Festival Review: Dot To Dot 2026

Pict – Rock City Beta, 2pm

Representing the power of East Midlands music, 5-piece post-folk powerhouse Pict helped kick start the day with a stellar set performing to a packed-out crowd. Tucked away in Rock City, BETA was the homestay of Pict parking up and delivering a performance worth remembering.

Representing the power of the cities' local music, the setting made for an intimate and striking contribution to the day. As decisive and direct as their last performance, Pict played some tracks off their upcoming EP, as well as familiar favourite Jean Pierre's Destiny, with piercing vocal tones shaking the venue’s very foundations. Alex Curle

Bloodworm - Rock City, 2:30pm

Fresh off another nationwide tour, the Bloodworm boys, yet again, put on a magnificent display to kick start the main stage in style. The energy running through Rock City is infectious as they take to the stage with The Crown, the track where drummer Euan Stevens’s technical proficiencies are there for all to see. Steven’s technical talents are complimented by the swooning yet sinister vocals of George Curtis, who captures such an aura with his 12-string draped in a bend formation. This set evokes a deep chasm of gothic horror and angst with a vibrant chemistry between Curtis, Stevens and bassist, Chris Walker, to inject a shot of excitement in the veins of punters, getting them ready for the busy day ahead. If you didn’t catch their enticing performance, be sure to catch their Halloween headline show at Rescue Rooms for the ultimate gothic experience. Lewis Oxley

Sam Shaw and the Real Eyes - The Chapel, 4pm

From one enchanting frontman to another, this time in the form of Sam Shaw. Him and his band, including The Rain Age’s Jim Allen, provide a solid backing to Shaw’s shimmering riff-playing and dreamy vocal style. The hip-twisting sounds of Shaw are imbued with the experimental sounds of the 60s, with bluesy rock and a reinventive take on post-Britpop indie. This musical fruition pays off well and is very well-suited to a venue such as The Chapel, despite its lack of width. The psychedelic sounds of Shaw and co are perfect for a baking hot Sunday afternoon. It gives the chance for everyone present to turn up, tune in and drop out of the intense sunlight and escape to another climate of psychotropic proportions. Lewis Oxley

The Grumble & The Grouse – The Angel, 4:30pm

Warming the afternoon with something very chill, I caught The Grumbler & The Grouse downstairs at The Angel. A project from Sarah Hamilton-Jeffery and partner Will (of Dusty 4 Track), this is dreamy folk for fans of the likes of Johnny Flynn. Highlights included a cover of So You Wanna Be a Boxer from Bugsy Malone and the most relaxing song about a zombie apocalypse I’ve ever heard. Will and Sarah’s beautifully contrasting vocals and slightly unscripted vibe brings a softness and familiarity that would work round a summer campfire or on a cold winter night. Sophie Gargett

Little Grandad – Rescue Rooms, 5pm

A whimsical Americana-indie doozy of poignant harmonies, deep harmonies and a crucial trumpet accompaniment, it was Little Grandad that made a full Rescue Rooms stop in their tracks and stare. With just two debut tracks behind the name, the band from London's windmill scene have already stirred up a storm with consecutive headline shows in the capital, as well as festival appearances at Brighton's Great Escape the week prior. A fitting thesis about what makes songwriting truly engaging, the brothers' blend of folkish inflections and country twang make for a compelling argument that the future of music is in safe hands. Alex Curle

Big Rhino – The Angel, 5:30pm

Despite there being so many venues to check out, I managed to stay at The Angel for the next few sets - a testament to the excellent line up curated by local promoters I’m Not From London and an all-round top venue. Next up were Big Rhino who brought a stomping, danceable noise that would kick off any party. Admittedly I mainly watched from the (slightly cooler) beer garden, but enticed by their fiercely fun energy I will definitely be looking out for them on future line ups around Nottingham. Sophie Gargett

Adult DVD - Rock City, 5:30pm

Leeds-based sextet Adult DVD came down to Rock City with one simple objective: get people to dance. Their knack for free improvisation and cute sequences fills me with pleasure and even more so after I happened to stumble upon them unintentionally after mithering over where and who to see next. This turned out to be the perfect unintended surprise and for those I spoke to around me for a brief second, the same. This band takes us on a sonic trip spanning the energetic tempo of Sparks to the modern sounds of Squid. They are perhaps the future of modern club culture and shall be bearing the flag for a new genre of dance music. Dance-punk has arrived at this, the third summer of love. Lewis Oxley

