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Five intriguing exhibitions from the history of the Nottingham Contemporary

Thu 19 Nov 2026

Whether or not you’re into contemporary art, it’s hard to deny that it remains relevant, strange, weird and wonderful as ever – regularly getting people talking – and over the years, the Nottingham Contemporary art gallery has showcased some of the most interesting examples of it. To mark the currently showcased, posthumous exhibition by Nottingham artist Sarah Cunningham (read more about that on page 14) here’s five memorable exhibitions which have happened there…

Out of time: the asylums of Nottingham

Tue 17 Nov 2026

Nottingham has a long history of asylums stretching back to 1811, when the first was built in Sneinton. This later expanded as Saxondale, Rampton, Coppice and Mapperley opened. CJ De Barra tells us the history of mental hospitals in Nottingham…

Safety, dignity, choice: how POW Nottingham advocates for sex workers and other vulnerable people

Sat 14 Nov 2026

Having been awarded £500,000 in National Lottery Funding, enough to financially support the organisation for the next three years, POW Nottingham has announced its reopening. As a safe space in Nottingham, they support the rights of sex workers and those at risk of being exploited. We chatted to CEO Helen West about their impact, vision and the value of specialist services for those in the sex industry.

Classical music at Nottingham Theatre Royal & Concert Hall with Matt Wigley, Music Programme Manager

Fri 13 Nov 2026

Whatever genre of music you’re into, it’s likely you’ll be able to find an iconic music venue in Notts catering for your taste. Taking care of the classical corner, Matt Wigley has been Music Programme Manager at the Royal Concert Hall since the end of 2024, attracting top orchestras and classical superstars to the city. He talks to us about upcoming acts, world-class acoustics, and why anyone can get into classical music…

Nadia on... private children's homes

Thu 12 Nov 2026

Labour MP for Nottingham East Nadia Whittome discusses private children's homes

The Drawing Room Gallery: redrawing Nottingham’s ecosystem of artists

Sat 07 Nov 2026

If you’re looking for hidden gems in Hockley, there is nowhere better than Cobden Chambers – home to The Drawing Room Gallery & Tattoo Studio. Built for artists by artists, at the centre of their mission is a radical promise: local artists pay nothing upfront to exhibit their work and still get to keep the majority of their profits. We interviewed gallery manager Luke Bagley, and Emily Sewell, partner of the gallery and the owner of Paper Skin Tattoo.

Theatre review: Pride and Prejudice (*sort of) at Nottingham Playhouse

Thu 05 Nov 2026

The Laurence Olivier Award winning Pride and Prejudice (*sort of) is at Nottingham Playhouse until Saturday 7 November, bringing an audacious retelling of Jane Austen’s classic with added pop hits.

Gig review: J Cole at Motorpoint Arena

Thu 05 Nov 2026

"Meet anyone who has been to a J. Cole concert, and they will tell you that he is the greatest live rapper on Earth"... LeftLion's Josh Turner went down to Motorpoint Arena to see if all the hype was well deserved...

How the Nottingham Folklore Society are bringing people together through tradition

Thu 05 Nov 2026

If you feel as though algorithms, emails and newsfeeds are dominating your life, perhaps it’s time to take a step away from the screen, hark back to our ancestors and consider some slower traditions. Set up this year, The Nottingham Folklore Society is here to help you do just that. An informal evening of talks and conversation, their popular get togethers weave together calendar customs, storytelling, crafts and more. We spoke to founders Nikki Millar and Jake Epton to hear what they’ve got in store for the winter months…

Gig review: The Big Moon at Rough Trade

Wed 04 Nov 2026

A stripped back show at Rough Trade gave The Big Moon a chance to fully show off their talents. Despite being one member down (for a very special reason), the band stunned with honesty and a super-connected approach to their music...

Theatre review: Once Upon a Time in Sokoto at Nottingham Playhouse

Tue 03 Nov 2026

In Once Upon a Time in Sokoto at Nottingham Playhouse, tense beaten rhythms intertwine with the voices of joyous ululation as relationships are continually tested in Northern Nigeria at the turn of the 20th century. Zinara and Nafisa juxtapose their tales about the slaver and the enslaved, husband and wives, the Boko language and cowrie shells - all of which are underpinned by the power and riches of the colour indigo.

