Dot to Dot Preview

There’ll be plenty of alcohol induced dancing and a sense of camaraderie over the jubilee weekend, but these scenes won't just be erupting across the country for the royalists celebrating the Queen’s lengthy reign. There’s another reason to celebrate – or 3. Bristol, Nottingham and Manchester will be assaulted by a barrage of bands once again for Dot to Dot festival, 7 years since its infancy in Nottingham.

Dot to Dot arrives at the perfect time; a month after Live at Leeds and 2 weeks after Liverpool Sound City, where we’ve all suffered from band overload, a depletion in funds and as our massacred feet have healed from wearing the brogues that clearly weren't the wisest choice of footwear to traipse around a city centre for hours. However, this will not deter us and of course we’ve missed the chaotic dash from venue to venue in order to catch that must see band.

Co headliners, The Drums and Pulled Apart From Horses lie on opposite ends of the musical spectrum. The former most known for their debut single, ‘Let’s Go Surfing’ and the latter for their raucous sound and energy. But what Dot to Dot has a knack for, is unearthing the talents that you’ve probably never heard of but who you’ll want to familiarize yourselves with. A few months may pass, or even weeks, and the Jools Holland appearances will filter in and you’ll be kicking yourself because you didn’t see them in that intimate venue. Last year, they even managed to bag Ed Sheeran as he was on the cusp of rocketing to the top of the charts.

Fresh from their appearances at Liverpool Sound City, Pond, who come from elite stock with 3 of their members also dividing their time in Tame Impala, and Clock Opera who wowed audiences are not to be missed. Also, expect lashings of new sounds from O Children as they return with ‘Apnea’, the follow up to their debut album, and luckily so after lead singer, Tobi O’Kandi faced deportation to Nigeria recently. Other anticipated acts include California’s Wavves who’ll hopefully be bringing a ray of shine with some 'surf pop' and Neon Indian, who, luckily for those heading to the Manchester date get to see one of the innovators of Chillwave after his impressive performance at Coachella.

At the measly sum of £20, and with music from midday up until 3am, it certainly is not to be missed, and assuredly a lot more fun than celebrating Queenie’s achievement. You can check out the venue breakdown for Bristol, Nottingham and Manchester here.