Potentially copping the honour of being the most entertaining, Adult DVD certainly didn't do things by halves. Reminiscent of LCD Soundsystem's hypnotic synth lines and fellow compadres Yard Act with that Northern sardonic wit, the six tore up Rock City which was at max capacity. Having circulated the circuit since their tenure in 2021, it's satisfying to see such an outfit finally start to receive their richly-deserved flowers. Addictively enjoyable Do Something and Dogs in the Sun were paraded gleefully while '90s acid house influence Real Tree Lee tipped the bands' prospects for future sound. An electric live show of bustling dance grooves where neither beat nor breath were missed, this new noise from Leeds needs to firmly be on your radar as ones to watch - it's all I've been thinking about since. Alex Curle

Pollyfromthedirt - Rescue Rooms, 6pm

Pollyfromthedirt brought the obsequious energy to make Rescue Rooms go obscure. The Darlington-born prince of new age bedroom pop is no stranger to me, having caught him at Cardiff’s Swn festival in October of last year. This performance was no different to the hazy conclave in which he trapped us.

He is the only masked singer worth watching and by doing so, evokes a masque ball hosted from his bedroom. The crowd appear jaded and engrossed in the identity of this young man. He puts much on display and yet doesn't give much away. Just as the novelty of young adult struggle goes on through a decay of England’s suburban land, we are treated to a spot of mellow trumpet playing from his partner’s grandad. It certainly is an obscure mix: Blood Orange, Elliot Smith, Harold Budd, Durutti Collum the list of avant-garde influences swim through this set that showcases the artistic vision and talent of this budding artist. His combination of the ambient playfulness through Midi-programmed electronics and sampling are shuddering and stunning in equal measure - a true visionary for the future. Lewis Oxley

Chargemate – The Chapel, 6pm

Next up in The Chapel it was time for Chargemate, another Notts act who I’d managed to catch a few months ago (most memorably because got a lovely t-shirt emblazoned with the word ‘bullshit’ chucked at me at the end of the night and I’ve been wondering when that would be appropriate to wear.) Blending angsty, lyrical rap with punk energy, this lot really seem to have nailed their genre and refined their performance. Topped off with a take on Faithless’ Insomnia, they perfectly set the energy for the evening. Sophie Gargett

You Want Fox – The Angel, 6:30pm

Back downstairs at The Angel was You Want Fox, who recently came out of hibernation after two years away from the stage. Loud, raw and full of punk spirit, this best friend duo are always a blast to see live. I particularly enjoyed their riotous version of Boogie Feet by Kesha (feat. Eagles of Death Metal) and Fox classic Ex-Boyfriend which inevitably got the crowd joining in with the cuss-laden chorus. Sophie Gargett

Murkage Dave - The Palais, 7:15pm

Murkage Dave has come out of the doldrums. This was Dave’s first performance in the post-Covid era, and the crowd were certainly up for this one. Dave has an ability to charm a room with his smile alone and his set, one composed of mostly new material, is imbued with a deep religious connection that entails his own journey of personal enlightenment. The singer is East London born and bred and he is forever humble about his working class roots and he chronicles this throughout his performance. The Palais has become his church for the evening and this was a conversion to an artist completely new to me. An experience patched with pleasure and energy. Dave creates a joyous, wholesome atmosphere that would be in stark contrast to the fierce behemoth of Mandy, Indiana that was to follow on The Palais stage. Lewis Oxley

Mandy, Indiana – The Palais, 8:15pm

Perhaps one of the most integral sets of the day, came from one Mandy, Indiana. Channelling tension and cathartic release, the English-French noise rock band took a giant leap forward in creating unflinching arrangements en-masse. The collective are angry and want the world to know about it.

Long and short of it, it's the very best of experimental noise and sending a message is at the very heart of what they do. Through trance-like synths and confrontational lyricism, vocalist and lyricist Valentine Caulfield evokes feelings of defiance against societal affairs and political world order. A vital release of both anger and exasperation, they’re a highly sought after band that's needed for this generation and the next. In between the dance-floor distortion though, Caulfield took time for reflection on the importance of loving your neighbours, attending protests and never stopping to fight for your rights.

