Festival Review: Dot To Dot 2025

Seven Dark Lords - The Angel, 1pm

Upstairs at The Angel is a great small venue known as The Chapel, a must visit for anyone into the Nottingham music scene. It is here and early into Dot To Dot 2025 that Seven Dark Lords take to the stage. No fuss, no nonsense, just a brief hello and straight into the song Counterpoint from their last album, with great Americana style sounds and great storytelling. They seem to have made a couple of changes to the band line up this year but thankfully have lost none of their edge, with tight drums and bass rhythm section, as well as some impressive guitar riffs. Check out how good the modern sounds of country rock and blues have developed and make sure you see Seven Dark Lords at least once this year. Bassey

Drury Hill – The Bodega Bar, 1:30pm

Drury Hill are Nottingham’s slacker rock darlings. Their vocals are soft, their guitars are biting, and their musical talent is immaculate. Slacker rock, as a style of performance and playing, is often very hard to achieve, despite the namesake, yet Drury Hill do it with ease. What really stands out to me about their set is how in touch they are with each other musically, with their tightness as a band really shining through. It pays off completely, no one part overpowers above the rest and they create one beautiful, unified sound. The Bodega bar was crammed full of people and yet they managed to captivate everyone. In quiet segments, no crowd could be heard - a true testament to this incredible band’s ability. With an EP on the horizon and an extremely bright future ahead, Drury Hill are certainly the perfect band to get excited about in 2025. Tom Gensler

Lala Hayden – Beta, 2pm 

An entrancing opener for Beta, as quirky dream-pop, British-Spanish, singer-songwriter Lala Hayden proved that we were in for a musical treat and a whole festive day of authentic emerging music. Lala previously fronted London indie-pop band Anteros for seven years and is now paving the way for independent artists with her successful solo career. 

Opening the Beta stage with kooky honeymoon suite, the introductory track off her most recent extended play Viva Venus, Lala was dressed in jazz shoes and a frilly B&W ensemble, instantly commanding the space and winning us over with her angelic vocals, bouncy performance art and kind offerings of white roses. She praised the festival and audience for supporting independent artists; earnestly stating the difficulties and painful self-doubt of her journey in the industry, before performing MONSTER – a moving song which featured crowd repetition of “enough enough enough” to remind us all that we are indeed enough.  

An ethereal alt-pop princess with pure pzazz – I would strongly recommend Lala Hayden for any fans of Prima Queen, St. Vincent, or Zuzu. Kat Monk-Watts

Fighting Evil Is Cool - The Carousel, 2pm

Another must-visit Nottingham venue, the team at The Carousel are always friendly and work hard for the bands and the audience.

Now, I must confess to not knowing about Fighting Evil Is Cool or any of their music, but that's going to change from now on! The signs were good before they even started playing when I spotted a band member wearing an old t-shirt of Nottingham's notorious band, Breadchasers. They provided a similar style of frantic, energetic Ska-Punk fusion, playing bass, drums, guitar, sax, trumpet and trombone. This meant the 7-piece band couldn't easily fit on the small stage, but that didn't stop them throwing out random songs about Sky Pirates, Gangster Fish and Zombies - what's not to like?! Bassey

GIRLBAND! - Rock City, 2:30pm

Notts girls always do it best! Georgie, Kay and Jada absolutely brought the house down and were the perfect Dot To Dot opener for Rock City’s main hall. The powerful trio were having the time of their lives on stage and we were fortunate to witness their electric blend of charisma, chemistry, and signature rock ‘n’ roll explode right in front of our eyes. Rock City was (understandably) completely packed out, from the front of the stage to the very top of the balcony. As soon as the main hall opened, there was a mad rush to bagsy the perfect spot to catch GIRLBAND! in their element. The girls came on just after 2:30pm and we welcomed their presence with a mighty cheer, before they brought us into their colourful world of punk-rock and feminist ethos, along with 90s riot grrrl influences and the graceful art of not giving a f**k. 

