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We chat with Rob Green about music, musicals, and the value of the grassroots

Uplifting alt soul-pop Notts sensation Rob.Green is back and has dialled everything to the absolute max - bringing the emotion, fierce hyped energy and brand-new music for his first ever headline UK tour, which kicks off at Saltbox on 20th March. Rob shared his infectious joy with us in a conversation covering the tour, his collaboration with Cassell the Beatmaker, his ventures into musicals, and the value of grassroots venues...

Theatre maker Natalie Bellingham brings her one woman show to Nottingham

Ahead of her upcoming solo performance at Lakeside Arts, where comedy meets life’s biggest transitions, Emma Oldham caught up with Natalie Bellingham to uncover the hidden layers behind Look After Your Knees...

Pick Six: Rastarella Music Programmer & Community Engagement Expert at Cultural Vibrations (Unity Through Music)

For this month’s Pick Six, we spoke to Rastarella - Music Programmer & Community Engagement Expert at Cultural Vibrations (Unity Through Music) and Radio Host at 97.5 Kemet Fm. Rastarella will oversee the music programming at this month’s Ay-Up Market.

Gig review: Vazum at The Chapel, with Stained Glass and City Flowers

Travelling all the way from Detroit, rock duo Vazum are welcomed warmly to Nottingham's upper room venue, The Chapel. With two rapidly rising local groups in support, the result was an atmospheric and intoxicating night of incredible music...

Film Review: Heart Eyes

A horror comedy that slices into your brain right from the opening scene…

We chat to Wille Edwards of Wille and the Bandits ahead of their Bodega show

Wille and the Bandits hail from Cornwall, playing rock and blues which they have reinvented in their own innovative style, pushing the boundaries of the genre for a whole new generation. After an extensive European tour in 2024, the band are embarking on a UK tour visiting 18 venues and kicking off in March: just a couple of days in, they will visit The Bodega. We spoke with founder Wille Edwards about the new tour, the band’s music, influences and lots more...

From Masterchef to Market Street: Vanilla Bean bakery and café opens in Bingham

Opened by former MasterChef contestant Amy Vyse, Vanilla Bean is an artisan bakery, café and patisserie in Bingham, which doubles as the new residence for popular Nottingham supper club Incognito Club. Lucy Campion, food co-editor, chatted to Amy about her culinary journey so far and tried a selection of the baked goods on offer.

Gig review: High Vis at Rescue Rooms

Following on from their third studio album Guided Tour, which was well-received by fans and critics alike, High Vis threw down a marker at Nottingham's Rescue Rooms. Arguably one of the most enigmatic hardcore punk/rock groups on the live circuit at the moment, the second date on their tour saw the rock five-piece hit the East Midlands with a headline show too hard to forget...

Boxing’s Backbone: Dalton Smith vs Walid Ouizza - the domestic scene must thrive beyond Riyadh season

What did Motorpoint Arena Nottingham and Las Vegas have in common in January? Well, both played host to Matchroom Boxing’s ground-breaking ‘Two shows. One night'; a twelve-hour display of championship boxing, involving some of Eddie Hearn’s biggest talents. Who’d have thought ‘ay, Vegas - the fighting capital of the world - and little old Notts’. 

Gig review: Blue Violet at Rough Trade

As a winter storm raged outside, Blue Violet kept us warm at Rough Trade with a sultry, stripped-back show to launch their sophomore album...

Classical concert: Sinfonia Viva at the Royal Concert Hall

This matinee concert brings three distinctive voices from Eastern Europe to Nottingham...

Out of Time: When David Lynch visited Nottingham’s Goose Fair Seeking Carnival Freaks

David Lynch, the visionary American filmmaker died on 15 January 2025. A little known fact is that in the late 1970s Lynch visited Nottingham’s Goose Fair looking for inspiration and cast members for his film The Elephant Man…

Wallce and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl

Fetch your wensleydale, crackers, and cup of tea and join us as we review the latest Wallace and Gromit...

LeftLion Interviews Podcast #8: George Akins on Rock City, Beat The Streets, Thekla, Dot To Dot, Massive Attack and 30 years working in live music

A bonus eighth episode  talking with the most influential man in the Nottingham music scene, George Akins; owner of DHP Family, Rock City, Rescue Rooms, Bodega, Stealth, Splendour Festival, Dot To Dot and more...

In photos: Michael Head and The Red Elastic Band at Rescue Rooms, with Jack Valero and Woo

LeftLion Interviews Podcast #7: Chanel Cresswell on This Is England, Shane Meadows, Guy Ritchie, Colleen Rooney, Winning a BAFTA and more.

Our seventh episode is an interview with BAFTA-winning actor and Television Workshop alumnus Chanel Cresswell... 

Gig review: Victory Lap at The Bodega

It was a night of diverse sounds and dynamic performances at The Bodega, with relative newcomers Victory Lap headlining an evening that also featured two exceptional support acts: Leeds-based Prima Star Power and well-known local group Grain Mother…

Gig review: Echobelly at Metronome, with Blue Violet

It might have been 30 years since they released their debut album Everyone's Got One, but Echobelly are still going stronger - perhaps stronger than ever. With iconic vocalist Sonya Madan leading, they played to a fully packed Metronome Nottingham, and we were there to see the action...

We chat to Becky Unthank about winter, family and the Northern weather

Ahead of their headline show in Nottingham, Becky Unthank talks with Michael Prince about In Winter, the new album from The Unthanks. Together, they delve into tales as old as time...

We chat to Warren Ireland about life, music and local legends

Dan Bonnington caught up with local artist and ex-busker Warren Ireland, to talk about his musical inspirations, his influences and supporters, and just what makes Nottingham so special...

Notts indie crooners Victory Lap talk inspirations, origins, and finding their sound

Victory Lap are undeniably one of Nottingham’s breakout bands of 2024. Prior to their debut EP Torch Songs, which was released in July, they were already making waves. But now, they have reached new heights, with an upcoming UK headline tour in the diary - including a show at Nottingham’s very own The Bodega. We chat to Tomas Ponting and James Denham about the band’s early origins, how they found their signature sound, and a suspicious new Fanta flavour which has emerged onto shelves…

Interview: Barnaby Blackburn on his new short 'Pylon'

We chat to Barnaby Blackburn about his new Bafta-qualified short film, Pylon. 

Buy: Overheard In Notts (Vol 6): Artificially Unintelligent

We like to think that Christmas isn’t Christmas without a bit of Overheard in Notts in it. Thus we are happy to announce the arrival of our latest book baby...

We talk to Blue Violet ahead of their Metronome Nottingham show with Echobelly

With a new album due in January and in the thick of a support tour with Echobelly, indie alternative duo Blue Violet have a lot to be excited about. We caught up with them ahead of their gig at Metronome...

From West-African Funk to deep house yoga parties: Here's what's on this week in Nottingham 18-24 November

Whether you're chasing the party or settling in for a cosy winter, this week, Nottingham has it all. With Reggae taking over the Motorpoint Arena and meditative yoga and deep house over at The Hidden Warehouse, there's certainly something for everyone.