Truck Festival 2025 - Saturday - Live Review

Saturday: Legends, Surprises, and Kasabian’s Headline Brilliance

Saturday at Truck Festival always starts with a mix of sore heads and big grins, and there is only one man for the job: Mr Motivator. His annual ‘wake and shake’ on the Truck Stage has become a festival tradition, and this year was no different. Lycra everywhere, thousands stretching and star-jumping in the morning sun, and a sea of Teletubbies, T-Rexes, and traffic cones (T is this years fancy dress theme) all limbering up for the day ahead. It is the kind of surreal, joyful scene that sums up Truck’s unique spirit.

My first stop was The Nest, where Finn Forster delivered a set that reminded me why his voice stands out so much. Having seen him support Stereophonics at Finsbury Park, it was a treat to hear him in a more intimate setting. He chatted with the crowd about his long journey from Middlesbrough and shared stories behind his songs, including an unreleased track called Burning Bridges. His raspy, soulful vocals filled the tent and set a high bar for the day.

The main stage in the early afternoon was all about new talent. Canned Pineapple opened with their self-described "scuzz pop", mixing sharp lyrics with a mission to save rock and roll. Their set was thoughtful and energetic, a great way to get things going.

Next up were The Pill, who look set to be the Isle of Wight’s next big export. Their set was packed with energy and catchy tunes, including songs about Leonardo DiCaprio and the dangers of online life, all delivered with a sense of fun that won the crowd over.

Reading’s Only The Poets, now veterans of the festival, stormed back to Truck for their fourth appearance. Their confidence was clear from the first note, and the crowd bounced along to anthems like One More Night.

Back in The Nest, I discovered Basht, a new band for me but one I will definitely be following from now on. Their performance was full of energy and left a real impression.

As the afternoon rolled on, Scouting For Girls brought a wave of nostalgia and pure fun to the main stage. Roy Stride had everyone clapping, crouching, and singing along to hit after hit, including a brilliant cover of Come on Eileen. It was impossible not to get swept up in the feel-good atmosphere.

CMAT followed with a set that was as witty as it was catchy. After spotting a sign in the crowd that read “CMAT, our mum loves you more than us,” she joked about family rivalries before leading the field in her dance to Take A Sexy Picture Of Me, which was quite the site. Her time on stage felt far too short, a sure sign of her growing popularity.

The day was a blur of stage-hopping. Over on the Market Stage, Cardinals from Cork delivered a melodic and passionate set that stood out as a highlight.

Later, Dublin’s Gurriers unleashed a ferocious punk set, so intense that even the band ended up in the mosh pit with the crowd.

Wunderhorse took to the main stage next, letting their music do the talking. Their t-shirts were everywhere on site, and Jacob Slater’s vocals on tracks like Leader of the Pack and Purple showed exactly why there is so much buzz around them.

Back at the Market Stage, Fat Dog delivered what was probably the wildest set of the weekend. Having seen them last year in The Nest, I knew what to expect, but even the bigger tent could barely contain the chaos. After a delayed start and some onstage sweeping to kill time, the band tore through fan favourites like Peace Song, King of the Slugs, and Running, with the whole tent bouncing from start to finish. Woof Woof!

As the sun set, The Last Dinner Party took over the main stage. With a backdrop of pillars and a dramatic stage set, the six-piece delivered a performance full of theatrical flair. Abigail Morris’s vocals were haunting and powerful on songs like Burn Alive and the majestic closer Nothing Matters, confirming their reputation as one of the most exciting live acts around.

But the night was all about Kasabian. Arriving to a mass singalong of Hey Jude, the Leicester legends wasted no time, launching straight into Call and Club Foot and sending the crowd into a frenzy. Serge Pizzorno was in his element, leading the field through a set packed with bangers. Dedicating Underdog to the late Ozzy Osbourne was a lovely touch, and the nod to Faithless’ Insomnia during treat turned the place into a giant rave. The encore was huge, with Bless This Acid House keeping the party going before Fire brought the night to a triumphant close. I saw them play this stage a few years ago and thought it could not be topped, but they proved me wrong. Absolutely outstanding.

Saturday at Truck Festival was a day of legends, surprises, and unforgettable moments, with Kasabian delivering a headline set that will be talked about for years to come.