the musical journey starts for Off The Tracks Spring

This was the 22nd off the tracks festival, a bi-annual event in the heart of England. Close to the oddly quiet Castle Donnington racetrack, this is a gem of the Midlands festival scene. Usually a hotel, camping and caravanning site, the facilities are great, with shower blocks, proper toilets and water points. There are hook up points for live in vehicles and plenty of space for tents.

The site includes 2 stages- a new bigger outdoor stage in the courtyard and an indoor stage in the barn. There’s a breakfast bar open till 12.30, a café with a bar, another bar inside and a reasonably priced real ale bar with a fine selection of ales and ciders to be sampled. Roots and Shoots provide yummy vegetarian food at the entrance to the campsite where there's also a first aid point and a kid's activity tent to help keep the youngsters happy.

The Energy Orchard off to the side of the site provides a tranquil space to explore meditation, Tai Chi, Chi Kung, yoga and, on Saturday a crystal healing workshop to learn how to use crystals to enhance your life. You can even have a Shiatsu massage to ease those aches and pains.

With the prayer flags dancing in the breeze The Whybirds opened the musical journey on the main stage at around 7p.m. with their lively take on country tinged rock which brought folk to their feet in fine style.

The Ukrainians followed next playing 1 of the few festival spots of their year. Showcasing some tunes from their latest album Diaspora, the set was lively and included magnificent versions of Pretty Vacant and Anarchy in the U.K. big smiles all round.

The Popes rounded off the evening outside with folksy, punky paddy beat. (So it says on the programme notes!). Driving mandolin, fiddle and rock guitar propelled the evening nicely.

Meanwhile Leeds psychedelic trance practitioners Cabbage took over the indoor barn stage for the 1st of their 3 night residency. 1st up was DJ Purusha who was followed by the live band Tetchi who were spot on. Eat Static was up to his usual high standard, playing awesome twisted grooves 'til 2am-ish. There were certainly lots of happy faces, sweaty bodies and tired feet.

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