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Festival review: Gloworm 2024

Our youngest reviewer at 20 months old, Silvia, has had a total blast at Gloworm Festival 2024 and we are here to give you lovely Notts folk a rundown of the day…

We revisit The Dungeon Club, home for Nottingham mods during the 1960s

While many nightclubs have transformed over the decades, it’s rare to find one that has inspired long-standing reunion groups over the years. The Dungeon Club on Stanford Street is one such club that welcomed a generation of Nottingham mods. This year, ‘Nottingham’s own Cavern Club,’ will celebrate sixty years since it first opened on July 10 1964. We delve into its history and speak to some of the regulars…

Gig Review: The Xcerts at The Bodega

Five years since their last visit to The Bodega, Scottish alt-rock trio The Xcerts returned this past week to that wonderful loft on Pelham Street. Armed with a new album in the form of 2023’s Learning How To Live and Let Go as well as celebrating the 10-year anniversary of There Is Only You, this was one show we couldn’t miss…

Gig review: Hurray For The Riff Raff at Metronome

For well over 15 years, NY-based singer-songwriter Alynda Segarra has been enchanting fans the world over under the guise of Hurray For The Riff Raff. Making a rare pit stop on their mammoth world tour to the intimate surroundings of Metronome, we decided to don our best cowboy hats and head along…

Food review: Alora Tapas Mapperley

Our trusty food editor Julia Head took a jaunt just ten minutes out of the city centre to Mapperley Top’s new tapas restaurant Alora, where the food, service and vibe all scored a perfect ten.

Gig review: Fat Freddy's Drop at Rock City

New Zealand seven-piece Fat Freddy's Drop are renowned for their live energy and eclectic style. When they made a visit to Rock City recently, who better to send down to see them than super-fan LeftLion staffer Adam Pickering. He had no regrets...

Gig review: Rockabilly Americana Show at Binks Yard

The Binks Yard outdoor terrace was recently transformed into an Americana extravaganza, coming alive with all things Rockabilly, including four of the UK's top bands of the genre, along with dancing, costumes and vintage American cars. Andrew McCartney was there...

From DIY theatre to still-life art: Here's what's on in Nottingham this week 19 -25 August

This week, there's definitely no shortage of opportunities to indulge your artistic, theatrical and musical needs, from art at Richmond House to the return of the Foolhardy Folk Festival. Here are our Picks of the Week from 19 to 25 August. 

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

Kicking off a new regular New Music review series, LeftLion's Latest Listens is our picks of the latest and greatest sounds from all around Nottingham and the Midlands. This week, LeftLion listens to new releases from Hollow Stone, Ben Blackadder, Molly Hindley and LYVIA.

Theatre Review: The Trials

Sharon Stevens went to The Trials at the Nottingham Playhouse...

Theatre Review: Fatal Encounter

Just one more question... it's classic whodunnit time at the Theatre Royal.

“The UK’s first outdoor carnival was in Nottingham, not Notting Hill”... Nottingham Carnival returns this Sunday 18 August - here’s what to expect

The annual Nottingham Carnival returns to the Victoria Embankment this coming Sunday 18 August. We take a look into its history and speak with organiser Richard Renwick MBE, and Rastarella of Cultural Vibrations who is performing at the event, about what we can look forward to...

Rock City gives Lemmy a new home

The roar of engines and unmistakeable smell of petrol fumes signalled the arrival of a Harley Davidson convoy descending on Nottingham’s Talbot Street last night, as the ashes of Lemmy Kilmister of celebrated band Motörhead were delivered to Rock City...

GIRLBAND! talk to us about their rising fame, the Notts music scene and what they’re currently listening to

Redefining alternative music and inclusivity, GIRLBAND! are smashing preconceptions with every release and live performance. Michael Prince recently spoke to the band for LeftLion…

We chat to Hollow Stone about new music, and keeping it real

Hollow Stone sport a diverse and unique style, with authenticity and a love of music always being placed at the forefront of their work. We caught up with lead singer James Doherty ahead of the band's album launch show at The Angel on 17th August, to hear about the album and the development of Hollow Stone's eclectic indie sound...

Festival Review: Y Not 2024

It’s the Midlands’ biggest indie extravaganza – Y Not Festival. Taking place a mere 35 miles from Nottingham, this year’s line-up boasted some of the best bands in the land, but also an abundance of the very best up-and-coming local talent too. With a big Notts representation on the bill, the LeftLion Music team went along to report on how their sets went down in the sun-sprinkled Pikehall fields, along with a couple of other highlights from across the weekend.

Food review: affordable fine dining at Cleaver and Wake Nottingham

A new fixed evening menu has launched at Cleaver & Wake, offering you a taste of fine dining at a more affordable price. The canalside restaurant also welcomes guests to its new champagne terrace, just in time to enjoy the lighter summer evenings.

From metal, to jazz-fusion, to outdoor DJ sets. Here's what's on in Nottingham this week: 12 - 18 August

If you're in need of a live music fix then there's plenty to keep you happy in Notts. This week the city will host all kinds of acts, from an Oregon metal four-piece visiting Rescue Rooms on Monday to the arrival of carnival troupes on Sunday. Here are those Picks of the Week from 12 to 18 August.

Nadia on... the new Labour government

Nadia Whittome, the newly re-elected MP for Nottingham East and regular LeftLion columnist, talks about the new Labour government

Gig review: Sundara Karma at Rescue Rooms

When indie-rockers Sundara Karma played Rescue Rooms last Friday, it fell to the Rescue Rooms crowd to provide the atmosphere and energy, with the band looking like they’d rather be back at their humble beginnings than on the stage. LeftLion discovered some redeeming moments...

In photos: Tomás Doncker at Peggy's Skylight

Gig review: Love with Johnny Echols at Rescue Rooms

Cited as a major influence on rock luminaries including Led Zeppelin, The Doors, REM and Primal Scream, Love just might be the most important band you’ve never heard of. LeftLion stopped by Rescue Rooms for a night of psychedelic wonder, and much more besides. Support came from Midnight Rodeo and Bye & Bye...

A House in Jerusalem: How this Nottingham company made the first UK and Palestine co-produced film

For 24 years Al Clark and Rachel Robey have produced independent films, from all around the world, through their Nottingham based company Wellington Films. They've just wrapped up their tenth feature film, Sister Midnight, which saw the pair travel to Mumbai to shoot on location, aired at Cannes recently and set to be released early next year. Their most recent film, A House in Jerusalem, saw them travel to Palestine - the film is the first ever UK/Palestine co-production - for several months. Last month it screened in Broadway, which is where the company is based, but it is returning for two more screenings due to popular demand.  

We caught up with Beans on Toast ahead of the Foolhardy Folk Festival at Nottingham Arboretum

Honorary Nottingham lad Beans on Toast is back in town! The trees have been telling tales of yolkish yonder and folkish fun, and that August bank holiday has never looked more inviting. We caught up with Jay as he gears up for this year’s Foolhardy Folk Festival.

Gig review: Rumkicks at Ye Olde Salutation Inn

Coming to the end of a gruelling 30-date European tour, South Korean Punk trio Rumkicks landed in Nottingham. We dropped in to The Sal to catch the action...