SITTING on my friend’s shoulders, staring up at the big “Truck” sign on top of the main stage as Sam Fender belted out “Seventeen Going Under”, I thought about how much has changed since I was last here in 2019.
That is when I realised what I love about Truck Festival so much – that no matter what changes in life, you can always rely on the epic rock event to return in the summer and bring with it a really good time.
And they didn’t disappoint this year with the event returning to Hill Farm in Steventon, near Didcot, for its 25th anniversary after two consecutive cancellations caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
READ MORE: Who is behind Truck Festival's HILARIOUS Twitter account?
Organisers described seeing the 25,000 festival goers on the site again as “emotional” and I couldn’t help but agree after walking through Hill Farm and seeing it filled with people.
I particularly loved the dedication of numerous guests who had their legs or arms in a cast, after what I can only imagine was a series of extremely untimely accidents, but still decided they couldn’t miss another year.
Friday night saw fantastic performances from Bombay Bicycle Club, Sea Girls, and Sigrid – whose fans were not put off by the short burst of rain.
“The heavens have opened for you as they should Sigrid,” one fan could be heard yelling.
The sun shone for the rest of weekend including Saturday which was kicked off by Oxford Symphony Orchestra which was met with an enthusiastic crowd of revellers.
Milkshake singer Kelis had everyone who was laying in the sun back on their feet dancing followed by The Kooks who described the crowds as “insane”.
READ MORE: Kasabian praise "incredible!" Truck Festival as 25,000 join Oxfordshire party
It was Hypersonic Missiles singer Sam Fender who stole the festival with a truly superb set, even bringing out an iconic Truck guest, Barry from Eastenders (Shaun Williamson) for his song “Getting Started”.
The 28-year-old apologised to the crowds for his sore throat as he continued to belt out his hit tunes – I wish I could sing like that WITHOUT a sore throat.
However, the only crime Truck should be convicted of is not having Eurovision’s Sam Ryder on the main stage. The Space Man singer stole Sunday with his performance on the Market Stage.
With a vocal range I dare to compare to The King of Rock, Freddie Mercury, I left immediately searching for when the singer would be on tour.
READ MORE: Oxfordshire's Truck Festival of rock and pop gets underway
The day – and weekend - concluded with classic rock performance from Kasabian who described the event as “incredible”.
And as the traditional fireworks filled the sky around the stage, we accepted another year of Truck Festival had truly been and gone.
Yet regardless of what life throws our way, we’ll be back. Until next year!
Read more from this author
This story was written by Gee Harland, she joined the team in 2022 as a senior multimedia reporter.
Gee covers Wallingford, Wantage and Didcot.
Get in touch with her by emailing: Gee.harland@newsquest.co.uk
Follow her on Twitter @Geeharland
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