Alien music with a human soul: Pollyfromthedirt, Any Young Mechanic and more at D2D 2026

After your first time at Dot to Dot, the name feels all the more fitting; walking between familiar venues and catching different sounds at every spot, the picture and atmosphere is more vivid the more you explore.

The larger venues keep you for longer, the appeal being that there is always a set happening, letting you relax and enjoy whoever's on. It's a nice feeling to finish dancing to a set in Electric knowing that when you head upstairs, there will be a completely different energy meeting you. I totally loved Murkage Dave's soulful, uplifting grooves, and it felt like the whole room was smiling through his set. It was rare to hear a minute go by without someone yelling out praise to the band.

Then just walking up the stairs, taking the energy up higher was Bloodworm with their intense rock rhythms, without a moment of downtime between the sets!

A sunset performance at the Dockside stage for Any Young Mechanic

Likewise, Thekla had a sick mix of stages, with folkier outdoors sets and moody indoor bands. Pollyfromthedirt transported everyone into a dreamscape of sound literally unlike anything I've ever heard; live-looping vocals over freaky bass and live acoustic guitar. It was the first time I've heard such alien music with such human soul.

With the variety of bands, sounds and atmospheres surrounding you at Dot to Dot, it's difficult to single out any one act over another as being 'the best'. Despite this, I have to give Any Young Mechanic their flowers; their joyful bluegrass/folk/rock melodies spilling out over the docks, it was hard not to dance. The drums and banjo puppet your feet, the double bass' grooves move your body: touching, twangy vocals play your heartstrings to match the fiddle's actual strings.

There was a lovely energy during the set, with a range of people all grooving as the air cooled down, and the folky instruments gave it even more a warm, community feeling. Any Young Mechanic have a mix of uplifting and bittersweet tunes, which can be heard on their new debut album The Modern Shoe is Ruining the Foot.

If you want a relaxed festival and an excuse to walk around Bristol under the setting sun, but also to experience the most eclectic music around, don't miss Dot to Dot for 2027!

Photo credit Sasha Czech