Another summer, another wonderful Indietracks music festival. I was lucky enough to hit my fourth go-round to Indietracks in four years, down in Derbyshire at Midland Steam Railway, a working railway with model village that plays host to the music festival for three days every July. Good times.
As in previous years, Indietracks asked if I’d shoot press photos for them while I was there; happy to help. It’s a small festival, extremely family friendly and actually, just friendly. As a resident of Scotland — and not Edinburgh or Glasgow — it’s also the one time of the year when I can get a firm indie music fix, all in once space and over the course of a weekend. Plus bands and music festival attendees are super fun to photograph.
Thank you to everyone this year for letting me grab a photo of you. If I missed you, I hope to do it next year. Likewise for bands. I didn’t get to see every band that I wanted to see at the festival, not least due to some overlaps between the outdoor stage, the shed (indoor) stage, the church stage and the train stage. The latter is an intimate acoustic show played to a box train car filled with an audience. I didn’t make any this year, though have done so in the past — great fun, if often a bit humid.
You Left Me Standing in the Rain (and Wanting More)
Highlights for me this year at Indietracks on the music front?
With thanks to For the Rabbits’ review of this year’s festival for help, covering both Friday-Saturday as well as Sunday (especially with band member names and other projects), if I had to pick just 10, here goes:
Boyracer

After missing them way back when in Cambridge, Massachusetts, when they played the Druid, I thought it wouldn’t be long until they were back through town. Fast-forward about two decades, and I finally get to see Stew and crew, after I met guitarist Matt (“Matty’s Untitled Song”), aka “The Tall Boy,” my first year at Indietracks. It would have been wonderful to catch band member Jen (to whom Stewart is married) as well if she’d been able to make the jump. (Early request for when that happens: “The Other’s Way.”) With luck, next time, and in a lot less than two decades.
Onsind

“50% outrage, 50% ennui.” This Durham-based band features two members of Martha, plus a third Martha member in the full touring lineup. They performed on the heels of Onsind’s stellar “We Wilt, We Bloom” album, released earlier this year. As with Martha, cue not only intricate sonic hooks and great songwriting, but also energy to burn on stage.
Dream Wife

Worst Place

The Lovely Eggs

Colour Me Wednesday

Happy Accidents

Honey Blood

Linda Guilala

Sacred Paws

British Sea Power

Until Next Time
Whoops, I guess this review goes to 11. And it only scratches the surface of the weekend’s wonderful performances. Not to mention the joy of wandering near a stage and hearing a wonderful new band that you’ve never heard before. And back to Indietracks I will go.
In the meantime, be sure to check out my portraits of attendees, portraits of bands and performers, or peruse a big grab bag of everything, including performances.