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Interview: Alexis Gregory in Smoke, a queer thriller at Nottingham Playhouse

Smoke is a new play from acclaimed queer theatre-maker Alexis Gregory coming to Nottingham this month. As well as a hard-hitting, savage, comic-thriller, a panel follows the play, hosted by You Are Loved and exploring issues from the play. LeftLion speaks to Alexis about social media, drugs, homophobia and much more...    

From Firefly club nights to Light Night 2026: Architecture Social Club on returning to Notts

Through February 6 and 7, Old Market Square will look a little bit different as it hosts the centrepiece of this year’s Light Night: Parallels, an installation built by London studio Architecture Social Club. The project is particularly close to the heart of two studio members – Design/Project Manager Andrew Walker – who’s a Notts native – and founder Satyajit Das – who in the early 2000s made his name in Notts music when he launched mythic techno club night, Firefly. They tell us more about the installation which marks a grand return… 

Mofeast: Fireworks, Bonfire & Bands

Fireside

Fires and Fascism

Gig review: The Rock Orchestra - The Arena of Fire - at Motorpoint Arena

Stereotypically, orchestras play classical music. The two go hand in hand. It’s a natural combination. However, one collective of musicians are trying, and succeeding, to prove this wrong. They are The Rock Orchestra, and they perform orchestral arrangements of hugely popular rock and metal songs to huge audiences globally, alongside three incredible main vocalists, some insanely good fire dancers, and huge, gothic-inspired stage pieces. The combination of all these elements makes them extremely popular amongst concert-goers, and they are truly a treat to watch and hear. We caught them at Motorpoint Arena for their Arena of Fire production, their biggest and boldest show yet...

Night Creatures Podcast #2: Laurence and Steve from Smokescreen Soundsystem on thirty years of club nights, free parties, police, gangsters and more

Night Creatures is a new 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 over twenty years of experience of putting on great parties in the city...

Life without liquor: the best activities for teetotal people in Notts

“What’s your drink of choice?” No, sadly I’m not Emma D’Arcy, instead a thirty-year-old who’s chosen to live alcohol-free for the past two years. So I’ll take a lime and soda, or a ginger beer if I’m feeling a little bit fancy. Truth be told, it’s one of the best things I’ve done; I feel far from the ‘boring one,’ in fact it’s the opposite - there’s such an abundance of alternative activities to do, right here in Nottingham, so grab a 0% brew and get comfy... 

Voices Without Borders

Nottingham Philharmonic Orchestra Family Prom: Fire & Ice

Death Without Mercy

House and proud: a retrospective of Smokescreen Soundsystem

Being home to two of the UK’s greatest underground house soundsystems, DiY and Smokescreen, Nottingham has been spoilt for quality deep house music - but what were the origins of these now legendary gatherings, and how did they fit into the politics of the time? We asked the individuals who lived out those joyful days firsthand about the history of sound-systems in Nottinghamshire and beyond.

Live Review: An Evening Without Kate Bush at Nottingham Playhouse

A night of beating around The Bush, suitable for both Fish People and casual observers alike...

In photos: Smokescreen Soundsystem – 35 years of DiY

Nottingham’s iconic and anarchic music collective DiY Soundsystem joined forces with kindred friends Smokescreen Soundsystem for an all-night, sold-out party at Hidden Warehouse on 7 September 2024

Smoke Over Elsewhere

Friendly Fires

Smoke Fairies

Smoke Fairies

Kate Smurthwaite: Fire Snake

Tharun Chelley & Hitz Unadkhat: the Hairy Indian Bikers (without Bikes Because Their Mums Won't Let Them)

Myki Tuff and Friendly Fire Band at University Hall

Horror without Borders Film Course from Monstrous Flesh Coming to Nottingham

Local film expert and Monstrous Flesh podcast host Clelia McElroy is launching a brand new course. She tells us all about it...

Gig Review: Echoes in Smoke at Rough Trade

Rich Higton saw alt-indie three-piece Echoes in Smoke take to the Nottingham stage on their first UK tour...

Echoes in Smoke (Barcelona)

We Chat to Barcelona’s Echoes in Smoke Ahead of Their Debut Notts Gig at Rough Trade

This month, Barcelona-based trio Echoes in Smoke make their debut appearance in Nottingham, as part of a whistle-stop mini tour of the UK. Ahead of their Nottingham Rough Trade show, which will take place on 14 July, Phil Taylor spoke to Anastasia (vocals, bass), Pat (guitars, synths) and Jose (drums, synths and programming)...