Dot to Dot Festival, Manchester, 23rd May 2014 8/10

This city festival is a SXSW in miniature, and is repeated in Bristol and Nottingham later on the late May holiday weekend. The 13 mostly small venues mean that many people's experiences will be totally different; Zoo in particular where I saw several sets seemed to be under-attended. The joy of this festival is in the discovery of new music, and the promoters seem to have a keen eye for up and coming talent. I was lucky enough to see one act which has to be a contender for my performance of the year.

1) St Paul and the Broken Bones 10/10
Do not miss this band from Birmingham, AL live: their energy is astounding. They're reminiscent of Alabama Shakes, but with a male front person, Paul Janeway, whose dancing and charismatic stage presence me dazzled. I recommend their soul album Half the City, but it didn't prepare me for their sheer live impact, complete with trombones. They're planning to return to the UK in the autumn.

2) Caveman 9/10
Accompanied by much fog, the New York band impressed with their stage presence and music heavy with guitars, psychedelia, and four part harmonies, ending my evening on a high note.

3) Rhodes 8/10
David Rhodes' set got off to a delayed start, and the Brit's set took flight slowly, with some false starts and long pauses for tuning. This may have explained the audience's restlessness, yet he was gloriously sensitive and moving, particularly in the early, solo part of the set. Highly recommended.

4) Kyla La Grange 7.5/10
The Cambridge educated singer has her second album ready for release imminently, and she's embraced electronics, moving away from a folk sound. She gave an assured performance to the small but warmly enthusiastic audience. It was easy on the ear, yet I yearned more distinctive invention. However, after the half hour set she performed unplugged on the street outside the venue, a gesture of love to her fans.

6) Norma Jean Martine 7.5/10
The New Yorker, currently living in the UK is very American in her style of performance with a confident, extrovert and forthright stage presence. Her music is bluesy pop, and I particularly appreciated her use of piano. The audience was small at this location away from the main festival, yet it's difficult to imagine anyone feeling disappointed at their decision to catch this set.

7) Amber Run 7/10
This Nottingham band was playing in the Deaf Institute, my favourite small Manchester venue, and their music felt apt for a festival, being easy on the ear, with folk pop influences, and plenty of energy. Yet it was perhaps not the deepest or most original act at Dot to Dot.

8) The Heartbreaks 6/10
I caught The Heartbreaks at the largest venue of the festival, The Ritz, which was to host the likes of Drenge and Peace later in the evening. Their performance was polished, there was plenty of activity to watch, and the crowd loved them. Yet to me, their music failed to move me: any depth eluded me.