“It’s like Auschwitz but with good music,” slurs a festivalgoer in the DIY concert film that documents the longstanding British indie-fest, All Tomorrow’s Parties. We’re kind of skeptical about this comparison because there’s nothing that spells ‘concentration camp’ about the fest save for the fact that it takes place on summer camp grounds once popular among  the British nuclear family half a century ago.

In fact, “All Tomorrow’s Parties” is what every festival should be like: void of corporate sponsorship, guest lists, long lines, VIP passes, wristbands or any kind of exclusivity. Each year a different artist or act is selected to curate the concert, which makes the festival uniquely intimate and fan-friendly. Past curators have included Explosions in the Sky, Belle and Sebastian, Portishead, the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs,  ATP and many more indie sensations.

The footage of the film was contributed by over two hundred filmmakers, including both fans and musician so there is plenty of footage that documents the rambunctious youth as well as exclusive performances from Belle and Sebastian to the shirtless romping of Iggy Pop. This festival definitely goes down in the books of legendary concert series but like any festival documentary you are always left wishing you were there in the action, not a decade later staring at all debauchery on your flat screen. Entertaining nonetheless but if we had the choice to curate one we’d probably boot the head-banging drummers for some ones and twos (not that we don’t like a good mosh-pit once in awhile).

All Tomorrow’s Parties premiered at SXSW Film in March 2009 and is scheduled to screen at several upcoming international festivals.

DVD includes
- 40 page full color booklet, including 10 years of ATP artwork and program introductions, and slipcase packaging.
- over 50 minutes of full length performances
- commentary from ATP promoters Barry Hogan and Deborah Kee Higgins
- the DVD is also a key that can be used to unlock exclusive bonus content online
$30.99