Indietracks

Why should I go?
For the free steam train rides.

Any interest titbits of information?
It is perhaps the first British festival to sell itself via a unique marriage of ‘heritage trains and indiepop music’.

A relatively new addition to the UK festival circuit, Indietracks can boast a setting even more unique than EXIT’s Serbian castle, or Green Man’s spot beneath the Brecon Beacons: a railway station. Part of this diminutive festival’s charm is its D-I-Y ethic and homespun spaces: one of the indoor stages is in a church and the Swanwick platform is used for more than the free steam train rides; it turns into audience space for those watching the bands. It might all sound a bit trainspotter-esque and middle-aged, but there is an appealingly straightforward and unpretentious feel to the weekend. Emmy the Great, Au Revoir Simone and Camera Obscura play this year, with the main stage becoming the Elefant Stage to commemorate the record label’s 20th birthday. There’s a kids play area next to the church stage, a shop selling railway memorabilia and a café serving up cheesy chips and standard fare.

Whilst you may not be able to camp on site – nearest accommodation is around a mile away – at least this allows you to extend your stay if the weather is good and money hasn’t run out. Connections to the nearby market town of Ripley (worth a visit) are frequent.

Ticket price: weekend: £55; day ticket: £30 (Sat or Sun). Accommodation booked separately.

Accommodation: Indietracks does not offer festival camping; instead it recommends Golden Valley Camping & Caravan Park, situated just over a mile away. See the festival website for further info on B&Bs and local hotels.

Site opening: Friday 24th July open to weekend ticket holders only.

Capacity: around 1,000.

Stages: Elefant Stage, Indoor Stage, Church Stage, Swanwick Platform for trains.

Travel: Nearest train stations are Nottingham, Derby and Alfreton. Local buses link to Midland Railway Butterley every 15-30 minutes.