The multi-city festival Dot To Dot returns to Nottingham for a 12th year following a Friday in Manchester and a Saturday in Bristol. According to the NME, Nottingham features 31 out of the 66 total festival stages. With so much going on, choosing what to see was nigh on impossible. So, I set out on a mission to see as many different bands in as many different venues as I could
Ashfields – Bodega
Opening the festival are local band Ashfields and they certainly got the memo about the festival being sponsored by Fred Perry with three of the five members in the company’s polo shirts. At their best they sounded like British Sea Power but without the oddness or Editors. At their worst they break out a keyboard and sound like a pub band covering Fix You by Coldplay. Their best song is their new one, Eclipse.
The Wholls – The Red Room
Here’s a band who definitely didn’t get the Fred Perry memo – their drummer is wearing a vest. Opening with a track that sounds a bit like 70’s heavy blues, they soon settle into more of a late 90’s metal sound. With politicised lyrics, there’s a definite Rage Against The Machine vibe. It’s a bit heavier than the music that I usually listen to and while it’s nothing new, they’re good at what they do.
Babe Punch – Rock City
Ripped tights? Check
Dungarees? Check
Animal print? Check
Yes, it’s riot grrrl! That’s not a totally accurate description, in many ways, their cover of The Cure’s Just Like Heaven is telling. They’ve got great energy, a good sense of melody and a singer who reminds me a little bit of Dee Dee from Dum Dum Girls. In fact the only downside of their performance was that I was stood next to the mother of one of the band members and she was getting a little over-excited. They’ll definitely do well at the Nusic Future Sound of Nottingham final next month.
Day Wave – Rescue Rooms
After an abortive attempt to see Ben Caplan & The Casual Smokers at Spanky Van Dyke’s (room was full and not even my press wristband could get me in) I quickly picked an alternative. Day Wave were also pretty popular and it was easy to see why. They have that 80’s style reverb sound which makes them sound a little bit like Echo & The Bunnymen or The Drums, as a more contemporary reference.
Keto – Orange Tree
Another problem with festivals is the last minute changes of running order. Heading off to see Sunset Nebula, I was surprised to see local folk band Keto instead. I can think of a couple of violin players that I’m quite fond of – Russell Senior in Pulp and John Cale in The Velvet Underground (yes, I know that was a viola), all a bit different to folk. The guy in the Ren & Stimpy t-shirt added some good textures to the songs although I would have been interested to know what Keto would have sounded like with a bassist and a drummer.
Field Studies – Rough Trade
I bumped into Paul, the music editor for Left Lion at Orange Tree and I followed him to Rough Trade to see Nottingham’s great white hope Field Studies. I can understand why they’re highly regarded, they’ve got a bit of a pre-Kid A Radiohead sound and a little bit of The Villagers but without the instantly catchy songs of either.
No Nothings – Lofthouse
Another band that are a little bit heavier than my usual fare – this time more of a hardcore punk sound. I have to admit that I was slightly disappointed by their lack of a bassist – everyone needs bass! Like the greatest of all of the punk bands, the Ramones, there’s little in the way of between song chat, they’re just straight into the next song. Hull’s No Nothings are definitely more hardcore than the New York bruddas though.
Sunflower Thieves – Broadway
A female folk duo that definitely have the feel of First Aid Kit about them. Featuring acoustic guitar/vocals and keyboard/vocals, they had a really good sound that was even better when the guitarist moved to cajon.
Diet Cig – Rescue Rooms
Like an inverse White Stripes with a female singer/guitarist and male drummer. Not only do they make a lot of noise for a two piece but the singer has ridiculous energy, bouncing round the stage for the whole set. With a slightly Phil Spector-ish girl group drum sound, they also sounded a bit like The Blackhearts, Joan Jett’s band. While it’s not easy to pick favourites, I think that Diet Cig were the best band that I saw at Dot To Dot.
Spring King – Rescue Rooms
Another recommendation, this time from both Left Lion and the NME. I had to admit that I had some reservations as I watched them sound check – the drummer was sporting both shorts and a baseball cap. I’d missed the Mystery Jets for this? Fortunately, once they started my fears melted away. On the arty side of punk of the punky side of art, they even found time to sing “Happy Birthday” to their bassist. Another band with great energy and they really got the crowd going.
And with that it was time to slope away but not before grabbing a bang-average festival burger from the van outside Rock City. I saw 10 bands that at the start of the festival, I’d never heard any music by. It was an absolutely amazing day, a true testament to how great a city Nottingham is for live music. As you’ve seen from this review there really was something for everyone – all flavours of indie, folk, hardcore punk and metal. Although next year, I’ll try and pick a route that isn’t quite so much of a random pinball from one side of town to the other. If you’ve never been to Dot To Dot, you’re really missing out. Next year, grab a wristband and go and find something new.
Words and photos by Gav Squires
@GavSquires
