In its 27th year, The Truck machine rolls into Oxfordshire once again, but this is no ordinary truck, this transports 30,000 of us to new places every night, carries eight stages and keeps up the momentum for four whole days.
Just a weekend seems too short, so Thursday tickets were widely snapped up as usual, meaning the campsite filled up fast as we arrived first thing. And despite the rain, when Idles headlined they brought such a sensory performance that we scarcely noticed.
Not that this was a repeat of Truck 2023’s Sunday Mudpit; the sun firmly putting his hat on for the rest of the weekend with revellers basking in its glow. However, it’s fair to say it was outshone by Holly Humberstone, Declan McKenna and Katy B for a fabulous festival Friday.
There were more people on shoulders than on the floor for Declan McKenna before Jamie T finished the Saturday with everyone screaming ‘Zombie’ at the top of their lungs, before a scene reminiscent of the ‘Walking Dead’ as thousands wandered back to their tents in a fuddled but contented state.
Truck icon Mr Motivator picked us all back up again for a LARGE Saturday at midday, as the plethora of day activities began: yoga, entertainment for the sprogs at the ‘Little Truckers’ tent, big name comedians at the Rocking Chair, food stalls with cuisines hailing from all over the world and, rather ironically, given the weather, ‘Cool Runnings’ on at the large screen cinema.
Oh, and there was some music too: Indie favourites Sundara Karma hailing from nearby Reading, some strong female power from Sophie Ellis Bextor and Wet Leg and then DnB heavyweights Sub Focus who brought the night to an enigmatic close with banger after dance tune banger.
Not the final day already? Luckily for us, Truck had us covered. The Oxford Symphony Orchestra managed to get the crowd moshing to Frozen’s ‘Let it Go’ and then one of my favourite artists ‘Sea Girls’ had the crowd singing most of their songs for them.
Truck stalwarts ‘The Kooks’, still going strong after 18 years, sang their way through their albums; everyone from the babies in backpacks to pensioners in party gear enjoying their British classics.
Finishing with a flourish, ‘The Streets’ brought the ‘Main Stage’ acts to a close, his long 6-year hiatus undetectable in this electric 75 minute set and some impressive crowd surfing! (see main pic).
But then the huge firework set lit up the sky at 11pm, reminding us that the hours were counting down to the end of TRUCK 24.
But not until the fat lady sings, and there were plenty of power ballads on at the Silent Disco, the ‘Nest Stage’ staying open extra late until the early hours of Monday.
Another epic year, broken body and exhilarated spirit at a monumental Truck. And now, another race to get early bird tickets which come out on Friday – they were snapped up in 15 minutes last year, so get on to your laptops and bag yourself a sub £100 bargain. Same time next year?
Alister Henderson
Truck Festival will return in 2025 between the 24th-27th July 2025. Super early bird tickets go on sale this Friday, with pre-sale access at 10am and general sale access at 11am. Go to https://truckfestival.com/
