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When We Were B Boys: how breakdancing took over 1980s Nottingham

This year marks the tenth anniversary of a documentary about a less widely recognised part of Nottingham history. NG83: When We Were B Boys, follows a particular few years in the mid 80s when, through happenstance, Notts became the UK’s unofficial breakdancing capital. In advance of two events celebrating the anniversary of the film, two of its co-directors: Claude Knight and Luke Scott, reminisce on making it.

People Laughing: Music to dance and cry to

People Laughing landed on the Nottingham music scene in January 2026 with big tunes, smooth aesthetics and catchy songwriting. The trio, made up of singer/guitarist Matt Grocott, bassist Ollie Carnell and drummer Luke Hallam, have showed no sign of showing, with a three-date residency at Nottingham’s legendary Acoustic Rooms, sets at big venues including The Bodega and Rescue Rooms, and even an appearance at Nottingham’s biggest festival, Splendour, upcoming. Singer Matt joined up for a chat to tell us all about the project, what they draw from and what’s next...

Actor Chelsea Da Silva talks about Roald Dahl's The Enormous Crocodile at Nottingham Puppet Festival

Later this week, as part of Nottingham Puppet Festival, an adaptation of Roald Dahl's The Enormous Crocodile comes to Theatre Royal. Lead actor Chelsea Da Silva tells us more...

Interview: Author Ian C Douglas' new creative writing courses at Nottingham Trent University

This summer, local author Ian C Douglas is teaching two new world-building courses as part of Nottingham Trent University's Creative Short Courses programme. He chats to LeftLion about making stuff up... 

Gig review: Midrift, Glare and Glixen at The Bodega

The Bodega may not sound like the best place to be on a sweltering hot June evening, but when there’s cold drinks, air con and a night ahead of you that’s full of shoegaze magic, there’s nowhere much better. There are three bands on the bill, but each band is alternating as headliner each night on the tour. This is both unusual and exciting; and maybe something more bands should take note of...

Nottingham Puppet Festival, music at the waterfront, film quiz, and history made fun: Here's what's on in Nottingham this week, 29 June - 5 July

This week our list of things to look out for this week includes the Nottingham Puppet Festival, Waterfront music festival, a walk down memory lane with events for music, film, and the sewing history in prisons.

LeftLion's Latest Listens #47: Notts music we're currently spinning

In this edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens for 2026, our music team reviews new releases from Drinking With Lucy, EMiDORA, Saffron Gray and Isaac Neilson...

Truth or Legend: the case of the Nottingham Cheese Riots

Our investigator of Nottingham weird history checks out the strange tale of the cheese riots.

Gig review: Feel the Nusic, Future Sound of Nottingham 2026

With two coveted spots on the Splendour Festival main stage up for grabs, this year's Future Sound of Nottingham competition, organised by Feel the Nusic, was once again hotly contested. LeftLion was there to revel in all the music, and to see the winners crowned...

Transphoria: a community-led refuge for Nottingham's trans youth

It can be hard to find support and community as a young person, especially if you are gender diverse and your peers and family might be struggling to support or understand you. Social group Transphoria exists to tackle that issue, providing a safe and inclusive space for trans and/or gender diverse youth. Frances Danylec finds out more about the work that they do… 

Theatre Review: Smoke at Nottingham Playhouse

SMOKE is a new play from acclaimed queer theatre-maker Alexis Gregory whose work has appeared in the West End and internationally. Award-winning filmmaker Campbell X directs...

International movements, queer events, and classic film & music : Here's what's on in Nottingham this week, 22 - 28 June

The next week in Nottingham is jam-packed with events catering to all - including a play uplifting hidden voices in our community, two documentary screenings about critical movements, and a night of gothic drag bingo at Rough Trade. Here's our full list of things we'd recommend getting involved in.

