Truck-a-doodle-do!

Truck 10 is now only 18 days away and they only announced the line up last Friday. I don't know any other festival that has ever been able to keep their line up secret for that long. But Truck is just the kind of festival that previous punters will want to go to regardless of who's playing. Taking place 21st and 22nd July on a farm in the beautiful Oxfordshire countryside, Truck is such a welcome relief from the mainstream dirge of Reading & Leeds, or even Glastonbury. Although the last 2 years have seen headlining sets from The Magic Numbers and The Futureheads, probably the most famous act on this year's bill is Glenn Tilbrook, followed closely by Idlewild. Tickets sold out in a matter of hours when they went on sale in April, and this was without anyone having a single clue as to who would be appearing. So what exactly is it about Truck that makes it so appealing? Many things actually, for instance the lovely setting, the real ale and cider, ice cream made by a local vicar, the most amazing pasta salads you will ever eat (can you tell I'm writing this at lunchtime?), and of course the focus on lesser known, or local bands. I think the best thing about Truck, though, is the atmosphere. At bigger festivals you always get some idiot trying to push over the portaloos, or angry metallers causing havoc when you're trying to enjoy Elbow. The last time I went to Reading was 3 years ago, and having been 4 years in a row I thought I was used to it. I was wrong. It was hell! I spent most of the weekend in a complete panic because the other punters all seemed so big and aggressive! Truck is a small festival and it looks after it's small people (like me) very well.

So onto that elusive line up. At first glance, not quite so excitement inducing as last year's but then that's the beauty of Truck. It's a great place to find new bands.

Saturday 21st
Idlewild
Brian Jonestown Massacre
Goldrush
Buck 65
Six Nation State
iLiketrains
The Research
Frank Turner
Jonquil
I Was A Cub Scout

Sunday 22nd
Electric Soft Parade
Glenn Tilbrook
Winnebago Deal
Oppenheimer
Pull Tiger Tail
Euros Childs
Andy Yorke (Thom's brother)
Luke Smith
Youthmovies
WinterKids
Blood Red Shoes


Click on a band name to visit their myspace page and listen to some tracks.

For the full line up visit the Truck website here.