Gilmore Trail are an instrumental rock band from Sheffield, consisting of Bob Brown on drums, David Ivall and Danny Mills on guitar, and Joe Richards on bass. Formed by Mills and original drummer Sam Ainger, the band is named after a trail in Alaska – a route recommended for best experiencing the Northern Lights.

The music has been described as bearing both the intricacy of progressive rock and the atmosphere of post-rock – the culmination of a mix of influences including Oceansize, King Crimson, This Will Destroy You, Pink Floyd, Intronaut and Buckethead. 

​The band's first release was the “Circle of Least Confusion” EP (2011), which was recorded by Dave Sanderson at 2Fly Studios in Sheffield in October 2011. It was nominated alongside a Best EP by Sheffield Scenester, and received repeated airplay on BBC Radio Sheffield and an 'In Session' feature for Exposed Magazine (a double-page spread in the magazine and a live session for their website).

Gilmore Trail's first full-length album "Sailing Stones" (2013) was again recorded at 2Fly Studios, expanding on the themes and groundwork laid by the EP. It was supported by frequent live shows around the country, including a UK tour with Tim Holehouse, two headline slots at Tramlines festival in 2014 and a third at the 2015 rendition. It was nominated for Best Album by Sheffield Scenester.

The second album "The Floating World" was released on 16th May 2015 at a sold out show in Sheffield. It received early support from Prog Magazine, BBC Radio Sheffield (including a studio performance and interview), and Clash Magazine, with a video for lead single 'Memories of Redfern'. The album was met with unanimous acclaim from around the world, including coverage in Rocksound, Exposed, The Big Issue and Toast, plus a few appearances on BBC 6 Music courtesy of Steve Lamacq and Tom Robinson.

The band embarked on a second UK tour in 2016, co-headlining with Fly on Byrd, Fly on. This culminated in a homecoming show in Sheffield, which served as the last gig with Sam Ainger on drums. His departure from the band was amicable, and the task of filling his shoes was taken head-on by Bob Brown, who joined in March 2016.

​Gilmore Trail released of "Twin Peaks" in 2016 - a brand new single and music video born out of love for the works of Angelo Badalamenti and David Lynch. Freely downloadable, it celebrates the commencement of the 25th year (to the day) since Laura Palmer uttered the words “I’ll see you again in 25 years…” 

​2017 saw the band’s biggest gig to date as they played the Yohkai stage of ArcTanGent Festival alongside such bands as Explosions in the Sky, God Is An Astronaut, SikTh, Converge, Boris, Vennart and Russian Circles. 

'Impermanence' - the band's third full-length record, is scheduled for release in January 2022.

Followers of Openhead