Gig review: India Arkin, Dring and Emily Ashberry at The Grove

On the same evening that England were triumphant in their opening World Cup game against Croatia, tucked away in The Grove a magical evening of live music was taking place. Headlined by immensely talented, Bristol-based singer-songwriter India Arkin, with support from local artists Dring and Emily Ashberry, it marked the first Nottingham gig from promoter Music Observer, also known as LeftLion’s own Music Co-Editor, Phil Taylor. Here’s what went down…

Historian CJ DeBarra on their book Queer Nottingham 1991-2020

Journalist, author, historian, and LeftLion history editor CJ De Barra takes us back to Nottingham’s resilient queer scene from the 90s all the way through to surviving 2020, in their second archival history book Queer Nottingham. 

Book reviews: Nottingham City of Literature's Big City Reads giveaway 2026

Big City Reads is a free book giveaway campaign run by Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature to encourage reading for pleasure among young people in Notts. Returning for its fourth year, they’ll be giving away 2250 books this summer. Here, members of Nottingham City of Literature’s Youth Selection Panel have reviewed some of their favourites from the shortlist. 

Night Creatures Podcast #8: The Soul Buggin' crew on life as promoters, the vibrant Nottingham scene and things that wind 'em up

Night Creatures is a LeftLion podcast, shining a light on the promoters of Nottingham. Your host and interviewer is Beane, co-founder of Nottingham’s beloved Soul Buggin’ night and he brings with him two decades of experience of putting on great parties in the city...

Plays, classic films, and gigs in association with LeftLion: Here's what's on in Nottingham this week, 15 - 21 June

There's a lot to do this week in Nottingham, with a classic film shown in 35mm at the Savoy and local institution the Television Workshop showcasing a play about Notts County FC, among other options. Here's a few things we think are worth doing. 

In photos: Real Farmer at JT Soar, with Hard as Nails and Every Face Becomes A Skull

Under the microscope: who deserves to win NTU's Images of Research 2026?

Each year, the talented researchers at Nottingham Trent University are asked to capture their work in a single striking image for the Images of Research competition. Here's a look at the top finalists and how you can vote for whose work you think should win...

Silent storytime: Nottingham’s new book club trend

Nestled in the corner of a Beeston bar, surrounded by people eating or socialising over a pint, are a group of people sat silently with their heads in a book. They may look slightly out of place, but for these readers, that’s the draw of this book club with a difference. Sandish Shoker went along to find out more about the silent book clubs taking over Nottingham and their appeal.

Gig review: Finn Forster at The Bodega

Bryan Johnson, Sting, Neil Tennant, Little Mix, Cheryl, Sam Fender… the North-East is truly the musical gift that keeps on giving. It often leaves us asking, “Can there be any more phenomenal acts ready to join the hall of fame?” The answer is yes, and his name is Finn Forster. For anyone who missed out on his show at The Bodega, here’s why you need to grab tickets when he inevitably returns to Nottingham...

What to expect from the Nottingham Puppet Festival 2026

This summer will mark the fourth year of Nottingham Puppet Festival, and if you're yet to experience it, then you’re guaranteed a very memorable time. 

Nottingham Craft Beer Festival returns for 2026

Nottingham Craft Beer Festival returns to Sneinton Market Avenues for its eighth year. Over 5,000 attendees are expected across three sessions on Fri 19 and Sat 20 June 2026.

Gig review: Pigeon Pit and Cheap Dirty Horse at The Carousel

Britain and America’s ‘Special Relationship’ is currently strained on a geopolitical level, but in the folk-punk sphere, things have never been stronger. Washington’s Pigeon Pit and Nottingham’s own Cheap Dirty Horse have united for a joint-headline tour across the UK this month, and their evening at the Carousel was everything you would expect from the two bands: loud, bold, unapologetically pro-LGBT+, and above all, a lot of fun...

Gig review: Deadletter at Rescue Rooms, with Marvin's Revenge and RY-GUY

If there was any doubt that the Yorkshire band Deadletter have become one of the UK's most exciting live bands, their sold-out Rescue Rooms show on Friday night quickly changed the storytelling...