After opening with This Is Not Goodbye, frontwoman Georgie teased the legendary opening guitar riff for 21^st Century Suffragette, provoking a call and response with the audience before launching right into the empowering single. Flashes of red, purple and pink synchronised with Kay's basslines and Jada’s drumming, as they continued with a fabulous T-Rex cover of Hot Love, followed by a turbulent Talk Me Down and Thelma and Louise before ending their spectacular set with Not Like The Rest. The latter is an emotional force of nature, designed to see live and will immediately resonate with anyone who has ever grown up feeling out of place. This inspiring coming-out, coming-of-age song is GIRLBAND’s loving reminder that you’re not alone: to accept yourself and to be truly proud of exactly who you are. Kat Monk-Watts

Swallowtail – Beta, 3pm

Cult shoegaze favourites Swallowtail grace the Beta stage with ease, crafting a vivid, broad yet intricate wall of sound that holds up completely throughout the set. Fresh off the back of their fantastic and beautiful EP Seesaw, they play their set with an effortless coolness, each member really throwing everything they have into creating their own ecosystem of sound for thirty minutes. It’s amazing to see such a big crowd for them, especially this early into the festival. Shoegaze is one of the best genres to see live when done right, and Swallowtail do it perfectly. They represent everything good about the genre, such as their live musicianship, creativity and focus, as well as promoting live music over recorded music. Swallowtail are a massively promising yet already brilliant act and I’m extremely excited to see and hear much more from them. If you like your shoegaze, these are THE band to see at the minute. Tom Gensler

John Roseboro - The Bodega, 3pm

Haitian-American singer songwriter John Roseboro slipped onto the main Bodega stage and reminded everyone that this festival was happening on a Sunday afternoon. His chilled, effortless style at first seemed to lack any real direction, but don't be fooled. Simple and concise lyrics over some really great jazz style guitar chords and bossa nova influenced rhythms had the audience hanging onto every word and note. Mellow vibes in the middle of the Dot To Dot day meant time stood still just for a little while, allowing John Roseboro to teach us how to love his super smooth sounds. Bassey

Adore - The Bodega Bar, 3:30pm

Punk trio band Adore played to an absolutely packed-out downstairs Bodega and it was a great performance. It's easy to see why there is a buzz about this Irish band and an impressive wall of sound was created by just the three musicians: Lara Minchin on guitar/main vocals, Lachlann O Fionnain on bass and Naoise Jordan Cavanagh on drums. A mix of Punk, Goth and Industrial rock sounds managed to keep energy levels high throughout the performance and the 30-minute set was over far too quickly. They are busy with lots of gigs this year including a tour in November - keep both eyes open for these guys returning to Nottingham! Bassey

Airport Dad - The Grove, 4pm

The Grove’s small space was jam-packed in support of Airport Dad. One of the leading bands in Nottingham’s indie scene, they had reassuring encouragement from good mates and other local musicians uplifting the band’s compelling performance. Their set featured their latest distinctive and poetic single Alive (released back in March), the strenuous fan favourite Brighter Days and my own personal fave, I Wanna Cry. The latter is a symphonic and idyllic piece, laced with melancholic language, solemn instrumentals and frank relatability. 

The Notts "alt-dad" rock crowd pleasers brought everybody together with their raw honest lyricism, distorted grunge, political stances and candied spaced-out sounds. A strong and humble band with a long bright future ahead of them. Kat Monk-Watts

Rights For Flies - The Angel, 4pm

So much fun from this ten-piece band (at least I think it was ten!), playing bass, guitars, drums and I think I counted at least five members contributing towards the vocals. Rights For Flies put everything into the performance including masks, costumes, face paint and it's obvious that they enjoyed every moment of it. They offer a unique and incredibly infectious alternative to the norm, and I was an instant fan when they played their interpretation of T-Rex’s classic single, 21st Century Boy. Flies have rights and it's only right to like Rights For Flies! Bassey

