Photo Credit: Izzy Challoner
Words: Sophie Thompson

Truck festival once again proved why it remains one of the UK’s most beloved indie music festivals, providing 4 days of blazing sunshine, indie anthems and a lineup which perfectly balanced rising talent with established favourites. Set under the picturesque backdrop of Hill Farm, the 2026 edition of Truck Fest celebrated every corner of the UK’s music scene from the headliners of tomorrow playing to packed out tents to festival veterans commanding the Main Stage. 

Thursday 

Thursday eased fans into the 4-day weekend as CMAT ensured the festival started on a high. Opening her set with Jamie Oliver Petrol Station where the Irish singer songwriter immediately had the crowd at the palm of her hand. Backed by her self proclaimed “very sexy CMAT band” which featured a stunning violin arrangement. CMAT effortlessly commanded the Main Stage with her humour and heartfelt lyricism. 

Reflecting on her previous appearance at Truck last year, she joked that she was given ‘just two minutes’ on stage, making her return as Thursday’s headliner remarkable. CMAT also delighted fans to a surprise rendition of ‘Coronation Street’ following a fans request. Her vocal performance also remained flawless all night effortlessly moving between slow ballad songs to infectious indie hooks. The crowd also enthusiastically embraced the now signature ‘Dunboyne two-step’ for ‘I Wanna Be a Cowboy, Baby!’. As the sun was setting over Hill Farm CMAT joked that ‘maybe next time we play Truck they let us play for 4 hours’ and judging by the crowd’s reaction it was a request which many would support. Closing her set with ‘Stay for Something’ which saw her launch herself into the crowd for one last celebration. 

Photo Credit: Chloe Hashemi

Friday 

Slow Country opened the Market Stage with soaring folk inspired indie rock debuting a new song ‘Hang My Hopes’ offering an exciting glimpse into their future. Whilst The North sent fans into a frenzy with ‘Soundtrack Your Soul’ the track which propelled the Leeds stars into being indie favourites leaving fans wanting far more than just the 30 minutes they were given. 

West Midlands based Eighty-Eight Miles enjoyed a career defining moment on the Main Stage. Visibly in awe of the crowd gathered before them the band embraced every second on the stage as High’ and ‘Diana’ sparked a huge singalong in the crowd. They also introduced a new song ‘Sarah’ which was well received by the Truck festival crowd. As chants of EEM echoed across the field they really didn’t want the moment to end and neither did the fans. From playing at Truck festival 4 times previously on smaller stages to playing to a packed out crowd on the main stage is remarkable. Frontwoman Ellie Grice reflected on the moment with adoration telling the crowd ‘Thank you for making this dream of ours come true’ before closing their set with ‘Sexy Song’. 

Back inside the Market Stage Wigan favourites The Lilacs transformed the tent into one giant mosh pit. Their set perfectly captured the sweaty, euphoric atmosphere of Truck Fest, with ‘Grace’ sparking a massive search for someone in the crowd sharing its same name before ‘Vicarage Road’, the very first song which the group wrote together, sent the crowd wild. 

As the evening approached Primal Scream took over the main stage with their effortlessly cool stage presence reminding fans how they remain relevant 44 years later. Tracks like ‘Movin on Up’ and ‘Rocks’ still sounded as fresh as ever. Nearby, Mercury Prize Winners English Teacher took over the Market Stage, fronted by Lily Fontaine and consisting of guitarist Lewis Whiting, drummer Douglas Frost and bassist Nicholas Eden. Performed beneath a backdrop reading ‘This Could Be English Teacher’ the Leeds group delivered an exhilarating set consumed by electrifying guitar riffs. 

Friday night belonged to The Maccabees as the sun had finally set over Hill Farm, they delivered a truly showstopping performance. Back together after a decade apart the indie icons were welcomed back with open arms. They mixed beloved classics with newer material celebrating both their legacy and future. It was an incredible headline performance which will go down in Truck history. 

