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Exhibition review: Pieces of Me at the National Justice Museum

Made by artist Elahè Raofi and built by the stories of members of Refugee Roots, a free exhibition at the National Justice Museum creates a space that says, ‘all are welcome’, while tackling themes of work, identity and belonging.

Theatre Review: Anybody For Murder at Theatre Royal Nottingham

Murder, mayhem and mistaken identities are all tangled together in a cynical comedy from two of British TV’s finest writers, as part of this year's Classic Thriller Season...

Gig review: Kid Spirit at The Grove

Kid Spirit took to the stage last Saturday night at The Grove for an intimate gig showcasing songs from their debut EP, Morning Star...

Gig review: Keyside at Rough Trade

Theatre Review: Waitress at Royal Concert Hall

Now celebrating its 10th year, Waitress returns to fill Nottingham’s Royal Concert Hall with the delicious scent of baking pies, and a musical that’s equal parts emotional, witty and bittersweet...

Festival review: LeftLion at Y Not 2026

LeftLion's Latest Listens #49: Notts music we're currently spinning

In this 49th edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens, our music team reviews new releases from Richard Snow, Emily Ashberry, Pillow Fort and CATHEDRA...

Food review: Ramen worth raving about at Shobu

While ramen might not be the most obvious choice for summertime, living in Nottingham means out of season weather is practically guaranteed. Shobu, a little Japanese restaurant on Friar Lane, is the perfect antidote to a dreary day....

Gig review: Playback launch showcase at The Carousel

Luke Brennan, the creator of Playback, wants to change the music industry for the better to help support the local scene. The first Playback showcase took place at Notts grassroots venue, The Carousel, and was completely sold out with 100% of ticket sales going towards the artists performing - proving that change is possible for the industry...

Gig review: As It Is at Rough Trade

Rough 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...

Festival review: Splendour goes out in style

As the old saying goes, all good things must come to an end. For 18 years, Splendour Festival has been one of the highlights of the summer here in Nottingham, a community celebration that brings together UK music legends with some of the very best up-and-coming local bands. It began in 2008 with names including Kate Nash, The Charlatans and Ocean Colour Scene on the bill. However, with the event no longer able to viably continue, the 2026 edition marked the end of an era for our city's premier two-day festival. Determined to go out on a high, here is what took place at the last ever Splendour…

Gig review: Yard Act in-store at Rough Trade

Despite Yard Act having performed at Rock City a few years ago, LeftLion their fans jumped at the chance to see the band in the much more intimate setting of Rough Trade, and even get the opportunity to meet them afterwards at the album signing...

Exhibition review: Physical Culture and And The Soul is for the Birds at Nottingham Contemporary

Two very different exhibitions are currently displayed at the Nottingham Contemporary. In one, classical sculptures intersect with modern fitness culture. In the other, a Brazilian artist creates an imagined folklore… 

Big City Reads - Young Adult Book Reviews

The Nottingham City of Literature free book giveaway campaign (29 June -12 August) features five compelling Young Adult titles, selected by young people, for young people… 

Theatre review: Alice In Wonderland by Niche Artefact

We peaked through the looking-glass at Revolution de Cuba for an evening of art, theatre and expression with Niche Artefact's fabulously captivating Alice in Wonderland themed stage show and exhibition...

Theatre Review: The Market Deeping Model Railway Club at Nottingham Playhouse

The third of Nottingham Playhouse's new season by local playwrights is a charming production, written by William Ivory. It focuses on a group of seven men (and one woman) who bond and overcome personal traumas by exhibiting model railways...

Another triumphant year for Gate To Southwell Festival

Dodging the heatwaves, we spent a couple of days on site at Gate To Southwell Festival. Pushing the envelope of folk, and with a collaboration with some of the most exciting Canadian musicians, it was easy to see why this local event is going stronger than ever...

Exhibition review: Drawn Through Time at Lakeside Arts

Nottingham's cultural landscape has quietly become one of the most exciting in the Midlands, with Lakeside Arts consistently bringing ambitious exhibitions to the city that challenge how audiences engage with contemporary art. Its latest exhibition, Drawn Through Time, is no exception. Housed within the Djanogly Gallery at the University of Nottingham, the exhibition takes what many might consider the simplest of artistic practices – drawing – and transforms it into something far richer: a way of navigating history, memory and imagination.

LeftLion's Latest Listens #48: Notts music we're currently spinning

This week, our music team reviews new releases from Ben McElroy, KID SPIRIT and E.R. Thorpe...

Theatre Review: Dyke Systems Ltd by Fag Packet at the Nottingham Playhouse

This award-winning theatre double act come to Nottingham with a comedy show that is part queer fever dream and part corporate seminar, and much more...  

Gig review: mary in the junkyard at Rough Trade Nottingham

The avante garde South London trio mary in the junkyard chose Nottingham for the first stop in their album promo tour, appearing at Rough Trade for an instore performance and singing. We were there to experience their unique, genre-spanning approach to music...

Left Magpie: Notts County season review 2026

Our Notts County FC columnist gives a run down of the team’s successful 2025-26 season, whilst also trying to cram in as many literature and poetry references as possible…

Gig review: Midrift, Glare and Glixen at The Bodega

The Bodega may not sound like the best place to be on a sweltering hot June evening, but when there’s cold drinks, air con and a night ahead of you that’s full of shoegaze magic, there’s nowhere much better. There are three bands on the bill, but each band is alternating as headliner each night on the tour. This is both unusual and exciting; and maybe something more bands should take note of...

Review: Hot Pot at Lakeside Arts

This new play, by Nottingham's Hongwei Bao, explores East Asian LGBTQ+ narratives as four friends gather round the dinner table for a night of memories and revelations...

LeftLion's Latest Listens #47: Notts music we're currently spinning

In this edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens for 2026, our music team reviews new releases from Drinking With Lucy, EMiDORA, Saffron Gray and Isaac Neilson...