Catch The Train To Indiepopland!

You have to see this! The third in Miwsig’s summer festival series takes a look at Derbyshire’s ace Indie Tracks

Indie Tracks Festival
July 28 & 29, Midland Railway, Butterley, Ripley, Derbyshire

So it’s a relief to sit down and write about something dedicated outright to the teeming Pop underground. Okay, many of the bigger festivals cater for a decent proportion of new, un-acclaimed, un-industry bands, but it’s always kind of in the shadow of some monolithic plan, usually with somebody like Razorlight at its head. Though you could argue that the world of industry-fuelled pap and the genuine Pop underbelly exist together in relative harmony.

Anyway, the point is, how great is it that someone is breaking away and having a total festival dedicated to underground Pop, and in a setting that makes you return for another look incase you’ve dreamt it wrong. Oh yes, this is Derbyshire’s Indie Tracks, a home from home for people who spend most of their lives under the shelter of earphones.

Indie Tracks is going to take place on and around the railway lines of Derbyshire, with free train passes provided with a ｣40 weekend ticket. You’ll be able to cruise the rails to the sounds of your favourite bands then get out to watch them play on two stages constructed on a site besides the ancient village of Swanwick in the Amber Valley. Bands? How many mouth-watering names of Uncool grandeur do you want?

There’s the amazing Hermit Crabs, emerging from the lineage of Camera Obscura and California Snow Story with lightly drifting songs to behold, Norwich-core heroes Bearsuit, quaint moog-poppers Arthur and Martha, Dutch darlings Persil, the magnificent Indelicates, original Sarah Recordings legends The Orchids and, well… the just not right Das Wanderlust and The Bobby McGees.

That of course is to name a few who aren’t Scandinavian, appetites further whetted by a connoisseur’s collection of Nordic talent. Finland’s Cats on Fire played a date with Darren Hayman recently, their The Province Complains LP a particular favourite round these parts, and what more can I say about A Smile and a Ribbon, apart from they’re ace in ways that a modern Swedish Pop combo fronted buy a female Hayman are bound to be. Then there’s my favourite band of the past week, The Electric Pop Group from Gothenburg (check the sparkling ‘Popgirly’).

The thought of it all sets the heart pulsing a few beats quicker, the Pop Miwsig Disco might just be playing some tracks, and this, my friends, is the best event of the year.

Miwsig Monkey’s Festival Rating 10/10

© 2007 Neil Jones

Extra Info

www.indietracks.co.uk

Travel by steam or heritage diesel train to our festival site at Swanwick, where we will have 28 bands playing on two stages over two days. Confirmed so far:

Saturday
The Orchids
Arthur & Martha
Bearsuit
The Bobby McGees
Cats On Fire
The Chemistry Experiment
The Felt Tips
Pete Green
The Gresham Flyers
The Hermit Crabs
Rose McDowall
Roy Moller
Santa Dog
Strange Idols

Sunday
College Pinks
Countryside
The Cut Outs
Das Wanderlust
The Electric Pop Group
MJ Hibbett & The Validators
Horowitz
The Indelicates
The Parallelograms
Persil
Their Hearts Were Full Of Spring
Wake The President

Bands will finish at 10pm, with an indiepop disco afterwards.
Saturday night - How Does It Feel To Be Loved? - www.howdoesitfeel.co.uk
Sunday night - t.b.a.

Includes unlimited train rides during the weekend, and full access to the normal Midland Railway Butterley attractions - www.midlandrailwaycentre.co.uk (this would normally cost ｣10.95 per day)

Tickets
Early booking ticket prices – valid until 31st May: Weekend ｣40, or ｣22.50 a day (thereafter ｣45 weekend, or ｣25 per day)

By telephone : credit card bookings from the Midland Railway Butterley 01773 747 674 (normal call rates) office hours 09:00 – 17:00 (7 days), only ｣2 booking fee per booking.

By internet : at Ticketweb - Weekend tickets, Saturday tickets, or Sunday tickets. Ticketweb booking fee is approx 10%.

Camping is available at Golden Valley Caravan Park, a ten minute walk from the Swanwick festival site www.goldenvalleycaravanpark.co.uk separate pre-booking essential.

The Midland Railway Butterley is a “Heritage” railway located in Ripley, 10 miles north of Derby, 15 mile north west of Nottingham, 25 miles south of Sheffield. Ripley does not have a national network railway station, but has a good bus service from Derby and Nottingham. There is plenty of free parking at Butterley.

© Miwsig