Oxford’s Truck Fest has established an unrivalled reputation as the go-to festival for breaking bands and established indie starlets; curating a meticulous balance between the popular and undiscovered.
This time is no different, and the festival’s audacious expansion – stretching from two nights to a more conventional three – has heralded arguably the most exciting line up in its eighteen year history.
Returning to top the bill are pop-rock DIY sensations Catfish and the Bottlemen, with Manic Street Preachers on Saturday providing a dash of timeless sophistication. Kodaline conclude the impressive trio of headliners, but, as always with Truck, it’s lower down the bill where the magic truly lies.
The Market Stage boasts a plethora of intriguing acts, from Brighton based indie sweethearts The Magic Gang to the increasingly experimental joys of Swim Deep.
Continuing the who’s who of ’bout-to-break’ talent, Hooton Tennis Club and Fickle Friends are two enigmatic bands well worth catching, while Young Fathers command an irresistible pull on Saturday night.
After (we predict) triumphantly headlining Blissfields, Everything Everything’s idiosyncratic electro-rock is certain to light up the Truck stage on Sunday evening, proceeding the hook driven melodies of Blossoms and Beach Baby.
The Nest showcases the finest names emerging from the punk-rock scene, and America’s own Public Access T.V.‘s sun-glazed riffs and effortlessly cool attitude are crafted for festival consumption.
VANT‘s politicised rock seems more relevant than ever in such uncertain times, and Mattie Vant and co are sure to offer their take on the shambolic referendum and its polarising fallout.
Always diversifying, Truck’s expanded late night offering has moved from the lovable yet airless barn to the more spacious Market Stage, with Preditah and Big Narstie adding some banging beats to the weekend.
If that’s not enough, Palm City will keep the party going into the early hours with a fab selection of handpicked DJs.
Truck Fest will run from 15th-17th July. For more info and tickets, please go to www.truckfestival.com