Lizzie Goodman
Dot to Dot festival, Nottingham’s number one music event, spread over several different venues, over two days boasts and array of different acts. Early Saturday afternoon I put on my dancing shoes and headed down to Rock City, unsure of what to expect after being unpleasantly surprised, and mostly unfamiliar with much of the events line-up. However, my eyes and my ears were pleased to witness Iglu & Hartley’s sturdy electro new wave sounds, and 80’s disco style. Next was my first introduction to the RGBS (below), a power pop, Indy extravaganza consisting of three beautiful girls and a French drummer who turned out to be like a talented and fun version of ‘Girls Aloud’.
Later on I experienced Saul Williams, which was possibly one of the most eccentric and captivating performances to have ever graced Rock City’s prestigious stage. Dressed in multicoloured feather head gear, and prancing around the stage like a cockatiel on speed, he was supported by a band of equally unusual characters in silver and black capes and strange masks, resembling something out of a surreal, low budget 80’s vampire horror film. Saul Williams was not only an aesthetical masterpiece, but his extrovert glam rock and poetical sounds, and intimate interaction kept the crowd entranced.
Contrastingly, one of the bands I was most familiar with, (Dirty Pretty Things) were a bit of a disappointment. Although the crowd were seemingly impressed, the band neglected to play a couple of their most successful and recognisable songs. As the day turned into night I moved on to Stealth to catch Dan Deacon, and to be kept waiting for the best part of an hour for his strange new rave, futuristic, electro style and heavy rock intro. After the scheduled acts had finished the venues hosted club nights which went on until the early hours of the morning with local DJ’s. Dot to Dot festival had an intimate feeling, which definitely brings home and unexpected sense of community is this normally estranged city.
Ceri Gorton
From the blustery, samba-filled streets off Market Square, we headed to The Bodega to take in a few pints and make sense of the various set lists we’d cobbled together in the face of an information blackout at Rock City. For a festival that prides itself on its eclectic, multi-venue appeal, the absence of free lineup times left us bloody-mindedly resorting to pen, paper, and rumour-fuelled guesswork. Logistics sorted, we found ourselves wandering in to catch The Ettes mid-set.
Fresh from supporting The Black Keys, this New York beat-punk three-piece capture the Keys’ raw rock roots and combine them with the feline appeal of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. More than worthy of mention and God-like reverence is the phenomenal energy and style of drummer Poni, who was a mesmerising powerhouse throughout. Having seduced an indifferent crowd towards something akin to adoration, we can only hope this will ensure their triumphant return to Notts in the near future. In the meantime, Selectadisc is likely to be selling out of their new album Look at Life Again Soon.
The unenviable position of follow up to The Ettes (above) was filled by acoustic blues songsmith Alexander G. Muertos. Clean cut, friendly faced and gravelly voiced, self-effacing London lad Alex was impressive. Like Amy Winehouse, the strength and soul of Alex’s voice comes as surprise, and like Winehouse, his talent is undeniable.
Foraging for food in Hockley took far longer than expected and we only arrived at Rock City in time to see Dirty Pretty Things (above) because they started their set later than expected. Storming onto the stage with apocalyptic aplomb, sporting a heady combination of lumberjack shirts, moustaches, and greasy hair, this Cooper Temple Clause/Libertines fusion band delivered a raucous set to a frankly rapturous crowd. Leaving Barat et al to be hero worshipped by the indie-loving, asymmetrically-fringed youth of our fine city, we headed to the bar to await Bloc Party DJs and plan another day of aural delights…
Paul Klotschkow
It is 3am Sunday morning and I am back home after the first day of what has been Dot To Dot 2008, and I feel completely exhausted from standing up all day watching band after band. But, I think it has been worth it, and to make me feel better my housemate has just given me some pizza. Result!
My day started off in the early afternoon at The Social when I went to watch The Ettes, who are a garage rock band hailing from New York. There are two girls and one boy in the band, and I was surprised at how packed The Social was so early in the afternoon. Luckily, The Ettes didn’t let the crowd down as they handed out golden nuggets of classic garage rock. A special mention must go to their drummer, who played like she was possessed by the ghost of Keith Moon. It was a god start to proceeding.
I then made my way to Rock City’s basement, where Dusty Rhodes & The River Band were performing their take on classic country rock. They come from California, and their West-Coast harmonies certainly wouldn’t have been out of place on a Gram Parsons album.
Once they ended, I decided to hit up Stealth and see what was happening there. Friends of the Bride were on stage, and they surely must win the ‘best dressed band’ award at the year’s festival. Their suits were tidy.
The Little Ones weren’t on at the Rescue Rooms as I expected them to be. So I took the time to have a little breather before heading off to see Swimming.
Swimming were performing a special improvisation at Lee Rosy’s Tea Room, and it was stunning. People were sat around the sides or on the floor, listening through headphones, whilst watching a projection of what was happening in the basement. Not only was this an impressive piece of art, it was nice to finally sit down. I enjoyed it with a cup of apple tea.
I then dashed half way across the town centre to ‘Rolo Tomassi’, and after the blessed out sounds of ‘Swimming, their brand of noise terrorism gave me the kick-start I needed to see out the rest of the night.
The final band of the night were Ghost of a Thousand (above) tearing up the Rock City basement with their hardcore onslaught. At one point I though I was going to get dragged in to the mosh pit, but luckily the moshers took pity on me and left me along. Phew.
By this point my feet were hating me and I needed to sit down. I found myself in the Rescue Rooms main room sitting on a bench sipping a rum and coke. My first ‘proper’ drink of the evening and one that had never tasted so rewarding.
Now, I just have to do it all again tomorrow. Sometimes life is so tough…Good night!
Checkout what happened on day two...
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Photos by Chris Harris (c)
The Dot to Dot Festival 2008 takes place on Saturday and Sunday 24-25 May spread over the following venues: Rock City, The Rescue Rooms, Stealth, The Bodega and Trent Students Union.
