Site search

We chat to They Might Be Giants about life, music and everything in between

In November, offbeat alternative rockers They Might Be Giants will grace Rock City with their presence. LeftLion’s Izzy Morris sat down with John Flansburgh to discuss life lessons, the band's huge back catalogue, and a certain stick...

Bearing Fruit: We hear from Fruit Market, who are providing low-energy homes and community-first architecture in Sneinton Market

A once crumbling Sneinton Market has become a thriving new neighbourhood of independent businesses. Providing low-energy homes with considerate, community-first architecture, Fruit Market is the next chapter in a story of local organic regeneration

We chat with Romy and The RHADs ahead of their Radfest gig

We caught up with Romy, Hayden, Ali and Dom – better known as Romy and The RHADs – fresh from their Dot To Dot debut and as they geared up for more gigs, including a performance on the Introducing Stage at Radfest...

Nadia on... the upcoming general election

Regular columnist and Labour candidate for Nottingham East Nadia Whittome discusses the upcoming general election

Festival review: Bearded Theory 2024

Despite the unpredictable British weather, Bearded Theory 2024 proved to be a fantastic weekend of music and merriment. With an excellent line up, which included several of Notts' own talented bands, revellers were not deterred by a bit of mud during the four-day extravaganza...

Gig Review: Honeyblood at The Bodega

We dropped in to The Bodega to witness Honeyblood's storming returning to full form...

We speak to dub poet Linton Kwesi Johnson ahead of Nottingham Poetry Festival

Pioneer of dub poetry, NME journalist, trailblazing activist, father and grandfather, the first black poet published by Penguin Modern Classics - Linton Kwesi Johnson has worn all these hats and more. Wondering which hat he’ll wear at the Nottingham Poetry Festival on June 14, we gave him a call…

Spoken word, album launches, restaurant week and the Castle Rock Yard Party: Here’s what’s on in Nottingham this week: 3 – 9 June 2024

In photos: The Lovely Eggs at Rescue Rooms

The Lovely Eggs returned to Nottingham for a sold-out show at Rescue Rooms, with Loose Articles and Violet Malice in support. Nigel King captured the action for us...

Review: Dot To Dot Festival 2024 in Nottingham

The late May Bank Holiday can mean only one thing: it’s time for Dot To Dot, one of the country’s premier multi-venue metropolitan festivals. After round one in Bristol on the Saturday, Nottingham played host to more than 170 artists across 17 stages on Sunday 26th May. A team from LeftLion was there all day to witness the action…

Young Creative Awards Winners 2024

Each year The Young Creative Awards picks out some of the rising stars of Nottingham. The winners were announced at the end of May, and here are some of our favourites…

Classical Concert Review : BBC Philharmonic- Discovering Glazunov

The Royal Concert Hall plays host to a long overdue revival...

LeftLion Issue #172 June 2024

Featuring Craig Chettle of Confetti, 10 years of Notts TV, Alex Bond, Nadia on the General Election, Summer Festivals and Euro 2024...

In photos: English Teacher with Pleasure Centre at Rescue Rooms

Fast rising indie-rock stars English Teacher recently played a mesmerising gig at Rescue Rooms, with stellar support from Pleasure Centre. We were there to capture the action...

Gig review: Ferocious Dog at Rock City

In May, Rock City played host to a very special gig as local folk rock supergroup Ferocious Dog returned, accompanied by multiple support acts. We went along to witness the rebellion and passion...

Overheard in Notts: May 2024

Ah crap are you those doomsday people?

Gig review: Indoor Pets at The Bodega

On such a blustery evening out of doors, it was Indoor Pets who were whirling up a flurry in ribcage-rattling rhythmics. We headed down to The Bodega to catch their return to the stage...

We chat to Home Counties on the sidelines of Dot To Dot Festival

As Dot To Dot Festival raged around us, LeftLion caught up with Will Harrison and Bill Griffin of Home Counties, to talk about the band's debut album, their sound transformation, and vodka shots...

Comedy review: Ruby Wax at the Playhouse

I’m Not As Well As I Thought I Was, is the name of Ruby Wax's new tour. So what exactly ails her and is there a cure?

Locating Lawrence: May 1924

Literature’s greatest DIYer has replaced his pen for a trowel…

We talk to Fast Forward, a creative learning outlet that teaches music as an alternative to traditional education

Fast Forward Direction Thru Music is helping transform the lives of students through the power of music. We spoke to founders Stevie Lee and his fellow musicians/co-founders, along with several students, to hear about their important work and the crowdfunder that hopes to help them train more students in music production skills.

Nottingham's most opinionated greengrocers on Lord Byron, fanzines, and JT Soar

Competition: Win A Pair of Tickets to Boho Family Festival with Martin Kemp, Ben Volpierre-Pierrot and Jeremy Healy

Boho is a three-day family festival taking place from July 26 – 28 2024 at Millview Glamping and Events site in Newton, a 30minute drive from the city centre. The line-up includes Martin Kemp from Spandau Ballet, Ben Volpierre-Pierrot from Curiosity Killed the Cat and singer Jeremy Healy as well as plenty of local talent.

We have two pairs of tickets to give away. To enter just fill out your details in the form below. This competition is open until Weds 19 June 2024. Our winners will be chosen at random on Thursday 20 June and notified by email soon after. Note these competition dates have been extended by a week.

Gig review: Kofi Stone & more at Mimm Studios

Kofi Stone, along with a host of different artists from all over the country, represented Big Nature Collective to put on a very special intimate event at Mimm Studios. LeftLion checked out this emerging talent... 

Review: Luminimax Luminarium at Lakeside Arts

On Saturday we ventured into the magical dome of the Luminarium at Lakeside Arts…