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Flamboyant theatre, nature documentaries, comedy by a castle and up and coming Notts music: here's what's on 30 June - 6 July 2025

This week in Notts... check out flamboyant theatre, thought provoking film, up and coming Notts music, vegan food and a comedy night by a castle.

Festival review: LeftLion at Download Festival 2025

Rock and metal fans from around the world descended again on Donington Park – just a short drive from Nottingham – for the ultimate celebration of rock music. LeftLion's Natalie Owen was right there in the thick of it, soaking up the chaos, the riffs, and the raw energy of Download Festival – a true titan of the UK festival scene. Here's how it went down...

Music Review: The Sound of Springsteen at the Nottingam Playhouse

If any further evidence was required to confirm the sheer commitment to worshipping at the church of The Boss, then look no further than the Playhouse on Saturday night...

In photos: Bright Eyes at Rock City

Breaking Bread: charity FoodCycle talk promoting communal eating in Nottinghamshire

A keystone of human culture since the dawn of time, communal eating is underpinned by ideals of compassion, connection, and care for those in our community. FoodCycle, a nationwide charity with three branches in Nottinghamshire, provides just that and more. Frances Danylec went to one of their weekly dinners to see what was on the menu, and how the charity tackles food waste, poverty and loneliness.

LeftLion's Latest Listens #24: Notts music we're currently spinning

In the latest edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens for 2025, our music team reviews new releases from Cappo, Dorothy Ella. GIRLBAND!, The Doctor's Orders Collective and We Are Sovereign...

Gig review: Tim Minchin at the Royal Concert Hall

There are few plaudits that haven’t been thrown Tim Minchin’s way. The wizard of wordsmithery has found his way into every corner of live performance, whether that be composing and writing for award winning musicals, taking to the stage and screen as an actor or touring his own extensive back catalogue of music. Simply put, within the performing arts bubble he’s done it all. And now he's graced the stage of our city's own Royal Concert Hall...

Gig review: Shonen Knife at Rescue Rooms

It was a welcome return to Nottingham for Shonen Knife and their brand of punk rock / rock- and-roll rockabilly, with a coordinated cosmos of colour as always...

Our June cover artist Lily Keogh talks festivals and perfectionism

This month’s cover artist Lily Keogh talks about festivals, neurodivergence and perfectionism.

"You okay mate?" The Notts pub that’s getting men talking about their feelings

The national mental health crisis and its profound effect on men is a phenomenon widely talked about that lots of people have posed different solutions to. In Sneinton Market however, LeftLion neighbours The Fox and Grapes pub are tackling the problem in a concise and simple way, inviting local blokes into the space to openly chat about whatever might be bothering them. Matteo D’Alesio went down to speak to the team about how to Get Men Talking…

Gig review: Jadu Heart at Rescue Rooms

It’s been a busy year for Jadu Heart. Hot on the heels of the release of their fourth record, and following an extended jaunt across the US with recent Nottingham Arena fillers - and one of the biggest bands in the world right now - Fontaines DC, they find themselves packing out Rescue Rooms as part of their own headline UK tour...

Gig review: BBC Introducing East Midlands Showcase at Metronome

BBC Introducing returned to Nottingham's Metronome with a fresh showcase of local talent, expertly curated by East Midlands legend Dean Jackson. This edition featured SPLIT, Manye Fi, Harry Lyon and Drew Thomas...

Pride celebrations, live music and Craft Beer Festival: Here's what's on in Nottingham 16 - 22 June 2025

This week is a great one for music in Notts, with both Bright Eyes and Patrick Wolf performing in the city. There's also Pride celebrations at Broadway Cinema and the return of the Craft Beer Festival. Here's our top picks...

Gig review: Foxing at Rescue Rooms

Hot off the tails of their fifth self-titled album, which was released late last year, Foxing, the quartet skirting from Missouri, bring their cult-cuts to the East Midlands. They were ably supported by local alt-rock group, Fallowed...

Gig review: AC/DC UK at Rescue Rooms

AC/DC UK kept a packed Rescue Rooms rocking all night long with a thoroughly convincing set featuring many of AC/DC’s greatest anthems, complete with a spectacular exploding cannons finale...

Classical Music Concert: Candlelight's Tribute to Fleetwood Mac at the National Justice Museum

In the pews of a Victorian courtroom, we hear the music of Fleetwood Mac like
never before...

Poetry Festival, indie music and Shakespeare: Here's whats on in Nottingham 9 - 15 June 2025

There's loads of events happening this week in Notts. We have the start of the Poetry festival, a re-invention of Hamlet, a indie music market and a live podcast event from Scummy Mummies...

Gig review: The Get Up Kids at Rescue Rooms

The Get Up Kids graced Nottingham’s Rescue Rooms in a flurry of guitars and emotions on Wednesday evening. The room was full to the brim with long term fans, and the air buzzed with excitement...

LeftLion's Latest Listens #23: Notts music we're currently spinning

In this week's edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens, we review new releases from Lucy Crisp, Pretty Windows and Rhythm Eaters...

Gig review: Penfriend at Rough Trade

Laura Kidd, aka Penfriend, returned to the stage for the first time in several years, finding an appreciative audience at Rough Trade. What followed was a very special night...

Classical Music Review: The Hallé with Kahchun Wong at the Royal Concert Hall

With Sir Mark Elder stepping down from the conductor's podium, the music world has been buzzing with who would be the new frontman at Hallé. Well, the answer is here in the shape of Kahchun Wong. So how does he shape up?  

Brewery round table: Blue Monkey, Bang The Elephant and Liquid Light talk all things ale ahead of Nottingham Craft Beer Festival

Nottingham Craft Beer Festival takes over Sneinton Market Avenues on 20-21 June for three sessions of great beer, live music, street food and more. To celebrate the occasion we put some questions to three of Nottingham’s finest breweries who are all holding stalls at the event. Our interviewees are Ian Wesley of Blue Monkey, Thom Stone of Liquid Light, and Michael Shipman of Bang The Elephant…

The Official LeftLion Guide To 2025 Festival Season

Can you hear that? It’s finally in the air – instruments reverberating across wide open fields, the chimes of communities singing and laughing together, the sound of footsteps as friends stumble back to their tents or homes, ready to do it all over again the next day, or the following weekend. That’s right, the 2025 summer festival season is finally here, and with the return of Splendour Festival right here in Nottingham, it’s shaping up to be a big one!

To give you the lowdown, here’s our ultimate guide to the best local festivals taking place in the city of Nottingham and the surrounding areas over the next few months…

Gig review: Little Simz at The Level

It’s not every day that genuine rap royalty drops into town. However, with highly anticipated new album Lotus dropping this Friday, the mighty Little Simz rolled into The Level for a Rough Trade outstore show to promote the new project. Armed with a vault of bangers she’s been hoarding, we headed over to The Level for this must-attend show with one of the greatest artists and rappers in the world today…

In photos: MJ Lenderman at Rock City, with Trace Mountains