
Blog: Archives: 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 About/Contact	Tell Me Something I Don't Know Indietracks Festival 29, 30, 31 July, 2011 Midland Railway, Butterley, Derbyshire Arriving on the old steam railway site as the day turns to evening, it seems only a few days ago that I excitedly waited for Eddie Argos and co to take to the outdoor stage last year, and only a few weeks since Au Revoir Simone captivated my heart on opening night the year before. This year it's Suburban Kids with Biblical Names who get the party started, and although admittedly not filled with the same excitement as previous years, they manage to get me pogoing with their upbeat keyboard melodies and I’m left happily surprised. A fitting start to a festival responsible for introducing people to so much good music over the short period of time its been running. After a few fine ales, the occasional cider, and some shiny pop beats it’s off to the Unpop disco at the marquee for more of the same until its time to go and erect the tent in the dark. Mornings are a rarity for me at Indietracks and Saturday is no exception. I eventually surface and stumble out of my tent, head down to the site and wander around for a bit before getting on the steam train for a short ride through the Derbyshire countryside. I get back just in time for a quick ale in the old carriage bar before heading to the outdoor stage for Butcher Boy. Their soft melodic pop songs bounce melancholically along and then its over. A re-shuffling of the schedule, due to problems with the generator means that Edwyn Collins and The Hidden Cameras play in the more intimate indoor setting. Jangling pop nuggets rain down as Collins raids his back catalogue, ‘Rip it up’, ‘Falling and Laughing’, and ‘Girl Like You’ almost taking the roof off the old railway shed, reminiscent of that first Indietracks with Hayman at the throttle. The Hidden Cameras take to the stage next, ‘Death of a Tone’ gets people bouncing but ultimately Edwyn Collins wasn't going to be matched and soon enough the Discos were in full swing. Topped up with ales and ciders we danced like we never ever had the chance to a disco-bloodbath through the ages stretching from ‘Safety Dance’ to ‘Deceptacon’ via Twisted by Design. Sunday already and the morning was yet another one missed; a pop quiz hosted by Gordon Ballboy was amongst the casualties. Considerable time is spent lingering ‘round listening for any word of a Gordon acoustic set but sadly to no avail. Jeffrey Lewis rocked out with his witty pop songs before the occupants of Gordon’s Sunday throne this year, the equally sincere Withered Hand take to the outdoor stage. Heartfelt acoustic ballads erupt with emotion; the beautiful ‘Hard On’ sends shivers down spines and gets the king himself (Gordon Ballboy) fisting the air in the front row, and ‘New Dawn’ gets even the most timid indie-popper singing and bouncing along. As the night closes in Herman Dune take to the stage, David-Ivar like the last gypsy prince, straight talking, mysterious, subtle, and straight up rocking from the first chord. ‘Tell Me Something I Don’t Know’ echoes all around the steam train museum, stories of travelling, stories of love, stories full of life, and Guitars fly as they storm through a decade of diversity, no holds barred, emphatically bringing the curtain down on yet another fine Indietracks. Beers, ciders, liquors, and whiskeys are devoured in the name of the last night as we dance it away at the campsite disco, where even our superhuman security guard nemesis ‘The Croc’ joins the celebrations. With the blink of an eye another great weekend at Indietracks has passed. Everything that made it so special in the first place remains untouched, and if anything it’s moving even more towards the DIY independency that separates it from every other festival. Unrivalled for friendliness and community, Indietracks is one of a kind and I can’t wait for next year already! I leave with the familiar heartache that is ever present as I start up the car to head home. © 2011 Scott Jones
© Miwsig

Blog:

Archives:

2012

About/Contact

Tell Me Something I Don't Know

Indietracks Festival
29, 30, 31 July, 2011
Midland Railway, Butterley, Derbyshire

Arriving on the old steam railway site as the day turns to evening, it seems only a few days ago that I excitedly waited for Eddie Argos and co to take to the outdoor stage last year, and only a few weeks since Au Revoir Simone captivated my heart on opening night the year before. This year it's Suburban Kids with Biblical Names who get the party started, and although admittedly not filled with the same excitement as previous years, they manage to get me pogoing with their upbeat keyboard melodies and I’m left happily surprised. A fitting start to a festival responsible for introducing people to so much good music over the short period of time its been running. After a few fine ales, the occasional cider, and some shiny pop beats it’s off to the Unpop disco at the marquee for more of the same until its time to go and erect the tent in the dark.

Mornings are a rarity for me at Indietracks and Saturday is no exception. I eventually surface and stumble out of my tent, head down to the site and wander around for a bit before getting on the steam train for a short ride through the Derbyshire countryside. I get back just in time for a quick ale in the old carriage bar before heading to the outdoor stage for Butcher Boy. Their soft melodic pop songs bounce melancholically along and then its over.

A re-shuffling of the schedule, due to problems with the generator means that Edwyn Collins and The Hidden Cameras play in the more intimate indoor setting. Jangling pop nuggets rain down as Collins raids his back catalogue, ‘Rip it up’, ‘Falling and Laughing’, and ‘Girl Like You’ almost taking the roof off the old railway shed, reminiscent of that first Indietracks with Hayman at the throttle. The Hidden Cameras take to the stage next, ‘Death of a Tone’ gets people bouncing but ultimately Edwyn Collins wasn't going to be matched and soon enough the Discos were in full swing. Topped up with ales and ciders we danced like we never ever had the chance to a disco-bloodbath through the ages stretching from ‘Safety Dance’ to ‘Deceptacon’ via Twisted by Design.

Sunday already and the morning was yet another one missed; a pop quiz hosted by Gordon Ballboy was amongst the casualties. Considerable time is spent lingering ‘round listening for any word of a Gordon acoustic set but sadly to no avail. Jeffrey Lewis rocked out with his witty pop songs before the occupants of Gordon’s Sunday throne this year, the equally sincere Withered Hand take to the outdoor stage. Heartfelt acoustic ballads erupt with emotion; the beautiful ‘Hard On’ sends shivers down spines and gets the king himself (Gordon Ballboy) fisting the air in the front row, and ‘New Dawn’ gets even the most timid indie-popper singing and bouncing along.

As the night closes in Herman Dune take to the stage, David-Ivar like the last gypsy prince, straight talking, mysterious, subtle, and straight up rocking from the first chord. ‘Tell Me Something I Don’t Know’ echoes all around the steam train museum, stories of travelling, stories of love, stories full of life, and Guitars fly as they storm through a decade of diversity, no holds barred, emphatically bringing the curtain down on yet another fine Indietracks. Beers, ciders, liquors, and whiskeys are devoured in the name of the last night as we dance it away at the campsite disco, where even our superhuman security guard nemesis ‘The Croc’ joins the celebrations.

With the blink of an eye another great weekend at Indietracks has passed. Everything that made it so special in the first place remains untouched, and if anything it’s moving even more towards the DIY independency that separates it from every other festival. Unrivalled for friendliness and community, Indietracks is one of a kind and I can’t wait for next year already! I leave with the familiar heartache that is ever present as I start up the car to head home.