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In photos: Revenge of Calculon album launch at Rough Trade
Wed 07 Oct 2026Funktronica purveyors Revenge of Calculon launched their new LP Elevator Lizard at a colourful, perfectly zany show at Rough Trade - complete with an expert robo-dancing audience member. Nigel King shot the shots...
The Kingston Queen: A profound coming-of-age novel with accompanying musical album
Mon 28 Sept 2026A spare time lockdown project lay dormant in Melvin Grant’s drawer for three years before resurfacing as an emotional, inspiring coming-of-age novel, spanning themes of abuse, homophobia, racism, love and loss. And if that isn’t enough, The Kingston Queen even has an accompanying musical album, written entirely by Melvin.
Common Ground: Alan Lodge's upcoming exhibition documents protests, parties and festivals over the last fifty years
Mon 21 Sept 2026Opening this month at Bonington Gallery is Common Grounds: Counterculture & Confrontation since 1976, a retrospective of the work of Alan ‘Tash’ Lodge. One of the UK’s most prolific photographers of alternative lifestyles, Alan’s work gives a vivid first person insight into the new age traveller movement and the 90s free-party scene, raising questions about the right to gather, policing, surveillance and community.
Nottingham’s Biggest Ever Wine Festival Launches alongside Legendary Annual CAMRA Beer Festival at Trent Bridge
Sat 12 Sept 2026The Trent Bridge Wine, Champagne and Prosecco Festival will run alongside the popular beer and cider festival between Wednesday 7 and Saturday 10 October...
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...
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...
Everything to know about The Garage: Chilwell's lively independent weekend market
Mon 31 Aug 2026At first the base of Nottingham bus operator Barton – in 1913 – and now the home of Nottingham’s largest independent market, The Garage in Chilwell has been a pillar of its local community since it began. Every weekend this family run business welcomes numerous traders and locals through its doors. From its most well known weekend markets to comedy and beer festivals, the success of The Garage is constantly evolving as a local favourite for Beeston and Notts residents alike. Here’s how they got to the point they’re at today…
Festival review: LeftLion at 110 Above
Thu 27 Aug 2026Almost hidden on a Leicestershire plateau set at the lofty altitude of 110m above sea level, the lucky few (hundred) can discover a music festival like no other. Without any sign of corporate sponsorship or gimmick, 110 Above exists to create a shared experience, for all ages, based on good music. LeftLion spent two special days there...
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: Playback launch showcase at The Carousel
Tue 28 Jul 2026Luke 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
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…
LeftLion's Latest Listens #47: Notts music we're currently spinning
Fri 26 Jun 2026In 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...
Local bluesy rock duo Dusty 4 Track talk their debut album How Did I Get Here?
Sat 20 Jun 2026Musical duo Dusty 4 Track have been a Nottingham live music staple for several years now, and a must-listen band for anyone looking for chilled blues, whiskey soaked vocals, and foot-stomping riffs. Not long ago they put out their debut album: How Did I Get Here?, so it seemed like a good time for us to catch up with Benjamin James (organ/guitar) and Will Jeffery (guitar/vocals).
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.
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.
Bittersweet streets: a look at artist Julian Pinnick's new exhibition at Broadway Gallery
Sat 30 May 2026Anyone who has lived in Nottingham for years will have snapshots in their mind of characters, shops and moments lost to time, but one local artist has gone a step further, memorialising fleeting scenes of Nottingham’s past in paint. Ahead of an upcoming exhibition at Broadway Gallery, Liz Johnson talks to Julian Pinnick about his creative journey and why slow art can capture a changing urban landscape
Comedy, music festivals and local talent: Here's what's on this week in Nottingham 18 -24 May
Mon 18 May 2026This week in Notts! Enjoy local theatre performances and live comedy, or head to Dot to Dot music festival and dance the night away in various venues across Nottingham. Here's our top picks...
Golden era: catching up with electronic-rock duo ALT BLK ERA before their Rescue Rooms show
Thu 07 May 2026In 2022, sister duo and Notts natives Nyrobi and Chaya Becket-Messam emerged onto the local music scene as electronic-rock act ALT BLK ERA. Since then, they’ve gone from strength to strength, from winning a MOBO award in 2025 to touring late last year with drum and bass band Pendulum. It’s been a while since we’ve caught up with Nyrobi and Chaya, so they set aside time to walk us through their crazy journey to this point.
Gig review: Kneecap album launch at Rescue Rooms
Sun 03 May 2026Ahead of the release of their third album Fenian, Irish rap trio Kneecap brought a double bill show to Rescue Rooms this week to give Notts a taste of what they’ve got in store this year…