond the Blame: Photographer Jayne Jackson on her social justice exhibition Asking For It at the National Justice Museum.

Documentary photographer Jayne Jackson’s award-winning exhibition Asking For It examines the pervasive issue of victim blaming in sexual and gender-based violence through a historical lens. Ahead of its installation at Nottingham’s National Justice Museum, we spoke to Jayne about the personal, political, and emotional layers of the work, highlighting the urgent need to shift societal perceptions and better support survivors of sexual violence.

The Thompsons on The Marcus Garvey Centre, International Women's Day and Wild Swimming

Here's what the Thompsons had to say about The Marcus Garvey Centre, International Women's Day and wild swimming. 

Undefeated: Frank Turner talks about his creative processes and affiliation with Nottingham ahead of his Rock City show

There are many ways to describe musician Frank Turner: a songwriting master, a touring machine, a festival season staple. Now back with his latest album, Undefeated, he embarks on the UK leg of his tour this month, with a much-anticipated, sold-out stop at the legendary Rock City. We caught up with him to discuss Undefeated, his affiliation with Nottingham, his creative processes and where he finds his inspirations…

Gig review: The Lathums at Rock City

A captivating fusion of indie charm and raw emotion: The Lathums deliver a stellar performance at Rock City that resonates long after the final chord...

LeftLion Issue #182 April 2025

Gig review: ROB.GREEN at Saltbox

We caught Rob Green on the grand opening night of his Jungle Child UK tour. A jaw-dropping show featuring new music, soulful tunes and moving poetry, all the while praising the love for his hometown, Rob continues to prove he is a true Notts showman not to be missed live... 

Theatre Review: Calamity Jane at the Theatre Royal

Gosh almighty! Look what's in from the Windy City. A rootin' tootin' fancy hoedown to have us all a-laughing and a-humming in the aisles... 

Fifth Word Theatre Call-Out For Pop-Up Plays

Calling Nottingham's playwrights! Pop-up plays will soon be, well, popping up across the region from car parks to libraries and beyond. But first someone has to write them!  It's a bold new idea from theatre group Fifth Word. And Artistic Director Laura Ford tells us more...

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...

Guilty?! Escape Room Returns to the National Justice Museum

Travel back to the 1830’s as you solve clues to prove your innocence and explore hidden spaces in Nottingham’s ancient gaol...

Gig review: David Gray at the Royal Concert Hall

Artworks: Hallo Ceramics talks about their projects, inspirations and making a name in pottery

Popping up at this month’s Ay-Up Market, Heather Kirk of Hallo Ceramics talks us through their journey to becoming a ceramic artist.

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...

We meet Emma Moore, the mind behind local tie making business Arsenic and Old Lace

Notts tie maker Emma Moore has been redefining the humble neck tie for almost a decade, with her statement handmade ties serving the perfect eye-catching piece to complete any outfit. Fashion editor Addie Kenogbon-Harley caught up with her to find out more about her business Arsenic and Old Lace, and how she’s putting her spin on this timeless classic with her collections inspired by Midlands towns.

Musicals, markets, gigs and beer: here's what's on this week in Notts 24 - 30 March 2025

With MOBO tributes and Old Market Square filling up with market stalls, to Calamity Jane stopping at Theatre Royal, there is non-stop entertainment in Nottingham this coming week…

We chat with Annie Dressner about touring, writing - and speaking up

Annie Dressner’s latest single, For The Thrill Of It, was released in February. Influenced by her experiences, it addresses misogyny and inappropriate behaviour towards women in the music industry. The New Yorker has been based in Cambridge for the last 13 years after meeting her partner at an open mic night. She recently made a stop in Nottingham as part of a tour supporting Danny & The Champions of The World...

Gig review: The Wombats at Motorpoint Arena, with Everything Everything

Emerging during the mid-00s, Liverpudlian trio The Wombats could have easily fallen into the depths of indie landfill, never to be seen again. But now almost 20 years into their career, they are arguably as strong as they have ever been, having just added sixth studio album Oh! The Ocean to their impressively consistent discography. Now embarking on a massive UK arena tour including the likes of the O2 Arena in London and OVO Hydro in Glasgow, the band swung by Nottingham's Motorpoint Arena to begin their biggest run of shows yet…

Theatre Review: Look After Your Knees at Lakeside Arts

Natalie Bellingham delivers a solo performance celebrating the messy business of life...

"They were roomates": inside Nottingham Castle's LGTBQ+ history and art walking tour

When it comes to queer history, there is a certain level of pressure to ‘prove it.’ How can you tell that an object, a space, building or area of a city has a queer past? There are so many hidden histories that are simply forgotten about over time but queer communities have always been here. CJ De Barra recounts the stories of some of the objects on show at Nottingham Castle, on their LGBTQ+ audio walking tour.

Film Review: Black Bag

Your brief if you choose to read it: Join us as we review the new spy thriller with Michael Fassbender and Cate Blanchett...