Saturday 

Truck festival is not complete without the annual appearance from the Oxford Symphony Orchestra. Led by Sophie Lockett and conducted by Robert Max, they transformed the Oxfordshire field into an abundance of organised chaos. They seamlessly blended classical music with pop/rock anthems which transformed the main stage into one of the most unique spectacles of the weekend. The audience responded in typical Truck fashion with mosh pits erupting whilst others pirouetted across the field as ballerinas, embracing the truly chaotic feel that is Truck Festival. There was also a surprise appearance from Baz Coombes from Supergrass elevating their performance to another level. Their closing rendition of ‘Can’t Stop the Beat’ from Hairspray surprisingly inspired one of the liveliest mosh pits of the weekend, a moment which you would only ever see at Truck Festival. 

The Nest stage continued its reputation for showcasing the stars of tomorrow. London based Sterling Press impressed with a set packed full of shimmering synths and powerful guitar riffs. Meanwhile, Irish band Florence Road justified their rapid rise from The Nest Stage to Main Stage in just 12 months. Their latest single ‘Hanging Out to Dry’ received an enthusiastic response from the crowd before closing with ‘Break the Girl,’ which showcased undeniable indie pop hooks and effortless confidence. Florence Road continues to prove that they are without a doubt a festival headliner of the future. 

The Lottery Winners delivered the feel-good set of the festival. Frontman Thom Rylance’s trademark humour kept the audience laughing throughout, jokingly teasing an appearance from Reverend and the Makers with whom he has a song ‘You Again’ with before unveiling to the crowd that he in fact was not there and he would be singing the song on his own, however the crowd were not left disappointed as Thom Rylance and Katie Lloyd’s vocals together made it so the duet was never required. Yet behind the comedy there was genuine heartfelt moments. Fan Layla was invited up on stage to perform ‘Letter to Myself’ after she had contacted Thom to say how much she resonated with the song. The touching duet had left a lasting impression on the crowd. Further in the set they invited fans to become a part of their upcoming music video for song ‘Steady We Go’. The Lottery Winners ensured that the energy never once dipped as they declared on stage that ‘we’re going to headline this festival in the next five years,’ based on the strength of their performance, it felt entirely believable. 

The Market Stage later welcomed on the most exciting new names of 2026 Bleech 9:3 whose set erupted into chaos from the very opening moment as they demanded the crowd to ‘open up’ as they launched into ‘Jacky’, triggering relentless mosh pits which barely eased for the remainder of the set. 

Celebrating 15 years since the release of their debut album The Vaccines reminded people why they still remain festival favourites. Classics including ‘Post Break-Up Sex’ and ‘If You Wanna’ still sounding as fresh as they did 15years ago with fans truly entertained the entire time. Their polished performance demonstrated why those songs continue to soundtrack people’s lives a decade later. 

Kaiser Chiefs delivered as you’d always expect them to as Ricky Wilson bounded across the stage with his captivating charisma. With ‘Ruby’ and ‘I Predict a Riot’ producing the loudest reactions of the weekend. 

The Market Stage was overflowing long before The Royston Club arrived, and they rewarded the packed crowd with a set which everyone in attendance will be able to say, ‘I was there for’. The anthemic ‘Shivers’ sent the crowd wild as an army of fans charged forwards. Without missing a beat, the band went into ‘I’m a Liar’ and then ‘Glued to the Bed’ which was met with a roaring reaction. Within what felt like seconds they were closing their set with the Welsh titled ‘Cariad’ which creates the most cathartic experience of the weekend as the crowd gathers on each other’s shoulders screaming the bridge at the top of their lungs before stripping back the entire song to just the guitar and Tom Faithful’s voice allowing the full weight of the song to consume the crowd. 

Indie music megastars Two Door Cinema Club bought a perfect close to the day delivering hit after hit underneath the Oxfordshire sunset with the set closing with arguably the best songs in indie music history ‘Undercover Martyn’ and ‘What You Know’. The band are currently celebrating 15 years of their first album ‘Tourist History’. Their timeless catalogue, infectious rhythms and perfect music provided the flawless soundtrack for the evening. 

