Festival Review: Truck Festival 2023
Oxfordshire’s very own Truck Festival really has made a name for itself with brilliant line ups and crowds alike each year without fail. Festival goers once again made their way to Hill Farm for a perfect weekend of great music and mud.
Those with Thursday-entry tickets formed a rather hefty queue on the opening day of the festival. The attendees stood proud, waiting to be admitted with their crates of booze, bucket hats, rain coats, wellies and loo roll. There is something quite special about that initial interaction with a festival, a real sense of optimism and excitement floods the area.
Once in the campsite, it was clear that the crowds were up for it, people sang in their groups and drank (probably a bit too much, if that exists at a festival?) With the gates opening in the early hours of the afternoon, there was a period of great anticipation as the opening act of the festival edged closer. There seemed to be a great number of holders of early-entry tickets, with the site being filled with tents in a beautiful array of colour right from the get-go.
The opening acts of the weekend’s entertainment shared the enthusiasm of the crowd. Dead Pony would take to the stage at 5:30 and really get the festivalgoers on their way to a weekend to remember. The group, fronted by the amazing Anna Shields, gave the people what they wanted: their first opportunities to throw themselves into some quintessential, British mosh pits. Not only this, but the group gifted the crowd an extremely well received cover of the classic tune ‘Maneater’ which sent the early birds into a fit of uncontrollable excitement. The band’s original tracks mustn’t be overlooked, though, and the crowd ate them up with no complaints! ’23, Never Me’ being one that really took the Oxfordshire crowd by storm.
With the first mosh pits of the day as well as the festival taking place, Truck Festival was well and truly rolling for the 2023 season. The talent on the Main Stage flowed relentlessly, especially on the opening day. With minimal time between sets, festival goers had the chance to see The Bug Club shortly after Dead Pony. The three piece did not disappoint, and it has to be noted just how comfortable they looked on the Truck Stage. As a group they really have something about them, particularly in songs like ‘If My Mother Thinks I’m Happy’, there’s a brilliant sound created using varied vocals, they switch it up in such a brilliant way! This leads me on to the point that must be made: just how many brilliant female artists and band members the festival showcased. The world of music has `been a male dominated place for a long time, and it was just so refreshing to see a real coming together of everyone, appreciating great music, regardless of who performed it!
Following the early acts of the day would be no easy feat, but big hitters Swim Deep and The Wombats went on to send the crowd into sheer frenzy.
Swim Deep were, as always, absolutely spot-on. They had everything you could possibly ask for from a band on pre-headline at a festival. Their set was peppered with serious tunes. The sun that proved to be all too short-lived was the perfect accompanying gift with their performance, and it was perfect. Frontman Austin Williams was wowed by the crowd who chanted for his Grandfather who sadly passed away. There was a beautiful connection between the group and crowd.
All of this led to the suspenseful wait for Indie Legends, The Wombats. The crowd filled even more, and the trio took to the stage.
The Wombats have become known for their incredible live shows, and their performance at Truck was no different. A setlist rammed full of sing-along classics from ‘Kill The Director’ to ‘Greek Tragedy’ as well as an infusion of newer tracks like ‘Method To The Madness, The Wombats left their crowd amazed at their talents. Thursday concluded with this epic set, and Truck was well underway.
Friday would be Truck-Goers final day without mud, knowledge that many (including myself) would have done well to consider before only bringing a pair of Adidas trainers… Nonetheless, the Friday was set up to be another day of great music.
Somebody’s Child took to the Truck Stage at 4:15, and their place on that stage was cemented early on. They delivered a wicked set that rocked the crowd, including the brilliant track ‘Broken Record’. Lead singer and principal songwriter Cian Godfrey showed himself off, particularly, in brilliant fashion. A professional set left the crowd wanting more. It’s no doubt that Somebody’s Child will go on to big things.
