Since 2021, the music-loving denizens of Central Illinois have had the opportunity to come together for an excellent selection of bands in downtown Champaign at the first and second annual Rail Fest. Held at the Brass Rail, this small festival offered a weekend of punk, rock, and other genres of live music in an intimate setting — a brief refuge from the cold days of late autumn and the impending stress of the holidays. The mastermind behind Rail Fest was none other than Doug Hodge, co-owner of The Space and drummer for the Champaign band Snack’d Out. With the Brass Rail temporarily closed and under new ownership, Hodge found himself with a void to fill. Fortunately, he had an abundance of ideas, ample space (pun intended), and allies at the ready. After a serendipitous text message from Matt Talbott, Champaign music mainstay and owner of Tolono’s Loose Cobra, Derailed Fest took shape.
I was excited to see that the legacy of Rail Fest would continue. Curious about the collaboration process between Hodge and Talbott, I asked them if they’d be willing to answer some questions for me, and they were kind enough to oblige. Their collaboration was starkly straightforward and simple. As Talbott describes it, “I was at my bar working. It wasn’t very busy, and I was thinking about my early winter commitments with my music, and I had a brief moment where I was like ‘I wonder if I am playing at Rail Fest again this year?’ Then I remembered the Brass Rail was closed. And then I texted Doug to see if he wanted to keep the tradition going out at The Loose Cobra.”
As it happens, Hodge had already been planning a fest at The Space, but with the two of them working together, they were able to expand their scope and keep the tradition going. For Hodge, it was important to maintain the spirit of Rail Fest without overshadowing it: “My wife Danielle came up with the name because we didn’t want to call it Rail Fest since the Brass Rail as we knew it is gone. Many memories were had hosting DIY shows, and we didn’t want the party to end.”
Hodge and Talbott, seasoned veterans of the DIY ethos, bring their wealth of experience to the forefront, weaving a tapestry of authenticity into the fabric of Derailed Fest. They’re playing in bands, opening their own venues, and putting together fests. This approach allows them to do something authentic and interesting, continuing to evolve and showcase new ideas. For Derailed, Hodge knew from the get-go that he wanted to keep things local, saying, “There is a huge pool of great local talent, so why not dip into it for this year? We’re kind of…going off the rails and creating a new thing with this fest.” For Hodge and Talbott, this means they get the chance to not only host the fest but also play in it. In fact, both Hodge’s Snack’d Out and Talbott’s Tractor Kings are scheduled to play. Talbott is glad to bring in Tolono, noting, “We are developing a nice local following at the Cobra, and there’s a good chunk of kind people who might not know the bands but will come out and enjoy the show and support the artists because they trust what we are doing here, and they know it’s going to be cool.”
As The Space solidifies its presence in downtown Champaign, and Loose Cobra cultivates a devoted following on the outskirts, Derailed Fest stands at the intersection, promising to showcase some of the best music our corner of Illinois has to offer. I asked both Hodge and Talbott how they saw themselves in the music scene. Since they’re both musicians and venue owners, it seems they’re in the thick of it. Talbott, with characteristic humility, deferred, happy to still be a part of it. Hodge was also modest, pointing out that he still feels new to the scene, having only been part of one musical project since moving here. However, The Space has hosted over 30 shows so far, featuring touring bands with local openers. Both men were quick to sing each other’s praises, with Talbott pointing out that the work happening at The Space is important, and “we need more of that, particularly in our downtown.” Hodge, for his part, points out that Loose Cobra is his favorite venue to play at, and people drive from far and wide to see shows there.
I asked Talbott and Hodge to describe Derailed Fest. For Hodge, it’s “two days of nonsense and hangs with friends.” Meanwhile, Talbott sees “Derailed Fest as a celebration and continuation of the good things we miss from our old hangout, the Brass Rail.” With such descriptions, Derailed focuses more on local bands, keeping things fun and low-key, and friends playing music for friends. Hodge says he’s hoping to make Derailed a yearly event and that he’s already planning logistics for next year. In the echoes of Rail Fest’s spirit, Derailed Fest emerges, poised not only to carry its legacy forward but to carve out a new and vibrant chapter in the local music history.
Derailed Fest Night 1
The Space
1 E. Main St., 107
Champaign
F December 8th, 7 p.m.
Donations
Derailed Fest Night 2
Loose Cobra
113 E. Main St.
Tolono
Sa, December 9th, 7 p.m.
Donations