10 bands we saw at Dot to Dot 2023, Nottingham
- ◡̈ Lia Qin
- Jun 19, 2023
- 12 min read
The Dot to Dot Festival is an annual music festival held at various venues in Nottingham and other cities – I’m sure you’ve all heard about Dot to Dot but just in case you haven’t, this is from their Wikipedia page. It is by far one of my favourite festival for its diverse lineup and affordable ticket price - it’s a day for everyone. However, Just like any other festival, good bands clash with each other and it was quite impossible to see everyone on my list. Luckily we have some talented friends who also went to the big party and are kind enough to share their thoughts and photos of the bands they enjoyed seeing. Keep reading to see if any band you like is covered, let us know what’s your D2D experience this year ;)
Reviews by (try click the link):
Bloodworm - Luke Bower
Opus Kink - Archie Bowmer
Otala - Natalie Howarth
Girl and Girl - Lia Qin
The Murder Capital - Lucy Thompson
86TVs - Harry Culpin
Maruja - Charlotte Foulkes
Yard Act - Ruby Atkinson
Grove - Amelia Blakey
Bloodworm @Rescue Rooms
(photos by Lia Qin @liaaaaatgigs)
Opening the acclaimed Rescue Rooms stage for Nottingham’s Dot to Dot were locals Bloodworm, bringing their fully realised shoegaze infused indie/post-punk to the delight of a packed out venue. This not being their first rodeo playing to a Nottingham crowd, the three piece seemed almost at home delivering their set to familiar faces in the crowd as recognised by frontman George Curtis, whilst still being appreciative and in awe of their first time playing Rescue Rooms.
A stand out performance for the day and a brilliant start to 2023’s Dot to Dot: Bloodworm are definitely ones to keep an eye out for. (Luke Bower)
Opus Kink @Rock City
(photos by Violet Sun @mild_laugh)
The crowd slowly left after Divorce opened rock city for Dot to Dot 2023 but just as quickly a new crowd formed waiting for the jazz beast that is Opus Kink. I was stood at the barrier, anticipating the show that was about to start, this was my first time seeing Opus Kink and I had heard amazing things about them live.
Angus (the frontman) first appeared, and so did the rest of the band. Everyone instantly cheered for the band, they knew that this was going to be good. Opus Kink opened with their second single Wild Bill and the crowd started to bounce without a second to think. I’ve never seen a crowd start going as fast, it was as if the band had a spell on everyone. Throughout this first song, crowd surfers came and went, pits opened and closed and Opus Kink made sure rock city knew they were here. After Wild Bill, they introduced themselves and went head first into the next song: my personal favourite I Love You, Baby. I ran to the pit and without a second, jumped right in. I’ve never seen a band with such good energy. I stayed in the pit for the next few songs. Angus really puts a show on, running around and getting off the stage. They then went full force into The Unrepentant Solider, a song I hadn’t heard much before but loved and have listened to it every day after!
I left the pit to go back and join my mates, all sweaty and tired out. I stood at the barrier as Opus Kink played their biggest hit St Paul of the Tarantulas and the crowd went mental. From the pit Oscar Thorpe from the band Otala appeared, he went over the barrier and got on stage, screaming into the mics. This has got to be possibly one of the best moments I’ve seen at a gig! A few weeks before this gig Opus Kink and Otala had played together in Hull, still this wasn’t planned but the band knew Oscar.
After this moment, the band started one of the singles from their new EP, 1:18. This sounds like it will be a slow song but it goes mental around a minute in, the drop came in and the entire place turned into a massive mosh pit, everyone bouncing, people crowd surfing, and the band loved it. I was sad to see the set coming to an end but happy to get This Train as it's such a great closer.
I also had the chance to interview Angus! This interview will be available soon! (Archie Bowmer)
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Fat Dog @The Level
☞ There will be songs out soon!☜
(photos by Lia Qin @liaaaaatgigs)
Fat Dog are a fabulously dynamic 5-piece hailing from London. Pinning down their exact genre can be somewhat difficult, due to their use of fast punky drumbeats, combined with techno-inspired synth interjections alongside slow and almost solemn saxophone solos. However, all you need to know is that they bring high energy levels to every show. This was my sixth time seeing Fat Dog, and they seem to get better with every gig. Fat Dog played at the Level, Nottingham for Dot to Dot this year. Although this was the furthest venue from Rock City, it was packed out with people eager to watch the show.
In usual Fat Dog style, they entered the stage to a spaceship-like countdown, giving the audience two minute and one minute ‘warnings’ until the band came on. For the first half of the set, frontman Joe stayed on stage playing guitar and vocals for songs such as ‘I’m the king of the slugs’, but the second half of the set is where the true chaotic energy emerged. Joe spent the second half of the set almost always in the crowd whilst every member of it danced around him, and, considering the band have no music on record as of yet, there were a lot of people singing along.
