Dot to Dot Festival returns to Nottingham on Sunday 28th May, with over 160 acts announced to play across 20 stages around the city centre. The lineup includes; Yard Act, Alvvays, The Murder Capital, Finn Foxell, Kofi Stone, Yunè Pinku, Hamish Hawk, High Vis, 86TVS, Grove, Beka, Fat Dog, Cryalot, Opus Kink, Nieve Ella, Benefits, Sophie May, and many more.
The all-dayer festival, which is also being held in Bristol a day prior, hosts some of the most exciting acts on the live circuit, as well as acting as a great springboard for local stars. Here are five artists to look out for at Dot to Dot in Nottingham on Sunday.
Opus Kink – Rock City at 15.15
Anyone wondering whether horn sections have a place in alternative rock music need look no further than Opus Kink. The Brighton group play a carnal style of gothic jazz punk equal parts likely to terrify and to incite a party. Last year’s EP ‘Til The Stream Runs Dry was a great listen, echoing early Bad Seeds (no better time to take the mantle, considering Nick Cave is worryingly near the start of a Morrissey 2.0 trajectory) crossbred with The Clash and a bit of Bitches Brew era Miles Davis. It is in a live setting, however, that Opus Kink are something properly special.
Fat Dog – The Level at 17.00
If getting up on stage is the real measure of a band’s value then Fat Dog, who don’t have a minute of recorded music out there, are using their time wisely. They’ve chopped and changed the line-up but kept the unrelenting energy (and the dog mask). Expect a lot. Rock n roll with a techno backbeat, Jewish/Balkan scales, and a shouty man with a lot of stage presence.
The Murder Capital – Rock City at 18.45
Brooding, muscular and more profound than that sounds, The Murder Capital get the sub-headline slot of which they’re more than deserving. Gigi’s Recovery, released earlier this year, was a powerful mark of intent that broke them free of post-punk pigeonholing. Owing as much to poetry and tenderness as they do heavy hitting guitars, the Dublin band are a must see on the big stage at Rock City.
Kofi Stone – Rescue Rooms at 22.00
Kofi Stone’s brand of alternative hip hop is soulful, introspective and narrative-driven. The rapper is known for his storytelling punch, while the instrumentals meld 90s hip hop hypnagogia and laid back jazz. The Brummie tinge in his voice is unmistakable, too. There’ll be no Midlands erasure at Dot to Dot.
Personal Trainer – The Bodega at 23.45
Whilst much of indie music in this country is about as cheery as a urinary catheter, on the continent they’re at least forcing smiles. Personal Trainer’s music has many of the hallmarks of the current UK post punk revival thing and some happy choruses too. The Amsterdam group once played for 24 hours at Paradiso, but it’s 30 minutes at The Bodega on Sunday. Likely to be one of the most ‘fun’ sets, if that’s your thing.
Dot to Dot returns on Sunday 28th May, 2023. For tickets and more information visit dottodotfestival.co.uk
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