Truck Festival 2025 - Sunday - Live Review

Sunday: Euphoric Endings, Orchestral Mayhem, and Courteeners’ Grand Farewell

The last day of any festival always brings a mix of exhaustion and anticipation, but at Truck, Sunday is never just a wind-down. Instead, it is a final, glorious sprint to the finish. With aches setting in and the real world waiting just beyond the gates, the crowd at Hill Farm was determined to make the most of every last moment.

The day began in true Truck fashion, with thousands gathering at the main stage for the Oxford Symphony Orchestra’s annual set. This is no mere novelty; it is a much-loved tradition. Their take on Bowie’s Changes kicked things off, and before long, the field was a blur of mosh pits, crowd surfing, and even a spot of ballet. There was a hilarious rowing mime and, in a moment of pure festival madness, shirts were swung overhead during a rousing Nessun Dorma. It is a brilliantly bonkers start that sums up the festival’s inclusive, anything-goes spirit.

The afternoon was a whirlwind of music across every corner of the site. On the Truck Stage, The Slow Country played to a crowd that included a very committed Kermit the Frog, who seemed to have claimed his spot for the day.

Meanwhile, the Market Stage was treated to the brooding post-punk of National Playboys, who brought a darker edge to the afternoon.

Lime Garden followed with their moody, atmospheric indie, announcing they were “here for revenge” and delivering a standout version of I Want To Be You in the afternoon sun.

Better Joy brought a burst of upbeat indie-pop to the Market Stage, with Bria Keely’s energetic dancing and a lively cover of Get What You Give by New Radicals standing out as highlights.

Seb Lowe kept the main stage buzzing with his sharp, socially charged lyrics and a set that included the wonderfully odd Here Come The Aliens. After a quick stop for pizza at the Feel Good Food Hall, where all profits go to charity, it was time to catch the final acts.

Chloe Slater brought infectious energy to the Market Stage, keeping the afternoon’s momentum going.

Natasha Bedingfield lit up the main stage with a set full of pure nostalgia. Dressed in white and beaming with joy, she danced through hits like Pocketful of Sunshine and These Words, with the crowd in full voice for the closing anthem Unwritten. It was a real feel-good moment.

Moonchild Sanelly brought something completely different to the Market Stage, blending electro-pop and punk in a set that was impossible to ignore.

I managed to catch a bit of Daydreamers at The Nest, adding another new name to my list for next year.

As evening arrived, Maximo Park took to the main stage and delivered a set packed with indie anthems. Paul Smith, in his trademark bowler hat, bounced around the stage and reminded everyone that Truck was the first festival they ever played, back in 2004. Their set was a personal highlight, with favourites like Going Missing, Our Velocity, and Apply Some Pressure all making an appearance, and Books From Boxes getting a special outing. Smith even joked about being distracted by Kermit the Frog in the front row.

Cassia followed on the Market Stage, playing to a packed tent with their calypso-tinged indie pop. Right There and Drifting were particular highlights.

Franz Ferdinand took to the main stage just as news of England’s Women’s Euros win swept through the crowd, sparking a huge celebration. The band, being Scottish, admitted it was a bittersweet moment, but they channelled the energy into a set full of classics. Alex Kapranos kept the crowd engaged throughout, and when Take Me Out arrived, the place erupted. It was one of those festival moments that will stick with me for a long time.

One last trip to the Market Stage saw Sports Team headline in style. Alex Rice, dressed as a pilot, kept the energy high with bangers like Here’s The Thing and M5.

Then it was time for the final headliners. Courteeners, true indie stalwarts, brought their huge back catalogue to life in spectacular fashion. They opened with Are You In Love With a Notion? and never looked back. Liam Fray, looking out over the crowd, called the scene “f*cking magical”. The set slowed for a heartfelt acoustic cover of It Must Be Love by Madness, before building to the weekend’s defining moment: the eruption of Not Nineteen Forever. The crowd went wild one last time. Before the night was over, Fray thanked everyone with “You’ve been f*cking unreal” and launched into What Took You So Long?, as fireworks lit up the sky above Hill Farm. It was a powerful, emotional end to another unforgettable year.

Truck, please never change. Roll on next year.

Truck Festival returns to Hill Farm in 2026 between July 23rd - 26th. Tickets to Truck go on sale Friday 1st August 2025 at the lowest price you will find, so make sure you don't miss out. Priority Ticket Access: 10am General Sale: 11am