Truck Festival 2024

Truck Festival returned to Hill Farm, Steventon, Oxfordshire, for its 27th edition, bringing together over 25,000 festival-goers for a weekend of incredible music, delicious food, and vibrant atmosphere. As always, the festival boasted a diverse lineup across multiple stages, ensuring there was something for everyone. Here's a breakdown of the weekend's highlights, complete with the distinctive charm and energy that Truck Festival is known for.

Thursday: A Thunderous Start on the Main Stage
The festival kicked off on Thursday with early bird ticket holders treated to performances on the Main Stage, as well as This Feeling Stage. The day for us began with Balancing Act, whose upbeat indie rock set a lively tone for the evening. They were followed by The Mysterines, delivering a powerful set with their gritty garage rock sound. The band's intense energy and commanding stage presence were a perfect lead-in to the headliners of the night. Thankfully, the only spot of rain all weekend did nothing to dampen the mood.

IDLES took to the Main Stage as the Thursday headliners, unleashing a torrent of punk fury. Known for their visceral live shows and politically charged lyrics, IDLES delivered a set that was both chaotic and cathartic. Tracks like "Danny Nedelko" and "Mother" ignited the crowd, with frontman Joe Talbot's raw, emotional performance making for a thrilling start to the weekend. The energy from the band and the crowd was palpable from the beginning – helped no doubt with Joe Talbot pacing the stage at the start of the set psyching himself and the audience up, and with Mark Bowen on guitar entering the crowd early on. An amazing start to the weekend.

Friday: A Musical Journey Across Stages
Friday was a day of diverse musical experiences, with acts spread across the Main Stage, Market Stage, and other venues. The day for us began on the Main Stage with fresh acts like Carsick and Overpass, who brought an energetic start to the afternoon. Carsick's raw, punk-inspired sound and Overpass's blend of indie rock and modern pop drew in early crowds and set the stage for a vibrant day. NewDad followed, offering dreamy indie-pop vibes that provided a soothing contrast to the earlier acts. Their ethereal soundscapes and emotive lyrics created a mesmerizing atmosphere. One to watch out for.

Holly Humberstone's heartfelt performance on the Main Stage showcased her impressive vocal range and emotive song writing, captivating the audience with hits like "Scarlett." Her intimate and vulnerable lyrics resonated with the crowd, creating a shared emotional experience.
On the Market Stage, indie-rock band The K's drew a large crowd with their catchy melodies and energetic set. Nieve Ella and Antony Szmierek also graced the Market Stage, adding their unique sounds to the day's line-up. Nieve Ella's soulful voice and Antony Szmierek's innovative electronic beats added diverse flavours to the day's musical palette.

Declan McKenna took the Main Stage by storm with his thought-provoking lyrics and vibrant stage presence, engaging the crowd with favourites like "Brazil" and "Be an Astronaut." His performance was both politically charged and infectiously upbeat, making him a standout act of the day.

A few other bands captured attention today, including Me Rex and Problem Patterns over at The Nest, who both drew big crowds. Me Rex's blend of electronic and indie sounds paired with poignant lyrics created an engaging experience, while Problem Patterns' punk rock energy and feminist themes resonated strongly with the audience. English Teacher, also progressing up the Truck ranks headlining The Nest later on, are definitely a band on the way up. Their sharp, socially conscious lyrics and post-punk influences made them a highlight of the day.

As night fell, the anticipation built for the evening's headliner, Jamie T, who brought a raucous end to the day on the Main Stage. Jamie T's eclectic mix of indie / punk created a high-energy atmosphere, with the crowd singing along to anthems like "Zombie" and "Sheila." His charismatic performance and the band's tight musicianship made for a memorable close to Friday's festivities. Jamie T headlining a festival for the first time surprised me as I thought that bridge was crossed long before, but he definitely did not disappoint. A throwback to 2007’s Panic Prevention sounded just as good today as it did back then.

Saturday: A Day of Eclectic Sounds and Surprises
Saturday began with Mr. Motivator's iconic workout session, an unmissable Truck Festival tradition that never fails to lift spirits. The day continued with a range of performances, starting with SOFY and Sundara Karma on the Main Stage. SOFY's fresh pop sound and witty lyrics set a playful tone, while Sundara Karma delivered their signature dreamy indie rock, captivating the early crowd with their ethereal melodies and dynamic stage presence.

