Dot to Dot Festival, Manchester June 4th 2012

This was my second visit to this city music festival, held in music venues throughout the south side of the Manchester. It's an excellent way to discover up and coming bands, and I experienced ten hours of non-stop live music. For last year's account, look here. Since many of these artists aren't well known, I've included links to a music stream in the titles.

This is my 100th post since I started on this journey in December 2010, and I'm happy that it was about a day which gave me so much pleasure. My most notable discoveries are as follows:

• The Dunwells
• Clock Opera
• Lucy Rose
• Kyla La Grange
• Lulu James

Shinies 4/10

This is the second time in as many weeks I've heard this Manchester band. Their noise pop, shoegaze influenced sound didn't move me, but it's tough being an opening act, and they helped to calibrate my critical senses.

Gabriel Bruce 3/10

Gabriel Bruce is know for his Leonard Cohen style deep bass voice, but here he was joined by two backing singers and an array of electronics. I didn't think the set really cohered, and I much prefer the stripped down acoustic style of the songs on his website. Perhaps he was experimenting at Dot to Dot.

The Men 7/10

Finally some music to inspire me. Brooklyn's The Men are garage rockers who embrace disperate styles, and possess punk like energy. To watch, they are tremendous fun, moving around stage and jamming together. They concentrate on instrumentals over vocals, and delve into psychedelia. This set has prompted me to investigate their second album, Open Your Heart.

The Dunwells 8.5/10

The Dunwells may be from Leeds UK, but they have a 1970's US influence, as evidenced by the inclusion of banjo into one of their songs. There's also a strong Celtic influence, but for me the stand out factor as the quality of the vocals. The two brothers have been playing for a long time, and have only just been signed; this experience is evident in the way they collaborate on stage. This show has already prompted me to download their album Blind Sighted Faith, and I hope I can see them again soon.

Clock Opera 8/10

This was perhaps my most eagerly awaited show of the festival, given my familiarity with Clock Opera's album Ways to Forget. The crowd, crammed into the basement venue, was engaged in a masterly way by Guy Connelly, who produced a danceable, bass heavy sound. Their studio sound isn't easy to recreate in a live setting, and for all its energy, it lacked some refinement, but this was an exciting set.

Lucy Rose 8/10

Lucy Rose is known for her work with Bombay Bicycle Club, but her solo act is gentler: more folk and blues oriented. She was joined by a four piece backing band, including cello, and the atmosphere was tender and heart warming. Her voice is light and her demeanour reserved, yet she kept the large venue mesmerised. I've heard her EP, but live she was far more engaging.

Hooray for Earth 7.5/10

Boston's Hooray for Earth is indebted to the 80's, and have echoes of MGMT. Their sound is bold and experimental, yet the hooks draw you. They're absolutely committed on stage, and the bass from the synthesiser is shattering. It's certainly exuberant, and provided a perfect foil for the ligher folk acts I saw either side of this. As I write this, I'm downloading their most recent album True Loves, as this show has inspired me to explore further.

Rae Morris 7/10

The 19 year old Rae Morris plays solo, accompanying herself on piano, so her set is all about her delicate, characterful voice. It was a delight to observe the feeling in her expressions, whilst being soothed by her sensitive singing. This singer songwriter is from Lancashire, England, and given the way she engaged the audience, I predict we'll be hearing a lot more from her.

All The Young 5/10

These Stoke rockers have embraced a Brit Pop sound, and they were lively and committed on stage. Alas, I found them bombastic and formulaic, but that's a matter of taste, and they certainly have an upbeat, feel good factor. I'm sure they have commercial appeal, and that others will love them.

Kyla La Grange 9/10

I saw Kyla La Grange last year and I'm delighted to have witnessed her maturing as an artist: this set was the surprise of the festival (an unplanned delight, as I was her due to Summer Camp's cancellation). She seems to have gained emotional depth in the music to match the meaningful lyrics. She was accompanied by a band, but her voice holds its own solo. This is a brilliant blend of folk, reminiscent at times of PJ Harvey, but with some of Florence's pop sensibility. I can't wait to her the debut album at the end of July.

The Drums 5/10

New York's The Drums were the festival's headliners, and played a slick hour long set, which saw cloud surfing and much excitement from the often inebriated audience members. Unfortunately their music did little to engage me emotionally despite its slick delivery. Portamento's been critically acclaimed, but I find it dreary and derivative, and their live performance failed to convert me. Perhaps if I had memories of 80's Britpop I'd have been more inspired.

Lulu James 9/10

The late night set from the young '21st Century Soul' singer from Newcastle was incredibly atmospheric. She sung solo, with trip hop electronic accompaniment. Lulu understands the creation of an engaging live experience, using her clothing and movement to express a sultry mood. Elements of the act could have been influenced by James Blake, but its imagination transcends labels such as post dubstep. The recently released debut EP Rope Mirage showcases the character of her voice, but it can't evoke the eeriness of the live experience. An exciting discovery.