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John Blanche 1948-2026

It is with sadness that we report the passing of legendary illustrator and Games Workshop Art Director John Blanche, who died on Monday 1 June at the age of 77...

A semester in Notts: US photographer John Dean's snapshot of Nottingham in the 70s

In the Spring of 1976, a then twenty-year-old photography student named John Dean arrived in Nottingham unaware that he would go on to capture some of the most beautiful, compelling and personal street photographs our city has ever seen. Five decades later, many of those images are being shown for the first time in a new exhibition at Bonington Gallery; A Semester in Nottingham, 1976. 

Ahead of his exhibition, held at the very university that he briefly studied at fifty years ago, Dani Bacon sat down for a transatlantic Teams call (with a questionable signal), to talk to John about his time in Nottingham, his career and why he’s chosen now as the perfect time to unveil his photographs.

Life Behind Bars: with John Slee, Manager at The Lincolnshire Poacher

We popped in to see John Slee, Manager at The Lincolnshire Poacher, to talk about whiskey, stables and famous guests...

Market value: the past and present of Victoria Centre Market

Over the last few years, a part of Nottingham’s history has slowly started to vanish, with traders at the Victoria Centre Market being asked to end their hundred year leases partway through. A space that once hosted hundreds of local traders is now home to just a few- who find themselves in a state of limbo. Matteo D’Alesio visits to hear some of their concerns, while taking a step back in time to highlight what made the market special in the first place. 

Left Brian: John Robertson, John McGovern and a Kenny Burns Night Supper

It's Burns Night today, and we've been inviting our regular Notts County, Mansfield Town and Nottingham Forest football columnists to muse on the influence of Scotland in the history of their own clubs. Julie Pritchard - our Nottingham Forest columnist - decides which Forest players she'd invite as guests for a Burns Night supper... 

Comedy Review: John Shuttleworth's Raise the Oof at the Nottingham Playhouse

Celebrating forty years in showbiz, John Shuttleworth flew into Nottingham on his Yamaha organ and wowed audiences. But what is an oof? And is it true that there is more to Mr Shuttleworth than his mild-mannered personality suggests...  

Gig review and interview: Loren Kramar supports Father John Misty at Rock City

We caught with up with American singer-songwriter Loren Kramar ahead of his Rock City show supporting the legendary Father John Misty...

Gig review: John Cale at The Playhouse

LeftLion's Ria Serena recently had the enviable pleasure of seeing John Cale live, while he was on the road to promote his latest album, POPtical Illusion. The setlist featured selections from Paris 1919, covers ranging from Elvis to Nico and newer tracks from his latest album. The result? A performance that was nothing short of spectacular...

We chat with Rob Green about music, musicals, and the value of the grassroots

Uplifting alt soul-pop Notts sensation Rob.Green is back and has dialled everything to the absolute max - bringing the emotion, fierce hyped energy and brand-new music for his first ever headline UK tour, which kicks off at Saltbox on 20th March. Rob shared his infectious joy with us in a conversation covering the tour, his collaboration with Cassell the Beatmaker, his ventures into musicals, and the value of grassroots venues...

The Beautiful Game: Notts County through the photographer’s lens

John Anderson is a professional photographer with a passion for Notts County FC. After years of corporate jobs and taking photos of Queen Elizabeth, in 2016 he decided to pursue a passion project and take photos at Meadow Lane. However, his focus is usually on the crowd rather than on the pitch… 

Come and Sing with Sir John Rutter at The Royal Concert Hall

Led for a fifth great year by the celebrated composer and conductor John Rutter, Come and Sing is an afternoon of choral singing to lift the spirits. All proceeds from the concert go to the Nottingham Refugee Forum too. The four concert organisers (Margaret, Hilary, Jane and Dave) shared their combined thoughts on the event with us…

LeftLion's Latest Listens #8: Notts music we're currently spinning

In this week's bumper edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens, our picks of the latest and greatest sounds from all around Nottingham and the Midlands, our team reviews new releases from Gender Envy, Set in Motion, The Chase, Marvin's Revenge, Cracked Hands, John Hardy and Stan Buckroyd...

Classical Music Review: BBC Philharmonic with John Storgårds at the Royal Concert Hall

After critical acclaim at this year's Proms, how will the BBC Philharmonic fare in Nottingham?

Gig review: Love with Johnny Echols at Rescue Rooms

Cited as a major influence on rock luminaries including Led Zeppelin, The Doors, REM and Primal Scream, Love just might be the most important band you’ve never heard of. LeftLion stopped by Rescue Rooms for a night of psychedelic wonder, and much more besides. Support came from Midnight Rodeo and Bye & Bye...

Gig review: John Bramwell at Metronome

From Johnny Dangerously to the Full Harmonic Trio: it’s been quite the career arc for Hyde’s John Bramwell. The 59-year-old has come a long way since his days as a solo performer on Saturday morning Granada TV alongside the likes of Caroline Aherne. We went down to Metronome to immerse ourselves in the music...

The Thompsons on David Bowie, Elton John and Their Favourite Notts Band

Nottingham's most opinionated grocers on...

Selectors: John Holmes

In this video interview series, Nick Strang (Spore Print Productions and Plates) speaks to Nottingham-based DJs. Up this time it's John Holmes. John Holmes is a music-loving ex-BBC Radio Nottingham DJ with a record collection full of gems, rarities and all manner of stories.