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Locating Lawrence: October 1924

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

Refreshing research: How Co(l)laboratory is putting communities at the front of the academic field

Nottingham boasts two top universities, but how often do most of us come across their work? Who is able to decide what gets researched, and what tangible results does it all deliver for local people? We find out more about Universities for Nottingham’s Co(l)laboratory project, which aims to close the gap between academia and communities.

Queer Up Duck! New LGBTQ+ Arts Festival Takes Over Nottingham

A brand new LGBTQ+ Arts Festival is taking place across Nottingham from 21 October to 2 November, celebrating the diversity and creativity of LGBTQ+ artists and communities. We took a closer look at some highlights of this very special celebration of queer arts and culture. 

Writing while Muslim: writer and activist A.M. Dassu on her upcoming panel

Award-winning Midlands writer and activist A.M. Dassu is heading to Nottingham to present her panel, Writing while Muslim, at Nottingham Central Library. We got the scoop behind her inspiring journey…

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...

Hockley Hustle: 10 Acts You Can't Afford to Miss

Hockley Hustle, Nottingham’s beloved multi-venue music and arts festival, will return with its usual dose of chaos, creativity, and community spirit this weekend. Over the years, it’s become a must-attend event in the city’s cultural calendar, taking over the bars, pubs, and streets of Hockley for a full day of live music, art, and charity fundraising. What started as a grassroots initiative in 2006 has blossomed into a vibrant showcase for local talent, with artists spanning genres from indie and hip-hop to jazz and grime, rubbing shoulders with some of the best up-and-coming talent in the East Midlands.

From local legends making waves on the national scene to fresh talent ready to blow your socks off, 2024’s edition promises a mix of sounds as eclectic as the city itself.  With this year’s event just around the corner, we’ve scoured the line-up to bring you 10 of the acts you absolutely can’t afford to miss this year...

Gig review: Circle of Light album launch at Fishergate Point

The award-winning creative collective Circle of Light took over Fishergate Point on World Mental Health Day 2024 to celebrate the launch of their fifth album, COL5...

We met local Reggae and Dub royalty Quantro Tone Sound System

One of Notts first sound systems and originally called Iron City, Quantro Tone Sound System started as a hobby for nine bored young friends. They went on to support some iconic names in Reggae and Dub, from Don Sinclair to The Mighty Diamonds, and perform in cities across the country. On the day of their fifty year anniversary celebration at St Ann’s, we heard more from them about that golden era and how they’ve maintained their strong friendships over the decades. 

The original members were Lenny, Robert, Kenneth, Leslie, Colin, Winston, and Eric as Iron City. Later, they were Quantro with Keith and Johnny. The 'box men' and bouncers were Desmond, Brown, Austin, Fisherman and Devon with Mr Brown and Trevor Mitchell acting as the trusty van drivers.

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...

Theatre Review: Rotten at the Playhouse

Something at the Playhouse is rotten. Cue a sell-out production of social media influencers and nasty case of blackmail...

Gig review: Snayx at The Bodega

Hard-working, noisy but relentlessly proficient: Snayx have a fearsome reputation. Their set at The Bodega, partnering with Safe Gigs for Women, was characteristically respectful if very sweaty...

In photos: Good Neighbours at The Bodega

Paul Smith, Horror films, Hockley Hustle, Veggie food and KittyArama: Here's what's on this week in Nottingham: 14-20 October 2024

There's so much happening in Nottingham this week, we couldn't narrow it down! Enjoy some horror movies, gigs galore, hear from Notts fashion legend Paul Smith and lots more.

Concert Review: Steeleye Span at the Playhouse

After fifty-five years of gold discs and international tours, folk rockers Steeleye Span are taking their music back on the road. Andrew McCartney reviews their performance at the Nottingham Playhouse... 

Comfort, colour and joy: we spoke to Megan Crook about her clothing empire

Among the array of shop fronts in Sneinton Market, one you are not likely to miss is the vividly colourful Megan Crook. In addition to The Textile Guru, her separate fabric and haberdashery store, Megan Crook designs, sews and sells her own range of vibrant and quirky clothing, with a focus on inclusivity, sustainability and fun. We went along to chat to Megan to hear more…

Out of Time: The wartime kitchen that sprung up on Broad Street

Broad Street has been the heart of Hockley for several decades since Broadway Cinema opened in 1990. Today its surrounding businesses offer a diverse range of cuisine for those looking for some tasty snap. However, the space itself has played a bigger part in the community for far longer; CJ De Barra takes us back to the Second World War, when the site was a communal kitchen to feed the hungry during difficult times.

"Rough sleeping is the tip of the homelessness iceberg": Framework tell us about their urgent winter appeal on World Homelessness Day

Notts based charity Framework have launched an urgent winter appeal for funds, closely following the premiere of homelessness documentary Someone's Daughter, Someone's Son, by Lorna Tucker, at Broadway Cinema. We heard more from Claire Eden, Head of Fundraising and Communications at Framework, and Sam Lanes, Manager of Street Outreach, about the challenges that the charity are facing and the help that they need to tackle them. 

Comedy Review: Nish, Don't Kill My Vibe

Nish Kumar returns to the Playhouse and the blade of his wit is sharper than ever...

Gig review: Fairground Attraction at The Royal Concert Hall

Oasis aren’t the only band reuniting; Fairground Attraction are back together after a whopping 34 years apart. LeftLion caught their Royal Concert Hall show and discovered a reborn band working together in joyous harmony...

Seann Walsh moves from stand-up to drama in this new play at the Theatre Royal

Comedian Seann Walsh has made a name for himself in the world of stand-up. But will his move to acting be stand out?

Gig review: Tusks at The Bodega

Emily Underhill's Tusks has taken on a wonderful life of its own, an excitingly atmospheric project which enthralls in recorded form. At her first headline gig in Nottingham, her music proved captivating - even on a Monday...

Punks and weirdos: Celebrating 15 Years of studio and performance venue JT Soar

From the headquarters of a fruit and vegetable wholesaler near Sneinton Market to one of Nottingham’s best loved recording studios and truly intimate, DIY music venues - it’s been quite a journey for JT Soar. 

When Phil Booth and his business partner Nick first took over the space at number 2 Aberdeen Street, they saw beyond an empty concrete room with metal grilles and a scooter garage next door. Their vision was to create something truly special: a recording studio, rehearsal and gig space, with a truly barrier-free ethos in all senses of the word.

Now fifteen years later, JT Soar celebrates its decade-and-a-half anniversary since it first opened its doors, marking the occasion with a “two-day, one stage, all killer-no filler line-up” of some of Phil Booth’s favourite bands. Ahead of what is being billed as ‘JT Soar Fest’, we asked staff, promoters, bands and community members to share their favourite memories of JT Soar, and outline what makes it so special.

Joker: Folie a Deux Review

"I’m not sure whether it was the intention of Todd Phillips, director of Joker: Folies a Deux, for audience members to leave the cinema laughing somewhat maniacally just as the title character does, but I certainly did."

Gig review: Seas of Mirth at The Old Bus Depot

For one night only, The Old Bus Depot was transformed into a neon-lit sub-aquatic world of wonder, as genre-blending independent band Seas of Mirth made their incomparable mark. LeftLion's Lewis Oxley dived in...