THE popular Dot To Dot, a sprawling three-day, three-city festival, came to Manchester on Bank Holiday Monday.

This year hordes of revellers welcomed acts including Hurts, We Are Scientists and The Naked and Famous, all fresh from turns in Bristol and Nottingham on Saturday and Sunday.

Other acts that featured at popular venues The Academy, Deaf Institute and Sound Control were Darwin Deez, Ed Sheeran, The Joy Formidable, SBTRKT and Guillemots.

Mapping out a path to a perfect day takes some planning as there were so many bands begging for attention but highlights came in the shape of Ed Sheeran, who is currently attracting a lot of plaudits.

The 20-year-old folk singer songwriter put on an amazing show at Academy 1 during the afternoon and a rendition of the haunting A Team will be sure to raise his profile in the months to come.

New Zealanders The Naked and Famous delivered a high energy set, delivering Punching In A Dream early on, which got a full room in the mood for dancing.

The electro band went on to perform more pummelling beats, including hit single Young Blood, before exiting with a triumphant flourish to plenty of cheers and fist shaking.

Welsh three-piece The Joy Formidable proved, as their name suggests, an utter pleasure to watch as well as a musical force to be reckoned with.

Lead singer Ritzy Brian clung to her guitar and strode around the stage as if she owned it, causing a few excitable fans to attempt a spot of stagediving, which was quickly kiboshed by zealous security stewards.

Hurts headlined at Academy 1 with a stylish set that even allowed an opera singer a chance to shine.

The duo, known for their melancholy songs, belted out monster hit Wonderful Life to an attentive audience.

On at midnight in the intimate Deaf Institute were Guillemots. The quartet, hindered by a late start due to sound problems, went on to deftly drill out latest hit The Basket while lead singer Fyfe Dangerfield showcased his considerable keyboarding talents.

This event has a strong future in Manchester if Monday was anything to go by as it gave stage time to up and coming acts along with those who are more established. It was an enjoyable spectacle with acts to suit all tastes.