Mouth Culture on The Nest brought an energetic set, their fusion of alt-rock and pop-punk resonating with the audience. Later on in The Nest, one of this year's “Truck Moments” occurred with Fat Dog, who delivered a high-octane performance that saw crowds queued outside the tent. Their punk-infused sound and wild stage antics created an electric atmosphere, making them a must-see band in the future.

Over on the Market Stage, 86TVs performed, showcasing their polished indie pop with a new album imminent. The band's catchy hooks and charismatic performance left a lasting impression. The Pigeon Detectives took the Main Stage with a nostalgic set, delivering indie rock classics with infectious enthusiasm. Originally scheduled for a smaller stage, their moved set to the Main Stage was a brilliant decision, as they drew a massive crowd eager to hear hits like "Take Her Back" and "I Found Out."

Sophie Ellis-Bextor brought a touch of disco glamour to the Main Stage, performing hits like "Take Me Home" and "Murder on the Dancefloor." Her set was a joyous, dance-filled experience that had the entire crowd moving, creating a vibrant and nostalgic atmosphere.

At this point, rumours had spread about a surprise appearance by Frank Turner at the Virgins & Veterans Stage. Turner's heartfelt folk-punk anthems and engaging storytelling resonated with the crowd, making it a standout set of the weekend. The intimate solo performance felt like a special, personal gig in the small tent, and by the looks of the packed audience outside, it was a coveted spot.

This did mean, however, that I missed sets by Soft Play and Yard Act—two bands I was eager to see, both of whom reportedly delivered top-tier performances. Yard Act's witty post-punk and Soft Play's energetic punk rock were crowd favourites, and I'm gutted to have missed them.

The day's headliners, Wet Leg, closed the Main Stage with a quirky and charismatic performance. Their breakout hits like "Wet Dream" and "Chaise Longue" had the crowd singing along, making for a fun and memorable end to the day. Self-confessing they only have one album, which is 36 minutes long, the band promoted a “brat summer,” as they shared a cover of Charli XCX’s ‘360’.

Sunday: A Perfect Finale Across All Stages
Sunday began with the traditional early-morning circle pit courtesy of the Oxford Symphony Orchestra on the Main Stage. They never fail to attract all the festival-goers out of their tents, creating a uniquely Truck Festival spectacle.

The day was stacked with bands we wanted to see, including Coach Party, CVC, and Black Honey on the Main Stage. Coach Party's dynamic indie rock and CVC's soulful tunes set a perfect tone for the day. Black Honey's sultry blend of indie and rock captivated the crowd, with Izzy B. Phillips' commanding presence and the band's polished sound.

Corella on the Market Stage brought upbeat indie pop, with their frontman even opening a circle pit during the final song and jumping in, crowd surfing back to the front. Sea Girls followed on the Main Stage, delivering a set full of crowd-pleasers like "All I Want to Hear You Say." Their anthemic indie rock resonated with the audience, creating a euphoric atmosphere. Bob Vylan's fierce mix of punk and grime on The Nest addressed social issues with a raw and unapologetic energy, making a powerful statement.

The Royston Club entertained the Market Stage with their catchy tunes, providing a perfect warm-up for The Kooks on the Main Stage. The Kooks delivered a nostalgic set, mixing classics like "Naive" with newer tracks. Their performance was a highlight of the day, with frontman Luke Pritchard's charm and the band's tight musicianship captivating the crowd.

As the sun set, The Streets took the Main Stage, bringing the festival to a climactic close. Mike Skinner's iconic blend of garage, hip-hop, and UK grime was a perfect end to the weekend. His sharp lyrics and engaging stage presence had the crowd hanging on every word. Classics like "Fit But You Know It" and "Dry Your Eyes" were met with rapturous applause, and the set concluded with the anthemic "Blinded by the Lights," leaving the audience in high spirits. Towards the end, Skinner commandeered someone to carry him around the festival crowd on their shoulders—fair play to that man. The ever present Truck finale fireworks then sent the crowds on their way for another year.

Final Thoughts
Truck Festival 2024 was a resounding success, delivering a weekend of unforgettable music, vibrant community, and unique experiences. The festival's ability to blend established acts with emerging talent, along with its welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, makes it a highlight of the UK festival calendar.

The seamless organisation, diverse line-up, and lively crowd all contributed to a perfect festival experience. Truck Festival, don't change; your unique charm and dedication to showcasing incredible new talent make you a must-visit for music lovers.

We can't wait to see what next year brings!

Photo credit: Russ Fujak