Tri-city event returns
Being unique is one of those characteristics that many of us strive for but few actually attain (regardless of what your Mum tells you). According to Dot to Dot festival however, being different to everyone else isn’t all that hard. Just take your merry band of soon-to-be-massive artists on a trip across three UK cities, fill up a host of venues in each city, all over the course of one weekend. Simple? No, not really.
Now entering its seventh year, the Dot to Dot organisers have an impressive knack for picking relatively unknown artists who then go on to be widely revered. Looking back over some of their past line ups, one gets the impression that luck isn’t part of their lexicon: they’ve clearly a keen eye for naked talent. Names such as the XX, Metronomy, A-Trak, SBTRKT, Friendly Fires, The Naked & Famous, Blawan… we could go on.
The 2012 line-up is a winning blend of the already-lauded and excitingly-new, with the final quota including names like Neon Indian, Willy Mason, this year’s SXSW sensations Pond, San Diego surf punks Wavves, and the mesmerising Clock Opera. You’ll also have the chance to catch some emerging names who’ve graced the pages of Clash’s ‘Ones to Watch’ section: Pulled Apart By Horses, The Drums, Beth Jeans Houghton, Willis Earl Beal, Patterns and Summer Camp.
A bold commitment to booking bands whose profiles aren’t yet as celebrated as some of the other festival headliners out there (plus the fact that you can have access to all the venues on a given day for only £20) is what really makes this festival unique. And long may it continue.
Dot to Dot will be visiting Bristol, Nottingham, and Manchester over the Jubilee weekend. For more details visit www.dottodotfestival.co.uk
Words by Alex Goddard
Now entering its seventh year, the Dot to Dot organisers have an impressive knack for picking relatively unknown artists who then go on to be widely revered. Looking back over some of their past line ups, one gets the impression that luck isn’t part of their lexicon: they’ve clearly a keen eye for naked talent. Names such as the XX, Metronomy, A-Trak, SBTRKT, Friendly Fires, The Naked & Famous, Blawan… we could go on.
The 2012 line-up is a winning blend of the already-lauded and excitingly-new, with the final quota including names like Neon Indian, Willy Mason, this year’s SXSW sensations Pond, San Diego surf punks Wavves, and the mesmerising Clock Opera. You’ll also have the chance to catch some emerging names who’ve graced the pages of Clash’s ‘Ones to Watch’ section: Pulled Apart By Horses, The Drums, Beth Jeans Houghton, Willis Earl Beal, Patterns and Summer Camp.
A bold commitment to booking bands whose profiles aren’t yet as celebrated as some of the other festival headliners out there (plus the fact that you can have access to all the venues on a given day for only £20) is what really makes this festival unique. And long may it continue.
Dot to Dot will be visiting Bristol, Nottingham, and Manchester over the Jubilee weekend. For more details visit www.dottodotfestival.co.uk
Words by Alex Goddard
