Recapping a truckin' good time at Truck Festival 2025
- blondevibrations
- Aug 4
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 7
Any lover of festival season knows the iconic soil of Hill Farm, the beloved home of Truck Festival. Year after year, this corner of Oxfordshire becomes a goldmine for rising stars and established legends alike, all sharing the same stages. While waiting in line at a bar, we couldn't help but overhear someone say, "It's just the perfect size for a festival," and honestly, we couldn't agree more (with a slight apology for eavesdropping). Now in our second year attending, we can confirm the magic holds up. Families and friend groups return time and again, keeping traditions alive from paint fights and fancy dress competitions, to the annual performance by the Oxford Symphony Orchestra, who remain a staple on the lineup. Truck isn't just a festival, but a happy place for music lovers to return to each summer.
A set that truly thrived on the infectious community spirit of both Truck Festival veterans and first-timers came from Scouting For Girls. Whoever booked this band deserves a serious pat on the back. With nostalgic anthems like 'She's So Lovely' and 'Heartbeat', they had the crowd singing every word on a briefly overcast afternoon -- though even the sun couldn't resist making an appearance for this feel-good performance. Frontman Roy Stride invited the audience to join them as an additional member of the band, and the crowd was absolutely up for the challenge.
Special guest Natasha Bedingfield shared a similar premise to the pop band, as she encouraged the crowd to move in whatever way the music leads them, promoting the cathartic effect of dancing like no one's watching. You could feel core memories being made across generations as Bedingfield sang 'Unwritten' and 'These Words', as everyone on the festival ground sang their hearts out with the star.
With the release of her third studio album, 'Euro-Country', speedily approaching at the end of August, CMAT is on everyone's minds. Singles from this highly-anticipated project, like 'Take a Sexy Picture of Me' and 'The Jamie Oliver Petrol Station' translated beautifully to her live performance. Along with her accompaniment, formally known as 'The Very Sexy CMAT Band', CMAT commanded the main stage as an
artist who has worked for every second of that stage. She is a diamond, and true inspiration to many, in this music industry, and we are so happy to see her shine on these big stages.
Other artists who graced the main stage on included Wunderhorse and The Last Dinner Party. Though
they occupy very different corners of the music industry landscape, both acts transported the audience into what felt like their own shows, which is both a testament to the strength of these artists but also the breadth of the Truck Festival lineup. Interestingly, both of these bands have taken a similar trajectory in their respective scenes over the past few years, and it's been a joy to witness their evolution in sound and stage presence.
Exploring the festival beyond the main stage is the perfect chance to see artists who you'll be bragging about catching them early in a few years. And while we're talking about unforgettable performances, we need to talk about Luvcat. Following the success of her breakout track, 'Matador' last year, it feels like every music lover is left craving more from this one-of-a-kind alt-pop princess. Her live set sends you to a dimly lit, underground jazz club drenched with gothic glamour -- in the best way. Hypnotic and theatrical, it's the kind of performance that could turn passers-by into die-hard superfans, all now counting down the days until the release of her debut album, 'Vicious Delicious', aptly landing this Halloween.
Sibling duo Esme Emerson were high on our to-watch list at Truck Festival, and proved the perfect act to start our Sunday morning. Despite admitting to being first-time Truck visitors, the crowd had an amusing cheer at the introduction of 'Show You (Truck Song)' -- even if the song itself doesn't actually have any reference to the festival, its country trucker vibes still struck a chord. Sporting wide smiles and delivering infectious acoustic-guitar-driven tunes, paired with relatable lyrics about being in your twenties, their set was everything you want from a festival performance on its last day: warm, genuine, and just right for nursing hangovers from the Kasabian headline set the night before.
Two acts on the lineup who redefine indie-rock and alternative pop with every release are Florence Road and Chloe Slater. Having secured support slots for Olivia Rodrigo and Alessi Rose respectively, these artists are really carving out their spaces in the music scene right now, and Truck Festival with the perfect place to celebrate this. Florence Road's 'Heavy' and Chloe Slater's '24 Hours' are kindred narratives, exploring frustrations, pressures, and cathartic release... Dare we wish for a future collaboration?
Having spoken with Maisi for 'Tuning In' about her takeover of The Taproom with Loud LDN, we were excited to see what their curated lineup would bring -- and our hopes were in safe hands. Josephine Genais, Martha Jean and Lucy Deakin each brought a beautiful energy to the space, presenting stripped-back yet powerful performances. Sitting on the floor under a cozy tent, cider in hand, we were delighted to watch these artists showcase some of their greatest tracks and enchant some new fans. Surprise guests Piri & Tommy gave the Loud LDN fans a taste of their typically electronic dance sound at an acoustic level -- with the support of a small drum and crowd clapping. This secret headliner was the perfect transition into the later half of this stage, which was a Cxnty School Disco takeover. Attendees of this takeover showed that just because it's the latter part of the festival, the party did not need to stop!
And of course, it wouldn't be a Truck Festival without some indie royalty. hard life and Cassia are two bands who emerged in the late 2010s and have held a special place in indie enthusiasts' hearts ever since their breakout tracks 'Pockets' and '100 Times Over'. It was clear the festival crowd was eager for their sets, which blended beloved anthems that have soundtracked their youth with fresh favourites destined to find a permanent spot on their newer playlists.
If you're feeling serious FOMO, do not fear. Truck Festival returns in 2026! Mark your calendars for 23rd-26th July. Tickets are available now at https://truckfestival.com/tickets/
Please note: We were kindly given press access to the festival, but all opinions shared are entirely our own.
Huge thanks to everyone involved!
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