KASABIAN, Sam Fender and Bombay Bicycle Club have been announced today as headliners for Oxfordshire's 25th Truck Festival.
They will be joined at Hill Farm, Steventon, near Didcot, next July, by The Kooks, Blossoms and 'Milkshake' star Kelis.
The festival – Oxfordshire's biggest dedicated rock event – has been cancelled for the past two years due to the pandemic but has returned with some of the bands whose sets had previously been postponed.
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♬ Strangers - Sigrid
Others acts include Sigrid, Easy Life, Sports Team, Inhaler, Black Honey, Sundara Karma, Shame, The Big Moon, Alfie Templeman, Yard Act, Baby Queen, Vistas, The Magic Gang, The Subways, Orla Gartland, Spector, Do Nothing, The Orielles, Sorry, Lime Garden, Shame, The Goa Express and Phoebe Green.
Read more: Ronan Keating and Bryan Adams among headliners at this big Oxfordshire music festival
More unusual attractions include a stretching session from television fitness guru Mr Motivator and a show by the Oxford Symphony Orchestra.
After rumours about its line-up were 'leaked' earlier this year, festival organisers released the names of selected acts written on leeks – the names scrawled on the side of the vegetables in marker pen. The Oxford Mail received a leek carrying the name of Norwegian singer- songwriter Sigrid.
Revealing her set, she said: "I can’t wait to play Truck Festival. I love playing in the Uk so expect lots of energy.”
The Truck Festival 'leaked' leek
A spokesman said: "Truck Festival has revealed the first details of its hotly anticipated return in 2022, bringing together some of the most celebrated and beloved faces in modern alternative music for a weekend of celebration, memories and more at festival fans’ favourite UK festival.
"Returning in July, Truck will once again be opening its doors for a generational rite of passage full of landmark performances, the best in new and thriving alternative music and its distinctive brand of fun and mischief that’ll have the Truck faithful once again basking in an unforgettable festival experience. It couldn’t happen any other way.
"Three years in the making, Truck returns and delivers in style with five not-to-be-missed headliners that leaves the competition in the dust - with Sam Fender, Kasabian, Bombay Bicycle Club, The Kooks and Blossoms all confirmed as part of a massive 2022 lineup."
Sigrid
Speaking about their special guest co-headline set, The Kooks said: "We're super excited to be headlining Truck Festival for their 25th anniversary next year. It's been a long time coming and we can't wait. See you on the main stage!"
Stockport band Blossoms headline Truck’s first night back, on the Thursday.
The band said: “It’s been a long time coming, but we’re delighted to be heading back to Truck Festival next summer as headliners.
"We have great memories of playing at the festival in 2016, and we’re honoured to be sharing the bill with some of our favourite bands and artists. It’s going to be a special one, and we look forward to seeing everyone there!”
Another band making their return are Black Honey. They said: “Truck is so funny. The crowd is like no other and we have yet to see a set there without a mosh pit. We can’t wait to come back to perform as well as see the rest of the line up play. It’s been a long time coming.”
Indie band Vistas said: “We cannot wait to get back to Truck festival next year. It's one of our absolute favourite festivals and the line up is always class!”
Kasabian
While Phoebe Green said: “I’m dead excited to play this year as it’ll be the first time! There’s gonna be some new songs that I can’t wait to perform, it’s gonna be sick.”
Shame were forced to cancel a previous set after finding themselves suck in Japan, They said they were keen to play for the crowd in Steventon, adding: “Expect nothing but the best, the biggest, the greatest. The last time we tried to play we were stranded in Tokyo. This time we’ll be happily stranded in the Home Counties.”
Blossoms
Read more: Simply Red and Lionel Richie to play shows at Oxfordshire tourist attraction
The Kooks
Bombay Bicycle Club
On joining the line-up, The Magic Gang said: “Truck Festival wouldn’t be Truck without The Magic Gang, and The Magic Gang wouldn’t be The Magic Gang without Truck. Old friends, glowing up side by side."
Festival Organiser Conor Burns said: “It's been a very long time coming but it feels so good to be back and we're over the moon to finally announce the first wave of artists for our 25th Edition! To have four of our all-time favourites sharing headliner duties is a real privilege. Sam Fender, Bombay Bicycle Club, The Kooks and Kasabian to close off the Sunday night, Truck Festival 2022 is already proving to be one for the history books."
Weekend tickets are on sale now, starting from £140 and are expected to rapidly sell-out. Go to truckfestival.com
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