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LeftLion Interviews Podcast #6: Natalie Duncan on Music Careers, Hockley Hustle, Goldie, Jools Holland, Ronnie Scott’s, Peggy’s Skylight and more

Our sixth episode features a conversation with Nottingham-born neo-soul, R&B, jazz (and more) singer-songwriter Natalie Duncan... 

We talk with Hard-Fi about their return to the studio, and why Nottingham rocks

Ahead of their raucous return to the Rock City stage on 23rd November, Hard-Fi frontman Richard Archer talks with Talia Robinson about all things modern musicality and the need for nurturing nostalgia... 

We chat with Sports Team about changes in sound, their live show ethos, and KSI...

Sports Team are a band who take music seriously – and always have fun with it. Famous for headline-grabbing stunts, which have led to a feud with Matty Healy and a chart battle with Lady Gaga, the English alt-rockers are determined to keep making waves. Before their big headline show at rescue Rooms next week, Ali Glen caught up with the band...

Colin Etches' 'As Yet Untitled (a WIP)' comedy show at Vibes

Colin Etches, the Notts born neurodivergent comedian, shows that when life is at its darkest, it’s laughter that gets us all through... 

Long live The Bodega! We celebrate its 25th anniversary

Ah that special spot on 23 Pelham Street. From countless life-affirming gigs and hazy club nights inside the venue, to summer sessions outside in the quaint back alley of Cobden Chambers, The Bodega has been one of our city’s chief memory makers over the last quarter century.

Now to celebrate the iconic venue’s 25th anniversary this month, we thought we’d take a trip down memory lane with the bands, promoters and staff that have helped this space to endure as a cornerstone of our city’s vibrant music scene and nightlife, by reliving some of their favourite Bodega moments.

Gig review: Bob Vylan at Rock City

This time last year, Bob Vylan took to the Rock City stage to preview new material off their (at-the-time) forthcoming new album, Humble As The Sun. Fast forward to now, and the grime-punk duo are once again playing the UK’s best live music venue, but this time with the album tracks now firm favourites amongst their wild fanbase. To see how they are being received first-hand, we headed along to the show to capture the chaos…

We chat with Ian Broudie about goals, inspirations and Nottingham memories

The Lightning Seeds were formed in 1989 and named after a misheard Prince lyric, with frontman Ian Broudie going on to become one of the best tunesmiths of his generation, a writer of wonderfully melodic and uplifting indie-pop songs tinged with the band's custom vulnerability. Ahead of the band's return to Nottingham on 14th November, as part of their tour celebrating 35 years of the band and aptly timed to follow up on the release of their Greatest Hits album, Tomorrow’s Here Today, we had the chance to speak to frontman, producer and songwriter Ian Broudie...

How a Mini Cooper led to success on the stage and an acclaimed solo performance of A Christmas Carol

Guy Masterson's renowned Scrooge performance is coming to the Playhouse. He lets Leftlion in on how Richard Burton helped him along the way...

The queer reimagining of Puccini’s Madame Butterfly

Mariposa, the queer reimagining of Madame Butterfly, is about to play at Lakeside Arts. The creative force behind this new dance work, choreographer Carlos Pons Guerra, talks to Leftlion about his journey this far...   

Caves, campervans and comedy: the life of a Notts comedy promoter

Ian Whitcombe started off running comedy shows in his local pub and now has big names calling up for a gig. He talks to Left Lion about his role in the Nottingham Comedy Festival, the acts he has nurtured, and his own journey into the land of laughs... 

Gig review and interview: Stone at Rescue Rooms

STONE are no ordinary band: they are a movement; they are a lifestyle; they are one of the most hotly anticipated bands of this year. Talia Robinson tells of their tales as they performed at Nottingham's very own Rescue Rooms...

Gig review: Pete Doherty at The Grove

Did you hear? The Libertines came to Nottingham this week to perform at Rock City. However, Pete Doherty also played a small intimate solo set at Nottingham's newest music venue The Grove a few hours before...

