Set up in 1998 having found that mainstream festivals like Glastonbury had become too commercial and predictable, Truck Festival has always prided itself on having a variety of artists appear at its festival. This year it's bigger than ever, and if you're heading to Oxfordshire in July here are the bands to catch!
TRAAMS
When: Saturday on The Nest Stage
TRAAMS are known for the gloomy, prickly guitar riffs that jab at your ears. Debut album Grin pulsates in awkward motions that later become grinding and driven. In fact both Grin and 2015's Modern Dancing both sound like TRAAMS are trying to contain their instruments whilst pushing them to the limit. So many bands come to mind when listening to both albums, you just begin listing bands. However, TRAAMS don't sound like they're trying to rip off any of these bands. They have a style that isn't really matched by anyone. There are melodic moments (it isn't just guitar noise) too. 'Flowers' taken from Grin has a chorus that is fantastically catchy chorus which erupts every time it comes around. Sure, some songs are gloomy and dark, but both albums sound like they could have been live recordings. They sound so powerful which is aided by big riffs. Catch them if you can.
LISTEN- 'Flowers'
TRAAMS
When: Saturday on The Nest Stage
TRAAMS are known for the gloomy, prickly guitar riffs that jab at your ears. Debut album Grin pulsates in awkward motions that later become grinding and driven. In fact both Grin and 2015's Modern Dancing both sound like TRAAMS are trying to contain their instruments whilst pushing them to the limit. So many bands come to mind when listening to both albums, you just begin listing bands. However, TRAAMS don't sound like they're trying to rip off any of these bands. They have a style that isn't really matched by anyone. There are melodic moments (it isn't just guitar noise) too. 'Flowers' taken from Grin has a chorus that is fantastically catchy chorus which erupts every time it comes around. Sure, some songs are gloomy and dark, but both albums sound like they could have been live recordings. They sound so powerful which is aided by big riffs. Catch them if you can.
LISTEN- 'Flowers'
Hooton Tennis Club
When: Friday on The Market Stage
When: Friday on The Market Stage
We've sung the praises of Liverpool indie-pop maestro's Hooton Tennis Club numerous times on this site and in the magazine. But we really do mean what we say. Especially when we say that they were one of the most exciting bands to emerge out of 2015. Their album Highest Point In Cliff Town was brilliant. Perfectly crafted indie-pop. It set the bench mark for indie-pop leaving previous albums within the genre (like Swim Deep's Where The Heaven Are We and Circa Waves' Young Chasers) far, far behind. There is a sense of carelessness within the album that adds to its charm, along with it's breezy, summer-fuelled guitar riffs and really strange irreverent vocals about tea leaves. But somehow they make it catchy. Another high recommendation from us.
LISTEN - 'Jasper'
Black Honey
When: Sunday on The Market Stage
When: Sunday on The Market Stage
London's Black Honey are rapidly gaining attention from all corners of the music industry. This was thanks - in part - to a string of songs released in 2015 like 'Madonna' and 'Corrine' which laid the foundations for their most recent EP Headspin to build the Black Honey house. There are elements of Blondie weaved within their music, particularly on Headspin but it feels as though they have added a modern twist. There's variety too. 'Madonna' is pure slacker-rock with its effortless vocal delivery and guitar riffs, whereas 'All My Pride' is much more defined and crisp. They are without doubt one of 2016's most exciting new bands, for that, and the fact they have some pretty amazing songs, we think you should go and check them out at Truck Festival.
LISTEN - 'All My Pride'
Sundara Karma
When: Saturday, The Market Stage
When: Saturday, The Market Stage
There is real life and zing behind the music that Sundara Karma make. It has great life to it which makes it incredibly refreshing to listen to. They're from Reading and their music is very atmospheric and melodic, in a way you could say they're like fellow Reading band Slowdive just with more of a pop-inspired sound. Having seen the group live (supporting The Wombats), we know they will be a hit at Truck. The guitars glisten like rain-soaked grass and yet, they have such power and intracity behind them. With festival experience and a fanbase behind them, Sundara Karma are becoming a powerhouse on the indie circuit. They're opening the main stage on one of the days at this years Reading & Leeds Festival!
LISTEN - 'Freshbloom'
DMA's
When: Friday, The Market Stage
When: Friday, The Market Stage
Australian outfit DMA's sound like a whole host of bands put together. Particularly, bands form Britain who were part of the infamous Brit-pop era. From the snarly vocal style which is Liam Gallagher-esque, to the shimmering guitar's of bands like James and The House Of Love. The comparison to the Gallagher's has been pointed out by many magazines and websites. And the band themselves cite Oasis as a big influence. Having said that, they don't really SOUND like Oasis apart from the vocal style and the fact that they wear baggy jeans and adidas tops. Their songs are very anthemic, and just by hearing them on their records, there is a feeling that these songs will sound fantastic live. The perfect band to see as the sun goes down and the night draws in.
LISTEN - 'Feels Like 37'
