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Historian CJ DeBarra on their book Queer Nottingham 1991-2020

Journalist, author, historian, and LeftLion history editor CJ De Barra takes us back to Nottingham’s resilient queer scene from the 90s all the way through to surviving 2020, in their second archival history book Queer Nottingham. 

Book reviews: Nottingham City of Literature's Big City Reads giveaway 2026

Big City Reads is a free book giveaway campaign run by Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature to encourage reading for pleasure among young people in Notts. Returning for its fourth year, they’ll be giving away 2250 books this summer. Here, members of Nottingham City of Literature’s Youth Selection Panel have reviewed some of their favourites from the shortlist. 

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.

Book Review: Spring Fever by Thomas Legendre

Thought-provoking, feasible and very hard to put down, Spring Fever is Thomas Legendre's third novel set between Nottingham and London. Somewhat dystopian in its depiction of a futuristic virus that affects both people and technology, the story follows protagonist Amanda Nigh meeting American ice hockey player Craig Merlau as they set about finding a cure for Spring Fever...

Comedy, music festivals and local talent: Here's what's on this week in Nottingham 18 -24 May

 This 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...

Buy: Three Left Lions 2026 World Cup T-shirt

Rep Nottingham while you watch the World Cup 2026! Our iconic three left lion’s t-shirts are back this summer, with a new range of colours and sizes...

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Golden era: catching up with electronic-rock duo ALT BLK ERA before their Rescue Rooms show

In 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.

Processing the past: illustrator Amy Bunting on her children's book about dementia

A recent exhibition at Hucknall Library showcased the nine year artistic process behind My Granny Is Changing – a children’s picture book dealing with dementia, created by artist and graphic designer Amy Bunting. Based on Amy’s own experience of navigating her gran Olive’s dementia, we talk to Amy about her creative process and how her story could help families talk more openly about dementia with young children.

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Gig review: Kneecap album launch at Rescue Rooms

Ahead 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…

Gig review: Book of Churches at Nottingham Contemporary

Felix Mackenzie-Barrow's new project Book of Churches has won hearts and minds across the nation, but he'll always find an appreciative home audience here in Nottingham. His recent performance at the Contemporary proved to be a magical experience...

Book of Churches

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...

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Gig review: Lace Thief album launch at Rough Trade

Marking the official launch of her debut album Inheritance, Lace Thief took to Rough Trade Nottingham to perform the record in full following its release the day before…

Joe Solo Album Launch Tour:

Talking Cities, Connecting Young People

Nottingham City of Literature’s Youth Advisory Board has launched an exciting new initiative for young people to get involved with an international network of cities...

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Gig review: Dusty 4 Track album launch at Rough Trade, with RonnieToldUs and Jinda Biant

Rough Trade was host to Dusty 4 Track last weekend as they celebrated the vinyl release of their debut album How Did I Get Here? with support from Jinda Biant and RonnieToldUs. Sophie Gargett went along to check it out...

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Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature's Youth Advisory Board Celebrate the Launch of their Poetry Pamphlet

Join Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature's Youth Advisory Board as they celebrate the launch of their first poetry pamphlet on the 12th of April

LeftLion's Latest Listens #43: Notts music we're currently spinning

In this edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens, our music team reviews new releases from Book of Churches, Dusty 4 Track, Firmament and JJ Lovegrove...

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Jahrel JP And The Future - EP Launch