Advertorial feature Six must-see acts playing at Dot To Dot 2023

We’ve teamed up with the festival’s sponsor Super Bock to run through some of the artists you have to check out this weekend.

26th May 2023

The sun is out, we’ve had more Bank Holidays than you can shake a stick at, and cities are finally alive with the sound of music once more! And that can mean only one thing; festival season is very much in full swing, and we couldn’t be happier about it.

This weekend, the annual multi-venue fest Dot To Dot will be returning to its longtime homes of Bristol (Saturday 27th May) and Nottingham (Sunday 28th May) to celebrate the best in new music; and there sure is a lot of it across the bill.

But never fear, if you’re not quite sure who to check out across the weekend, we’ve got you covered! DIY have teamed up with the festival’s sponsors Super Bock to run through just a handful of the acts you should definitely have on your must-see list…

Yard Act

Okay, yes, the Leeds quartet might be topping the bill but that’s exactly why you need to be watching them. Fresh from their epic five-night residency in the hallowed halls of Leeds’ Brudenell Social Club last month, Yard Act’s headline spot at this year’s Dot To Dot could well be one of the last chances we get to properly revel in their incredible debut ‘The Overload’ before they head off to make headway on Album 2. Dust your trenchcoat off for one final time and get stuck in…

Heartworms

With her debut EP - March’s ‘A Comforting Notion’ - Heartworms’ Jojo Orme truly marked herself out as one of new music’s major players; as we said in our review, she’s an “unflappable presence at the helm of a barrage of slick, sludgy goth rock”. What’s even more satisfying, however, is that the Heartworms live show takes her darkly delicious offerings and makes them feel even more dynamic, adding a playful electricity to her already magnetic stage presence.

Fat Dog

It takes a particularly special kind of band to cultivate a fierce reputation before even releasing a note of music, but thanks to a slew of raucous gigs over the past year - playing alongside the likes of Sports Team, Viagra Boys and the aforementioned Yard Act - rock and rollers Fat Dog have managed to do just that. Most recently, their chaotic sets at The Great Escape - complete with a creepy latex dog mask and full blown circle pits - became a festival highlight for many, so there’s no doubt that their appearances in Bristol and Nottingham this weekend will be worth a watch.

Alvvays

Having had to wait over five years for the Canadians to make their return with last year’s ‘Blue Rev’, the opportunity to watch Alvvays should always be taken. Their shimmering brand of indie-pop is still as euphoric and crystalline as ever and, paired with the sunshine forecast for this weekend, their set should offer up some of the fest’s most blissful moments.

86TVs

If you’re still nursing a bit of a broken heart after the split of The Maccabees (… let’s face it, who isn’t?!), then 86TVs could be the perfect remedy. Made up of brothers Felix and Hugo White - with the help of their other sibling Will - and Jamie Morrison, their brand of rousing but atmospheric indie-rock is a truly joyous thing to behold. Plus, the fact that they all look so utterly thrilled to be on stage together adds a particularly wholesome touch.

yunè pinku

As the evening draws in and some stages at the festival begin to wind down, the sleek electronics of the South East London-based yunè pinku should provide the perfect soundtrack for transitioning into late night mode. Having released her ‘Babylon IX’ EP just last month, her brand of relatable but infectious dance music fuses together elements from across the genre to create something that feels fresh and present, making it the perfect way to round out the day.

Brought to you as part of our partnership with Super Bock.

Tags: Alvvays, Yard Act, Dot To Dot, Advertorial feature, Festivals, Features