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Gig review: SPRINTS at Rock City, with Dog Race

With the memory of their standout Bodega show still fresh in our minds, there was no way we were going to miss SPRINTS' return to Nottingham. This time, Rock City was the venue for a milestone performance which defined the absolute best of the outspoken, anarchic, post-punk spirit...

Night Creatures Podcast #3: Killer Jim from Out To Lunch on 25 years of Northern soul, jazz funk and jazz dance events in Nottingham

Night Creatures is a new 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 over twenty years of experience of putting on great parties in the city.

Nottingham celebrates ten years as a UNESCO City of Literature with a spectacular gala on 1 December

In 2025, Nottingham turns the page on a remarkable chapter; ten years as a UNESCO City of Literature and the charity is throwing a party worthy of Nottingham’s words!

Gig review: Dekker at Rough Trade

Dekker is a Chicago born artist now settled in Nottingham where he is setting the local scene alight with his folky, indie vibe. At first listen Dekker is a throwback to the best of Jack Johnson with a laid back performance style but closer inspection of his lyrics reveal great introspection and vulnerability. Rough Trade proved the perfect setting for an intimate local show...

French post-punk, brew festivals, Disney on Ice and festive ballet: here's what's on in Notts this week 10-15 November 2025

This week, get yourself down to the Craft Brew Festival, enjoy some elegant post-punk covers, welcome Christmas in early with a ballet of A Christmas Carol, or skate down to Disney on Ice. Here are our top picks of the week....

Left Brian: November 2025 - A New Daw...Dyche!

Our Forest columnist Julie Pritchard, the creator of the classic nineties 'Brian' fanzine, is back to give her thoughts on the last month at the city ground. Strap yourself in! 

Gig review: As December Falls at Rock City

Rock City has long been home to some of the most legendary acts in music history — from Green Day to Nirvana — and countless artists have spoken fondly about their experiences playing its iconic stage. As November opened, it was time for another powerhouse to join that legacy: As December Falls...

Black Friday 2025: when it happens, what to buy, and how to get the best deals

Black Friday 2025 is around the corner with good prices without the hassle. If you’ve been eyeing a new phone, a living‑room TV, or a small appliance that makes everyday life easier, a bit of planning will help you buy calmly and confidently. Here’s a clear guide to make the most of the day without getting lost in the noise.

Theatre Review: Eureka Day at Nottingham Playhouse

Sam Harvey reviews Eureka Day at the Nottingham Playhouse - a satirical take on parenting in the modern US.

Nadia on... digital ID

In her monthly column, Nottingham East MP Nadia Whittome talks about the recent announcement of digital IDs in the UK.

Pick Six: Craig Proud of Nottingham print studio Dizzy Ink

For this month’s Pick Six we turn to Craig Proud of print studio Dizzy Ink, who hosts Notts Zine Fest on Saturday 8 November at the Central Library.

Rap artist JayaHadADream on her debut record and the Nottingham music scene

Since winning last year’s Glastonbury Festival Emerging Talent competition, things have only been on the up for Cambridge-via-Notts artist JayaHadADream. From collaborating with both local names and national heavyweights in dance music and hip hop, like Andy Zoutr, Gardna, and Flowdan, to receiving nods from the likes of Stormzy, there’s truly no stopping her. Wonderfully, she also got her start right here in Nottingham.

With her debut album Happiness From Agony now released, plus a Metronome show this month, she told us how life’s going at the moment.

LeftLion's Latest Listens #34: Notts music we're currently spinning

In this week's edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens, our music team reviews new releases from flöat, The Missing Diamonds, Emily Sanders, Di$mal and Lucy Crisp...

Journalist and author Frances Ryan on her new book and life as a woman with disabilities

Nottingham journalist and author Frances Ryan is Britain’s leading writer and activist for disabled people. She has spent years calling out reckless government policies and social ignorance towards disability, and been a beacon for people living with disabilities. This year she released a new book describing the daily differences of living with a disability. We caught up with her for a chat…

Gig review: The Last Dinner Party at The Level

Nottingham's Shakespeare Street is lined with hundreds of people dressed in long skirts, corsets and Victorian-esque clothing. Some wear hoodies with red embroidered writing that says From The Pyre. We know we're in the right place: The Level, where the incredible The Last Dinner Party are performing their latest album, released only a few days before...

Life behind bars: with Aimee Harbison-Roper, owner at the Barrel Drop

For this instalment of life behind bars we reached out to Aimee, who looks after Hurt's Yard's chill and homely boozer...

Dance Review: Northern Ballet - Merlin at the Theatre Royal

If you have a thing for modern musical theatre and have never been to a ballet, this might just be your gateway drug.

Rock group As December Falls talk their latest album and headlining Rock City

As December Falls are a gem of the UK alternative scene. Hailing from Nottingham, they have risen-up through the locals ranks to become a renowned name of heavy music on the national stage. Their new album, Everything’s On Fire But I’m Fine, is an honest and heartfelt look into their lives. To talk all about the new record, their upcoming homecoming at Rock City and what Nottingham means to them, frontwoman Bethany Curtis and lead guitarist Ande Hunter joined us over Zoom…

Ballet Black founder Cassa Pancho on growing an inclusive dance company and bringing it to Nottingham's Theatre Royal

Ballet Black was set up in 2001, in response to a lack of black and Asian dancers working in professional ballet across the UK. It has since emerged as a pivotal force in altering the landscape of British ballet. With a new show heading to Nottingham’s Theatre Royal this month, we put some questions to Ballet Black founder Cassa Pancho…

Gig review: Allo Darlin' at The Old Cold Store

A reunion of many, with the moon looking down on it all... LeftLion's Michael Prince found himself in awe and happiness as he witnessed the long-overdue return of indie-pop band Allo Darlin'...

All singing, all dancing: Here's what's on in Nottingham 13 - 19 October

There's plenty to do this week in Nottingham, whether you're flexing your singing muscles, enjoying some immersive theatre, or participating in the yearly Reclaim the Night march. Here are our Picks of the Week. 

How the NottAlone podcast is helping Nottingham musicians to discuss mental health

In an industry often defined by image, performance, and pressure, talking about mental health can feel daunting. But here in Nottingham, a community of musicians is breaking through that silence– and the NottAlone Podcast is giving them the space to do it...

Dancer Kevin Poeung talks Merlin, which headlines the Theatre Royal this month

Watching French dancer Kevin Poeung dazzle in the ballet Merlin (which this month plays at the Theatre Royal) it’s easy to overlook the hard work, sacrifice, and sheer tenacity it took him to reach the pinnacle of his career as a ballet dancer. He shares with Leftlion the milestones on his challenging journey…

Actor Matt Gavan gives the inside scoop on Nottingham Playhouse's new play Eureka Day

Matt Gavan has acted in big hitting films and series like Christopher Robin, Masters of the Air and Pennyworth. But now he is treading the boards in Nottingham Playhouse's new comedy Eureka Day. Leftlion caught up with Matt on day two of rehearsals... 

Gig review: Daudi Matsiko at Metronome

The one-and-only “King of Misery” Daudi Matsiko moved us all with his heartfelt music, latest stories, mental health activism and his award-winning personality during a magical evening at Nottingham’s Metronome…