KEEP ON TRUCKIN'

• 3rd Jul 2005

So where am I going on my holidays this year? Zambia? Burkina Faso? Utah? None of the above.

I’m going to spend a couple of days in Oxfordshire this year. Not because of the splendid countryside, nor indeed for the inbred women that lurk in the surrounding areas but in fact to go to this year’s Truck festival which I believe is now in its eighth year.

Described by one friend of mine as “The most relaxing weekend of the year”, Truck is a good opportunity to catch up with what’s hot in the worlds of underground Metal, Drum and Bass, Indie, Hip-Hop, Rock and other styles of music all in one go. Its like Glastonbury only tiny. And featuring a vicar selling ice-cream!

Before you all switch off and think I’m just going off on one about some naff all-dayer in a country pub, let me remind you that Oxford, for some reason is a very fertile breeding ground for groundbreaking and interesting acts such as Electro alchemist Nervous Test Pilot, garage rockers Winnebago Deal and bigger names like Radiohead and Supergrass. Now to fill you in on just some of the bands, Djs and musical collectives that are playing this year…

Goldrush
Black Nielson
Dive Dive
Undertheigloo
Dj Tony Vegas from the Scratch Perverts
Winnebago Deal
Reuben
Engerica
Biffy Clyro
Dj Marky
Mc Lars
Young Knives
Fonda 500
Capdown
Yourcodenameis:Milo
Sikth
Nervous Test Pilot
Stamina MC
Lady Blaze

…and an acoustic tent if you like that sort of thing.

And these are only the names I’ve heard of! Literally dozens of bands playing at Britain’s best kept secret of a fest. This year’s event has already sold out, in fact it sold out ages ago, but keep your eyes peeled for some interviews, reviews and other random shit from me and my colleagues on this website. The festival is July 23-24 so expect some musings some time after that! (Once we’ve all recovered of course!!).