Dot to Dot returns to the city this Friday, complete with some great local acts on the bill alongside some international greats. Throughout the evening you’ll find plenty of alt rock, indie, psych and other guitar-led sounds, all sprawling across multiple venues of central Manchester.
Here’s a little roundup of what looks tempting.
Best Coast
An American rock duo formed in 2009, Best Coast are globally celebrated for their retro vibe that none of us can get enough of. Hailing from LA, their songs are drenched in the sunlight of the American West Coast, whilst flawlessly tapping into the laid-back, nostalgic energy of lo-fi surf-rock from the 60s.
Hinds
Carlotta, Ana, Ade and Amber have a raw, scuzzy energy that’s bound together by their seemingly tight-knit bond as a group, and by their desire to have fun with music both on stage and off. Madrid should certainly be proud of these girls – a four-piece formerly known as Deers before a law suit instigated their new moniker – as they continue to rise up through the ranks of the global garage-rock circuit with their irresistible lo-fi sound.
The Wytches
The Wytches are Kristian Bell on vocals and guitar, Gianni Honey on drums and Daniel Rumsey on bass and BVs, who together boast a strong surfer/psych vibe that’s dark, menacing and totally rooted in the DIY ethos that they began with. It's noisy and brooding, which is just how we like it.
PINS
We can barely keep up with these Manchester girls, who continue to make the city that birthed them turn into that proud, motherly type. Following a recent tour in the States with Sleater Kinney, the four-piece post-punk outfit is moving fast and strong through the international music circuit, and we couldn’t be prouder.
Honeyblood
Honeyblood was formed by Stina Marie Tweesdale back in 2012 and, having just returned from a US tour supporting fellow Glaswegian alumni Belle and Sebastian, it’s clear that their reputation is growing thick and fast. With a minimal setup that sees Stina as the frontwoman and guitarist with Cat Myers on drums, the modesty of their format also parallels with their humble, likable stage presence, which becomes even more impressive when they fire up the gutsy, rattling guitar hooks and powerful, personal lyrics.
Horsebeach
The result of Horsebeach’s hazy, jangly indie-pop is one that drums up the contented, stoned-on-life feel of an endless summer. Another regional act for the Manchester leg of Dot to Dot, and another bunch of locals that we love watching grow in prominence.
Rae Morris
Hailing from Blackpool, Rae Morris is an English singer-songwriter, whose rich, mature sound far surpasses her youthful years. Having supported the likes of Bombay Bicycle Club, Lianne La Havas, Noah and The Whale and Tom Odell, she’s now paving her own way, with her debut studio album ‘Unguarded’ released at the beginning of the year to critical acclaim.
Glass Tides
Only two years old, this Manchester-based four-piece was born from the city’s vibrant open mic scene back in 2013. Since then, they’ve established their sound playing sell-out shows, performing for BBC Introducing, live gigs at Beached and Galtres Festival and more, whilst still pumping energy back into the intimate live music scene that bore them. Expect a sturdy rhythm section with strings thrown in for that epic, cinematic touch.
Fat White Family
These guys don’t really need much of a hard sell, thanks to an imitable fan base that continues to push the name out far and wide – but for the uninitiated, from Fat White Family you can expect invasive, engrossing rock ‘n’ roll and, at times, an unashamed tad of controversy in their live performance. Go and watch them, if you've got the balls.
The Watchmakers
The sharply-dressed four-piece are making waves on the UK psych scene, thanks to their unique partnering of swirling pyschedlia with a Manc oomph, topped off by trademark big barnets and a reputation for a good live show.