Imagine being magically transported back in time to the innocence of the 1950s, where trains chuff along on steam, pretty girls prance about in flouncy swing skirts and boys grease their hair back with Brylcream. Put your favourite indie pop records on that there imaginary jukebox, dither between judiciously sipping hot chocolate and merrily glugging cider and wine, and you have conjured up the essence of Indie Tracks, a gig held on board a heritage steam train (yes, you read that right) in the depths of the picturesque Derbyshire countryside.

The brainchild of Stuart, who works at the Midland Railway Centre in Ripley, the gig showcased some of the best indie pop talent around at the moment, with performances on the station platform from the ever-witty Tottie, melodic Sheffield girl group Slow Down Tallahassee, and a headline slot from jangly indie pop faves Pocketbooks. The steam train itself comprised of lots of retro seating areas, two bars and a disco carriage where Tasty Fanzine, Spiral Scratch and Offbeat DJs played records while the train slowly chugged and puffed its way around the track as the bands soundchecked back at the station in between sets.

Tottie had the hardest slot, playing first to a gaggle of over-excited indie popstrels who were clearly desperate to sample the delights of the steam train and all the mysteries contained within. Still, her sassily observed acoustic pop was a happy start to proceedings, with sweeties being awarded to the most enthusiastic handclappers! As the train took off along the track while Slow Down Tallahassee set up their equipment, there were clouds of steam and excitement hanging over the railway, with kids already dancing in the disco carriage - drinks in hand - to Camera Obscura. By the time the “choo choo" pulled back into the station, the Tallahassee girls were ready to entertain a slightly more tipsy crowd with their easy pop harmonies. They also lent a touch of old fashioned glamour, all rollered hair and retro hosiery, looking for all the world as if they’d just stepped out of the same decade as the heritage site.

After one final short trip along the track, it was time for the Pocketbooks to treat everyone to the honeyed sounds of their perfect boy/girl harmonies and tales of complicated romances. And they were on fantastic form, with both Andy’s and Emma’s vocals sounding stronger than ever. The crowd was clearly in a party mood, noisily demanding an encore and turning the length of the station platform into a mobile indie disco as they shimmied along to “First World Record”- mostly for fun, but also partly to keep warm! Of course, dancing continued long into the night courtesy of the Spiral Scratch DJs, with everyone clearly loving the novelty of boogying to their favourite records in such a unique setting. Gigs and club nights will never quite seem the same again...

If you fancy sampling some of the steam train action, there is an Indie Tracks festival in July, with bands such as The Orchids, Cats on Fire and Bearsuit and – more importantly – unlimited trips on the train! Get there somehow or accept that your twee rating is about to take a serious nosedive…

http://www.myspace.com/indietracks
http://www.myspace.com/pocketbooks
http://www.myspace.com/slowdowntallahasseegirls
http://www.myspace.com/welovetottie
http://www.spiralscratchpop.com/
http://www.offbeat.group.shef.ac.uk/
http://www.tastyfanzine.org.uk/