Dot to Dot is a very special sort of music festival. Held in Bristol and Nottingham over a single weekend, it brings together local scenes and underground darlings, the concrete and the extreme. This year’s lineup is especially strong, with its mix of sleazy electroclash, Irish alt-grunge, rough and tough punk, and Americana emo, all culminating in a once in a lifetime experience...
Since 2005, Dot To Dot has been wowing local and travelling crowds with its eclectic line-up, supportive ethos and ability to trend-spot like no other festival. Now in its 21st edition (we helped mark its 20-year anniversary in 2025), Dot To Dot somehow seems to get better and better.
The weekend, split between Bristol and Nottingham, balances the best current bands and those who will be featuring strongly in the future. All that choice gives us the welcome problem of deciding how to fit everything in. Our advice: try to plan the day, but also leave room for unexpected discoveries.
To help you plan, and to show you why you cannot afford to miss Dot Do Dot this year, here are a few top LeftLion picks.
THE BEST OF NOTTINGHAM
In Nottingham, we are lucky enough to have an incredible music scene, with plenty of local bands to draw on for events such as Dot To Dot. We don't like to pick favourites, but here is a selection of local artists who represent the energy and diversity of our city.
Amantes
A truly promising young band, this catchy indie outfit from Nottingham have really been seeing attention in the local scene since their debut early this year. With hints of soul and jazz, plus a splash of King Krule in the mix, Amantes are a band just at the start of their career that are clearly aiming for the big leagues.
Rainbow Frog Biscuits
Something missing from a-lot of singer-songwriter music is a sense of optimism, a sense of uplift. Amber of Rainbow Frog Biscuits brings this Dodie-esque flair that has been sadly bubbling under the music industry’s radar for too long. If you ever had vine decorations, an obsession with cows, or a frog bucket hat, Rainbow Frog Biscuits will both take you back to that time and bring you a sense of calm that is hard to come by.
Pict
With their unique style of folk, Pict are really something to marvel at. Hauntingly beautiful, soft, and deeply nostalgic, they bring something very special to the genre. We implore you to see this five piece if you like modern Black Country, New Road or Wednesday, or if you like feeling liminance with a side of Americana.
Sunk
This punk duo have really been breaking out of the small local scene in recent years, landing a gig at BBC Introducing and being one of the top acts of this year’s God Save The Scene. It's easy to see why. These two absolutely command any stage they are on and stir the crowd into a frenzy. If you plan on seeing them at Dot To Dot (which you should), be prepared for a riot.
Bloodworm
Fresh off a tour with icons Suede, this brooding post-punk three piece are clearly on a war path to world domination, given their rabid fanbase and gruelling touring schedule. The band have made their name in sweaty rooms with sticky floors, and it would be a mistake not to see them at their peak form.
THE BEST FROM ELSEWHERE
OK, we all know that Nottingham bands are pretty great, but there are some very good acts from outside our hallowed city, too. We've picked a few out for you.
Adult DVD
A really interesting band with a unique vibe. They formed in the COVID era and going from sharing songs in bedrooms to Glastonbury and a record deal in just a handful of years. Their unique brand of dance punk has struck a chord with people internationally, and their live show is nothing to scoff at: fun, eclectic, and an all round good time.
Pollyfromthedirt
This mysterious Mancunian has been compared to PJ Harvey, Oasis, and Dean Blunt in the same breath. If you had to describe his music in a single word it would be "mythological" - the way he paints a picture of disillusionment and a desolate view on English Nationalism is truly an experience to behold.
Fcukers
Indie Sleaze was declared dead in 2012 with the introduction of the 1975 box tattoo and Tumblr, but it seems these two New York natives are the Victor Frankensteins of electroclash. They have resurrected the aesthetic and sound that has been ‘uncool’ for over a decade. Their electric house is created, seemingly, for one purpose and one purpose alone: to have a good time.
Little Grandad
To say that this London four piece are the hottest band from the Windmill Scene would be an understatement. In just a year they have become perhaps the most talked about new band in England, and with only two songs out it is impossible to gauge how far they will go. Their brand of Indie-Emo-Americana is influenced by the works of Modest Mouse and Jeff Tweedy, but they have taken their music to a whole other level and it is a safe bet that they will reach the stratosphere by the end of the year.
Bleech 9:3
It seems Ireland cannot keep themselves out of the underground for too long; just as Gurriers transcend into the upper echelon, Bleech 9:3 have emerged to take their throne. The best way to describe this band is "imagine if 90s Seattle was covered in a tricolour and was 1000x cooler"... Despite being so new, it is clear that they will blow up in a matter of months, so this could be your last chance to see these lads before they start selling out bigger and bigger spaces.
Dot To Dot takes place in Nottingham this Sunday, 24th May. If you've not bought a ticket yet, watch out - they are running very low! Check dottodotfestival.co.uk for a final chance to buy
We have a favour to ask
LeftLion is Nottingham’s meeting point for information about what’s going on in our city, from the established organisations to the grassroots. We want to keep what we do free to all to access, but increasingly we are relying on revenue from our readers to continue. Can you spare a few quid each month to support us?
