Originating in 2003 as a website with a focus on alternative culture, the magazine tends to be written in an informal or colloquial style, often including elements of Nottingham dialect.
Established as a website in autumn 2003 by three childhood friends, Jared Wilson, Alan Gilby and Tim Bates, the first issue of the printed LeftLion magazine was published in 2004.
Written and visual content in LeftLion is generally provided by a range of creatives who largely live within or have connections to the city of Nottingham, a majority of whom contribute on a voluntary basis.
Past contributors have included actor Paul Kaye, musician Miles Hunt, author Nicola Monaghan, and poet and producer Henry Normal.
These include: actors Bella Ramsey, Tom Blyth and Juliette Lewis; comedians Bill Bailey, Noel Fielding, Alexei Sayle, Richard Herring and Ed Byrne; musicians Public Enemy, The Prodigy, Roots Manuva, Dizzee Rascal, Sleaford Mods, Jake Bugg, Jorja Smith and Klaxons; magician Derren Brown; writers Alan Moore, Gary Younge, Alan Sillitoe, Alice Oswald and Jon McGregor; fashion designer Paul Smith; poets Andrew Motion, Benjamin Zephaniah and Henry Normal; directors Shane Meadows and Jonathan Glazer; cricket player Alex Hales; and The Sheriff of Nottingham.