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Pride and Joy: the organisers of Nottingham Pride talk parades, protest, and vital services come together at the festival

Later this month Notts Pride is set to take over the city once again, bringing a celebration of colour, unity, diversity, and acceptance. Local author Becki Jayne Crossley met Chairperson Leigh Ellis who has been organising the festival for the past ten years. They covered how parades, protest, and vital services come together at the festival…

Gig review: Mumford and Sons at Rock City

Downsizing from their usual arena shows, Mumford and Sons treated an afternoon crowd at Rock City to a snapshot insight into their new album, Prize Fighter...

Gig review: Sick Joy at The Bodega

Sick Joy feel almost purpose‑built for venues like The Bodega. The small floor, smoky atmosphere, and sharp lighting amplify everything they do. It’s the kind of space where you can see every bead of sweat, every thread on a shirt and every grin that frontman Mykl Barton delivers. Fresh off the back of the release of the new album More Forever, the show was bound to be loaded with tracks performed for the first time, accompanied by old fan favourites...

LeftLion's Latest Listens #38: Notts music we're currently spinning

With this year off to a great start for new music, in this edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens for 2026, our music team reviews releases from Divorce feat. Marcus Mumford, Blackadder, Bloodworm and Make Strangers...

In photos: Amy MacDonald at the Royal Concert Hall, with better joy

Gig review: Somebody’s Child at Rescue Rooms, with better joy

With barely a moment to breathe, the Somebody's Child tour pushed on through Nottingham this week. The Irish five-piece are riding a rising wave of success following the release of their exuberant album earlier this year. Accompanied by the brilliantly chosen better joy as tour support, the musicians crafted another memorable evening at Rescue Rooms...

Gig review: Better Joy at The Bodega

Manchester's better joy provided a night of raw emotion, infectious joy, and even a moment of rage, at The Bodega…

We chat to Better Joy about her EP, embracing vulnerability and touring the UK

With her debut EP heading into blue out soon, Better Joy (Bria Keely) takes listeners on a journey from the deeply personal waiting on time to the intimate reflection of quiet thing, balancing raw emotion with uplifting melodies. Working alongside legendary producer Mike Hedges, she’s crafted a sound that’s both nostalgic and refreshingly new. As she prepares for her first headline UK tour, including a date at The Bodega in Nottingham, Bria shares insights into her artistic evolution, the magic of live performance, and what’s next on her musical horizon…

Crazy Little Sing Called Pub and the joy of communal singing

From relieving stress and tension to releasing endorphins, it’s no wonder more than two million people across the UK sing regularly in choirs. But singing classic anthems like James’ Sit Down and The Killers’ All These Things That I’ve Done in a pub with a bunch of strangers? Well, that’s a new one. At local event Crazy Little Sing Called Pub the impact has been undeniable, with hundreds gathering each month to take part. We caught up with event founder Abi Moore to find more about this communal phenomenon.

Comfort, colour and joy: we spoke to Megan Crook about her clothing empire

Among the array of shop fronts in Sneinton Market, one you are not likely to miss is the vividly colourful Megan Crook. In addition to The Textile Guru, her separate fabric and haberdashery store, Megan Crook designs, sews and sells her own range of vibrant and quirky clothing, with a focus on inclusivity, sustainability and fun. We went along to chat to Megan to hear more…

We chat with DECO about their debut album and the joy of touring

Formed in 2011, with roots in the Midlands and beyond, there’s a lot to unpack with 80s-influenced band Deco – and they've only just released their debut album. With two Nottingham shows imminent, lead singer Max Kendall found time to sit down with LeftLion to talk about the new record, as well as the band’s headline tour, and everything in between…

We Chat to Better Joy Ahead of their Acoustic Show at Rescue Rooms

Following the release of their debut single Hard To Love, Manchester-based band Better Joy embark on a string of UK tour dates, making a stop at Rescue Rooms for a stripped-back acoustic show. The band are best known for their delicate interweaving of contemporary and classic alt-pop, infusing their sound with uplifting melodies and introspective lyricism. We chat to lead-vocalist and songwriter Bria Keely about Hard To Love, touring, and the upcoming Nottingham show...

Gig Review: The Joy Formidable at Rescue Rooms

It’s the last date of The Joy Formidable’s UK tour, and there’s a sense of wistful excitement in the air at Rescue Rooms...

Inspire Youth Arts Huge Showcase Held At Nottingham Playhouse

Every now and again, people feel as though the creative scene can be a slightly restrictive place for inspiring creatives to be, but over at Inspire Youth Arts, they have made it their mission to ensure that every young person has access to the arts. We visited Nottingham Playhouse to immerse ourselves in some top quality performances as part of Inspire’s huge showcase...

Gig Review: Marcus Mumford at The Level

Taking to the stage without his Sons, Marcus Mumford still put on a memorable show in this intimate setting...

Big City Book Review: Joya Goffney’s ‘Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry’

Interested in getting your hands on four free books? Well you’re in luck, because Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature are giving just that away for their Big City Reads campaign. With stories ranging from loneliness to police injustice, and styles varying from prose to graphic novel, there’s something for every reader. Four young writers give us their run down of the books, beginning with Shakira Hamilton's take on Joya Goffney’s Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry...

Exhibition Review: The Joy of Sculpture at Bonington Gallery

Few twentieth century artists have impacted the cultural zeitgeist like Andrew Logan has, leaving a lasting impact on filmmakers like Derek Jarman and cultural icons such as Malcolm Mclaren and Vivienne Westwood. Now, the artist is the focus of The Joy of Sculpture at Bonington Gallery, displaying jewellery, sculptures, and portraiture taken from Logan’s fifty year career…

The Resources, Groups and Organisations Committed to Nurturing Black Dignity, Joy and Achievement in Nottingham

We run through some of the most important support networks, arts organisations and community groups dedicated to ensuring social justice and equality in Nottingham and beyond... 

Bringing Notting Hill to Nottingham: Actress Sapphire Joy Discusses J'Ouvert

Set during a single afternoon at the 2017 Notting Hill Carnival post-Grenfell Tower fire, J’Ouvert is only the second play by a black female writer to appear on the West End. We talk to star actress Sapphire Joy about the vibrant, soul-stirring production as it moves to Nottingham’s Theatre Royal...

Basket Brigade: The Charity that Delivers Parcels of Joy to Nottingham's Most Deserving Residents

It’s estimated that Brits spend over £19 billion on presents during the festive season each year, and feast on 308 million slices of turkey. But not everyone thinks of December as a season of indulgence and happiness. That’s where Basket Brigade come in. Each year, with the help of a team of volunteers and the support from local businesses, they reward individuals and families in need with an extra dose of love, in the form of a present from their community… 

Nusic Podcast #198 with Joy Mumford, Mollie Ralph, Snowy, Aja and More...

Live Music Photos: The Joy Formidable at Rescue Rooms

We got down to Rescue Rooms this February to snap Welsh trio The Joy Formidable and their expansive indie sound...

Film Review: Joy

Based on the true story of ‘Queen of QVC’ Joy Mangano, David O. Russell's film is still out in cinemas