Highlights of the show included drummer Johnny playing the entirety of the set in his dog mask, as well as synth player Chris and sax player Morgan showcasing their eccentric dance routines. Also the Lidl carrier bag on stage was pretty funny.
Though it was just a 30-minute set, most people left the show a lot sweatier than when they entered. Overall, an unforgettable band at an unforgettable event. (Ella Arno)
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Otala @Percy Picklebackers
(photos by Greta Kaur-Taylor @gretaktaylor)
Lyrics that can only be defined as poetry with a definitive sound, Otala are an emerging, Nottingham-based band that you should definitely look out for! Their sound is difficult to categorise as they maintain an eclectic essence and musical experimentation fusing many genres together, most notably achieving a post-punk and post-rock feel. Inspired by the likes of artists from Slint to Tera Melos, their range of inspiration indicates their abilities to put on a powerhouse performance.
The post-punk quintet kicked off their early evening set at Percy Picklebackers with Tennov, a song fueled by mysticism. The band’s vocalist, Oscar, uses spoken words creating an air of melancholia that engaged with the audience. Tell The Bees, a personal favourite, showcased an emotive and energetic performance from all band members: Charlotte, alto saxophonist, contributes to achieve a mellow and angsty sound as a quintessential instrument to the post-punk revival persuasion. The set was undeniably a highlight of my day at Dot to Dot festival and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for this unique and exciting band. (Natalie Howarth)
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Girl and Girl @Black Cherry Lounge
(photos by Violet Sun @mild_laugh & Lia Qin @liaaaaatgigs)
The Australian indie rock band Girl and Girl hit the stage of Black Cherry Lounge at 18:15 sharp - I was still fighting for my life trying to make a cardboard sign with just a ball pen.
Aiden is the guy who introduced me to Girl and Girl, he also happens to be the one released their first ever record (insert plug @ColossusRecords). We met at a gig in Melbourne earlier this year and he refuses to shut up about how good G&G is. He’s not wrong btw. This band is a beautiful blend of new and old - both the sound and the members. When a casual listen on Spotify easily turned into repeating their EP Divorce for hours, I knew I had to go see Aunty Liss live. And they didn’t disappoint. Kai (Vocals/Guitar) radiates SUCH positive energy. He looks like the type of person that could make you feel upbeat after spending a few minutes together. And that’s exactly what he did to the crowd. I didn’t expect mosh pits at their set but it just naturally happened (thanks to the group of guys on right side of the stage, I wish you are at every gig I go to in the future). People were jumping around, band were enjoying themselves, room was steaming hot – the good vibes was so infectious, it still lingered on after they finished and I think everyone in that room would agree.
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The Murder Capital @Rock City
(photos by Violet Sun @mild_laugh)
After Fat Dog, we headed to Rock City for the band I was most excited to see at Dot to Dot: The Murder Capital. They are one of my favourite bands and their live shows are immense. I haven’t seen them in a while so it was very nice to have my mind refreshed at their gig. They opened with Don’t Cling To Life, which they don’t usually do, but I think it worked well this night as possibly not everyone knew all their songs - but they most likely knew this one, so it got the crowd energised at the right time. They then played For Everything and Return My Head, keeping the level high. My favourite part of the set was Gigi’s Recovery and Ethel, both from their second album. They are truly incredible songs and really connect with me every time I hear them live. I like how they placed these two songs in between songs from their first album, When I Have Fears, to show their range and how they can make loud punk music but also beautiful and emotional tunes too. Their musicianship is amazing and it is so clear to see that the music is made all on stage, no backing tracks or anything. I love seeing their friendship blossom on stage, like when James and Gabriel have all their little interactions. To close their set, they played Feeling Fades, where James always gets in the crowd and crowd surf, of which most of the time I try not to get whacked. It would have been nice to have them headlining and hear more of their two masterpiece albums, nevertheless their set was amazing as usual and worked very well for a festival crowd. And the excitement remained as they announced their upcoming tour the next day! (Lucy Thompson)
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86TVs @The Level
(photo by Lindsay Melbourne @lindsay_melbourne)
With no songs released, and knowing nothing about 86TVs other than the fact the band consists of the three brothers, two of which (Hugo and Felix White) were members of The Maccabees. I and most of us in Nottingham’s The Level, had no idea what to expect. Picking up where the Maccabees left off 86TVs captivated the crowd with atmospheric and uplifting melodies, a sound so familiar for a band I can’t possibly have heard before. Despite this sense of familiarity in their sound, 86TVs are a breath of fresh air. Drawing on their 00s roots, creating a sense of nostalgia to their songs, the three brothers singing in harmony is reminiscent of the Beach Boys, while at certain points, Felix’s guitar riffs and tones wouldn’t be amiss on The Strokes first few albums. The set was crafted perfectly by these seasoned veterans, blending energy and ruckus with more poignant, atmospheric moments suggestive of Arcade Fire’s early days, while showcasing a delicate side on a ballad led by Hugo’s soft vocals, evocative of Lou Reed. If you’re looking for another dose of The Maccabees in 86TVs, with their nostalgic indie sound, you won’t be disappointed. However to sell the band of brothers as such would be an understatement of criminal proportions. 86TVs are a band that offers everything, from touching, personal moments to electric riffs bursting with energy without forgetting to note the atmospheric sounds with a frisson that can shiver the nerves down your spine. Catch them before everyone else does. (Harry Culpin)