Interview : Laura Turner dares us to decide whether to sell our soul or sell our body

A Midlands-based, female-led powerhouse, is about to ignite the stage at Nottingham Playhouse with a question that will leave audiences breathless. Emma Oldham interviews Laura Turner, the artistic director behind Fury Theatre, about why they're asking such a bold question...

Dom Joly talks dangerous cows, mind controlling vaccines and the Finland hoax

Dom Joly has scoured the globe for the weirdest conspiracy theories in existence. He shares his insights into this anarchic world with the Nottingham Playhouse audience. 

The worms are coming! Our homegrown alt comedy troup are taking over.

As Nottingham's alternative comedy venue prepares for its first ever Wormhole Weekend, alternative comedian Rosa Keaton takes us for a worm's-eye view.  

Gig review: Peter Hook & The Light at Rock City

It’s been seven years since the legendary Peter Hook last brought his Substance tour to Nottingham, playing the best of both New Order and Joy Division. With that 2017 show being such a memorable night last time around, we just had to head down to Rock City to catch Hooky & Co playing a mammoth set of all the classics once again...

Alfie Brown talks broken down BMW's and banana bread

Comedian Alfie Brown's journey from Top Shop to top billing has met challenges along the way. Ahead of his forthcoming Open Hearted Human Enquiry tour, Alfie shares his insights into the lessons learned thus far... 

Comedy and community at the Lord Roberts

Dan Webber shares the inspiration behind the LOL-GBTQ+ festival coming soon to the Lord Roberts...

Beccy D'Souza turns up the volume for our local talent

We caught up with Beccy D’Souza, Artist Development Producer at Nottingham Playhouse, for a peek behind the curtain at this year’s Amplify Festival line-up... 

LeftLion Interviews Podcast #5: Shane Meadows on This Is England, Virtues, Stone Roses, Injuries, Notts County FC and more

For our fifth podcast we are delighted to welcome a true legend of British film and television, the director and screenwriter Shane Meadows...

From bean to bar: we tried a chocolate making workshop at Luisa’s Vegan Chocolates

Few foods have the emotional pull of chocolate. Just one bite of your favourite bar has the power to transport you back to the care-free days of childhood on a wave of chocolate-fuelled nostalgia. But what are the origins of this beloved sweet treat? Right here in Notts you can learn the story of bean to bar at Luisa’s Vegan Chocolates based in Sneinton Market. Lucy Campion went along to one of their chocolate workshops to discover more.

Paul Smith, Horror films, Hockley Hustle, Veggie food and KittyArama: Here's what's on this week in Nottingham: 14-20 October 2024

There's so much happening in Nottingham this week, we couldn't narrow it down! Enjoy some horror movies, gigs galore, hear from Notts fashion legend Paul Smith and lots more.

Comedy Review: Nish, Don't Kill My Vibe

Nish Kumar returns to the Playhouse and the blade of his wit is sharper than ever...

Punks and weirdos: Celebrating 15 Years of studio and performance venue JT Soar

From the headquarters of a fruit and vegetable wholesaler near Sneinton Market to one of Nottingham’s best loved recording studios and truly intimate, DIY music venues - it’s been quite a journey for JT Soar. 

When Phil Booth and his business partner Nick first took over the space at number 2 Aberdeen Street, they saw beyond an empty concrete room with metal grilles and a scooter garage next door. Their vision was to create something truly special: a recording studio, rehearsal and gig space, with a truly barrier-free ethos in all senses of the word.

Now fifteen years later, JT Soar celebrates its decade-and-a-half anniversary since it first opened its doors, marking the occasion with a “two-day, one stage, all killer-no filler line-up” of some of Phil Booth’s favourite bands. Ahead of what is being billed as ‘JT Soar Fest’, we asked staff, promoters, bands and community members to share their favourite memories of JT Soar, and outline what makes it so special.

We spoke to 80s post-punk legend Peter Hook, ahead of his gig at Rock City

The term legend can be thrown around a lot in music nowadays, but only a select few truly deserve the tag. From his iconic basslines to his enduring work with Joy Division and New Order,  Peter Hook is one-such artist. As he sets his sights on a return to Nottingham to play New Order’s Substance albums in full, we had a whirlwind chat with Hooky about his life in music.