Truck Festival 2025 - Friday - Live Review

Friday: A Sun-Soaked Day of Indie Royalty and Unstoppable Energy

If Thursday was the warm-up, Friday was when Truck Festival truly burst into life. As the gates opened, Hill Farm quickly became a lively city of music fans, all basking in the sunshine and ready for a day packed with discovery. With the sun shining, the atmosphere was perfect for a day of musical adventure, from the bustling tents to the main stage in full swing.

The afternoon on the Truck Stage was a real celebration of female-fronted acts. Polly Money, fresh from touring the world with The 1975, delivered a dreamy set of R&B-tinged pop that perfectly matched the laid-back, sunny mood. Her smooth vocals and relaxed style made for an ideal start to the day’s main stage action.

Over on the Market Stage, Manchester’s The Guest List showed why they are tipped for big things. Tracks like Canada and 161 hinted at a bright future, and their set drew a growing crowd.

Back on the Truck Stage, Honeyglaze captivated the audience with their ethereal sound and understated stage presence, providing a gentle contrast to the afternoon’s earlier energy.

The Market Stage was buzzing for Birmingham’s The Clause, who are clearly enjoying a breakthrough year. Their set, packed with swagger and big choruses, included standouts like In My Element, Where Are You Now?, Nothing's As It Seems and Sixteen. The crowd responded in kind, and it felt like a real moment for the band.

The Big Moon brought a burst of energy to the Truck Stage. Juliette Jackson, heavily pregnant, joked about swapping the stage for a swimming pool, and had the crowd singing along as her makeshift choir. Their set included a euphoric cover of Fatboy Slim’s Praise You, and her quip about expecting a picnic rather than a rock show got a big laugh from the audience.

As the afternoon rolled into evening, the energy only ramped up. After a much-needed stop for mac and cheese at the Feel Good Food Tent, it was time for The Reytons to take over the main stage. “We’re not here to f*ck about,” announced frontman Jonny Yerrell, and the band wasted no time proving it. With flares, pyrotechnics, and CO2 cannons, the unsigned Rotherham group delivered a set full of raw power, sending the crowd into a frenzy. Their pride in their roots was clear, and their performance felt like a statement of intent from a band on the rise.

One of the weekend’s most memorable stories came courtesy of Irish folk-rockers Kingfishr. When their gear failed to arrive and was circling the fields, they borrowed instruments from other bands and played on regardless, missing only their banjo. Refusing to let anything spoil the moment, frontman Eddie Keogh jumped into the crowd to perform, creating a spontaneous and unforgettable connection that summed up the spirit of live music.

As the sun began to set, Blossoms took to the main stage with their signature blend of polished indie pop. Tom Ogden led the crowd through singalongs to favourites like Charlemagne and Honey Sweet, and the arrival of Gary, their eight-foot fibreglass gorilla, for the closing track was as wonderfully surreal as ever. Having seen them recently supporting Stereophonics, I can say they always deliver and know exactly how to get the crowd involved.

Meanwhile, Alfie Templeman was drawing a big crowd as he headlined the Market Stage, showing just how much his star has risen.

A special mention goes to two Oxfordshire artists who shone on the V&V stage. Chima Anya, a Romanian-Nigerian-British rapper, doctor, and musician, brought something refreshingly different to the weekend’s guitar-heavy line-up. An old school friend of mine, he had the crowd singing along to his upbeat, catchy tracks.

Later, Danny Mellin closed the V&V stage with his distinctive sound and high-energy set, joined by his band of mates from Oxford. With lyrics referencing local places like Cowley, he is definitely one to keep an eye on.

The night belonged to Nothing But Thieves, who returned for an exclusive UK festival headline slot. Taking a break from touring, they made a huge impact from the first note of Welcome to the DCC, with confetti raining down and the crowd in full voice. Conor Mason’s vocals were as stunning as ever, soaring through emotional highlights like Sorry and Impossible. The band reminisced about their first Truck appearance back in 2014, when Joe was handing out flyers around the campsite, and it was clear how far they have come.

Their heavier tracks, including City Haunts and Futureproof, sparked mosh pits, while a surprise cover of No Doubt’s Don’t Speak brought a wave of nostalgia. They closed with the epic pairing of Amsterdam and Overcome, ending the night on a real high. Hearing Real Love Song live was a personal highlight, and the whole set was a reminder of why Nothing But Thieves are one of the best live bands around.

Friday at Truck Festival 2025 was a day packed with sunshine, surprises, and unforgettable performances, setting the stage for an even bigger weekend to come.