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Maruja @Red Rooms
(photos by Natalie Howarth)
As the night continues, one would assume tiredness and lethargy 8 hours after the start of Dot to Dot. On the contrary, Nottingham’s locals swarm towards Red Rooms, which becomes inundated with excitement ahead of Manchester’s finest jazz punk outfit - Maruja. Saxophonist Joe Carroll builds with slow, rumbling stabs of increasing pace, the anticipation riles the crowd. The others jump in and reach a climax of noise. The set starts in an explosive, unpredictable manner - just the tip of the iceberg for what came next. The crowd bursts into movement, and Maruja do not fail to engage them in their music that seems close enough to performance art, with Joe and Harry Wilkinson (Vocals/Guitar) ducking in between the unruly audience many times. The set, laced with harmonious riffs, quiet words and chaotic breakdowns, did not lose its energy once. Their dynamism enticed the very packed, sweaty and restless room. My personal favourite, the aptly named Rage began cathartic and beautiful, with ambient drums and riffs that would grow and swell amongst Harry’s words. It descends into an angry cacophony, clearly resonating with the eager crowd, who fight and scramble in the mosh. By the end, it is refreshingly evident that this band has dedicated their everything to their 30-minute slot, and the crowd also sweaty and exhausted are nonetheless begging for more. Maruja’s performance was one to behold, and I found myself insatiably reliving it through videos even days after. (Charlotte Foulkes)
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Yard Act @Rock City
(photos by Pete Taylor @petetaylor.photography)
Dot to Dot’s headline slot this year went to Yard Act, a band well worthy and very capable of taking that place. Since the release of their single Dark Days, I have loved the band and seeing them grow from a just sold out gig at Rescue Rooms last May to a packed Rock City this year was a great experience. Having become known for their energetic performances and rowdy audiences, their set did not disappoint. Opening with lyrical tongue twister Fixer Upper, the crowd got going before a note was played as frontman James Smith instructed us all to “have a f*ing great time”, and that was taken to heart, every lyric now well known. Their setlist was honed to perfection, each song capturing the energy left by the last, even the unreleased ‘Trenchcoat Museum’ ending with a mosh and huge cheers. Their moshes have earned them their status as one of the most anticipated live bands on the scene right now, and it was relentless in a way that reflected the slick performance taking place on stage and led to James thanking us for the “silliness going on down there”. With lyrics mocking the state of politics and poverty in the UK, Yard Act never shy away from strong statements, and the existential ‘100% endurance’ led into a powerful speech on the meaning of life – something not always a staple in the set of many bands, but one that gives these gigs the spirit that they have. The set was almost brought to an end by the raucous ‘The Trapper’s Pelts’, until the band realised they had forgotten the title track of their debut album ‘The Overload’, which led to a memorably strong close. Yard Act are a band that undoubtedly deserve their success, and their live shows are an incredible event that continue to reinforce this. (Ruby Atkinson)
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Grove @Rescue Rooms
(photos by khali @khaliphotography)
One of the last acts to play was Bristol based drill artist Grove. This was a tough slot that started at 1:30am long after the headliners, Yard Act, had left the stage. The room was originally fairly empty and many were just waiting for the Yard Act DJ set that was on afterwards. However, once again Grove triumphed over the exhausted audience and arrived with an infectious that no one could possibly be immune to and hit the crowd with fan favourites like "Ur Boyfriend's Wack" and "Feed My Desire". Grove's music is unbelievably adrenaline fueled and high impact perfectly mixing high energy dance music with drill to create the ultimate festival act that no one can possibly resist. B.B.B. their song that Grove released with Lynks in 2021 was a particular highlight of their set that really elevated the gig and won over the crowd instantly. At one point Grove cheekily introduced their song Milf Magnet by exclaiming that its there goal in goal to attract as many Milfs as possible which led to a well deserved round of applause. Grove finished out the set with a cover of Girls Aloud's "Sound of the Underground" and by this point the entire crowd couldn't help but dance. This was easily one of the best festival sets I've ever had the joy of watching and just confirms what a brilliant live performer Grove is. (Amelia Blakey)
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You’ve made it! Hope you had fun reading it as much as I did. Some of the bands are releasing new music / going on tour very soon. Please check their socials for the most updated information. Last but not least, a very loud thank you to everyone who contributed to this article! Love you, see you soon x
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