Born in 1998 at Hill Farm in Steventon, near Abingdon, Oxfordshire’s Truck Festival is now celebrating it’s 5th Birthday. It is still organized by a variety of village souls, the people behind Truck Records and the band Goldrush, with support from the like-minded promoters The Club That Cannot Be Named and Vinyl Frontier/ Depth Charge.
Since it’s humble beginnings Truck has steadily grown from year to year. The Hill Farm site now has a capacity of 3000 and the event has the reputation of being the UK’s only festival to showcase a vast array of music.

Unlike other festivals the food is cheap (and served up with a friendly smile from the local Rotary Club), the beer (cheap, also) is poured by the two high rolling loons and assorted mates (dressed of course as ladies). And naturally (this is the country) the real ale from the codgers bar is the finest around, or if it's ice cream you’re after, why not talk to the local vicar, who's flogging ices, in aid of his church light fund.
Most of Truck’s 3000 visitors are young music lovers, with a passion for both diverse, local, mainstream as well as anti mainstream music. They build up part of underground British music network, but also are the passionate drive behind new ideas; many are from Oxford’s student population. Truck is also a family event that has a large number of older more affluent members of the music-loving public.

Last year 13,000 pounds were raised for local charities. Amnesty International (Abingdon group) has been a regular recipient, holding a stall at the festival each year, whilst various other small, youth orientated charities have received donations. These have helped support projects such as Abingdon’s Bridge drop-in centre, East Oxford’s Wheel’s Project, Siren conservation education (Cowley), Sea-saw’s grief support for young people in Oxfordshire, and The Art Room art therapy for vulnerable children, (based at Oxford School). In addition, last year’s festival raised funds for the newly formed Truck Club Juniors which gives young bands from around Oxfordshire with no recording experience the chance to record in the Truck studio for free with the support of an experienced engineer. All of these promising young bands will be appearing at this year’s festival.

At Truck festival there is no cut throat capitalism, no huge entry fees, or inappropriate advertising boards. It's a nice weekend out in the countryside with a few bevies, a plethora of bands and a passion for music, all in support of local charities.