Location: Butterley, Derbyshire
Dates: 24th – 26th July 2015
The ninth annual Indietracks, like its previous editions, promises to be a whimsical pastel-shaded celebration of all things indie. Situated on the Midland Railway Centre train museum in the heart of rural Derbyshire, 2015 will see sets from the eclectic and euphoric Go!Team, C86 revivalist darlings The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart and indie-punk favourites Martha alongside a wealth of other indie-shaped talent. However, an impressive smattering of acts across four stages that include a church and a steam train isn’t the sole draw of this hidden-gem of the UK festival circuit; nor are the selection of real ales and food choices that put the options presented by much larger festivals to shame. The one thing that sets Indietracks apart from the rest of the pack is the community spirit that permeates through it and results in an environment a world away from most other festivals.
In acknowledgement of this community spirit, God Is In The Tv has given the reigns of this preview to artists making their return to the weekender to try and sum up just what makes Indietracks so special.
Emma Kupa, Mammoth Penguins
I first heard about Indietracks when I discovered the UK indiepop DIY scene back in 2007 and I’ve been a massive fan ever since. The festival reflects the best characteristics of that scene – not being profit driven, being hopeful and optimistic, and treating bands and the audiences nicely/with respect, whilst constantly expanding its horizons in terms of international bands and genres. It’s the annual celebration of all the DIY gigs, all-dayers, new bands and album releases that have happened over the year. It’s always an amazingly fun weekend to be at and wonderful to play. As well as the music (4 stages) there’s the train rides and tours of the museum, the civilised camping (for those who stay near the site), a great bar with real ales and ciders, the raucous late night discos, the morning football, workshops, and a really family friendly atmosphere.
Dan Moss, Evans The Death
If I’m being honest, I’m usually only into a fraction of the lineup but that’s just personal taste. What makes it great and important is that unlike most festivals that have to kowtow to sponsors to stay afloat – something that can be quite palpable at the bigger ones we’ve played – Indietracks is reliant solely on the hard work and enthusiasm of the people involved. This means they keep autonomy over the whole thing, so they can give smaller bands the opportunity to play. There’s no cynicism involved. Nobody’s going to go to be ‘seen’ there. Everyone just bloody loves it and you can really sense that just walking around. Unfortunately, we’ve got to drive back to London shortly after we play but we’d definitely stay if we could.
Alexander Christopher Hale (singer songwriter)
An Elysian Field for indie anoraks, the Midland Railway Centre has firmly established itself as a second home for popkids the world over – thanks entirely to the celebration of life, trains and glockenspiels that is Indietracks. For just one weekend a year, the festival provides a beacon, around which we disenfranchised scenesters may flock; a meeting site for far-flung friends, a hive of light-revolutionary rumblings, and a lovely place to get utterly smashed on a train and watch grown adults pour their hearts out whilst playing children’s instruments.
This year will be my 4th Indietracks – my first playing (a long-held ambition of mine) – and I can’t wait. The festival has a unique charm to it, a real sense of community, and the brief days I have spent there have left me with memories which, I have no doubt, will last forever. Bury me at Indietracks!
Verity Longley, Lost Pets
Indietracks is great because it’s basically just all your old friends and all your new friends at a heritage railway listening to music and drinking real ale and eating curry. And what could be more fun than that? The campsite is a real campsite, with toilets and showers and a cafe. The first year I went I knew two people and about three bands. Now almost all my friends will be there and my band are playing! It’s a real tribute to the DIY scene. Indietracks is the place where dreams of always being a band are realised.
More line up information and tickets please are available HERE.
