The Toppermost of the Poppermost

Well, they have done it again. NYC Popfest, year in and year out, continues to be the best music festival on this continent. Last week, the 2015 lineup was revealed. Every March, like clockwork, I'm tempted to ask Mrs. Linear Tracking Lives to donate air miles to her devoted. It's the fest's balance of indie-pop rookies and relics that appeals to this, mmm, "mature" fan. Here's a quick look at some of my favorite bands from past years: the Pains of Being Pure at Heart, Tender Trap, Allo Darlin', Sea Lions, the Pooh Sticks, Cats on Fire, Veronica Falls, the Orchids, the Hermit Crabs, BMX Bandits, Mitch Easter, the School, the Monochrome Set, the Bats, the Wolfhounds, Close Lobsters, the Popguns, the Flatmates.... and I could go on and on. Feels a bit like Indietracks without the trains, eh?

For me, highlights from this year's impressive roster include the Catenary Wires (that's the latest incarnation of Amelia Fletcher and Rob Pursey), Club 8 ("Shape Up!" is one of my favorite songs from last decade), the Darling Buds (big crush on Andrea Lewis back in the day), the Loft (never seen Peter Astor before!), Lunchbox ('Lunchbox Loves You' was my No. 4 album of 2014), Pale Lights (oft compared to Lloyd Cole and the Brilliant Corners) and Palms on Fire (first thing I have ever wanted to catch from Russia). Of course, this barely scratches the surface. Here's the lineup as of today.

It's more or less the same dates and places as usual, May 28-31 at four venues mostly in and around Brooklyn, and a four-day pass is a modest $70. Why wait? You can buy them now. Here are a few songs to whet your appetite.