Friday

Swords are drawn, St George squares up to the dragon… it’s over in a flash. Liquid spills from the dragon’s gaping mouth. But don’t worry, readers, the only thing being slain here is a couple of locally brewed ciders in a chugging contest between two comically dressed Truck festival-goers (‘Truckers’) .

It sums up the spirit of Truck perfectly. Back in 1998, Steventon teenager Robin Bennett asked a local farm if he could hold a gig to celebrate his 20th birthday… 16 years on, and although Truck is now run by more professional hands (the Y-Not team), it still has the atmosphere of a mate’s party in the backyard. Gnarly festival veterans mix with school-leaving teens; fancy dress and excessive cider consumption are de rigueur.

The sun blazes all Friday, whipping the mood up from party to carnival. Skin is blistered pink. More booze is downed.

By early evening the crowd in front of the main stage is ready for some proper rocking and Deap Vally, the girl rock duo from LA, are just what the doctor ordered. Their Led Zeppelin riffs and Suzi Quatro swagger and banter (“I’ve got tequila in my lager!” boasts singer Lindsey Troy) go down a storm.

Ears still ringing from the Green Day-lite racket of Kids in Glass Houses, we are quenched by more cider and the smooth sounds of indie rockers Peace, the Midlands quartet. They are a modern reworking of Duran Duran – all floppy hair and popstastic funkitude… songs like Float Forever and California Days lend a brilliantly dreamy psychedelia to proceedings.

But then it’s back to some gritty indie action with Yorkshire outfit The Cribs. And with one of the greatest rock singles ever, Men’s Needs, giving our ears a last thumping, sadly it’s time to leave the party.

Gill Sutherland

Saturday

STORNOWAY singer and guitarist Brian Briggs really tempted the Rain Gods at Truck with a dedication to “anyone who has gone a little pink”.

A downpour instantly followed as the Cowley band threw themselves into Josephine, sailing into real sea shanty territory, with the fitting lyric, “Shall we drown together?”

As with so many young bands, Stornoway made their first festival appearance at Truck, and they were clearly delighted to be back on a joyful Saturday night.

The indie folk sound of Stornoway provided the perfect set, sandwiched between post-punk favourites, The Gang of Four and headliners White Lies.

Like the musicians, the ever appreciative and cheerfully laid-back Truck audience is a varied lot. The festival provides the perfect post-GCSE party setting for hundreds of youngsters, while music fans are always guaranteed imaginative line-ups, usually featuring local acts.

Bringing their set to a close with Watching The Birds, Stornoway made way for White Lies who brought the weekend to a close with big-hitters like Farewell to the Fairground.

Slow Club performing on The Market Stage provided another of Saturday’s highlights. It is remarkable how little attention this gang of talented multi-instrumentalists from Sheffield receive, despite the excellence of Rebecca Taylor as a frontwoman.

Reg Little