Truck Festival 2022 - Saturday - Live Review

Saturday at Truck Festival 2022 began with a Truck tradition: The Oxford Symphony Orchestra on the main stage. Their unique set, which even included a circle pit, drew festival-goers out of their tents and set the tone for another day of diverse performances.

Later in the day, Baby Queen brought her infectious energy to the main stage, followed by Sports Team, whose frontman Alex Rice climbed the stage rigging to the delight (and horror) of the crowd and security alike.

Over on The Market Stage, The Murder Capital delivered a powerful set, with James McGovern’s commanding stage presence leaving a lasting impression.

Back on the main stage, Kelis brought the party with a DJ-based set that spanned her decades-long career, including hits like Milkshake.

The Big Moon followed on The Market Stage, delivering a tight and engaging performance before we returned to the main stage for The Kooks.

Revisiting classics from Inside In/Inside Out, the band had the crowd singing along, with Luke Pritchard reassuring fans that Naive would indeed be played.

The night’s headliner, Sam Fender, was the highlight of the day. Opening with Will We Talk, Fender’s set was full of energy and emotion. The most unexpected moment came when Shaun Williamson, aka Barry from Eastenders, joined him on stage for a surprise duet of Getting Started. The crowd lapped it up, and the show continued with hits like Dead Boys and Seventeen Going Under. Fender closed with Hypersonic Missiles, cementing his status as one of the UK’s brightest stars.

The night didn’t end there, as a special performance on the Virgins & Veterans Stage saw the return of Oxford’s own Stornoway, playing under the pseudonym “Roy Watson & The Battery Humans.” It was a magical homecoming for the band, and the packed tent was a testament to their enduring appeal.