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Art, gigs, Bowie, European parties, and family festivals Here's what's on this week in Nottingham Monday 3 - Sunday 9 August
Sun 02 Aug 2026There's lots happening this week to kick off August's event schedule, from European parties to family festivals and events - here's our top picks...
René House: A race against time to change homeless people’s lives
Fri 31 Jul 2026René House, a new hub for people experiencing homelessness is opening on Mansfield Road, and there's just one month to transform the new space. We meet fundraiser Shani Jayawardena to learn how the community can help...
Gig review: As It Is at Rough Trade
Sat 25 Jul 2026Rough Trade Nottingham feels more intimate than usual tonight, with bodies packed shoulder‑to‑shoulder and buzzing with the kind of anticipation that only comes with a long‑awaited return. As It Is are back with their new self‑titled album, their first release since 2022, and the room carries that shared understanding that this isn’t just another in‑store, it’s something that many fans thought they would never see - a chance to see As It Is again and what the band look like in this new era...
Long live the queens! We chat to the Gladrags drag queens ahead of Nottingham Pride
Fri 17 Jul 2026Here in Notts we’re often blessed with the talents of some top notch drag artists – most perform as part of the well loved Gladrags collective and club night. For Pride 2026, on Sat 25 July, many of the queens we know and love will be seen in action for the grand afterparty at The Palais. In preparation, Bee Green catches up with five performers who are on the lineup…
The tree might have stopped growing, but the spirit of the Major Oak lives on
Fri 19 Jun 2026After the Major Oak’s sad passing was declared yesterday, Environment Editor Adam Pickering shares his thoughts and looks to the tree’s legacy, as well as countywide initiatives restoring Sherwood Forest.
Undercover artist: Emily Giddings celebrates Hockley
Sat 13 Jun 2026This month’s cover artist Emily Giddings spoke to us about artivism, being creative with a chronic health condition, and what inspires her illustrations.
Sam Heaton talks turning Notts County's The Nest into a versatile live events venue
Mon 08 Jun 2026In 2024 Notts County FC turned an old metal fabricators warehouse next to their stadium into a state-of-the-art live events venue. Thus The Nest was born and has since led a double life as a football fanzone and as a major player in Nottingham’s live music and events scene. We spoke to their events manager Sam Heaton about those last two years and their big plans for the future…
East Midlands Pamphlet Prize launched by Bad Betty, in partnership with Writing East Midlands and Nottingham Poetry Festival
Sun 31 May 2026Notts based independent publisher Bad Betty Press has announced the launch of the East Midlands Pamphlet Prize, a new initiative designed to support and platform poets living, working and studying across our region.
Undercover artist: Heather Hodkinson champions Green Hustle festival
Mon 25 May 2026Our Green Hustle festival-inspired May cover is the work of artist Heather Hodkinson who, as well as helping to shape the visual identity of Green Hustle, has lent her talents to promote lots of other green initiatives around Notts. She talks to us about her love of collage and why it’s important to get out and about.
Out of time: a tale of two hotels on Derby Road
Thu 21 May 2026Two hotels once stood on Derby Road, and played roles in some unusual Nottingham history – one facilitated a dramatic confrontation featuring local suffragettes, the other housed a ‘mini Scotland’. Here’s the hidden history in those now-innocuous locations.
What to expect from Green Hustle festival 2026
Sat 09 May 2026After five joyous, community-celebrating and grassroots action-galvanising Green Hustle Festivals, the team behind the event are this month putting on the most expansive and exploratory edition yet. With the theme of ‘Sow Good’, Green Hustle CIC Co-Director and LeftLion Environment Editor Adam Pickering guides us through how the crew hopes to seed a sustainable and thriving Notts through creativity, inclusion and inspiration.
Book Review: The History Boys Part II by David Marples
Thu 30 Apr 2026Gareth Watts takes a leaf through a new book by Dave Marples' new book about more great goals seen at the World Famous City Ground...
Classical Music Review: Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra with Domingo Hindoyan at the Royal Concert Hall
Sat 25 Apr 2026The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra is yet another orchestra proving you do not need to go down south to see world-class concert music. And now they're back with a new conductor. Can they still cut the musical mustard...
Theatre Review: Horrible Histories Live (& Dead): The Concert at the Royal Concert Hall
Mon 30 Mar 2026It may be horrible but still it is a much-beloved children's TV series that educates as much as entertains. And this weekend the horribleness came to Nottingham...
Nottingham Climate Assembly Opens Applications for Paid Participants
Mon 23 Mar 2026Six 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: Blackbeard's Tea Party at The Bodega
Sun 22 Feb 2026Starting out as an acoustic busking band in York nearly 20 years ago, Blackbeard’s Tea Party have evolved into a solid five-piece folk rock band whose live performances have included the legendary festivals of Glastonbury and Fairport’s Cropredy Convention. If you insist on your folk delivered in a traditional acoustic way complete with flat caps, then this may not the band for you. However, if you’re up for something a bit livelier, then check them out. We did, at The Bodega...
Gina Birch on truth, insight and how to live a life devoid of convention
Fri 20 Feb 2026An emblem of passion, a staple of creativity... Gina Birch has been key to establishing and presenting the female voice within the punk music movement. Nottingham born Gina is well-known as a founding member of The Raincoats but her contribution goes much, much wider. Ria Serena found out more for LeftLion...
Gig review: Coach Party at Rescue Rooms
Tue 17 Feb 2026Parking up in Nottingham for the second stop of their Club Caramel 2026 tour, Coach Party delivered buzzing tunes, joy and a genuine sense of togetherness. Local band Marvin’s Revenge and honorary local Lizzie Esau provided solid support - and proof that rainy Thursdays can still be the best nights out…
Night Creatures Podcast #5: Adam and Rob Perkins from Boho Festival on organising Notts parties from the 90s to now
Fri 13 Feb 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.