So we begin the day, having got hold of tickets and wrist bands we hold up in Rescue Rooms planning the day’s events. There is so much to see at Dot to Dot festival, now in its tenth year. The basis of bringing the newest freshest acts and mixing with the artists and bands that are on the rise means everyone gets a unique experience. So, with notebook ready and cider in hand we begin…
We settle in to see CONNOR SPRAY open the festival at the acoustic stage he is a great choice. His snarly soulful vocals with heavy guitar strumming shakes up rescue rooms bar and readies us for the day. Songs like “Godspeed” and Alligator have foots tapping and head nodding.
I make a note catching him later playing with the Indibees but unfortunately missed them. Will be seeking them out when they gig again.
TOM LUMLEY’S turn comes and as he plays the room keeps filling up, the crowd loving the tunes and ready to smash this bank holiday out of the park.
Heading through the side doors we get ready for SAME STREETS on the main stage of Rescue Rooms. They are first on the big stage and really bring up the energy “Boys gone mad” was a personal favourite. They made me think of early Kooks style but with a heavier rhythm section. Big riffs and big attitude, loved it.
We are then lead back through Rescue Rooms to see PRASH GOR. A charismatic singer songwriter, whose first single and video doing the rounds at the moment. He plays a folk Indy mix that is soothing to the ears.
At this point we decide it is time for a change of scenery and feel Hockley is the way forward. We fuel up at the Jamaican barbecue run by 3C, amazing jerk chicken that reinvigorates us as we make a charge for Hockley.
Already so many friendly faces and good conversations, everyone is here for a good time and even if it’s just to borrow a light or ask who the next band is, I see people all getting on great there for the music and to make some new discoveries.
We hit Rough Trade first, the vibe is perfect THE MITHERED play an eclectic set with influences from Kasabian and The Wombats. The crowd is bouncing for them and I see good things for them in future.
We then head to Suede to see ROBYN HUGHES- JONES. After a break from gigging a nervous girl took to the stage and played magnificently. Her falsetto tones were so polished soaring through scales. Her heart breaking “Ja dore” was a definitive highlight.
From there a dive into Jamcafe which is the only small venue that can amazingly fit 10,000 people in there. The sunny day and the outdoor seating meant that more could gather round to hear CECIL CHAMBERLAIN with upbeat summer tunes playing for the even more upbeat crowd.
From there we hopped over to Brew Dog because sometimes you just need a Brew Dog beer. The vibe of the tunes changes with the new bar showcasing the STAR BROTHERS playing a folk blues rock that brought out the yips, the foot stomping and many people linked arms and spinning in circles.
From there we decide to try and hit as many venues as we can heading first for The Lacehouse (although unsuccessfully) then to The Bodega. The bands here were loud fast and brilliant. The lads upstairs calling themselves VANT had all of the bravado and the riffs to match them. We watch them tear round the stage shouting out the lyrics to a baying crowd. It’s over as soon as it starts the crowd wanted much more of it but the front man off before the last note is struck, all part of the rock and roll theater or maybe just wanting to get to the beer quicker.
I also caught the MING CITY ROCKERS downstairs in the bar, entering as their singer was walking along the tables down the main strip in the middle of Bodega and finally diving into the crowd, surfing it like a wiry Jesus. A good moment I thought despite a few concerned mums looking horrified.
From there our group is requesting we loop back towards Rock City as we are getting to the time where the bigger bands are getting set to play. We head back to Rescue Rooms and plan the next assault, catching the amazing NINA SMITH in the process, sadly she had to cut her set short, but still sung beautifully.
Rock City has some big names playing so it’s a consensus to get as much seen in there as possible. The main stage is surrounded as the lights shine up on SWIM DEEP, with even more filling up the balcony and stairs in a desperate bid for the best view. Some give up entirely and just dance at the back grinning. Either way this one is special.
RAE MORRIS smashes her performance amazingly! Feeding from passion of the crowd it was truly mesmerising. Such sound generated is very special and long may it continue.
SAINT RAYMOND the homegrown headliner takes the stage and the crowd goes metal. We see bouncing circles of people launching out of the crowd in time with the bass drum and everyone seems to know every single word.
We jump into the photo pit to get the reaction of the crowd; it feels like an asylum at mardi gras. All hail Saint Raymond!
Nottingham’s live scene is what sets it apart from many other cities just to take in the atmosphere from the passion of the crowd and the bands and artists that put themselves out there my hat goes off to you all.
We went to the basement to see Nottingham’s own ADY SULEIMAN offering us smooth vibes with super solid lyrics that you can’t help but move to.
The special mention, and my star of the show, has to go to the band that were playing at the bottom of Talbot Street I don’t know the names as everyone was dancing around them, clapping singing chanting and laughing. It really was the best end for dot to dot 2015. It’s all about making people move and having a good time. I even bumped into people I saw at the beginning of the day all still shining smiles on their faces. We all danced, throwing moves and shapes with whistles and whoops punctuating our revelry up into the night sky. More gathered as people were hoisted up on shoulders looking like it’s going to go on forever. Even a few of our high vis law makers raised a smile at the sight.
Dot to Dot this year, in my opinion, was the best yet, the bands rocked, the venues were great and to finish off at a jam session street party was the unexpected icing on the cake. Big thankyou to all that made it what it was of a beautiful experience. See you at the front next year!
Review by Adam Willis
