For me Dot To Dot Festival always marks the start of Festival season proper, it’s where you can catch the next big thing, the next Ed Sheeran, the next Wolf Alice, the next Sundara Karma. Plus as it’s based in Manchester it’s also a chance to catch up with some old friends and be enchanted by their music all over again.
Dot To Dot festival takes place in Manchester on Friday 24th May, Bristol on 25th May and Nottingham on Sunday 26th May. Some of the hottest acts tour from city to city and play all three dates and some of the best local artists make up the rest of the bill.
So on this week’s mixtape, we have a mixture of some of our favourite acts that are playing at Dot To Dot Festival this weekend including Dream Wife, Man & The Echo, Money For Rope, SHEAFS, Hannah Ashcroft and Megan Dixon Hood.
Dream Wife – Let’s Make Out (Albert Hall – 5.45pm)
I have been a little bit obsessed with Dream Wife ever since I saw them at Bluedot Festival a few years ago. I took a quick break from watching Orbital (some may consider this sacrilege I know, I’m sorry I only really know the hits) to catch this exciting up and coming pop punk rock band and they did not disappoint.
They were immediately captivating with there energy and passion. Since then they have gone on to release their self-titled debut album and have been featured in a plethora of music magazines and radio shows. So I am excited to check them out once again at the Albert Hall In Manchester.
Man and the Echo – A Capable Man (Mint Lounge – 9.45)
I stumbled up Man and the Echo whilst listening to the Dot To Dot Festival Spotify playlist and I was immediately captivated by their witty and intelligent lyrics, backed up by a driving beat. This Warrington based band is signed to Still Nil Nil Records and their music is reminiscent of talking heads.
If you want to hear more their debut album was out in 2016 or catch them live at the Mint Lounge this Friday.
Money For Rope – Picture Us (Mint Lounge – 5.45pm)
Money For Rope were born out of the same Melbourne music scene as Courtney Barnett, King Gizzard and The Lizard Wizard and The Goon Sax.
They have that same fuzzed out tone as Courtney Barnett but add in a layer of rock and psych guitars that gives the music a little more urgency.
Having brought their music to stages across the UK, Europe, Australia, the US and playing festivals such as Glastonbury, Primavera and SXSW, festival goers at Dot To Dot are in for a treat.
Sheafs – Get Used To It (Mint Lounge – 4pm)
Sheffield based Sheafs anarchic rock always entertains, I caught them on tour last year at The Underground in stoke and I was a particular fan of there previous single This Is Not A Protest. Their live set seems inspired by the current rock revival that is driven by The Blinders and their ilk.
Their current single Get Used To It is a stab against the mundane and with the current state of the UK, I think we could all do with a stab against the norm.
Hannah Ashcroft – Quiet Kind (Gullivers Lounge – 7.30pm)
I caught Hannah Ashcroft at last years Dot To Dot festival and I always planned on having her come to do a live acoustic set on the Artistic Echoes Show unfortunately due to one thing and another that never happened so I thought I’d include her beautiful song Quiet Kind on our Dot To Dot mixtape once again.
Her folk/acoustic music is inspired by mythology, folk tales, and superstitions and in best folkstyle takes listeners on a journey to another world. Having played her way across the UK, Europe, and Australia and she has recently worked with Beth Orton as part of ‘Both Sides Now’ initiative now is the perfect tie to catch her.
Megan Dixon Hood – Drown (Rose & Monkey Hotel – 7.30pm)
I really should have checked out the Dot To Dot Festival clash finder before making this list; as with many festivals all your favourite artists are playing at the same time and with twenty venues it’s no wonder you will miss someone.
So if you prefer your acoustic/folk music that is beautiful;, haunting and based upon tales of superstition, mythology, and stories that seep from the dark enchanted woods. All accompanied by delicate beautiful piano then Megan Dixon Hood is the artist for you.
