DOT TO DOT 2013

So as well as the kind people at Dot to Dot giving us some festival tickets giveaway we got a press pass for D2D Manchester!  So we gave our resident WE ARE COW photographer Richard a chance to go along and document the evening! Here is what he got up to and a few bands for you to check out if you havent already!

All words and photos by 

Richard Manning 

www.richardmanningphotography.co.uk


(Just click the band names for links to their sites!)

SKATERS

First up was up and coming SKATERS a 5 piece, skuzzy punk rock band from NYC who ironically dont skate. It was fairly early on in the day so the crowd wasn't booming but this didn't dampen the boys sprits who jumped around the stage with their snap backs and military jackets.

For fans of: Splashh / Strokes / Drowners

The 1975

Manchester born lads who have just been touring with Muse, playing to 40,000 people and they don't even have an album out yet. WTF. They have risen to stardom in what seems like a matter of minutes, with their catchy indie pop rock tracks and erm well... Hair. 
The girls love them and the boys wanna be them, We love it.

For fans of: Little Comets / Foals / Vampire Weekend

Dan Croll

Singer song writer Dan Croll was a great little surprise for me, I had only heard a couple of songs but he and his band really encapsulated me. Good feel vibes all round 
his new single 'Compliment Your Soul' is a definite summer hit! 

For fans of : Prince / Beirut 

MØ

The Danish version of Grimes mixed with Lana Del Rey is what I would label her as. I went to see her at Live at Leeds earlier in May, she was super energetic and had an abundance of stage presence. Definitely something to watch for the future.  

For fans of: Grimes / Lana del Ray

PINS

PINS are an all girl dark group from Manchester these ladies are awesome. Fact. Labeled by the Guardian as 'The most Brooklyn band ever to come from Manchester' what are you waiting for go listen to them! 

For fans of: Vivian Girls / Savages / BRMC

Deap Vally

This two piece super babe group from Cali have so much attitude and wreak of cool.
 I have seen these girls a couple of times and each time they have owned the stage with Lindsey explosive screams, shouts and grimaces and Julie's amazing glitter ball outfits and auburn curls it is hard to take your eyes off them both.

For fans of: White Stripes / The Black Keys / Led Zeppelin

Best Friends

Best Friends are a surf pop punk band from Steel City. A bit confusing but their songs are just plain awesome and most defo gonna be on my car stereo with the windows 
down when summer finally arrives!

For fans of Wavves / Bos Angeles / Gorgeous Bully

Deap Vally - Get The Look

We are looking forward to the Dot To Dot Festival and getting excited about watching some of our favourite bands. One of those is the American babe duo Deap Vally!

Their gritty take on blues/ minimalist/ rock keeps us more than interested but they also aren't half bad lookin' and today we are trying to capture that carefree style!

        Shop the looks -Clockwise from Bottom Left to Top Right

Black Strappy Bra Top - £18

Stars and Stripes Blouse - £17

Black Leather Shorts - £30

Brown Ankle Boots - £42

Harley Davidson Denim Waistcoat - £55

Black Tasselled Leather Jacket - £52

Studded Frayed Denim Shorts - £22

Cream Lace Top - £22

Brown leather "E" Belt - £14

ALL IMAGES FROM GOOGLE SEARCH. 

Dot To Dot Festival X Best Friends

As you know we are running a competition to be in for a chance to win a pair of tickets to DOT TO DOT FESTIVAL! See how you can win yours here...

In line with this mega competition we are going to be talking to some of the bands who are playing over the 3 days of fun spread across Bristol, Nottingham and Manchester. We want to find out who they are excited about watching at Dot To Dot, where we can see them after the Festival and obvs what they will be wearing!

So to kick off all the excitement we spoke to the lads from the BEST FRIENDS. You may or may not of heard of this band but they are working to hard to make sure their catchy surf/ pop/ rock/ garage style tunes never leave your head. And with track titles like 'If You Think Too Much Your Brain Will Fall Out', 'Surf Bitches' and 'Throwing Up' you can see straight away they aren't taking it too seriously but enjoying every minute and with this attitude they are becoming quite appealing to all music lovers.

HIYA JACK, LEWIS, EDAND TOM aka BEST FRIENDS!
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN GOING NOW?

Jack - "About two years . I think our first gig was around this time last year."

WHAT ARE YOU WORKING ON AT THE MINUTE?

Jack - "We're recording a new E.P hopefully to release before we start playing the festivals this summer."

WHAT'S THE BEST GIG YOU'VE EVER DONE?

Jack - "Loads but probably in the house we lived in last year. We used to put on house shows. They were always the most messy but the most fun and the living room made a perfect venue. We did a WWF themed fancy dress show once which was siiiiiiiick!"

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT PLAYING DOT TO DOT?

Ed - "It should be rad!"

WHAT OTHER BANDS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO WATCHING THERE?

Ed - "Bo Ningen are one of the most insane bands I've ever seen so I'll try and see them at some point that weekend. I'm also looking forward to watching a load of bands I've never seen/heard before, should be a good weekend!"

Lewis - "I'm gonna catch Wolf Alice, we played their single launch recently and they were really good, they're gonna be big."

WHAT'S PLANNED FOR THE FUTURE & WHERE CAN WE SEE YOU AGAIN AFTER THE FESTIVAL?

Lewis - "I'll be looking for a job, are you hiring?"

WHAT IS YOUR FESTIVAL MUST HAVE?

Ed - "A pair of boots"

Lewis - "Hats. Getting sunstroke can make you look like a pussy. Avoid meshbacks too because the sun can still get in and fry your brain."

WHAT IS THE BEST THING YOU'VE EVER FOUND FROM A VINTAGE STORE?

Ed - "Festival boots!"

Lewis - "I bought a vest with Snoop on the other day. That's pretty good."

Thanks to Best Friends for answering some questions for us. We look forward to seeing them at Dot To Dot Festival and to listen to more from them follow this link!