Work in progress: comedian Arthur Smith on his show at the Nottingham Comedy Festival

Sun 01 Nov 2026

Arthur Smith, grumpy old man and famous comedian, is one of the headliners of the Nottingham Comedy Festival. What comedic treats does he have in store for us?

Gig review: The Mary Wallopers at Rock City

Fri 30 Oct 2026

There are some gigs that you walk away from feeling like you've experienced something special, and Monday night at Rock City was certainly one of them. A very Irish evening, and what a treat that was, as The Mary Wallopers came to town...

Gig review: Noahfinnce at Rescue Rooms

Fri 30 Oct 2026

Bringing his Mr Overwhelm UK headline tour to Nottingham’s Rescue Rooms, NOAHFINNCE delivered chaos, humour and heartfelt honesty. The singer-songwriter and online creator has built a fiercely loyal following through his blend of punchy pop-punk, candid lyricism and unapologetic authenticity, and this show proved to be no exception. With fans packing into one of the city’s most beloved live music venues, the evening showed exactly why NOAHFINNCE has become one of the UK alternative scene’s most exciting voices...

Gig review: Ibibio Sound Machine at Rescue Rooms

Fri 30 Oct 2026

Ibibio Sound Machine have very quickly become pioneers within the world music scene and have some extremely admirable accolades to their name. To frequent shows such as Later… with Jools Holland as well as having one of the worlds biggest bands (Coldplay) asking you to support them on their stadium tour suggests that you not only need to be releasing music to an impeccable standard, but you also need to deliver a live show like no other. And as Rescue Rooms saw last Saturday night, Ibibio Sound Machine did just that...

Theatre Review: Nottingham Operatic Society - Chess The Musical

Thu 29 Oct 2026

A musical tale from the cold war that will give you goose bumps

Gig review: Panchiko at Rock City

Thu 29 Oct 2026

The legend of Panchiko came to life at Rock City as the elusive local band made a homecoming, and filled the floor with local and out-of-town fans alike...

Gig review: Skindred at Rock City

Tue 27 Oct 2026

On the first night of the You’ve Got This tour, and the first of two sold-out shows at Rock City, Skindred arrived in Nottingham with their unparalleled force that turns a gig into a full-body workout. For more than two decades, the Welsh ragga-metal pioneers have built a reputation as one of the most electrifying live bands around, blending crushing riffs and reggae grooves with frontman Benji Webbe’s unstoppable charisma. A Skindred show always promises high-energy and opening night of the tour was no different...

Comedy Review: Kiell Smith-Bynoe’s Kool Story Bro at the Nottingham Playhouse

Mon 26 Oct 2026

Kiell Smith-Bynoe (star of Ghosts, Taskmaster and Stath Lets Flats) fronts the Kool Story Bro, which is renowned for inventive, off the hoof improvised comedy with a bevy of surprise celebrity hosts. But will they deliver tonight, and who is the special guest...

Haunting: Write Queer’s third DIY zine collection launches at Nottingham Central Library this spooky season.

Sun 25 Oct 2026

It’s not just Halloween to be getting excited about next week! Last month, Write Queer announced the chosen writers to be featured in their third grassroots zine collection, Haunting. Next Friday brings a celebratory launch event of the new issue, local creatives, and LGBTQ+ voices together at Nottingham Central Library.

LeftLion's Latest Listens #54: Notts music we're currently spinning

Fri 23 Oct 2026

In this 54th edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens, our music team reviews new releases from ROB GREEN, Revenge of Calculon, Pillow Fort, Lucas Walters and A-Tota-So

The next stage: 25 years of the Nottingham Arts Theatre

Fri 23 Oct 2026

For the past 25 years Nottingham Arts Theatre has been serving the city with a programme of local and touring indie stage shows in their iconic 200 year old Hockley building. We spoke to poet, and theatre Chair director Campbell Kay about the theatre’s journey, its role as an educational charity nurturing theatrical talent in Nottingham and their diverse range of shows…