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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...

Future Sound of Nottingham 2026: chatting to the finalists

Future Sound of Nottingham is back again and provides you with a rare chance to go to Rock City for free (no ticket required). If you’re unaware of how it works, seven of the city’s artists and bands play Rock City’s main stage through one night, competing before a judging panel for the chance to play Wollaton Park’s Splendour Festival, in the summer. Here's what some of the finalists had to say... 

Interview: Alexis Gregory in Smoke, a queer thriller at Nottingham Playhouse

Smoke is a new play from acclaimed queer theatre-maker Alexis Gregory coming to Nottingham this month. As well as a hard-hitting, savage, comic-thriller, a panel follows the play, hosted by You Are Loved and exploring issues from the play. LeftLion speaks to Alexis about social media, drugs, homophobia and much more...    

Comedy Review: Danny Bhoy at the Nottingham Playhouse

A veteran comic’s vibrant victory lap at the Nottingham Playhouse has the audience smiling...

Free entry to Rock City and Nottingham painted red: Here's what's on this week 8-14 June

Live music, free exhibitions and artistic workshops, here's what's happening in Nottingham this week. 

LeftLion's Latest Listens #46: Notts music we're currently spinning

In edition 46 of LeftLion's Latest Listens, our music team reviews new releases from ALT BLK ERA, JJ Lovegrove, Margo Pelto and Vona Vella ...

Nottingham Poetry Festival 2026: top picks from the program

Nottingham Poetry Festival kicks off tomorrow with a 10 day city takeover. Catch shows from Brian Bilston, John Hegley, Yomi Sode, Henry Normal, Vanessa Kisuule and Nottingham’s own Nature Poet Laureate Cara Thompson. It’s a packed programme, so here's some top picks from their co-founder Henry Normal, director Tommy Rosley, and creative director Alma Solarte-Tobon...

Gig review: Sugar at Rock City

A three-decade hiatus seemed to dissolve into sweet nothing as Sugar claimed the Rock City stage once again. Bob Mould, Malcolm Travis and David Barbe presenting something much more than a nostalgia trip, adding energy, humour and volume into the mix...

Nadia on... renters' rights

Nottingham East MP Nadia Whittome discusses the improvements the Labour government have made to renters' rights and what more needs to be done...

Gig review: Los Campesinos! at Rescue Rooms

Twenty years ago, the UK music scene was first introduced to Los Campesinos! - a band of youths coming out of the dormitories of Cardiff University with their own unique brand of twee indie. Two decades, seven albums, and well over 500 shows across the world later, ‘the UK’s first and only emo band’ have come back to Nottingham for the fourth time...