A musical island of indie stability

The truth of the matter is that inDnegev has become bigger than the sum of its parts. Today it’s an institution.

By NATAN GALILI
EYAL PIK of the Brain Candies (photo credit: NOA MAGGER)
EYAL PIK of the Brain Candies
(photo credit: NOA MAGGER)
The leading independent music festival in Israel is just around the corner and the indie scene is buzzing in anticipation.
In what seems like an almost annual tradition, the inDnegev Festival organizers claimed they were uncertain whether the event would take place, at least in its familiar spot at Mitzpe Gvulot, in the Negev’s western area. After Operation Protective Edge this summer, those claims seemed more real than ever.
But the truth of the matter is that inDnegev has become bigger than the sum of its parts. Today it’s an institution.
Not a traditional one in the sense of its complexities and formalities – far from it – but rather an event with a certain stability. It has managed to make a strong claim of existence in the Israeli culture and art movements, albeit, away from the limelight of mainstream phenomena and conformity of the masses.
“From day one, the festival learned how to walk on its own,” says Matan Neufeld, one of the inDnegev founders.
“[Now it walks effortlessly] with the help of friends by staying simple and carving its own way for anyone who thinks a bit differently and has something to say.”
Neufeld expresses his concern and sympathy with the residents of the area and suggests the experience of the festival is a good opportunity to support the locals, who will work in cooperation with the festival with regard to food, security, logistics and more.
The inDnegev organizers see themselves as no less than pioneers of the Negev. Neufeld is pleased by the festival’s professionalism, which keeps growing and improving along with Israeli musicians, who make better records and offer rich and diverse types of music.
Eyal Pik of the Brain Candies reiterates Neufeld’s vision of the festival. “InDnegev is first and foremost exciting and a celebration,” says Pik. “When we played there three years ago, it was a great opportunity to promote our debut album, perform on a big stage in front of thousands of people and get attention from media and music lovers.”
According to Pik, what is special about the festival is the openness and diverse nature of the crowd who inhabit the festival: “The desert, the beautiful people, the feeling of freedom – it gives inspiration to artists. You can feel the appreciation of the producers as well. They are people of vision who love music and that transcends throughout the festival.”
The Brain Candies will perform at the inDnegev Festival between October 23-25 with songs from their upcoming album, along with 80 other artists such as Berry Sakharof, The Angelcy, Geva Alon, Acollective, Electric Zoo, Isaiah and more. There will also be displays of art, a playground for children, a Shabbat zone, live radio and blog and more surprises.
Matan Weil contributed to this report.