Join up the dots and find a new favourite

For one day, Dot to Dot takes over half a dozen of the best music venues across the city staging dozens of acts from lunchtime to the early hours.

Venues taking part in 2012 include the 02 Academy Bristol, the Lousiana, The Cooler, Start The Bus, The Fleece and the Thekla. The Anson Rooms looks like it's out for 2012, no doubt due to the extensive redevelopment work going on at the Clifton University site.

But the Trinity – arguably Bristol's most under-appreciated live music venue – is making a welcome return to the festival.

Dot to Dot is at its best when it gives people the chance to see up-and-coming bands on the cusp of hitting the big time.

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Santigold, Noah and the Whale, Metronomy and Ed Sheeran are just some of the many acts who have played small venues and gone on to become big names.

New York's The Drums and Pulled Apart By Horses from Leeds are the headliners at this year's event on Saturday, June 2 – a welcome distraction for those who couldn't care less that Elizabeth II has been on the throne for 60 years.

The great joy of the festival, though, has always been discovering someone new. Whether you prop up the bar at the Louie all day or try and visit every venue at least once, there's plenty to choose from.

Among those worth tracking down this year are Beth Jeans Houghton and Willy Mason, two singer/songwriters attracting plenty of acclaim.

If you were to just take the layman's approach to betting on horses – pick the one with the stupidest name – you may prefer Wonder Villains or Vadoinmessico.

Dot to Dot's promotions director Anton Lockwood says: "This year we very much want more new music; that's the core of the Dot to Dot.

"Pulled Apart By Horses are one of the most exciting bands around but it's about all the new things as well.

"Jake Bugg has only just turned 18, you've got Bastille, Willy Mason, Rae Morris. It's all about keeping value for money.

"I always say you get to see your new favourite band in the afternoon and your favourite band in the evening.

"We had a little fellah called Ed Sheeran last year and a couple of years ago we had Mumford and Sons, despite being described as 'a band that sounded like a furniture removal company'."

Dot to Dot also takes place in Manchester and Nottingham – but Anton was full of praise for the music capital of the South West.

He adds: "We have a strong base in Bristol, we own the Thekla and it's a tremendous music city.

"It's second to none in terms of music knowledge."

For more on this year's Dot to Dot Festival, due to take place on Saturday, June 2, go to www.facebook.com/events/ 307301972622561.

Tickets are available from www.bristolticketshop.co.uk or by calling 0117 929 9008.

Liz Webster