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Enthralling theatre and crowd pleasing comedy: Here's what's on in Nottingham this week Monday 13 - Sunday 19 April

The weather's getting warmer, and here in Notts everybody's getting out and enjoying culture, whether as part of some memorable screenings at local cinemas, or some top tier local music. Here's some events which we think you shouldn't miss...

Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature's Youth Advisory Board Celebrate the Launch of their Poetry Pamphlet

Join Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature's Youth Advisory Board as they celebrate the launch of their first poetry pamphlet on the 12th of April

New Nottingham Journal Reopens for Submissions

After selling out its debut issue, the New Nottingham Journal – the city’s print literary journal publishing short fiction, slow journalism, poetry and black-and-white art – is preparing its return in 2026.

LeftLion's Latest Listens #43: Notts music we're currently spinning

In this edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens, our music team reviews new releases from Book of Churches, Dusty 4 Track, Firmament and JJ Lovegrove...

Gig review: Idlewild at Rescue Rooms

Nearly 11 years since they last played the venue, beloved Scottish rockers Idlewild returned to Rescue Rooms this week. Bringing with them songs from their 2025 self-titled album along with a stacked catalogue of classics from across their 30+ year existence, they put on one hell of a performance to kick start this short run of UK dates. Here’s what went down…

Catching up with Nottingham poet and cultural historian Panya Banjoko

Panya Banjoko is a Nottingham-born poet and cultural historian and a tour de force in our local literature scene. She’s also the keeper of the Nottingham Black Archive and has been a Patron of Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature since it first received the accolade in 2015. We talk to Panya about past and current projects, her new StoryArcs fellowship and why mature ladies get more done…

Theatre Interview: Sam Harry Macgregor actor and writer from Hold The Line at Nottingham Arts Theatre

Hold the Line is a new play coming to the Nottingham Arts Theatre that lifts the lid on life and work at the NHS 111 telephone service. Rising star Sam Harry Macgregor, who wrote and stars in the play, talks to Leftlion about the journey...  

Nadia on... student loans

Labour MP for Nottingham East Nadia Whittome discusses university loans and student fees...

Blues, dance, and Hong Kong culture: Here's what's on in Nottingham

There's lots of events this week set to spread some strong community spirit and selfless sentiment here in Notts. Here are some of our favourites... 

LeftLion Interviews Podcast #15: Blur’s Dave Rowntree on NASA, Nottingham gigs and his new book of old Blur photos

This episode we are joined by Blur drummer Dave Rowntree who talks about Blur's early years, his memories (or lack of) of their Nottingham appearances, NASA and space and his new photo book No-one You Know'..

Rediscovering wild medicines and food with The Nottingham Forager

Nestled in roadside thickets, hidden amongst hedgerows and sprouting from our local playing fields, parks and playgrounds, a world of forgotten foods quietly grow. With shoots spurting from the ground as we move into spring, Sophie Gargett spent some time with Lucy Buckle, aka The Nottingham Forager, to discover more about identifying, picking and eating wild food.

Gig review: Eyre Llew at The Grove, with Ella Clayton

Nottingham’s ambient veterans Eyre Llew gave an assembled crowd at The Grove a taste of a new era. With support from the sublime Ella Clayton, we experienced a magical evening...

Gig review: Gorillaz at Motorpoint Arena

It’s incredible to think that across their 25+ year existence, the world’s most famous animated band – Gorillaz - hadn’t performed in Nottingham until now. However, in support of their highly ambitious and India-inspired new record The Mountain, Damon Albarn brought a huge ensemble along to the Motorpoint Arena to finally right that wrong. Here’s what went down at Gorillaz’s visually epic and guest-filled debut show in Nottingham… 

Gig review: Kofi Stone at Rescue Rooms

Straight off the top: the Nottingham jam nights where musicians test their skills

Anyone who takes a deeper than average dive into Notts music will probably come across a corner of the scene with a very particular kind of magic – jam sessions – improvisation events where new connections are forged and the music is completely different each time. Acoustickle’s Parisa East and Joe Egan, founder of popular jam Perkalater, talk about why these occasions are valuable. 

Immersive indie theatre, all day gigs, impactful exhibitions: here's what's on in Nottingham this week 30 March - 5 April

This is a great week in Notts for music and art lovers... check out our top picks.

A semester in Notts: US photographer John Dean's snapshot of Nottingham in the 70s

In the Spring of 1976, a then twenty-year-old photography student named John Dean arrived in Nottingham unaware that he would go on to capture some of the most beautiful, compelling and personal street photographs our city has ever seen. Five decades later, many of those images are being shown for the first time in a new exhibition at Bonington Gallery; A Semester in Nottingham, 1976. 

Ahead of his exhibition, held at the very university that he briefly studied at fifty years ago, Dani Bacon sat down for a transatlantic Teams call (with a questionable signal), to talk to John about his time in Nottingham, his career and why he’s chosen now as the perfect time to unveil his photographs.

LeftLion's Latest Listens #42: Notts music we're currently spinning

In this week's edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens for 2026, our music team reviews new releases from Leah Wilcox, Eyre Llew and Origin One & Snowy... 

Gig review: Seas of Mirth at Rough Trade

Seas of Mirth returned to Nottingham on a tide of hilarity and art, bringing jellyfish, tug-of-war and quirky musicianship to the Rough Trade floor. Here's what went down...

Locating Lawrence: March 1926

Capri in 1926 was decadent, cosmopolitan, and bohemian, providing refuge for writers and intellectuals from the ugliness of modernity...

Gig review: Holly Humberstone at The Level

A year-and-a-half ago, Holly Humberstone showcased her new album at an intimate, acoustic ‘hometown’ performance at The Level. On Saturday, the Grantham-born and Nottingham-anchored star returned to the same venue with a formidable array of new experiences now on her CV and with her third album close on the horizon...

Nottingham Climate Assembly Opens Applications for Paid Participants

Six years in the making, Nottingham’s first citywide Citizens’ Assembly is almost here - you could be one of the people paid to take part and shape the city’s environmental future.

Gig review: Nova Twins at Rock City

Supported by the excellent genre-mashing talents of Precious Pepala and the histrionic, witchy goth-grunge power of Venus Grrrls, Nova Twins visit to Nottingham sat atop a bill that brilliantly demonstrates the ever-flourishing female talent in rock today. It’s a vanguard they are very much at the forefront of as they support their latest album Parasites & Butterflies. Expansive tours and devoted fans are the reward for the sheer hard work and creativity in pushing the punk aesthetic and sound forward into the modern landscape...

Gig review: Connexion Man at The Grove, with flöat and Andrew Tucker Leavis

The Grove has hosted a steady run of single, EP and album launches over the past year and a half, and this time it was Connexion Man stepping up to mark the release of their debut record A Forest and a Town...

Theatre review: Nine Sixteenths at Nottingham Playhouse

The story and epic fallout of Janet Jackson’s 2004 Super Bowl is creatively re-examined through the lens of a real-life, queer black girl coming of age tale in this authentic, eye-opening and funny four-woman show.