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Gig review: Sting and Nile Rodgers at Forest Live

The Forest Live concert series at Sherwood Pines – our area's largest public woodland, and part of Nottingham's back garden – has become a firm favourite on the local music festival scene. LeftLion went down to the woods and witnessed two legendary names, Nile Rodgers & CHIC and Sting, in action...

We speak to The Pastel Project about safety, healthcare, education, and making Nottingham a Trans Sanctuary City

Trans identities have become a huge news topic in recent years. Despite only 0.5% of the population reporting their gender identity and sex to be different than when registered at birth*, the media often leads us to believe that trans people pose a risk to the wider society, while trans people are rarely given a voice.

To learn more from the community themselves, we put some questions to Nottingham organisation The Pastel Project, to hear how they are looking to make Nottingham a Trans Sanctuary City, and understand their perspective on topics such as safety, law-making, healthcare, and education.

*respondents in the 2021 UK census

Festival review: Day three at Download Festival

A fortnight ago, Download 2024 had reached its final day. LeftLion was there to witness an incredible climax to a weekend of rock and metal music at Donington Park...

Festival review: Day two at Download Festival

This time two weeks ago, LeftLion was fully immersed in the world of Download, the spiritual home of rock and metal music. Here's what happened on day two of the festival...

Festival review: Day one at Download Festival

Every year, thousands of rock fans from across the globe make the pilgrimage to Donington Park, only half an hour from Nottingham city centre. This year, LeftLion joined them for an epic weekend at the 2024 edition of Download, perhaps our country's most legendary rock and metal music festival. Here's what happened on day one...

Concert Review: Sir Mark Elder's Farewell Concert

The Hallé marks the end of Sir Mark Elder's glittering career with a farewell concert at the Royal Concert Hall...

Gig review: Belle Chen at Metronome

Belle Chen is a captivating modern classical artist, born in Taiwan and raised in Australia. Last week, she graced the stage at Nottingham's Metronome – a venue with a growing reputation for bringing our city the very best in established and new touring music as part of their ongoing Piano Sessions series...

Notts Book Arts Festival Returns To A Library Near You

'Blend' is the word at this year's celebration of zines, illustrations and bookbinding...

Nottingham Arts Theatre: The Full Monty review

Middle aged men stripping off...

Gig review: The Mysterines at Rough Trade

The Mysterines recently delivered an intimate live performance at a packed-out Rough Trade Nottingham ahead of the release of their much-anticipated sophomore album. LeftLion was there...

Theatre Review: Unfortunate

Unabashed, unapologetic, unforgettable. 

A Mini-Tour of The Nottingham Poetry Festival

Every summer a wave of dreamy-eyed people bearing notepads descends upon the city...

Now, although only in its seventh edition, the Nottingham Poetry Festival is already one of our most treasured parts of our cultural calendar. This year LeftLion sampled just a small slice of what was on offer...

Dig it! We speak to York Archaeology about community digs at Wollaton Hall

Every year since 2019, a motley crew of students and local history enthusiasts has descended upon Wollaton Hall for a series of archaeological training excavations. They can be easily spotted about the grounds: a happy-looking crowd clad in mud stained high-vis, gleefully digging away or enthusiastically explaining themselves to curious park-patrons. These digs are run by Laura Parker and Tristan Cousins, community archaeologists from York Archaeology, who I met to talk about the project…

Film Review: The Bikeriders

Denim, leather and grease: we take a ride to the American Midwest in Jeff Nichols's new work which explores the culture and community of famed biker gang, the Chicago Vandals…

Parties, theatre, the Queer Glitter Ball, a Boots Exhibition, and 90s grunge: Here's whats on in Notts this week: 24 - 30 June

The sun is out, the days are long. Get out and about in Notts this week to see exhibitions, theatre, gigs, parties and more. Here's our top picks of things coming up in Notts...

Gig review: John Grant at Rough Trade

The great man that is John Grant visited Nottingham’s Rough Trade to support the release of his brand new album The Art of The Lie. We headed down to watch his performance and Q&A with the album’s producer Ivor Guest...

In photos: Eyre Llew with Pacific K and Matt Darin at Rough Trade

Well-loved local band Eyre Llew took to the Rough Trade Nottingham stage to play a very special local show before setting off for a European festival trip. Support came from Pacific K and Matt Darin. Nigel King captured the action...

Theatre Review: Awful Auntie

David Walliam's perilous home escape caper for children

Book Review: Rory Waterman's 'Come Here To This Gate'

This bravura collection from Rory Waterman will give credence to those who consider him Nottingham’s foremost working poet.

We Speak to Indie Musician Electronic Cherry Seraph Ahead of Her Bodega Gig

Female producer and queer artist Cherry Seraph's sonic evolution over the years is displayed throughout her discography. She released her debut EP mid-pandemic, and since then explores an ethereal genre bending sound. We caught up with Cherry ahead of her gig at The Bodega on 11 July.

Gig review: Cloudbusting at Rescue Rooms

Cloudbusting are an established and wildly popular tribute to the magnificent music of Kate Bush. We went to watch their recent show at Rescue Rooms, as part of the band's The Line, The Cross and The Curve Tour...

Preview: Live At The Hall at Wollaton Hall

Get ready for an epic night of music at Wollaton Hall on Friday 30 August, as "Live at the Hall" brings together an all-star lineup featuring Razorlight, Feeder, The Pigeon Detectives, The Sherlocks and more...

Gig review: Nick Mason at the Royal Concert Hall

With a refreshing new set since the last time Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason and his band of merry men, The Saucerful of Secrets graced our fair city, LeftLion witnessed something of a renaissance at Nottingham's Royal Concert Hall...

In photos: Toby Jepson at Rock City Beta

Music reviews: June 2024

This month on our stereos: Theorist and Friends, Shadows of a Silhouette, Lex, Mimosa, George Gadd + The Aftermath and Jude Forsey