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Gig review: The Backseat Lovers at Rescue Rooms

After a two-year hiatus, The Backseat Lovers performed a sold-out show at Nottingham's Rescue Rooms where the energy of the crowd proved testament to the impact this four-piece from Utah have had on their devoted fans. We joined the revellers at the packed out venue for a memorable Monday night...

Festival frenzy: Here's what's on this week in Nottingham, 7 July -13 July

This week in Nottingham, we find ourselves well-and-truly in festival season, as big music, art, and culture events take over the city centre and suburbs further afield. Meanwhile, there'll be some bluesy riffs blaring out of The Bodega on Friday night, while from Thursday to Saturday two Nottingham legends bid goodbye to their legendary, career-long partnership...

LeftLion's Latest Listens #25: Notts music we're currently spinning

In this edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens, our music team reviews new releases from Parisa East, Torn Sail, Those Once Loyal and Mollie Ralph...

We celebrate one year of The Grove with the team that have made it a creative hub for local music

Proving that you don’t need a big budget to make a big impact, The Grove is built by gig-goers, run by musicians, and powered by the scene. It may be small in size, but Talia Robinson discovers that it’s massive in heart, helping local artists record, perform, and find their place in Nottingham’s ever-growing music family... 

Left Magpie July 2025: Going to the Match with Stuart Maynard, Martin Paterson and LS Lowry

Our monthly Notts County column is back after a hiatus and now penned by Julian McDougall, formerly of the beloved Notts County fanzine The Pie and currently of the excellent When Saturday Comes magazine. Here he muses about the appointment of Martin Paterson and the nature of supporters in the “Lowry-esque’ setting of Meadow Lane...

Cherelle Fulton tells us about Behind Closed Doors: a program spotlighting creative women in Notts

Over at New Art Exchange, Behind Closed Doors is creating a new space for women in the creative industries to connect, collaborate and reshape the scene in Nottingham. Co-ordinator Cherelle Fulton discusses what fuelled her projects, including live music night Can’t Stand The Rain, the importance of community and connectivity, and creating safe spaces for women.

In photos: Vee Adu at The Old Bus Depot, with SUNIQ and Rowan Holly

Rebirth and redemption: we reunite with local singer Whycliffe as he prepares for a return to music

It was 21 years ago that I first got to know Donovan Whycliffe Bramwell. I was working an office job in the Lace Market and would often see him in the street, looking dishevelled and asking people for money. Like most people I’d usually try to avoid such lunch-break encounters, but one day someone told me this man had once been a famous singer. It was a year after we’d launched LeftLion and I was interested in stories like this…

Flamboyant theatre, nature documentaries, comedy by a castle and up and coming Notts music: here's what's on 30 June - 6 July 2025

This week in Notts... check out flamboyant theatre, thought provoking film, up and coming Notts music, vegan food and a comedy night by a castle.

“Not behind a tree, I wouldn’t do that”: Overheard in Notts June 2025

Banksy, beavers and nine thousand pound fish all feature in this month's Overheard in Notts - 

LeftLion Issue #185 July 2025

The July edition of LeftLion features the rebirth of Whycliffe, the Pride Shop, Torvill and Dean, I'm Not From London and the Waterfront Festival, The Grove, a new exhibition about trees at Nottingham Castle and lots more...

Festival review: LeftLion at Download Festival 2025

Rock and metal fans from around the world descended again on Donington Park – just a short drive from Nottingham – for the ultimate celebration of rock music. LeftLion's Natalie Owen was right there in the thick of it, soaking up the chaos, the riffs, and the raw energy of Download Festival – a true titan of the UK festival scene. Here's how it went down...

Music Review: The Sound of Springsteen at the Nottingam Playhouse

If any further evidence was required to confirm the sheer commitment to worshipping at the church of The Boss, then look no further than the Playhouse on Saturday night...

Indie rock, surrealism, and charity football: Here's what's on in Nottingham, 23 -29 June

Whether you're a gig-goer, someone interested in experimental art, or just searching for something for your whole family to do, there'll be something for you in Nottingham this week.

In photos: Bright Eyes at Rock City

LeftLion's Latest Listens #24: Notts music we're currently spinning

In the latest edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens for 2025, our music team reviews new releases from Cappo, Dorothy Ella. GIRLBAND!, The Doctor's Orders Collective and We Are Sovereign...

Gig review: Tim Minchin at the Royal Concert Hall

There are few plaudits that haven’t been thrown Tim Minchin’s way. The wizard of wordsmithery has found his way into every corner of live performance, whether that be composing and writing for award winning musicals, taking to the stage and screen as an actor or touring his own extensive back catalogue of music. Simply put, within the performing arts bubble he’s done it all. And now he's graced the stage of our city's own Royal Concert Hall...

Gig review: Shonen Knife at Rescue Rooms

It was a welcome return to Nottingham for Shonen Knife and their brand of punk rock / rock- and-roll rockabilly, with a coordinated cosmos of colour as always...

Our June cover artist Lily Keogh talks festivals and perfectionism

This month’s cover artist Lily Keogh talks about festivals, neurodivergence and perfectionism.

Gig review: Jadu Heart at Rescue Rooms

It’s been a busy year for Jadu Heart. Hot on the heels of the release of their fourth record, and following an extended jaunt across the US with recent Nottingham Arena fillers - and one of the biggest bands in the world right now - Fontaines DC, they find themselves packing out Rescue Rooms as part of their own headline UK tour...

Gig review: BBC Introducing East Midlands Showcase at Metronome

BBC Introducing returned to Nottingham's Metronome with a fresh showcase of local talent, expertly curated by East Midlands legend Dean Jackson. This edition featured SPLIT, Manye Fi, Harry Lyon and Drew Thomas...

Pride celebrations, live music and Craft Beer Festival: Here's what's on in Nottingham 16 - 22 June 2025

This week is a great one for music in Notts, with both Bright Eyes and Patrick Wolf performing in the city. There's also Pride celebrations at Broadway Cinema and the return of the Craft Beer Festival. Here's our top picks...

Gig review: Foxing at Rescue Rooms

Hot off the tails of their fifth self-titled album, which was released late last year, Foxing, the quartet skirting from Missouri, bring their cult-cuts to the East Midlands. They were ably supported by local alt-rock group, Fallowed...

Gig review: AC/DC UK at Rescue Rooms

AC/DC UK kept a packed Rescue Rooms rocking all night long with a thoroughly convincing set featuring many of AC/DC’s greatest anthems, complete with a spectacular exploding cannons finale...

Classical Music Concert: Candlelight's Tribute to Fleetwood Mac at the National Justice Museum

In the pews of a Victorian courtroom, we hear the music of Fleetwood Mac like
never before...