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20 Years of Hockley Hustle

This month, Nottingham city’s biggest independent arts and music festival, the brilliant Hockley Hustle, is celebrating twenty years of bringing sound and colour to our streets. Showcasing an eye-watering array of genres and talent, the festival is more than just a good time – it’s raised over £250K for 27 local charities, as well as providing stages for thousands of artists from Nottingham and beyond. 

This year, the Hustle is back on Sunday 25 October, bringing 500 acts to fifty stages. You’ll be able to catch the carnival, chill to some acoustic sounds, dance at the silent disco, enjoy punk, soul, Hip-Hop, and more.

To celebrate, here’s what the Hustle’s massive team of promoters, mainstay artists, and central organisers remember most fondly about the last twenty years of music and mayhem…

Common Ground: Alan Lodge's upcoming exhibition documents protests, parties and festivals over the last fifty years

Opening 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.

In photos: Foolhardy Folk Festival 2026 at The Arboretum

Skilfully 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!

When 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

At 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

Almost 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...

Art, gigs, Bowie, European parties, and family festivals Here's what's on this week in Nottingham Monday 3 - Sunday 9 August

There'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

René 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

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...

Long live the queens! We chat to the Gladrags drag queens ahead of Nottingham Pride

Here 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

After 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

This 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

In 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

Notts 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

Our 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.

What to expect from Green Hustle festival 2026

After 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

Gareth 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

The 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

It 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...

LeftLion's Latest Listens #42: Notts music we're currently spinning

In this week's edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens for 2026, our music team reviews new releases from Leah Wilcox, Eyre Llew and Origin One & Snowy...