There's more content than you would believe. Hopefully this will make finding it a bit easier...
The Thompsons on cycling, comedians, and 200 issues of LeftLion
Mon 26 Oct 2026Our latest conversation with Nottingham's most opinionated grocers.
Digging through the archives: 200 issues of LeftLion
Tue 13 Oct 2026200 issues of LeftLion is a lot, to say the least. Back when co-founders, Jared Wilson, Al Gilby, and Tim Bates founded the mag in their 20s, both Notts and the world at large was very different, and lots of changes, and odd, unexpected parts of Nottingham culture, past and present, have been immortalised in our print mag. Here, we have a timeline for you – an alternate history of Nottingham culture, and some of the most intriguing things we’ve had land on our desks and in our inboxes, lots of which you might not expect…
Mansfield Town Film Festival Celebrates Independent Film at 2026 Awards
Sat 10 Oct 2026The 2026 Mansfield Town Film Festival celebrated independent cinema and diverse voices, recognising filmmakers across a range of categories. With award-winning films, inspiring stories from local and international creatives, and its BIFA-qualifying status, MTFF continues to champion emerging talent and establish Mansfield as a growing hub for independent filmmaking.
Imara Charity Art Sale raises money for survivors of childhood sexual and domestic abuse
Wed 07 Oct 2026Ahead of the Imara Charity Art Sale, which previews this Saturday at Broadway Gallery, Isabel Scott spoke to Imara Fundraiser Kirsty K to find out more about the important work of the charity and why you should spruce up your walls with some of the art they have on offer.
LeftLion Issue #200 October 2026
Fri 02 Oct 2026It's our 200th issue featuring Kid30, Claire Ward the Mayor of the East Midlands, Hockley Hustle, Neon Raptor, Nottingham Arts Theatre, psychic Kerry Ward and lots more...
Comedy Interview: Ben Macpherson from Nottingham Comedy Festival
Wed 30 Sept 2026Ben is a familiar face on the Nottingham comedy circuit, including Club Wormhole and Apple of Discord. And in November he's one of the acts at the Nottingham Comedy Festival. He shares some of his comedy secrets with Left Lion...
Stage Interview: Dan Lewis on Tommy Cooper – Have I Got Time For More?
Mon 14 Sept 2026A new show celebrating comedy giant Tommy Cooper visits Nottingham this November. Director, actor and producer, Dan Lewis, sits down with Left Lion to share the importance of being Tommy. Just like that...
18 of the best independent places to eat in Nottingham on a Monday
Sun 13 Sept 2026Mondays in the city can be a bit of a culinary minefield. After a busy weekend, plenty of independent restaurants and cafés take the day off – and quite rightly so. But that doesn’t mean you have to resign yourself to a sad meal deal when the Monday hunger starts calling. Whether you’re starting the week with a catch-up over coffee, looking for a proper lunch, or fancy treating yourself to dinner, our Food Co-editor and Nottingham Food Guide founder Julia has rounded up eighteen of the best places to eat in Nottingham on a Monday.
Undercover artist: Iulia Matei celebrates creative pastimes with our September 2026 cover
Sat 12 Sept 2026This month’s cover artist Iulia Matei talks comics, creativity and letting things figure themselves out.
What is Trentbelly? Inside the first river-focused episode of local podcast NottsPod
Wed 09 Sept 2026After one of his pupils caught a case of ‘Trentbelly’, the local nomenclature for illness caught from a polluted River Trent, secondary school teacher Tom Suchoruczka became curious about how the river got to the state it is now. This led Tom to team up with Notts historian and YouTuber Michael Krawec, and together they went down a research wormhole which culminated in Trentbelly – the first series of new podcast NottsPod. Here, by way of laying the groundwork for that, Michael talks us through the winding history of Nottingham’s modern day water system.
Stage Interview: Tracy Radford, artistic director at Unanima Youth Performance Academy
Tue 08 Sept 2026The Unanima Youth Performance Academy supports people with learning disabilities, developing theatrical skills and creating opportunities to perform. And they have just been awarded a grant to take their work to new levels. Tracy Radford, CEO and Artistic Director, shares the story of their success with Left Lion...
Stage Review: Robin Hood International Improv Festival at the Squire Performing Arts.
Sun 06 Sept 2026If you think improv is just a group of comedians shouting random words at each other until someone says something funny, then Nottingham’s Robin Hood International Improv Festival might just change your mind...
In photos: Foolhardy Folk Festival 2026 at The Arboretum
Sat 05 Sept 2026Skilfully curated by honorary Notts-man Beans on Toast, Foolhardy Folk Festival has become a hugely popular bank holiday event. With the bandstand as its focal point, this year's festival once again combined the best elements of nature and music. This year's lineup included Badly Drawn Boy, Skinny Lister, 3 Daft Monkeys, K.O.G and Beans on Toast himself...
LeftLion's Latest Listens #51: Notts music we're currently spinning
Fri 04 Sept 2026As autumn begins to take hold, with rain replacing the sun, the LeftLion music team are taking refuge in the best new local music. This week, the team reviews recent releases from Stone Black Witches, Amantes, People Laughing and Revenge of Calculon...
Night Creatures Podcast #9: Chloe Leak on the Nottingham scene, the challenges of working in the industry as a woman and promoting independent nights
Fri 04 Sept 2026Night Creatures is a LeftLion podcast, shining a light on the promoters of Nottingham. Your host and interviewer is Beane, co-founder of Nottingham’s beloved Soul Buggin’ night and he brings with him two decades of experience of putting on great parties in the city...
A Review of This Isn’t Italian Romance by Teo Eve
Fri 04 Sept 2026Sophie, an optimistic and carefree recent graduate, decides to sample the dolce vita by moving to Italy to teach English. In Teo Eve's debut novel This Isn't Italian Romance.
Gig review: The Grove turns two!
Thu 03 Sept 2026When it opened in 2024, The Grove immediately became a vital part of Nottingham's grassroots music scene. With legendary sound, friendly staff and a truly inclusive attitude, it has since grown as a favourite among bands and gig-goers alike. The venue recently celebrated its 2nd birthday with a series of performances by local acts Rainbow Frog Biscuits, Jacquline, Veduna, OK, Lady, Amantes, Riley Marsh, George Gadd + The Aftermath, Cheap Dirty Horse and Hystamine. We sent Ryan and Nigel along for a slice of cake and some top tunes...
We speak to Freya Ridings about songwriting, empowerment and Nottingham memories
Thu 03 Sept 2026Since breaking through with her top 10 single Lost Without You in 2017, Freya Ridings has established herself as one of the UK’s most impressive vocal talents, able to deliver tender balladry and euphoric moments of power with equal skill. Not content to rest on her laurels with the launch of her third album Mother Of Pearl, Ridings quickly launched into a huge UK and EU tour. We caught up with her ahead of the Nottingham date...
Breaking Ground: how Nottingham Forest Women are scaling up their ambitions
Wed 02 Sept 2026As Nottingham Forest Women prepare for a new Women’s Super League 2 (WSL2) campaign, Head of Women's and Girls’ Football Amber Wildgust tells us about their new manager Tom Mallinson, recruitment strategy, a landmark pre-season tour to Canada, and why they want to become the destination club for emerging talent.