With so much division and injustice in the world, it's down to bands like Mandy, Indiana to stoke the flames and set it alight. Deep in The Palais nightclub fit to capacity, their latest blaring wake-up call URGH sees them at their most assertive. There's no greater assurance for a band than the unwavering cheer and support of a crowd with which you've just got acquainted. At their most unhinged and most daring, Mandy, Indiana are quite possibly like nothing else you've seen before. Alex Curle

People Assembly – The Grove, 9pm

The next destination was Sneinton Market’s tiniest and most eminent venue The Grove to catch Leicester psych sextet People Assembly for some late-night doom lullabies. Along with the apoplectic Soup of Yesterday, a main highlight from the set was the mighty, stomping Swinewhale, which I highly recommend a listen to. If you like something a bit heavier, these guys play often in Notts and always put on a wild show. I was pleasantly surprised the six of them managed to squeeze on the stage and there were no injuries despite their wild guitar moves. Sophie Gargett

Fcukers - The Palais, 9:45pm

Fcukers (pronounce them however you fancy, just be careful around the kids) are the perfect headliners to close out The Palais stage with their futuristic pop-bangers becoming instant hits on this side of the Atlantic. Their performance brings all the sweet chaos needed to round off an evening of fruitful ecstatic music and a cure to the relentless onslaught of persistent standing and aching feet. Fcukers are short and sharp in their delivery, but the resulting groove is far from short. The groove is hyperactive and everyone is bouncing off the walls. This is a group who have established themselves as the sound of the summer. It was a performance for every lucky soul to revel in and a perfect closure to The Palais before Dot to Dot went “after dark”. A truly energetic performance from a group keen to spread their already good first impression on me and to so many more. Lewis Oxley

Chinese American Bear – Metronome, 10pm

Further afield at Metronome, we witnessed the mesmerising work of Chinese American Bear in full display. Married Seattle duo, Anne Tong and Bryce Barsten have mapped out a course of psychedelic indie-pop for the better part of four years now, and never once has it wavered off track. Dreamy harmonies and hushed vocals blending both Mandarin and English lyricism, the pair enjoyed their time up on the stage as much as we did in the crowd. Released just a few weeks ago, their third record Dim Sum & Then Some was celebrated in person, as was some familiar favourites like Take Me To Beijing and Magic Number. Accompanied by mutual friend Bryan on drums, the pair dished out a plentiful feel-good offering perfect for any easy listening indie consumer. Alex Curle

Polite Bureaux – The Angel, 10:30pm

Last up for some unexpected late-night weirdness, was Polite Bureaux (again at The Angel - I’m sorry I can’t keep away!). Featuring a euphoric backing track overlaid with poetic northern ranting, this exuberant one man show from Bradford was really impressive in the way he pulled in the crowd. Check out Broken Biscuits or Dyslexic Cycling Proficiency for a taste. Gathering a small, overjoyed dance circle, this was the kind of act you’d find in a random festival tent when you’ve lost your mates, and exactly the thing you’d want to end a night like Dot to Dot experiencing! Sophie Gargett

Bleech 9:3 – Rescue Rooms, 11:30pm

Another band making waves as of late are Bleech 9:3. Rising to prominence with their bombastic alternative-grunge cuts, Dublin-bred Bleech 9:3 have become one of the most in-demand acts on the circuit in a matter of months. Hot off the heels of their debut EP, rest assured that songwriters/guitarists Barry Quinlan and Sam Duffy are set to seize this moment.

In Rescue Rooms, Nottingham watches on - will their live performance meet expectations? Well a fierce live reputation certainly doesn't come out of nowhere. From the frenetic blow-out of Jacky to the longing desire of Cannonball, the 45-minute performance was over in a flash, a blitz of '90s infused angst from a set of four who look to have got it all formalised already. Ending the night in true style, Bleech have quickly become the most exciting act to traverse the rock scene. It can be said that all 450 of us in that room felt something special - and there is no doubt that more will soon follow as they return for another sold out show at Rescue Rooms later this year. Alex Curle

Dot to Dot Festival took place on Sunday 24^th May 2025 across multiple venues in Nottingham. You can see our full gallery from the festival below.