Site search

Breakin’ Convention brings Hip Hop to Notts: founder Jonzi D tells all

Founded by Jonzi D, Hip Hop dance festival Breakin’ Convention returns to the Theatre Royal and Concert Hall this month. Bringing together world-class artists such as Ivan Michael Blackstock – a visionary creative behind choreography for Beyoncé - and local voices from rapper and spoken word performer Jah Digga to Hyson Green’s Take1Dance studio, in a celebration of dance, music and storytelling. Ahead of what’s guaranteed to be a boundary pushing celebration of one of the most exciting art forms to watch, Jonzi D talks to us about challenging preconceptions about where Hip Hop belongs… 

We chat to Day Fever co-founder Jonny Owen

Day Fever is less than two years old but has already become a cultural sensation. Launched in early 2024 with a debut event in Sheffield’s City Hall Ballroom and growing to a nationwide tour that’s sees thousands around the UK hit the dance floor each month, the message is clear: people everywhere are craving a space to let loose, laugh, and dance, all before 8pm. Ahead of Day Fever's return to Nottingham on 20th September, We sat down with co-founder Jonny Owen to discuss how the event came about, how it has become so popular and why Nottingham is the ideal venue...

Soul Survivor: veteran DJ Jonathan on cutting his teeth at The Palais in the 1970s

Jonathan (aka Jonathan Woodliffe) has a long history of DJing in Nottingham. To many his name is synonymous to many with the early days of Rock City, but before that he cut his teeth as a DJ at The Palais. We asked Jonathan about his experiences of the Palais back in those halcyon days of the 1970s…

LeftLion Interviews Podcast #9 DJ Jonathan on The Palais, the changing art of DJing, Northern Soul, Jazz Funk and Tiswas

Our first podcast of 2025 and we're back with a chinwag with a veteran DJ, talking through the 1970s Nottingham scene at The Palais De Danse, as well as the changing face of music, festivals and more...

LeftLion's Latest Listens #14: Notts music we're currently spinning

In this, the first edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens for 2025, our music team reviews new releases from Rainbow Frog Biscuits, Bad Milk Blood Robot, Eleanor McGregor and Divorce...

In photos: Robert Jon & The Wreck at Rock City, with Eddie 9V

Classical Concert Review: The Nuremberg Symphony Orchestra with Jonathon Darlington at the Royal Concert Hall

We Catch Up With Jon McGregor, Chief Editor of The Letters Page, About the Evergreen Tradition of Letter Writing

As The Letters Page journal turns ten, chief editor Jon McGregor looks back at the beginnings of his journal and delves into how the evergreen tradition of letter writing weaves into the digital age as he sheds light on what makes the appeal of finding a letter in your postbox forever greater than a ping on a screen…

Gig Review: Jonny Kerry at Peggy's Skylight

If you are lusting for warm evenings in a quaint bustling Italian town in the middle of summer, then look no further - Jonny Kerry and his band can take you there...

In Photos: Mamas Gun and MT Jones

Mamas Gun returned to Peggy’s Skylight to promote the undiluted soul music and meaningful lyrics of their latest album Cure The Jones alongside support from MT Jones’ distinct crooning vocals…

Jonathon Doering Reflects on Upcoming Book, Enlarging The Tent

Ahead of his new book Enlarging the Tent, Jonathon Doering reflects on George Floyd and the importance of activism