The Hoplites – Carousel, 4pm

Local Ska experts The Hoplites are a tour-de-force of modern two-tone. Their timeless ska sound and aesthetic holds up incredibly here, and every single person in the venue is moving. It’s impossible not to, their positivity, upbeat lyrics and loyalty to the genre make them a must-see and a must-listen to act. For me, the highlight is a guest appearance from the incredible Chloe Rogers, who is a known Ska fan, appearing on a cover of Concrete Rose’s track, What I Would Give. Her vocals are soft and beautiful and completely add to the sound, bringing an extra layer of melody and power to this band’s incredible set. The Hoplites have the best live vibes, and they were a joy to hear and witness at this festival. Tom Gensler

Honeyglaze – Rock City, 5:30pm

The Windmill era of post-punk is still alive and Honeyglaze embody it fully, serving as the next great alternative act. The trio format serves them extremely well as a band, allowing them to easily play out their catalogue. The energy is groovy and intriguing, and they always play with a sense of mystery surrounding them. It fully adds to their charm and cements them as a truly unique band. The guitar tones are sharp and not-overpowering, complementing the jagged and complex drum patterns. The vocals and lyrics are positively abrasive, again crafting a very well-defined musical space for the band to uniquely exist within. Honeyglaze should definitely be on your baroque-pop bucket list as when performed live, their music is powerful. Tom Gensler

Catmilk – Jamcafé, 6pm

Naturally Jamcafé was absolutely rammed for Catmilk. People were pushing past to grab a quick drink beforehand and nabbing the best spot to witness this historical moment: their first performance in Nottingham’s most vibrantly eclectic independent music venue. Bar owner, DJ and music enthusiast Bradley Rice acknowledged this fact, as he introduced the alt-folk band with a touching speech.

Frontwoman Alex Milne addressed that she was wearing sunglasses “to disguise a bad hangover” (but in all honesty, they completed the look) before proceeding to kick off with a brilliant set consisting entirely of brand spanking new music. Personal standouts were Thirsty and Talking S**t, but each new engaging piece had lyrical stories, new whimsical melodies and new editions to the lingering classic Catmilk guitar hooks that draw you into their surreal vision. We’re so excited to stream their new music as soon as it’s available! Kat Monk-Watts

Hello Mary - Rescue Rooms, 6pm

My trip over to Rescue Rooms was mainly centred around this band and I was not disappointed. An all-girl band consisting of Helena Straight on guitar/vocals, Mikaela Oppenheimer on bass and synth, Stella Wave on drums and vocals, Hello Mary offer a refreshing alternative sound. Originally from New York, this trio are on the Frenchkiss Records label and have been busy supporting some great bands, including Midwest-emo legends American Football and post-rock outfit, Silversun Pickups.

Hello Mary generate so many layers and complexities from just three musicians, with deft and crisp drum sounds from Stella providing the perfect platform for Mikaela's riff-style bass lines and Helena's guitar effects sounds, which all together created a drone-pop style that was utterly mesmerising. I overheard several folks stating that this was their best new find of the day and I'm in full agreement. Thank you Dot To Dot 2025 for a great festival and helping me discover Hello Mary! Bassey

Dorothy Ella – 31K, 7pm 

Dorothy Ella, as always, was yellow personified. Serving fresh soul, delight and glitter alongside 31K’s pints and fabulous house cocktails, the festival reached its peak in the early evening. Dot to Dot Fest was day three of seven for Dorothy’s busking tour, which gave her warm sincere voice a lovely husky edge in her delivery.  

Starting with her sassy and popular single 2 Ways, Dorothy immediately drew us in with her brazen energy and rousing enthusiasm, capturing our attention and drawing more from groups sat outside in the sunshine. Her zesty song Talk stirred some sweet crowd engagement, with spontaneous dance moves and a call & response, followed by the animated and the all-too relatable All You Say Is No. Fellow talented artist Gordan Parma accompanied Dorothy for Thunder, their voices blending gorgeously together – it would be amazing to see these two collaborate on more projects down the line. 

