Review: Dot to Dot Festival Nottingham

ALT BLK ERA, Black Cherry Lounge
ALT BLK ERA gave an awesome performance early in the day and I'm still pondering on their genre. Is it nu-metal, goth hip hop or even psycho-soul? I may have made the last two genres up but the girls really gave a unique sound that created a storm and I'm a fan. Supported by a guitarist, a drummer and backing tracks, the duo Nyrobi and Chaya created a powerful sound with lots of energy to kick start the music at Black Cherry Lounge. Heavy and powerful basslines underpinned the metal influenced guitar riffs and strong drum patterns all helped to compliment the haunting and sometimes chilling vocals. It's okay to be different, it's okay to be weird, it's okay to be alternative and it's okay to love ALT BLK ERA. Bassey

Humour, Black Cherry Lounge
Humour are a five-piece Glasgow punk-influenced band that are unique in their delivery. Guitar stabs punched anyone who happened to be in the room with intense, drunken patterns, the bass and drums insanely tight in whatever tempo they decided to play, leaving singer Andreas Christodoulidis to do his own thing - and his own thing was remarkable, refusing to stay in the same octave for long as he screamed with a manic gibbering language that was perfect for the songs. He managed to put over a clash of swagger and vulnerability at the same time, and for me the vulnerability won the fight and I was drawn into their intense world. They have a new single called Halfwit out now, don't miss it. Bassey

SOFY, Black Cherry Lounge
The highlight of Sunday’s offerings for me is SOFY. The Leicester born indie-pop artist is a revelation. Backed by her band of boys, resplendent in yellow overalls, SOFY, dressed in a 2001 England shirt, launches energetically into her set. She is a bundle of energy, and seemed to be having the time of her life. Songs like Big Talk, Strawberry Milkshake and Egomaniac are excellent and had the packed Black Cherry Lounge bouncing. She has the cheeky swagger of Lily Allen and is one of new generation of fantastic female lead bands, more than earning her place alongside acts like Men I Trust, Dolores Forever and Abbie Ozard. Rich Higton

Surya Sen, BETA
Starting his performance with around a dozen listeners, this North London born rapper had packed the room by the end of his thirty-minute set. He is influenced by the golden era of hip hop and he soon had the audience dancing to his hypnotic beats that suggested another influence from Afro-Cuban Samba rhythms. BETA is not the largest of venues and when it's packed with dancing folks, it gets a little difficult stay focussed on the performer. His tracks included the titles Care Less, Jessica and Buccho Ni Ba Bhai, all uplifting and bright songs that would not let you stay still for long. If you came to just stand and watch Surya Sen then you probably walked away disappointed, because this rapper made everyone move. Bassey

Tapir!, The Bodega
The London based five-piece performed early on at The Bodega on West Gate, filling their thirty-minute set with folk influenced psychedelia. Lead singer/guitarist Ike Gray is ably backed by guitarist Tom Rogers-Coltman, bassist Ronnie Longfellow, keyboardist Will McCrossan and cornet player Emily Hubbard. The timeslot is a bit scant to truly get a feel for the band, and some feedback issues did cause the band to lose a little focus during the latter parts of the set. However, for the most part Tapir! impressed. The band’s EP Act 1: The Pilgrim is out now, to get a better feel for their sound. Rich Higton

Fat Dog, The Level
Fat Dog hit out hard from the get go with infectious music and I felt like they were in a cult that I had to be part of. The energy from this group of individuals was the stuff you use for rocket fuel, with keys, sax, guitar, bass, drums and vocals all going off in different direction. But... this conflict of images and sounds somehow worked to give a rock performance and laced with Jewish and Balkan rhythms. This shouldn't work but it all came together in a confusing mix and I'm not sure how or why. If you want to see a high energy band that effortlessly makes you dance, whilst hitting you from all directions with each member's own performance, then you have to see Fat Dog. My best surprise band of the day. Bassey

Jerub, The Level
Jerub came on next at The Level and gave a personal performance that was raw and intimate at times. As a performer this young Nottingham singer songwriter has come a long way over the past couple of years and Jerub gave us songs from his new EP Finding My Feet, deeply sensitive to his own and others feelings and delivered almost note perfect vocals. He has a wonderful voice and there is true sincerity in his material. After so many highly-fuelled acts, this was a gentle moment during Dot To Dot and he almost made time stand still for a short period of time. Did I mention that he really knows how to sing? Well, he also knows how to write beautiful songs and he just keeps on getting better. Bassey

Namani, Rescue Rooms
Namani comes from Lewisham in London and by his own admission, he just fell into rapping as a casual thing and with no real plan. But I'm very pleased he did. Armed with three friends on stage and dozens of friends in the audience, Namani gave us thirty minutes of a summery vibe that was just right for this hot early evening and, along with hypnotic beats that literally moved the whole room and his free styling all helped to make for an infectious set. His almost casual approach to selecting each track deceived the crowd and as the beats started, the audience moved in unison. Namani may still be a young artist but watch out, he will surely be a big-name rapper as he matures and makes progress in his performance. Bassey

Pretty Windows, The Chapel at The Angel
Nottingham’s own post-punk electronica duo Pretty Windows have been plying their trade for quite a while now. I first saw them back at the beginning of 2023 in Derby, and both Steve (guitars) and Hutch (vocals) are on top form right now. If you like songs about nature, Nottingham, and Camden gurus then Pretty Windows are for you. They are always around somewhere, so I highly recommend seeking out a show ASAP. Rich Higton

Yard Act, Rock City
Yard Act were probably the number one band I wanted to see at Dot To Dot this year and what a performance they put on. It's sometimes difficult to remember that this four-piece band from Leeds have only been going since 2019, and their debut album last year helped to move them onto a new level. I'm struck by how good these musicians are, with Sam's unpredictable guitaring that reminded me of early Keith Levine, Ryan and Jay providing a concrete solid rhythm to hold it all together and James on vocals that flirt from crooning to screams in a nano second. Labelled as a post punk band, these guys are much more than just a label or genre and a packed Rock City wanted to hear what these new starts had to say. Yard Act were my top act on the night. Bassey

Dot to Dot took place in Nottingham on 28 May 2023.

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