Following the excellent Somebody’s Child was Pentire, a group have been killing it recently, with the release of their debut EP being extremely well received. They took to the This Feeling stage at 5:45 on Friday, and their presence was welcomed, to say the least. The crowd moshed, jumped around and even got on shoulders for the group. After a poll on their Instagram, the group played the track ‘Belly Dancer’ which well and truly kicked off. The lads seem to be going somewhere, and going somewhere fast. They’ve gained what seems to be a really strong following, with many of the audience displaying their floral Pentire tees. The group smashed it.
The evening’s entertainment would be provided by none other than The Vaccines and Two Door Cinema Club. Not bad, eh?
The Vaccines enjoyed pretty much the last of the weekend’s sunshine. A fitting act to do so, really. Their set matched the weather perfectly. The boys wasted no time whatsoever with their set. Banger after banger. The opener ‘I Can’t Quit’ flowed seamlessly into the classic ‘Wreckin’ Bar (Ra Ra Ra)’ and their set was non-stop from there. The crowd absolutely revelled in the performance. Each lyric sung by the frontman was drowned out by a perfect symphony of festival goers. They closed out their set with ‘If You Wanna’ which, yet again, saw the crowd throwing themselves around in ecstasy. It was the perfect set to precede the headliners.
Two Door Cinema Club are pretty much music royalty, by now. For good reason, too. When their time came at Truck, they made certain that the audience wouldn’t be forgetting them in a hurry. The band took to the stage and the area lit up. The backdrop was the light as the sun set on Hill Farm. Depictions of AI-like people filled the audience’s vision as the group opened with the absolute classic ‘This Is The Life’. The ecstatic feel from earlier in the day was reignited, with every person (more or less) screaming that famous chorus at the top of their lungs. Much like The Vaccines’ set-list, it was banger after banger, except Two Door Cinema Club had longer to perform as headliners. So it was banger, after banger, after banger… You get the point. Notably, the group performed the following tracks in this order: ‘This Is The Life’, ‘I Can Talk’, ‘Are We Ready? (Wreck)’, ‘Undercover Martyn’ and ‘Eat That Up, It’s Good For You’. This alone, is proof of how good the band are. What a string of songs! The crowd belted out each of them with no less passion.
The set flowed perfectly and reached its climax with the final track. ‘Something Good Can Work’. It really felt like a shared celebration, between band and crowd. It was the perfect closure to a perfect set.
Truckers woke up on Saturday to the news that downpour had occurred overnight, which led to the British festival essential: mud, or ‘The M word’. Those who had come prepared with wellies and waterproofs were frowned upon by the rest, who had to resign themselves to the fact that their shoes would be ruined! The conditions were no match for the campers, though, who stormed into the arena (very slowly to void slipping) for another day of music.
The This Feeling stage was nearly at capacity early on, as up and coming band Hunny Buzz took to the stage at 2:30. The group have been sending shockwaves through the indie world of late, with their name being on everybody’s lips. The hype is real. They are such a tight unit, and this is showcased perfectly in tracks like ‘Now I can get over you’. The group work so well to create a great track, all working around the brilliant vocals of front-woman Lydia Read. The group wowed the packed-out tent, with so many in attendance visibly being wowed by the performance. They were the perfect act to get Saturday going.
Courting followed, at 4:30 on The Market Stage. You know what you’re going to get with them nowadays… a great show. Their appearance at Truck was nothing less. Courting rocked the tent. Opening with ‘Grand National’, the track that had been used as an advert for the festival itself, was the perfect decision. It won over any crowd members who weren’t totally sure of who the band were in seconds, with that instantly recognisable guitar riff kicking in. The band were incredible, as they always are. The Oxfordshire crowd weren’t phased by the weather that had been, and this was evident in the crowd for Courting.
Aussie boys, DMA’s were next, taking to the Truck Stage before Saturday’s headliners, Alt-J. The band from down under always express their love for the UK and its crowds, and this time was the same. Pretty much all of the group took to their microphones to thank the crowd for braving the rain and mud to see them. All in attendance would agree that their set was worth it. They performed a brilliant set, including some h=real highlight moments. One being the track ‘Hello Girlfriend’. As they traditionally do live, the band extend the song with the words ‘Such a funny thing for me to try to explain’ before kicking off into an explosive full band demonstration. They do so countless times and the crowd absolutely relished it! Another moment of sincere happiness was the band’s cover of ‘Believe’ by Cher. This one is always so well received, and Truck Festival was in fine voice for it. Flares were set off and people were on shoulders, belting it out! It was a great moment for both band and crowd alike. They played out their set, and the crowd found themselves waiting for Alt-J.
