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Exhibition review: Physical Culture and And The Soul is for the Birds at Nottingham Contemporary

Two very different exhibitions are currently displayed at the Nottingham Contemporary. In one, classical sculptures intersect with modern fitness culture. In the other, a Brazilian artist creates an imagined folklore… 

Big City Reads - Young Adult Book Reviews

The Nottingham City of Literature free book giveaway campaign (29 June -12 August) features five compelling Young Adult titles, selected by young people, for young people… 

Altered State: Nottingham’s vital role in 1990s dance culture

In his book Altered State: The Story of Ecstasy Culture and Acid House, journalist Matthew Collin documents the cultural explosion sparked by the potent combination of house music and MDMA, which catalysed a remarkable upsurge of creative activity, from London to Glasgow, Manchester to Belfast – and Nottingham. Matthew tells us what made the city integral in this powerful cultural movement.

Transphoria: a community-led refuge for Nottingham's trans youth

It can be hard to find support and community as a young person, especially if you are gender diverse and your peers and family might be struggling to support or understand you. Social group Transphoria exists to tackle that issue, providing a safe and inclusive space for trans and/or gender diverse youth. Frances Danylec finds out more about the work that they do… 

Here's why you cannot miss Dot To Dot Festival in 2026

Dot to Dot is a very special sort of music festival. Held in Bristol and Nottingham over a single weekend, it brings together local scenes and underground darlings, the concrete and the extreme. This year’s lineup is especially strong, with its mix of sleazy electroclash, Irish alt-grunge, rough and tough punk, and Americana emo, all culminating in a once in a lifetime experience...

Kalum Thompson: the teenage midfielder shining bright in Nottingham Forest's youth division

It’s been a turbulent year at Nottingham Forest FC. While prospects of Premier League survival have become brighter and the dream of European silverware more enchanting, in all the uncertainty there is one definite; the club has some serious talent waiting in the wings...

We paid a visit to the Nigel Doughty Academy to check in with the latest academy lads. The club has boasted some fine academy graduates over the last decade including Ryan Yates, Brennan Johnson and Matty Cash. So don’t be surprised if a certain Kalum Thompson is next to join that list! Now aged seventeen, Thompson crossed the Irish Sea last summer to join the Reds from Linfield. Like a duck to water the youngster has quickly marked himself as one of the most exciting prospects in youth football…

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...

Put your records on: eleven Notts vinyl stores worth visiting on Record Store Day

On 18 April it’s Record Store Day – a celebration of that unique grassroots culture which, even in the face of constant adversity wracking the UK music scene, endures and provides a community for innumerable lovers of physical media. Since the fifties, Nottingham’s been a hub for well-visited record stores, some becoming legendary like Selectadisc – which once hosted The Clash in store – and Way Ahead – who as well as selling vinyl also sold tickets for one of Oasis’ biggest tours. Music has changed a lot over the last few years, but here’s eleven record shops still worth checking out

In conversation with Bob Mould about Sugar, politics and the power of finding your voice

Thirty years on from their untimely split, American indie punk pioneers Sugar reunite to play an extensive UK tour with a date at Rock City on 31st May. 2026 is shaping up to be a landmark year for the power punk trio with the super deluxe reissue of their 1992 debut album Copper Blue and the release of two new songs: House of Dead Memories and Long Live Love. We chatted with Iconic frontman Bob Mould about all things Sugar, Hüsker Dü, and the current state of political affairs in the US...

Night Creatures Podcast #7: Parisa East from Acoustickle on finding a young Jake Bugg, musical collaborations and juggling life as a promoter

Night Creatures is a LeftLion podcast, shining a light on the promoters of Nottingham. Your  host and interviewer is Beane, co-founder of Nottingham’s beloved Soul Buggin’ night and  he brings with him two decades of experience of putting on great parties in the city. 

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

Catching up with Nottingham poet and cultural historian Panya Banjoko

Panya Banjoko is a Nottingham-born poet and cultural historian and a tour de force in our local literature scene. She’s also the keeper of the Nottingham Black Archive and has been a Patron of Nottingham UNESCO City of Literature since it first received the accolade in 2015. We talk to Panya about past and current projects, her new StoryArcs fellowship and why mature ladies get more done…

Blues, dance, and Hong Kong culture: Here's what's on in Nottingham

There's lots of events this week set to spread some strong community spirit and selfless sentiment here in Notts. Here are some of our favourites... 

Gig review: Widow's Rock n Rollium with Hystamine and You Want Fox at Billy Bootleggers for International Women's Day 2026 Nottingham

On International Women’s Day Billy Bootleggers played host to the Widow’s Rock n Rollium - a spicy night of cabaret, burlesque, bands and fierce femme energy, featuring bands You Want Fox and Hystamine. We went down to check it out…

Night Creatures Podcast #6: Oli Gibbons from Tumble Audio, Risque Rhodes and Build Beats on Notts and Rave Culture

Night Creatures is a LeftLion podcast, shining a light on the promoters of Nottingham. Your host and interviewer is Beane, co-founder of Nottingham’s beloved Soul Buggin’ night and he brings with him two decades of experience of putting on great parties in the city.

Out of hibernation: You Want Fox is Back!

Nottingham’s own female-based grunge rock duo, You Want Fox, have returned from their much-awaited hiatus, after almost two and a half years away from our stages. Channelling sounds from the likes of Royal Blood, and Deftones, to the nineties Riot Grrl movement - it’s clear duo Colette Elton and Natalie Caulton are a formidable act, once again ready to get Notts’ crowds moshing to their ethereal voices and heavy-hitting riffs. LeftLion caught up with the pair ahead of their comeback performance later this month…

Gig review: The Ukrainians at Nottingham Ukrainian Cultural Centre

How do you brew? We meet the owners of The Hidden Brew, a new coffee haven in Cobden Chambers

The Hidden Brew is Nottingham’s newest independent coffee shop, quietly opening in Cobden Chambers back in December. Still learning and growing, the café was set up by Ed Dodd and Masha Cooper, who met at a local music event before deciding to bring their shared idea to life. Designed as a warm, welcoming space, it’s somewhere you can stop by for a coffee or settle in with a sketchbook and get creative. We paid a visit to chat all things coffee beans, shoestring budgets and the ever-important question of whether syrup in your coffee should be allowed.

Comedy Review: Vittorio Angelone's 'You Can't Say Nothing Any More' at the Nottingham Arts Theatre

Vittorio Angelone is back in town again with his new show at the Nottingham Art's Theatre. The show is titled You Can't Say Nothing Any More. However, our Leftlion critic had plenty to say about that...  

LeftLion Magazine Issue #192 February 2026

Featuring Andy Warhol, Child Friendly City, Jim Baron of Crazy P and White Elephant, Victoria Centre Market, Light Night, Architecture Social Club, Sherwood Forest Trust, Hidden Brew and more...

Any way you slice it: we check out new pizza joint The Slice

We check out The Slice: a new artisan bakery and Roman pizza spot on Middle Pavement...

Review: The National Youth Orchestra-Shimmer at the Royal Concert Hall

What could be more uplifting than the country's national orchestra for young people. And they are in town. So how did they do...

Ten Nottingham activities that could improve your mental and physical wellness

It’s a new year and inevitably many of our thoughts turn to lifestyle changes, getting fit, trying new things and increasing our physical and mental wellness. Aside from hitting the gym there are various other things you can try in Nottingham to get the endorphins going and make this January feel a little lighter. Here are a few of our recommendations, but make sure that you check out individual websites for special events and more info…