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Gig review: Public Service Broadcasting at Rock City

You hear it about lots of bands: that their live show is “unrivalled”. Sometimes it is, sometimes it’s a bit of hyperbole. However, in the case of musical historians Public Service Broadcasting (PSB), this praise is fully warranted. With a 7-piece band playing accomplished art-rock and electronica to a backdrop of archive footage, PSB truly offer a one-of-a-kind live experience. To witness it for ourselves, we headed down to catch their fourth visit to Rock City…

Gig review: Peter Hook & The Light at Rock City

It’s been seven years since the legendary Peter Hook last brought his Substance tour to Nottingham, playing the best of both New Order and Joy Division. With that 2017 show being such a memorable night last time around, we just had to head down to Rock City to catch Hooky & Co playing a mammoth set of all the classics once again...

Locating Lawrence: October 1924

Lawrence feels the urge to head southwards to Mexico where a mammoth drinking session awaits him.

Gig review: Cardinal Black at Rock City

They may have taken the scenic route but Cardinal Black are finally here, and they’ve got plenty of stories to tell on the Rock City stage...

Gig review: Punk Rock Factory at Rock City

At the LeftLion office, it's no secret that Head Designer Natalie Owen is a rock music enthusiast and a massive Disney fan. So, when we heard that Punk Rock Factory, a rock band known for their Disney covers, were coming to Nottingham, there was only one choice to review the gig...

Gig review: Jet at Rock City

Celebrating 21 years of debut album Get Born, Jet landed at Rock City to prove exactly why their songs have such long-lasting appeal...

We spoke to 80s post-punk legend Peter Hook, ahead of his gig at Rock City

The term legend can be thrown around a lot in music nowadays, but only a select few truly deserve the tag. From his iconic basslines to his enduring work with Joy Division and New Order,  Peter Hook is one-such artist. As he sets his sights on a return to Nottingham to play New Order’s Substance albums in full, we had a whirlwind chat with Hooky about his life in music.

Gig review: Apocalyptica at Rock City

Back in 1996, Finnish metal outfit and classically trained cellists Apocalyptica made a name for themselves by playing Metallica’s music through their revolutionary and mightily impressive string arrangements. Now almost 30 years and 10 albums later, they have returned to play Metallica’s greatest hits once again in their own unique style. To witness this one-of-a-kind event, we headed down to catch their show at Rock City…

Gig review: Wunderhorse at Rock City

Nottingham’s Rock City played host to a night of raw energy and exceptional musicianship, headlined by Wunderhorse with support from London-based HighSchool. It’s soon to say, but it might just be a contender for gig of the year…

We speak with Wunderhorse about life, Rock City and everything in between

If you’re looking for a fresh and fast-rising guitar band to get excited about, look no further than Newquay-formed quartet Wunderhorse, who released their acclaimed second album Midas back in August. Ahead of a sold-out headline show at Rock City this month, we spoke to frontman Jacob Slater about the ethos behind the record and his past experiences playing live in Notts.

Gig review: Frank Carter and the Sex Pistols at Rock City

Expectations were high as Frank Carter took to the stage at Rock City with one of the most legendary acts of all time - the Sex Pistols - for what proved to be the ultimate punk reunion...

In photos: Boston Manor at Rock City, with Trophy Eyes and Split Chain

Riding high on the wave of fifth album Sundiver, Boston Manor arrived at Rock City to play a blistering set. Support from Ozzie punk rockers Trophy Eyes and genre-blenders Split Chain made the night one to remember...

We talk to Boston Manor about chart success and Nottingham memories

Experienced Blackpool-based rockers Boston Manor have recently released their fifth album, but success still brings them joy and surprise. We spoke with vocalist Henry Cox as the band waited for news of Sundiver's chart position, and prepared to lift the roof off Rock City...

In photos: The Plot In You at Rock City

Gig review: American Football at Rock City

25 years ago, four friends from Champaign, Illinois formed a band, made a record together and then headed off to college - not once thinking of the potential impact of their music. Little did they know that album would go on to become a seminal masterpiece, one that would inspire a whole genre, as well as a new generation of artists and legions of fans all around the globe. Now travelling the world in 2024 celebrating that album’s quarter century, American Football stopped by Rock City to play their iconic LP1 in full…

Gig review: Fat Freddy's Drop at Rock City

New Zealand seven-piece Fat Freddy's Drop are renowned for their live energy and eclectic style. When they made a visit to Rock City recently, who better to send down to see them than super-fan LeftLion staffer Adam Pickering. He had no regrets...

Rock City gives Lemmy a new home

The roar of engines and unmistakeable smell of petrol fumes signalled the arrival of a Harley Davidson convoy descending on Nottingham’s Talbot Street last night, as the ashes of Lemmy Kilmister of celebrated band Motörhead were delivered to Rock City...

Big City Reads book reviews: Seven Million Sunflowers

Through July, we've been publishing book reviews from local young people, as part of Nottingham City of Literature's campaign to give out thousands of free books. To finish this series, Ukrainian NTU graduate Anastasiia Denysiv reviews Seven Million Sunflowers by Malcolm Duffy, a story about the Russia-Ukraine conflict to which Anastasiia reflects upon her personal connection. 

Big City Reads book reviews: Electric Life

For the third instalment of our Big City Reads reviews - part of a campaign run by Nottingham City of Literature to provide free books for local young people - Mia gives us her thoughts on Electric Life by Rachel Delahaye. A gripping science-fiction tale, the book according to Mia well and truly allows the reader to escape into another world.

Big City Reads book reviews: Stand Up Ferran Burke

Books can be the spark that makes us want to know more, and according to young reader Kelsi, Steven Camden’s “astounding” Stand Up Ferran Burke is one of them. Here’s Kelsi’s review, as part of Big City Reads - a campaign ran by Nottingham City of Literature to get thousands of free books in the hands and hearts of local young people.

Gig review: The Gaslight Anthem at Rock City

On the day when the whole city and country were somewhere watching the England vs Netherlands Euros semi-final, American rockers The Gaslight Anthem had the unenviable task of performing to 2,000 mildly distracted punters at Rock City. Taking the challenge firmly in their stride (and the result thankfully going England’s way), it made for a memorable night like no other in Nottingham’s most iconic music venue…

Competition: Big City Reads - win an original artwork by author and illustrator Tyrell Waiters

Nottingham City of Literature's Big City Reads campaign is underway, giving away thousands of free books to young people in the city. We're teaming up to give away one amazing prize. Read on...

Big City Reads book reviews: Vern: Custodian of the Universe

Big City Reads is a campaign ran by Nottingham City of Literature to get thousands of free books in the hands and hearts of local young people. There are four different books on offer, so we asked young people to write a review of each one. Here, Daniella Hoyland gives us her thoughts on Vern: Custodian of the Universe.

Faced With Library Closures, Council Launches Consultation

Aspley, Basford, Bilborough and Radford-Lenton library are all on the chopping block. Don't miss the chance to have your say...

Gig review: The Breeders at Rock City

Returning to Rock City after more than 30 years, The Breeders proved they've lost none of their dynamism. The show attracted old and new fans alike, and LeftLion was keen to get in on the action...