Sunday 

American singer songwriter Vanessa Carlton made her Truck festival debut, after spending the last 6 years creating her latest album. Carlton introduced each song with stories from its creation, creating an intimate atmosphere despite the thousands watching. Her breakthrough track ‘A Thousand Miles’ received a warm reaction as couples; friends and families swayed together under the Oxfordshire sunshine. 

Over on The Nest stage Picture Parlour arrived straight from supporting Louis Tomlinson over in America for what would be their only UK festival appearance of the summer. Admitting they were a little ‘delirious’ after the journey from Miami the Manchester quartet quicky shook off any jet lag with a commanding performance packed with swagger, driving guitar riffs and infectious energy that kept the crowd engaged throughout. 

Rizzle Kicks transformed the Main Stage into one massive party, with Harley Alexander-Sule bringing his son on stage before Jordan Stephens ventured into the crowd himself. They delivered an amusing performance which had the crowd absorbed in everything they did. Closing their set with their biggest hit ‘Down with the Trumpets’ the duo gave one of the most joyful sets of the weekend. 

The K’s continued their meteoric rise with yet another outstanding festival performance on the Main Stage. Walking on to ‘Icarus’ the Earlestown four-piece immediately launched into a set full of fan favourites including ‘Chancer’ and ‘Hoping Maybe’. Celebrating one year of their sophomore album ‘Pretty on the Internet’, Jamie Boyle continues to remind audiences why he remains one of indie music’s best vocalists delivering each track with remarkable power and emotion. Long time supporters were rewarded with the return of ‘Aurora’ before they closed with ‘Hometown’ and ‘Sarajevo’ producing one of the best sets of the weekend. 

Meanwhile Keo ensured The Market Stage remained packed walking on to the sound of The Stone Roses’ ‘Love Spreads’ before commencing their set with ‘Hands’. It seemed that the smash hits kept coming with ‘That’s Me’ and ‘Thorn’. Keo even gave fans a taste of new material with their latest single ‘Pistol’ ahead of the release of their debut album on September 25th. While the tent seemed to empty as fans ran to catch The Libertines on the main stage, that did not get to the band as they continued to deliver an unbelievable set which proves how Keo are ever ready to advance to the bigger stages. 

The Libertines bought decades worth of experience to the main stage with a performance packed full of timeless classics. Pete Doherty’s unmistakeable charm and star quality captivated the crowd throughout. In one heartfelt moment Doherty noticed a fan at the front with a sign which read “can i play guitar for What a Waste?” to which he responded by binging the fan up on stage to perform alongside him creating an unforgettable experience which captured the spontaneity of live music. ‘Run Run Run’ and ‘Don’t Look Back into the Sun’ showed the best of the Libertines, catchy melodies and charisma. 

The Wombats closed out the festival on the highest note. Nearly two decades on from releasing their debut album the Liverpool trio remains one of the greatest festival acts. Their irresistible indie anthems had the entire crowd dancing from the moment they opened with ‘Moving to New York’. Their trademark mascot wombats even made an appearance on stage before launching into ‘Pink Lemonade’, moments later frontman Matthew Murphy introduced ‘Lemons to a Knife Fight’ as ‘here’s another song about lemons’, the crowd embraced the joke wholeheartedly with dozens of festival goers holding up lemons in the crowd. As the festival was drifting closer to its end The Wombats treated the crowd to an encore consisting of their chart-topping anthems ‘Greek Tragedy’ and ‘Let’s Dance to Joy Division’ as the final notes rang out fireworks erupted above Hill Farm, providing a euphoric end to the most magical weekend at Truck festival 2026. 

Across four days, the Oxfordshire fields played host to future stars, established legends and unforgettable moments that perfectly captured the spirit of live music. Whether discovering a new favourite on a smaller stage or singing every word with thousands Truck once again delivered a weekend that will leave thousands longing to go back.

Truck Festival returns to Hill Farm 22nd – 25th July 2027. Tickets are on sale HERE.