May 28, 2006
Its Nottinghams Dot to Dot time again. 15 hours, 50 plus acts, a few DJ sets, a handful of stalls and if our bank balance is being generous countless trips to the bar. What else could you want to get you ready for the festival season?
Kicking the day off, coming stylishly late but putting the whole day behind schedule, is The Pipettes. If you’re not already familiar with the band you will soon hear about the synchronized hand dancing girls; delivering simple-melodies-pop-perfection in matching polka dot dresses. Although in danger of being a bit too repetitive but the sound was good and got a few head boppers starting the day off nicely.
Next due was the likes of the 2 piece strings/brass, Get Cape Wear Cape Fly, with a good sound and innovative ideas , the indie-dancey hip-hop influenced Buck 65, who impressing many people and nottinghams own Hellset Orchestra, with the name saying it all continue the madness.
Getting a bit bored of the main room I payed the basement a visit, a claustrophic and sweaty mission in itself, to find The Morning After Girls followed by dancier beats from Die Die Die and You Say Party We Say Die; the latter being the most impressive. If getting the most people in as possible was the competition this band won fair and square. Imagine The Yeah Yeah Yeahs with a kick and more grit .
Quite a contrast to the previous, next came Amusement Parks on Fire, another local band once again reminding us where we are. Recently victims to rocketing success the band use a range of dynamics, melodies and instrumentation in their set proving just why they’re set to be one of the best things coming out of Nottingham.
However it is safe to say that most people were waiting for Mystery Jets and British Sea Power and when this moment came it began to feel like a proper gig. Now if you havent been part of the energetic mystery gang yet I can tell you what you’re missing out on with the set including all the well known hits, the dancing on stage drunken man with pint in one hand , the girls trying to clamber on to join him but only getting as far as a wrestle with the staff and the band’s bad influence of stage diving and speaker climbing. For a disabled lead singer and keyboardist old enough to be their granddad it really is impressive.
The ultimate of the festival however was near and people were coming from the other venues to see British Sea Power transforming the sweat induced room into a leaves everywhere jungle. The classics were played including ‘Remember me’. The dynamics and tempo were alternated well and when we wern’t dancing we were dangeroulsly close to getting out lighters out for a sing along. Boxes are defintley ticked in the stage precense box towards the end with monkey climbers on stage and a balloon for a face mascot as worn by the bassist. The decline of British Sea Power? At some moments this could be sadly true but as a whole far from it.
The whole day was a success and it just got better and better as time ticked on by and all that is left for me to say now is bring on the big ones. Festivals that is.
Reviewed by: Kristi
