Truck Festival 2019 - Thursday & Friday - Live Review

Truck Festival 2019 kicked off on Thursday under the blazing Oxfordshire sun, with temperatures breaking records as the hottest day ever in Oxford. Located on Hill Farm in Steventon, the festival, now in its third decade, welcomed early access ticket holders to set up camp and dive into the first day of music. Despite the heat, the excitement was palpable, and the festival’s second-largest stage, The Market Stage, was ready to host the evening’s headline act.

Slaves took to The Market Stage and delivered a blistering performance that set the tone for the weekend. The punk rock duo of Laurie and Isaac had the young crowd going full steam ahead, despite the sauna-like temperatures inside the tent, which must have been over 40 degrees. Circle pits erupted throughout the set, and the band even paused a few times to check in with the crowd, ensuring everyone was okay (and probably grabbing a breather themselves!). Tracks like Cheer Up London and The Hunter had the audience roaring back every word, proving that the heat was no match for the energy of the band or the fans.

Cooling off outside the tent, it was easy to see why Truck Festival is often referred to as “The godfather of small music festivals.” The layout of the site is compact yet spacious, with everything within easy reach. From the fairground rides and kids’ area to the food stalls (special shoutout to the Rotary Club for their offerings) and multiple stages, the festival caters to everyone. Whether you’re glamping, upgrading your camping experience, or sticking to general camping, Truck ensures comfort and accessibility for all.

Thursday was a fiery start to the weekend, both literally and figuratively, and the energy from Slaves left us eager for what the next three days would bring.

Friday at Truck Festival 2019 brought a welcome drop in temperature, making it easier to enjoy the packed lineup of music across the site. The day began with an early performance from punk rock band Idles on the main Truck Stage. Originally scheduled for The Market Stage, the festival wisely moved them to the larger arena to accommodate the massive crowd that had gathered. Tracks like Danny Nedelko and Well Done were met with thunderous applause, and the band’s raw energy and Mercury Prize-nominated talent set the bar high for the day.

Later in the afternoon, Airways took to The Nest stage, drawing a large crowd with their infectious tunes like Reckless Tongue and Alien. The Peterborough-based band kept the energy flowing, proving why they’re one to watch.

As the evening approached, Lewis Capaldi took to the Truck Stage, and the Scottish singer-songwriter didn’t disappoint. Known for his humor and heartfelt songs, Capaldi had the crowd bellowing back every word of tracks like Someone You Loved and Bruises. His wit and charm added a personal touch to the performance, making it a standout moment of the day.

A quick dash to The Nest stage rewarded us with the closing tracks of Yonaka’s set, including Teach Me to Fight and Fired Up. Their high-energy performance was well worth the sprint across the site.

Back on the Truck Stage, Nothing But Thieves delivered a powerful early evening set. Led by Conor Mason’s emotive vocals and backed by hard-hitting guitar chords, the band captivated the crowd with tracks like Amsterdam and Sorry.

The evening’s headliner was Wolf Alice, last year’s Mercury Prize winners, who delivered a flawless set on the Truck Stage. Ellie Rowsell’s gifted voice wowed the crowd with hits like Don’t Delete the Kisses, Bros, and Moaning Lisa Smile. Confetti cannons added a visual spectacle to the performance, creating a magical end to the day.

Truck’s after-hours entertainment kept the party going, with indie discos, silent discos, and DJ sets ensuring there was something for everyone who still had energy to burn.