Music-lovers set for Manic three days at Truck Festival - with Manic Street Preachers, Kodaline, Mystery Jets and more

Some things never change. The same can’t be said for Oxfordshire’s best independent music festival.

After 18 years of cramming scores of bands and artists into two solid days of music, it has taken the plunge, and expanded to three days.

Punters turning up at the pretty site at Hill Farm, Steventon, this weekend are not only in for a longer festival – it also promises to be busier, with capacity on the site boosted by almost 2,500 people to 10,000. It sold out early last week – proof that, after 19 years, Truck is more popular than ever.

One thing that hasn’t changed, however, is the calibre of bands, with headline sets by Catfish and the Bottlemen on Sunday, Manic Street Preachers on Saturday and Kodaline on Sunday. Also up are Mystery Jets, Mercury Prize winners Young Fathers, Everything Everything, Soak, Circa Waves, Pretty Vicious, Rat Boy, Coasts and new Oxfordshire resident Jack Savoretti.

Truck festival was founded by brothers Robin and Joe Bennett, now of the band The Dreaming Spires, and takes it name from its use of a truck trailer for a stage in its early years.

Starting off as a vehicle for the Bennett brothers’ own band – Goldrush, musical friends and other local acts, it has evolved into a diverse festival still majoring on indie-rock and alternative pop.

It has retained its independent roots, however. And while the Bennetts no longer run the festival, they are heavily involved, playing with their band The Dreaming Spires, curating their own stages and supporting other acts.

By the time the gates open tomorrow morning, crew will have been on site for almost two weeks.

• Manic Street Preachers

Festival manager, Matt Harrap, 25, cares passionately about the festival, having been a punter there as a teenager. He says: “I used to come to Truck 10 years ago, so I know what’s good about it and what people want from it.

“Some people were worried about the extra day, but we are confident we can deliver. I know what people my age, and younger, want. We are going back to the festival’s roots and enticing people with good music.”

He adds: “We’re incredibly excited for Truck this year. the appetite for the festival is stronger than ever and we’re confident we’ve put together one of our best ever line-ups to satisfy our beloved Truckers.

“It’s something special to be able to present legends like Manic Street Preachers but also give slots to young talent like Blossoms.

“New talent has always been crucial to the Truck experience and it always will be.”

Manic Street Preachers – James Dean Bradfield, Nicky Wire and Sean Moore – are best known for classic tunes Motorcycle Emptiness, Design for Life, and If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next. They will be performing tunes from recent projects Rewind The Film and Futurology.

Matt says: “The Manics have been a staple of indie music for years, while Catfish and the Bottlemen are one of the biggest bands now coming through. Then there are Kodaline who appeal to a different group of people.

The festival continues its role as a champion of the Oxford music scene, with sets by Pixel Fix, Maiians, Neverlnd, Esther Joy Lane, Flights of Helios, Alphabet Backwards, Family Machine, Lee Christian & The Prohibition Smokers Club, Robin and Joe’s sister Katy Rose, and others.

“There are lots of bands from Oxford, which is very important,” says Matt. “But also lots of Berkshire bands, as Reading Festival doesn’t look after them. We border West Berkshire so its a good thing to do.”

They include Sundara Karma and The Amazons.

“Truck should be about exploring,” he says.

So what makes this festival such a hit with music-lovers?

“We are different to the big, horrible, soulless, corporate festivals,” says Matt.

“We are not trying to rip people off or make tons of money. And we are rooted in the community. Our food and charity stalls make money for good causes – many in the local area. And we are more than happy for that to continue.”

They include Didcot Rotary Club, which has been serving up burgers, chips and bacon butties to hungry Truckers since the festival began.

“The people like me who run it are also similar to much of our audience – though we attract lots of different people.”

He goes on: “ There are lots of festivals in Oxfordshire, but there is room for all of us. Music has always been a big thing here, with a thriving scene and a massive history, and lots of people want to go to these events. Common People had a good first year, Cornbury was successful and Wilderness is doing well. The good festivals are having their best year ever – so we’ve got to be doing something right.”

• Kodaline

A Truck tradition which continues is the use of a cowshed as a venue – though this year The Barn will be used not for rock and metal, as in previous years, but as a showcase of new bands curated by the BIMM British and Irish Modern Music Initiative.

“Where else can you go and watch bands in a cowshed that smells of manure?” says Matt.

“It’s not the same as everywhere else. And everyone remembers it.”

He goes on: “You can’t really change Truck. It still focuses on good music and community. Walk around it and you’ll see it’s still the same place. Robin and Joe are still running two stages –Joe the Veterans & Virgins Stage and Robin the Saloon – and the Dreaming Spires are playing on the Market Stage.

“Then there are lots of other bands coming back who have played over the years .”

Friday

• Main stage: Catfish & The Bottlemen, Jurassic 5, Coasts, Clean Cut Kid, The Amazons, Ady Suleiman, Jodie Abacus, Pumarosa, Zuz Yves
• Other highlights: Soak, Eliza and The Bear, Maiians, Lewis & Leigh, Neverlnd

Saturday

• Main stage: Manic Street Preachers, Circa Waves, Rat Boy, Sundara Karma, Lauren Aquilina, The Big Moon, Estrons, Hudson Scott, Judas, Mr Motivator
• Other highlights: Young Fathers, Swim Deep, Esther Joy Lane, Thomas Truax, Chris T-T, Co-Pilgrim, Luke Smith & The Feelings, Flights of Helios, Alphabet Backwards, The Prohibition Smokers Club

Sunday:

• Main stage: Kodaline, Mystery Jets, Everything Everything, Jack Savoretti, Blossoms, Formation, Pixel Fix, Beach Baby, Tax the Heat and Aztecs
• Other highlights: Mystery Jets, Danny and The Champions of the World, The Dreaming Spires, Emily Barker , Norman Jay, Gnarwolves, We Are The Ocean and Blaenavon

SOLD OUT
Truck Festival takes place from tomorrow to Sunday, at Hill Farm, Steventon. All tickets are now sold out. Please do not travel there without a ticket