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We chat to Better Joy about her EP, embracing vulnerability and touring the UK

With her debut EP heading into blue out soon, Better Joy (Bria Keely) takes listeners on a journey from the deeply personal waiting on time to the intimate reflection of quiet thing, balancing raw emotion with uplifting melodies. Working alongside legendary producer Mike Hedges, she’s crafted a sound that’s both nostalgic and refreshingly new. As she prepares for her first headline UK tour, including a date at The Bodega in Nottingham, Bria shares insights into her artistic evolution, the magic of live performance, and what’s next on her musical horizon…

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...

Theatre Review: Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at Nottingham Arts Theatre

The joyful coming-of-age musical struts into Nottingham Arts Theatre with a bright young cast and plenty of sass

Market economy: could stallholder markets revive independent retail in Notts?

The decline of the high street and independent retail is an issue that weighs heavily on the UK, as grassroots traders often lose money and shut shop just as quickly as they open for business.

However, with recent research, and examples available here in Nottingham, there’s a case to be made for stallholder markets as a saviour of independent businesses, providing that reliable sense of community and authenticity in shopping that so many of us look for today. Assistant Editor Caradoc Gayer takes a look at Nottingham’s history of markets, and how it could serve as an example for today.

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…

Theatre Review: (the) Woman at Nottingham Playhouse

The triumph of M’s hit play is hijacked by motherhood. What happens now? This play gives the truths society would prefer not to know about...

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...

Blue therapy: we learn about wild swimming with Whole Health at Colwick Park

In recent years the mental and physical health benefits of immersion in water have gained lots of attention across the country. Since 2019 wild-swimming group Whole Health have sought to disseminate those benefits to as many people as possible, leading open-water swimming and sauna sessions at Colwick Park. Frances Danylec visited West Lake to meet founders Cat and Wales.

Competition: E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial at the Royal Concert Hall

One of the most iconic movies of the 1980s is coming to the Royal Concert Hall big screen, accompanied by a magnificent live orchestra. We have two pairs of tickets to give away…

Gig review: International Women's Day show at The Bodega, with Lara Elise Grant, Emily Alice and Dorothy Ella

The Bodega played host to a set of empowering gigs commemorating International Women's Day, in collaboration with Dizzy Magazine. We dropped in at the downstairs bar, where pink lighting, disco balls, glitter streamers (and crucial background music of Chappell Roan and Wet Leg) were ready to celebrate and support the local female artists of Nottingham’s music scene - to honour what we have achieved, and what work still needs to be done and recognised in the predominantly patriarchal industry...

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...

Life as foster parents in Nottingham

A Nottingham couple who foster children tell us about their experience.

Footstomping music at the Royal Concert Hall

Sinfonia Viva triumphs with Fanny Mendelssohn, Mozart and Beethoven...

Offline crafting, theatre, day parties, cultural festivals, and 80s new wave: here's what's on events this week 10-16 March 2025

This week in Notts! Get yourself out to enjoy the first inklings of spring, plus a load of great events around the city. Check out a four day festival at New Art Exchange, enjoy gripping theatre at Nottingham Playhouse and Theatre Royal, get crafting in a no-phone-zone, or head down to Vicky McClure's Day Fever at the Palais...

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...

Nadia on… International Women’s Day

In her monthly column, Nottingham East MP Nadia Whittome writes about the history of International Women's Day, and how the Labour government's new Employment Rights Bill will tackle aspects of gender equality.

We chat with Rob Green about music, musicals, and the value of the grassroots

Uplifting alt soul-pop Notts sensation Rob.Green is back and has dialled everything to the absolute max - bringing the emotion, fierce hyped energy and brand-new music for his first ever headline UK tour, which kicks off at Saltbox on 20th March. Rob shared his infectious joy with us in a conversation covering the tour, his collaboration with Cassell the Beatmaker, his ventures into musicals, and the value of grassroots venues...

LeftLion's Latest Listens #17 special edition: Divorce

In this special edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens, we sample the debut album Drive to Goldenhammer from Nottingham's own Divorce...

Theatre maker Natalie Bellingham brings her one woman show to Nottingham

Ahead of her upcoming solo performance at Lakeside Arts, where comedy meets life’s biggest transitions, Emma Oldham caught up with Natalie Bellingham to uncover the hidden layers behind Look After Your Knees...

Theatre Review: Macbeth by Nottingham Shakespeare Company

Nottingham Shakespeare Company has conjured the world of Macbeth with a tragic, rugged intensity that grips the audience from the first words to the final clash of swords. 

Pick Six: Rastarella Music Programmer & Community Engagement Expert at Cultural Vibrations (Unity Through Music)

For this month’s Pick Six, we spoke to Rastarella - Music Programmer & Community Engagement Expert at Cultural Vibrations (Unity Through Music) and Radio Host at 97.5 Kemet Fm. Rastarella will oversee the music programming at this month’s Ay-Up Market.

Local playwright Jane Upton on her brand new play (the) woman

Written by Nottingham’s own Jane Upton and shortlisted for the Bruntwood Prize, (the) Woman is coming to Nottingham Playhouse this month. Following a woman struggling to balance her potential as a playwright with her responsibilities as a mother, it tackles hard truths about motherhood and conflicting identities. Jane was able to take the time out of her day to talk to us at LeftLion, having raced back from picking up arts and craft supplies for her children. But, as Jane herself puts it: “Sums it up, doesn’t it?”

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...

The making of Sister Midnight: a multinational fable premiering at Broadway Cinema

Nottingham producers Alastair Clark of Wellington Films and Anna Griffin of Griffin Pictures have a wealth of projects to their names: A House in Jerusalem, Calibre, and The Levelling to name but a few. Ordinarily, their home is Nottingham’s very own Broadway Cinema, but their latest project Sister Midnight took them a little further afield. We met them to hear all about it…

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...