Music
Crowds keep on Trucking
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| The lemonheads |
Six thousand people gathered on an Oxfordshire farm over the weekend to watch what was last night described as "the highlight of the summer".
Truck Festival, which took place at Hill Farm, Steventon, near Abingdon on Saturday and yesterday, featured more than 50 bands and artists.
Organisers and festival goers alike hailed the event a great success.
Among those playing the two-day gathering were The Lemonheads, space-rockers Spectrum, Maps, rave act Altern8, '90s Britpop band Dodgy and Oxford's Youthmovies, Jonquil, Borderville, and The Epstein.
Also playing were country rock band Danny and the Champions of the World, featuring Truck organisers Robin and Joe Bennett.
The event was the 11th annual gathering, which is named after the flatbed truck which is used as the main stage.
Festival-goers enjoyed sunshine for most of the event - in stark contrast to last year's festival, which had to be postponed until September after torrential rain left the site under 2ft of water.
Robin Bennett said: "The weekend has been an absolute triumph. We have had great weather and amazing bands - and it has probably been the best yet.
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| Robin Bennett |
"There have been so many great moments - with too many highlights to mention."
As well as staging sets by famous international acts, Truck Festival showcases up-and-coming talents.
Essex singer-songwriter Sam Duckworth, who plays under the name Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly, headlined last night's action.
He said: "I do love Truck - there is just so much going on all the time. There is nowhere else where you can see such a diverse set of acts playing at the same time.
"That is why I keep coming back."
As well as providing a weekend of live music and comedy, the festival raises money for a range of local and international good cases.
Among those collecting cash were Didcot Rotary Club - which provides most of the catering - by serving up burgers, chips and drinks for hungry festival-goers.
Club secretary Brian Key said: "We raise money for lots of good cause.
"Business is always good and the burgers, bacon and chips are always very popular.
"Last year, we sold a tonne-and-three-quarters of chips."
Enjoying his second Truck Festival was Sunny Chahall from East Oxford.
He said: "This is the highlight of the summer - there's a special feeling here and some great music.
"The best bit for me was dancing to Altern8 in the cowbarn.
"The crowd was waving glowsticks and were really up for it.
"There was an incredible atmosphere that you don't get anywhere else."
Blues rock band Morrison Steam Fayre were invited to play the festival by its bar staff.
Frontman Reid Morrison said: "Truck Festival is always brilliant, always so many different people and bands.
"There is something about this festival which we love and it's a great honour to be invited back again."
Nancy Triggs, from Tackley, near Kidlington, added: "It's been an amazing weekend - I didn't want it to end."
5:25pm Monday 21st July 2008
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