Photo:
Most may have been tucking into the Pimms for the Queen's Jubilee weekend but music lovers had a better plan as they descended on Manchester city centre for this year's Dot To Dot festival.
After two successful dates in Nottingham and Bristol, over 100 acts took over seven venues for one of the country's finest inner-city festivals.
Taking residence along Manchester's Oxford Road, venues from The Ritz to The Deaf Institute were no more than 10 minutes apart which made seeing some of the most exciting new bands over 14 hours a joy.
Nottingham’s own Jake Bugg kicked off the day, taking to the stage a packed-out Zoo venue. Following the release of his recent single 'Lightning Bolt', which was named ‘the Hottest Record in the World’ by Radio One’s Zane Lowe, the 18-year-old has become one of the most hyped names around - and everyone here seems to know it!
Bugg's nostalgic blend of old-school, toe-tapping Dylan-esque country and catchy 60s beat-pop keeps the audience thrilled throughout. Clearly humbled by the reaction the singer seems much wiser than his years. After selling out a recent show at London's iconic 100 Club it's clear that the future is very bright for this young man.
Sound Control is one of the city's finest music gems. So ex-Gallows frontman Frank Carter’s new band Pure Love drew in a large crowd for their slot at Sound Control Loft, it may only have been their fifth show as a band but it doesn’t show in the slightest.
Many have been intrigued by Carter's new project with guitarist Jim Carroll, with questions raised about where he could go from the Gallows. Before a note is played Carter stands in the middle of the floor and addresses the crowd “we’ve got half a PA and an empty room, let’s have some fun” and we did just that. Debuting tracks from their forthcoming album, set for release in October, Jim Carroll joins Carter amongst the audience for single 'Bury My Bones' and 'Handsone Devils Club'. It's clear that the pair are both enjoying what they do and response from their recent shows has confirmed that fans share the same mutual feeling.
Both tipped as Gigwise's Ones To Watch in 2012, All The Young and Dog Is Dead continued the afternoon's music hit list. Willis Earl Bearl caused headlines last week after it was reported that he attacked a member of the crowd at a recent show. Having caught the singer live earlier in the year i was keen to see if any of the rumours about his 'diva' traits were true. Due on stage at 9.30 we waited and waited and then nothing. So anybody who actually got to see Willis Earl Bearl do let us know how it was, not the greatest start for this 'rising star'.
Pulled Apart By Horses hit the stage at 10pm back at Sound Control to deliver one of the standout performances of the day. With most heading over to The Ritz to check out The Drums, PABH's set opened to a slightly dwindled crowd but that soon changed as they launched into tracks from their impressive 2012 self titled debut. Pulled Apart have a rave live reputation and even those who may have not been initial fans were right in the crowd pit getting involved with the rest of us. Dot To Dot it was a pleasure yet again.
