Festival season is already around the corner, and we’ve seen a litany of lineup drops over the past couple of months, some of which have courted more controversy than others. Oxford’s Truck Festival is one of 2024’s most promising lineups, with the best and brightest of indie and alternative descending on Hill Farm this summer.
There are well over fifty acts announced already, and HOWL is here to guide you through the lineup with our picks to make your Truck Fest a winner:
Wet Leg:
The Isle of Wight duo return this year: their 2022 self-titled debut ruffled feathers in the indie community, but their fabulous brand of feel-good indie pop is practically tailor-made for the sundrenched festival stages of Britain's festival season. A couple of headline bookings, plus a big support slot with Foo Fighters feels significant for the band, especially considering there hasn;t been a peep about new material, but there must be something in the works… Right?
The Streets:
The biggest name on the Truck bill by far is Brummie legends, The Streets. Mike Skinner is a living legend of the indie scene, and the seminal debut ‘Original Pirate Material’ celebrated its 22nd birthday a matter of weeks ago. There is always clamour to experience The Streets live, and with a headline set like this to look forward to, they are bound to be a highlight of the weekend.
Soft Play:
Formerly Slaves, Isaac and Laurie are back, bigger and louder than ever. Since their return, the punk duo have released a pair of lightning tracks: ‘Punks Dead’ and ‘Mirror Muscles’ are cacoughenous and satirical, hardcore and funny in equal measure. The duo are working on more new material, so their slots at summer festivals are sure to be monumental.
Yard Act:
Leeds legends Yard Act are fresh off the back of their sophomore album, the unrelenting Where’s My Utopia? Which has garnered the post-punkers a fresh batch of critical praise and 6 Music play. Whilst they’ve retained the charm of the debut, the band have doubled down on the soliloquy style and tongue-in-cheek humour. It goes hand in hand with their advancing sonic capabilities and a summer YA show will go hand in hand with an ice-cold pint (or four (or eight)).
Black Honey:
At this point, Black Honey are practically scene veterans, despite their age. The Brighton indie legends have a trio of acclaimed albums to their name, and a reputation as a rip-roaring live act. They have a habit of rocking up to a selection of British fields every summer, and kicking the arse out of whichever tent or stage they find themselves. One to catch for sure.
Bob Vylan:
Bob and Bobby are returning with album three: the record is a cultural Marxist takedown of the United Kingdom in 2024 set to the filthiest grime-punk you can fathom. BV are sure to cause a ruckus this summer, opening pits and minds.
The Mysterines:
Another fresh, exciting UK group are The Mysterines: Summer 2023 saw them traversing the country with the one and only Arctic Monkeys. They return in ‘24 with a brand new single (the sublime ‘Stray’), an album on the way, and the promise of more summertime chaos.
Antony Szmierek:
The post-punk-poet-laureate is embarking on a rapid ascension: support from 6 Music and an unshakable confidence in his rhymes have catapulted Szmierek into bigger venues and higher spots on lineups. Szmierek’s poems make you laugh, cry, and reminisce in nostalgia or elation, all set to funky, grimey, sometimes garage-y beats. Perfect for a summer stage.
English Teacher:
Another set of Leeds legends adorns the Oxfordshire sunshine, as English Teacher are primed for the big time. They have a stellar EP and a selection of singles under their belt already, and the four-piece are gearing up to launch their debut long player, This Could Be Texas. It’s set to be a huge year for ET, so catch them while you can!
There are, of course, far too many superb artists on this bill to shout about so please see below the HOWL Honourable Shoutout list:
Newdad
Divorce
Ditz
Coach Party
Fat Dog
Limegarden
Nightbus
Problem Patterns
Pennine Suite
It is set to be a pretty monumental weekend in Oxfordshire, with the truck lineup managing to avoid the monotonous, headline recycling traps that several peer festivals have fallen into. The picking of Wet Leg is a glorious gambit: so many festivals are content with booking the same old washed-up headliners year in and year out, but without bold choices like this, how are new headliners meant to emerge?