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LeftLion's Latest Listens #46: Notts music we're currently spinning

Fri 05 Jun 2026

In edition 46 of LeftLion's Latest Listens, our music team reviews new releases from ALT BLK ERA, JJ Lovegrove, Margo Pelto and Vona Vella ...

Gig review: ALT BLK ERA at Rescue Rooms with Luna & The Lime Slices and St Agnes

Thu 04 Jun 2026

Off the back of a European tour with Pendulum (and an appearance on the LeftLion Interviews podcast), Nottingham alternative-electronic duo ALT BLK ERA played a sold out homecoming show last weekend, bringing their genre-blending sound and compelling stage presence to Rescue Rooms, with support from St Agnes and Luna & The Lime Slices...

Nottingham Poetry Festival 2026: top picks from the program

Thu 04 Jun 2026

Nottingham Poetry Festival kicks off tomorrow with a 10 day city takeover. Catch shows from Brian Bilston, John Hegley, Yomi Sode, Henry Normal, Vanessa Kisuule and Nottingham’s own Nature Poet Laureate Cara Thompson. It’s a packed programme, so here's some top picks from their co-founder Henry Normal, director Tommy Rosley, and creative director Alma Solarte-Tobon...

Gig review: Sugar at Rock City

Thu 04 Jun 2026

A three-decade hiatus seemed to dissolve into sweet nothing as Sugar claimed the Rock City stage once again. Bob Mould, Malcolm Travis and David Barbe presenting something much more than a nostalgia trip, adding energy, humour and volume into the mix...

Nadia on... renters' rights

Thu 04 Jun 2026

Nottingham East MP Nadia Whittome discusses the improvements the Labour government have made to renters' rights and what more needs to be done...

Gig review: Los Campesinos! at Rescue Rooms

Wed 03 Jun 2026

Twenty years ago, the UK music scene was first introduced to Los Campesinos! - a band of youths coming out of the dormitories of Cardiff University with their own unique brand of twee indie. Two decades, seven albums, and well over 500 shows across the world later, ‘the UK’s first and only emo band’ have come back to Nottingham for the fourth time...

Theatre review: The BalletBoyz' Still Pointless at 25

Wed 03 Jun 2026

The BalletBoyz are celebrating their 25^th anniversary with a show that revisits some of their most stand-out work. It’s eight pieces of art, performed by ten men from a dance company with one mission: to keep creating and commissioning daring work, and sharing it with as many people as possible.

What to expect from Nottingham Restaurant Week 2026

Wed 03 Jun 2026

Nottingham Restaurant Week is back this month; for not one but two weeks (running Mon 1 - Sat 14 June). It’s a celebration of local food outlets with plenty of excellent deals, ranging from £10-£30, at restaurants across the city centre to entice you to try somewhere new. This year over 65 different venues are involved ranging from independent gems to big-name favourites. Here’s everything you need to know…

Director Alison Rashley talks us through Television Workshop's best known actors

Tue 02 Jun 2026

Workshop Director Alison Rashley talks through some of the Television Workshop’s best known actors and gives the lowdown on what they were like to teach…

Gig Review: Spear of Destiny at Rescue Rooms

Mon 01 Jun 2026

Legendary Post Punk pioneers Kirk Brandon’s Spear of Destiny demonstrated that they are still a force to be reckoned with in today’s diverse music scene with an impressive performance that captivated the crowd at Rescue Rooms, playing a varied selection from their vast back catalogue, some of which featured on their recent Janus album. Here's what went down...

Festival Review: Dot To Dot 2026

Sun 31 May 2026

One of the hottest weekends of the year – what could possibly make it better? I know – Dot to Dot Festival! Always one of the best days in the musical calendar, the sun was shining bright this May Bank Holiday for the annual, jam-packed day of venue-hopping, new music discovery and general good times with good friends. Immersing ourselves in the festival’s unrivalled party atmosphere, this is what we encountered at another incredible Dot to Dot in 2026…

East Midlands Pamphlet Prize launched by Bad Betty, in partnership with Writing East Midlands and Nottingham Poetry Festival

Sun 31 May 2026

Notts based independent publisher Bad Betty Press has announced the launch of the East Midlands Pamphlet Prize, a new initiative designed to support and platform poets living, working and studying across our region.

Art, theatre, and poetry: Here's what's on in Nottingham this week, 1 - 7 June

Sun 31 May 2026

Summer's here, and Nottingham's ready for it. Here are some fantastic events happening this week which we think are worth checking out.

Festival Review: Bearded Theory 2026

Sun 31 May 2026

Now a firm staple of the local festival calendar, Bearded Theory takes place in the beautiful Derbyshire countryside and is a haven for music lovers looking to kick start their festival season with plenty of wonder and family fun. Taking place over an extremely hot and sunny May bank holiday weekend, the 2026 edition boasted one of the most stacked line-ups of local, national and international talent that we can remember. To give us an insight, LeftLion contributor Marta Tavares went along to report from Catton Park…

Film review: The Last Spy

Fri 29 May 2026

Katherina Otto-Bernstein’s insightful documentary ‘The Last Spy’ delves into the life of Peter Sichel, a German-born Jew who served in the United States’ secret service throughout the aftermath of Nazi occupation and throughout the Cold War.

Book Review: Spring Fever by Thomas Legendre

Fri 29 May 2026

Thought-provoking, feasible and very hard to put down, Spring Fever is Thomas Legendre's third novel set between Nottingham and London. Somewhat dystopian in its depiction of a futuristic virus that affects both people and technology, the story follows protagonist Amanda Nigh meeting American ice hockey player Craig Merlau as they set about finding a cure for Spring Fever...

Theatre Review: RONiN at Lakeside Arts

Wed 27 May 2026

RONiN tells the story of a swordswoman up against overwhelming odds in this innovative and visually striking show...

Theatre Review: Barnum at the Nottingham Playhouse

Wed 27 May 2026

Roll up, roll up! Barnum brings big top joy to Nottingham Playhouse...

Film review: Surrender to It

Tue 26 May 2026

From the creative mind of the Midlands’ own Nottingham Television Workshop comes Tim Bryn Smith’s latest feature film, Surrender to It. This compelling narrative weaves together a journey of adventure, the pain of loss, and the enduring power of friendship.

Film review: The Devil Wears Prada 2

Mon 25 May 2026

Strike a pose, your favourite iconic quartet has strutted back onto our screens after twenty years, ready to fulfil fans with their charm, ambition, and cerulean clothes. The Devil Wears Prada 2, directed by David Frankel, has officially hit UK cinemas and here’s what to expect…

Gig review: DMA's at Rock City

Sat 23 May 2026

Australian rock band DMA's have become a core part of musical memories for so many people. With music spanning a decade-and-a-half, their tours have become pilgrimages for their loyal fans worldwide. Their return to Nottingham was, of course, centred on Rock City...