If someone tells you there's nowt happening in Notts, just direct them here - as we approach the end of summer, things continue to be buzzing in our fine old city, as various events - from experimental music, to art shows about gardening, kick off. Also, a lot of it's free...
When: Fri 15 August
Where: New Art Exchange
How much: Free but booking required
This week, as part of their series of free occasions celebrating culture and diversity in Notts, the New Art Exchange and their Corner Cafe team will host an energetic night of Nigerian food, drink, and music, in collaboration with African Corner Notts. With live music, traditional dance, DJs, an MC, and food provided by Your Cravings, it'll be a pretty buzzing night open to anyone who fancies checking out the work NAE are doing to interlink cultures from the Hyson Green area and beyond.
When: Fri 15 August
Where: Metronome
How much: Free but booking required
Engine Room is a not-for-profit record label that supports young artists around Nottinghamshire. For this year's instalment of their 'artist showcase', they'll kick off the night with a music industry panel offering advice and support for aspiring artists. Following that, there'll be performances from Jude Kirk, Dring, Eiina, Get The Army, and Don't Worry, I Have A Plan. There's plenty of young musical talent in Nottingham, and if you fancy hearing some of the best of it there'll be few better opportunities than this.
Unearthed: The Power of Gardening Exhibition
When: From Friday 15 August
Where: Nottinghamshire Archives
How much: Free
Since May 2025 there has been an exhibition on display at the British Library's site in St Pancras, London, titled Unearthed: The Power of Gardening. This week, the exhibition will be featured here in Notts. Presenting personal stories alongside global histories, Unearthed explores how gardening has functioned as a resource for creativity, resilience, and connection, shaping communities and the planet through its links to food and medicine - definitely some guaranteed food for the soul.
When: Sat 16 August
Where: The Bodega
How much: £9.90
Notts native, Keane Baldwin is a 22 year old singer and pianist who has truly made a name for himself as of recently, having bagged performances at Edinburgh's O2 Academy, Newcastle's O2 City Hall, and the Barrowland Ballroom in Glasgow, where he's delivered his now signature blend of electro-pop and Coldplay-tinged piano-pop-rock. This hometown show should as such be a very special one - support comes from EmiDORA. Check out LeftLion's review of Keane's latest EP here.
When: Sat 16 August
Where: By Our Hands We Make Our Way
How much: £7.70
This should be a pretty special one - LeftLion neighbours: By Our Hands We Make Our Way, who are an artisan workshop that facilitates lots of creative events, are hosting three artists from DIY record label Hello Thor Records. The line up is set to be excitingly experimental: the artists featured will be Hang Linton, a Leeds-based interdisciplinary artist; Soborgnost, the musical project of writer Jim Osman, and a house-rap duo who go by the double-take-inducing name of Giant Spandex Head.
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