The headliners of the evening would play the vast majority of their set in the spitting rain. This may not sound ideal, but paired with the visuals of their set, it was genuinely a beautiful sight. There was a real beauty in the elemental feel.
Joe Newman on lead vocals and guitar delivered a breath-taking performance. He had the crowd in the palm of his hands. The group worked their way through a sublime set-list, including massive tracks like ‘Matilda’ and ‘The Gospel of John Hurt’. The take-home tracks were, of course, ‘Left Hand Free’ and ‘Breezeblocks’. The latter being almost a transcending experience live. The track was genuinely like no other, so uniquely brilliant. Alt-J were such prestigious sounding headliners in all the best ways.
All too soon, it was Sunday. The final chance for festival goers to enjoy their time on Hill farm (for this year, anyway!)
The musical day began earlier with Birmingham’s next big thing, Overpass, taking to the Market Stage at the early time of 12:45. Despite the time, the crowd were massively up for it, with the tent being packed again. The group worked their way through a set list comprised of several unreleased tracks as well as some that were familiar to the crowds. All I can say is that whenever their debut record arrives, it’s going to be special. The unreleased tracks that they performed were incredible. Those which are currently available included ‘3AM’ and ‘Other Side of Midnight’ which were both extremely well received, with the crowd singing them back to the band.
The action of the day remained at The Market Stage for a while, with Liverpool’s STONE taking over at 4:45. They brought what you’d expect: pure chaos. One of the few circle pits was witnessed to STONE’s ‘Leave it Out’ with frontman ‘Fin Power climbing the stage at the same time. They sent the crowd completely bezerk. It was a display of beautiful destruction. The band belted out their rocking tunes from ‘Waste’ to ‘Let’s Dance to The Real Thing’. It was an incredible demonstration of what a rock set at a festival should be. This had fans in the mood for Royal Blood later that day.
Before that, though, was a performance by Wigan’s The Lathums, who have become extremely familiar with main stages at festivals in recent years. They have become evidently comfortable with these big slots, as evidenced by their genuine coolness and effortless skill with their instruments. Frontman Alex Moore gave the crowd a demonstration of just how versatile his voice is, hitting the absurdly high notes of ‘I See Your Ghost’ with ease. As well as this, lead guitarist Scott Concepcion showed himself off as one of the greatest guitarists you’ll see anywhere at the minute with his killer solo’s on songs like ‘Say My Name’. The Lathums were outstanding and it wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest if the group were to headline festivals similar to Truck in the very near future.
Closing the festival was rock duo Royal Blood. No introduction needed. They bring to the table pure, unfiltered, face melting rock. Their set at Truck was no doubt the loudest of the weekend, and by quite some margin, might I add. They sent the crowd into the heftiest mosh pits of the weekend right from the get go, with ‘Out of the Black’ kicking off the set. It immediately had the crowd forgetting about the mud, about anything in fact. All they could focus on was that pounding drum and that fuzzy bass.
They were absolutely relentless, delivering heavy tune after tune. To be remembered was drummer Ben Thatcher’s lengthy drum solo. He just made it look so easy! The duo really are phenomenal and clearly such a tight unit. The best instance of this was in the track ‘Boilermaker’. The ability of the pair to play in that way at the same time is just astounding. They absolutely blew the metaphorical roof off Truck Festival.
Royal Blood were the perfect closing act of the weekend, finishing their set with a firework display.
With that, the festival was over for another year. It cannot be ignored: Truck Festival is just incredible. It offers a great weekend of music, friendship and fun every single year. See you next time, I’m sure!
Words by Matthew Caslin
Photographer by Richard Mukuze