Dorothy Ella’s simple acoustic set-up proves that all you need for an engaging performance is authenticity, charm, heartfelt delivery, and some banging / catchy tunes! Kat Monk-Watts

Paradise Circus – 31K, 8pm

Paradise Circus are one of the best indie bands of the local circuit, hands down. Their powerful vocals combined with heavy riffs and extremely good musicianship make them a fantastic act normally, but this 31K set for Dot To Dot was just something else. The guitar riffs bounce off the venue walls with a heavy ease, and the band’s effortless coolness just seeps through everything they do. Everyone is dancing, moving and screaming back the lyrics, which is amazing to see. A truly fantastic set from one of the fastest growing local acts, the rest of 2025 and beyond looks extremely bright for these guys. Tom Gensler

Penny Moon - The Carousel, 9pm

It was Penny Moon’s first headline gig at Dot To Dot Festival and they didn’t disappoint. The female-fronted band closed The Carousel just as the sun was setting, which felt quite reflective of their own sound: celestial, serene and very memorable. 

Frontwoman Jess Beer was sat centre stage, wearing a turquoise gingham dress to match her white and pastel guitar, with bassist Liv to her left and lead guitarist Hever to her right. Lit under astral green & orange lighting, they opened their set with a grungy throwback to Fool, an alt-rock 2019 single released back when Jess and Hever were formerly part of Velvet Blush. This version was softer and more shoegaze-infused, but equally as entertaining. The girls also played their two established singles as Penny Moon: If You’re There (I Won’t Be There) and Slow Down, songs that are loaded with bewitching lyricism, hypnotic basslines and fluctuating guitar motifs.

If you’re craving a new listen for local atmospheric alternative rock, look no further. Kat Monk-Watts

The Deep Blue - The Bodega Bar, 9:30pm

The lovely Manchester indie-folk quartet travelled all the way from Bristol’s D2D Festival to our very own Bodega Bar. Georgia, Sophie, Niamh and Katie greeted us all with warm smiles, divine harmonies, spirited guitar riffs, as well as a lovely mash up chorus of Fleetwood Mac’s Everywhere!

Sadly, the girls should have been miked better, as at times their gentle vocals and beautifully layered melodies were slightly drowned out by laughter and loud house lager orders, but thankfully it didn’t stop The Deep Blue from delivering a truly exquisite performance.

I would strongly recommend He Said She Said: a mesmerising, harmony-heavy and upbeat song, contrasted with harrowing but very powerful lyrics. Soft voices speaking important truths, The Deep Blue are perfect for any listeners of Bess Atwell, NewDad or The Big Moon. Kat Monk-Watts

Fat Dog – Rock City, 9:30pm

Fat Dog’s recorded sound is incredibly admirable, as well as catchy, punky and energetic. Honestly, I was slightly worried about how well their brand of dance-punk would translate to the live setting, but I was wrong - completely. Fat Dog’s live shows are insane, with a full band playing fast dance-punk banger after dance-punk banger and the whole crowd completely devoted to it. It’s crazy, cult-like and groovy.

Frontman Joe Love has this bizarre and saviour-like stage presence; he’s clad in a white suit and cowboy hat, constantly floating across the Rock City barrier. Whilst chaos is at the core of this insanely good band, everything is planned and created for a purpose, and the space wherein everything they do musically and visually meets is a truly special sight to behold. Running, their flagship song, is easily one of the best songs of the festival for me. Its musical motion makes it so catchy, and its bark-like tone is completely unique. Fat Dog are one of the UK’s fastest rising acts and they cement themselves as alternative royalty with this amazing Rock City headline set. Tom Gensler

Keo – Rescue Rooms, 22:15pm

The 2020s Britpop revival is in full swing and Keo will be at the very forefront of it. Honestly, they’re impossible not to love and for a band with only a couple of songs on Spotify, Rescue Rooms is absolutely packed. Every song they play is amazing, however, one song stands out to me more than any other - Spaceman. This is single-handedly one of the best written and best live-sounding songs I’ve ever heard. It’s sad and powerful yet hopeful, with shades of both The Velvet Underground and Coldplay. It’s truly special and is already a cult favourite in the Keo fanbase despite only being debuted a couple of weeks ago.

Keo are a must-see band as they will be a household name soon. I fully expect 2025 to be an insanely huge year for them in every way. Tom Gensler

Dot to Dot Festival took place on Sunday 25 May 2025 across multiple venues in Nottingham. You can see our full gallery from the festival below.