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LeftLion's Latest Listens #20: Notts music we're currently spinning

In this Easter weekend edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens, our music team reviews recent releases from Katie Keddie, Joey Collins, Blu Syrup, Lace Thief and Karen Macleod...

Gig review: The essence of "____" at The Bodega

When Corder, co-founder of local promoters Nottalott, set up his first event in March of last year entitled 'The Essence of Punk', the feedback and support for the event was overwhelmingly positive. It was only honourable that 12 months later he would put on a second - more enigmatically titled - event, not only to mark the anniversary, but to celebrate what the first event achieved: a platform to champion local talent, as well as to support local causes...

Gig review: Panchiko at Rough Trade Nottingham

Going from an internet mystery that looked like it was never going to be solved to a well-known cult classic band across the UK, there isn’t any other Nottingham outfit that has been on as much of a journey as Panchiko…

Our picks from the 2025 event calendar of the Malt Cross: Nottingham's preserved Victorian music hall

There are few locales near Old Market Square quite like the Malt Cross. As a nearly perfectly preserved Victorian music hall, the building toes the line between its status as a treasure trove of architectural history, and an epicentre of some of the city's most enjoyably 'out-there' occasions. Below, we've provided a rundown of what they have coming up this year...

Gig review: Primal Scream at Rock City

Primal Scream are stone-cold legends of British music. From fusing rock-and-roll with the burgeoning acid-house scene to delirious effect on 1991’s masterpiece Screamadelica, through the brash vitriol and anger of 2000’s XTRMNTR and the pop-flecked Chaosmosis, their restlessness and ability to wrap disparate genres around their inimitable core of emotionally weighty songwriting has secured their position as one of the most vital bands of their generation...

Exhibition review: The Lovers at New Art Exchange chronicles LGBTQI+ couples over the years

New Art Exchange presents The Lovers, an exhibition of photographic works by Sunil Gupta and Charan Singh. Bringing together two collections of photographs taken forty years apart, the exhibition depicts LGBTQIA+ couples alongside a slideshow of images and a vitrine of publications featuring Gupta’s work.

Gig review: Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls at Rock City

From the moment our writer Bassey joined the large queues to get into Rock City, he knew this was going to be a special night. When Frank Turner's playing it always is. The hard-working troubadour was in town with his band The Sleeping Souls to promote the aptly-named album Undefeated, and the atmosphere was electric with eager anticipation...

Gig review and interview: Pale Blue Eyes at The Bodega

Following the release of their third album New Place, Pale Blue Eyes have been bringing their new record, carefree charm and hypnotic energy to the stage. The innovative Totnes-Sheffield shoegaze trio have travelled far and wide, and we were lucky to be graced with their surreal presence yet again at The Bodega in Nottingham, and have the chance to chat to the band, too...

Corner Cafe brings an ethnically diverse menu to New Art Exchange

Opened at the end of February 2025, the Corner Café is a brand new rejuvenation of the coffee and food spot attached to the New Art Exchange, the UK’s largest gallery dedicated to contemporary visual arts from the Global Ethnic Majority. With a lack of community-led food, drink and social spaces present in the Hyson Green area, the NAE team sought to provide that, enlisting community on everything about the venue, from the decor, to the food, to the events. We popped down to see the colourful results.

Gig review: Skunk Anansie at Rock City

The force of nature that is Skunk Anansie are on tour promoting their new album The Painful Truth. Three decades since he first witnessed Skin and the rest of the band in action, Mike Hazeldine went down to their sell out gig at what must be one of the best live music venues in the country, Rock City...

Gig review: The Zutons at Rock City

Do you wanna stay out all night? Are we gonna hang ’til it’s light? Do you wanna get outta your mind..? The Zutons have got the Rock City crowd Creepin’ on the Dancefloor…

Concert Review: The Hallé Film Music Concert - The Star Wars Saga

Our reviewer Kevin Stanley flew in the Millennium Falcon, marched alongside Darth Vader and visited the Ewoks on the planet of Endor in a galaxy far, far away…

Gig review: Alabama 3 at Rescue Rooms

While they may be best known for creating the opening theme for one of the greatest TV shows ever made, HBO’s The Sopranos, Alabama 3 are an iconic outfit in their own right. Known for their unique crossover sound which brings together acid house and trip-hop with country and blues rock, the British collective has continued to endure over the last 30 years. Currently touring their first two albums Exile On Coldharbour Lane and La Peste, along with some other greatest hits, we went along to catch their Rescue Rooms show…

Gig review: Sofy at The Bodega

Rising indie-pop star Sofy brought her signature blend of witty lyricism, infectious energy and genre-blurring sound to a sold-out Bodega. With a set packed full of fan favourites, playful moments and unstoppable crowd energy, she proved why she’s quickly becoming one to watch…

Review: Karma Weekender at Saltbox (Saturday)

The second day of Saltbox's Karma Weekender festival proved to be an exciting, eclectic, and sometimes surreal experience...

LeftLion's Latest Listens #19: Notts music we're currently spinning

In this week's expanded edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens, our music team reviews new releases from Keane Baldwin, KALIKO, Pretty Windows, No Setting Son and Dusty 4 Track...

In photos: Gurriers at Rescue Rooms

Review: Karma Weekender at Saltbox (Friday)

Music festivals don’t have to be stuck in a muddy festival to have connotations of carnage and chaos. This equally applies to all day inner-city ones, as the Karma Weekender at Saltbox proved. Here's what happened on the first day...

Gig review: Better Joy at The Bodega

Manchester's better joy provided a night of raw emotion, infectious joy, and even a moment of rage, at The Bodega…

In photos: Vona Vella at The Grove, with Jude Kirk and Plum Jr

Gig review: The Lathums at Rock City

A captivating fusion of indie charm and raw emotion: The Lathums deliver a stellar performance at Rock City that resonates long after the final chord...

Gig review: ROB.GREEN at Saltbox

We caught Rob Green on the grand opening night of his Jungle Child UK tour. A jaw-dropping show featuring new music, soulful tunes and moving poetry, all the while praising the love for his hometown, Rob continues to prove he is a true Notts showman not to be missed live... 

Gig review: John Cale at The Playhouse

LeftLion's Ria Serena recently had the enviable pleasure of seeing John Cale live, while he was on the road to promote his latest album, POPtical Illusion. The setlist featured selections from Paris 1919, covers ranging from Elvis to Nico and newer tracks from his latest album. The result? A performance that was nothing short of spectacular...

Gig review: David Gray at the Royal Concert Hall

Gig review: Tunng at Metronome, with Dana Gavanski

2005: The year indie rock peaked. The charts are dominated by Kaiser Chiefs, Franz Ferdinand and, latterly, the rise of Arctic Monkeys. It was also (probably) the last year that the NME could be considered the sole arbiter of one’s music taste. Amongst all of that is the release of a debut album that was incredibly ground-breaking for its time. This is Tunng...