REVIEW: Truck Festival, Friday
ME REX by Sonny Malhorta
A day of stellar performances The Nest delivers unforgettable sets
At Truck Festival, amidst the carnival atmosphere and the sea of ironic (or not) Hawaiian shirts and bucket hats, an oasis was found at The Nest stage on Friday. The line-up, curated by two of our favourite record labels, Alcopop! Records and Big Scary Monsters, was a celebration of the festival’s local roots in Oxfordshire. From openers cheerbleederz to headliners English Teacher, the line-up was so stacked that you could pull up a picnic blanket and camp out at the stage for one of the best days of your life, without even venturing to any of the other festival stages. With the sun beating down on the festival site, we couldn't think of a better way to spend a sunny day than catching some of our favourite bands.
cheerbleeders
Opening the day's proceedings in the best possible style, cheerbleederz brought boundless energy to The Nest, pulling in a packed-out crowd. I'm not sure what kind of frog-based magic fuels them, but Pheebs, Kathryn, and Sophie are three of the hardest-working members of the UK DIY scene. Every time we've seen them play live, they have energy to burn, delivering performances as infectious as their songs, making it impossible not to dance and sing along. We can't think of a better way to start the day, and from the size of the crowd, it was clear many of Truck's attendees agreed.
cheerbleederz by Sonny Malhorta
snake eyes
Next up were their label mates, the Brighton-based indie punk trio snake eyes. Fueled by the frenzied energy of drummer Thomas Coe-Brooker, they whipped the Truck crowd into the first pit of the day. Standout moments from their set included their latest single “Hottest Day On Record” and “Leen”. The band clearly has their hearts in the right place, with many tracks tackling political issues like the climate crisis and politicians choosing money over people. Before their closing number, vocalist/guitarist Jim Heffy delivered a powerful message of love, expressing gratitude for those fighting for animal and trans rights, Greenpeace, and the Palestinian people.
The Menstrual Cramps
One of our biggest regrets at the recent 2000trees festival was not getting the chance to watch The Menstrual Cramps in action. Lucky for us, they were third on the bill at The Nest, and to say that Bristol’s Only Punk Band (™ Los Campesinos!) brought it would be an understatement. Emilia and Co hit the stage like their lives depended on it. From the opening fire of “Hashtag Sad Penis” to the closing bars of “Idols,” their set was non-stop pure punk awesomeness. The Menstrual Cramps are never afraid to speak their minds. From calling out another festival for allowing Nazi punks to attend, the band always stands on the right side of history. The Menstrual Cramps are one of the most important bands out there right now. Not only have they produced a bunch of bangers this year, but they also spearheaded the Bands Boycott Barclays movement. When the band talked about the impact of this on stage and the removal of the bank from various major festivals, they were greeted with the loudest cheer of the day.
ME REX
To say that we love ME REX is as obvious to our readers as saying that water is wet. But yes, we love ME REX, and with Truck being their last confirmed full-band live date of the year, there was no chance we would miss it. Truck also gave us the first opportunity to catch the band without their own crowd. Yes, there were a few ME REX obsessives like ourselves, screaming back every word, but it was a beautiful sight to watch new listeners fall in love with the awesomeness that is Myles, Pheebs, and Rich for the very first time. The band had clearly embraced the party spirit, with Myles bringing boundless energy and a Wurzels-esque neckerchief, Pheebs rocking an uber-stylish jumpsuit, and Rich sporting heart-shaped sunglasses. Opening with the complete banger that is “Jupiter Pluvius,” the band partied like it was the party to end all parties at Truck. Their set hit hard from the get-go following “Jupiter Pluvius” with “Giant, Giant, Giant,” and by the time they played “Robotswalkonwater (the Floor is Made of Lava),” Myles was drenched in sweat. It is always a privilege to watch them play, and their set was packed full of personal favourites like “Goodbye Forever,” “Infinity Worm,” and “Skin, It Itches.” The set ended in classic ME REX style as they closed with the fittingly titled “Summer Brevis.” Myles descended from the stage to the photo pit to play the track’s guitar solo-driven ending while spinning on the floor in what now must surely be trademark fashion.
ME REX by Sonny Malhorta
Problem Patterns
Next, we were treated to Belfast queer punks Problem Patterns. What is there to say about the band that we haven’t said before? They are bloody fantastic and one of the best live bands out there. Each time we see them, we end their sets with the biggest smiles on our faces. It is impossible not to have a good time at a Problem Patterns set—well, maybe if you are a transphobic, chauvinistic edge lord you might not, but in that case, we probably don’t want to be friends with you anyway. Blending righteous punk with a good sprinkling of humour and on-stage instrument and frontperson swapping. When the band opened with “Y.A.W.,” we knew we were in for a riot of a set. They treated us to some of our absolute favourite Problem Patterns tracks like “TERFs Out,” “Letter of Resignation,” “Who Do We Not Save,” and the rather fitting “Poverty Tourist.” The band closed out their triumphant set with a rendition of “Day and Age” from their Good For You, Aren't You Great? EP. We have said this before and we will say it again: if you get a chance to catch Problem Patterns live, you need to jump at it with both feet first.
Orchards
Next up was our second and final Big Scary Monsters band of the day, Orchards. On paper, you might think that a mix of indie pop and math rock wouldn’t work, but Orchards have proven time and time again that this couldn’t be further from the truth. Orchards blend the genres into one of the most infectious sounds you have ever heard, and at Truck, they had the crowd in the palm of their hands as they played absolute rippers like “I Feel Terrible” and “Sweetie Pie.” The band explained to the gathered crowd that they are called Orchards because they are spiky like a tree and raised a massive cry of “F**k the Tories” from their fans. By the time they closed with “Luv You 2,” the crowd was so enthusiastic that vocalist Lucy Evers summoned her inner primary school teacher and awarded them a gold star for their efforts.
The Wytches
Our final Alcopop! band of the day were Brighton-based alt-rockers The Wytches. Bringing their timeless sound, the band threw back the years in a standout set that captivated the audience from the first note. Their ability to weave between explosive riffs and introspective melodies created an atmosphere of raw energy and emotion. Performing tracks from across their discography, they reminded us why they remain a beloved staple in the alt-rock scene. The nostalgic journey was both a celebration of their roots and a testament to their enduring appeal.
English Teacher
English Teacher. The Leeds band hit the stage with a commanding presence, delivering a set that showcased their dynamic range and lyrical prowess. Their performance was a masterclass in indie/post-punk, blending thought-provoking lyrics with infectious melodies. The energy in the crowd was palpable as English Teacher played their hits, proving why they are one of the most talked-about bands on the scene. Their seamless interaction with the audience and their ability to captivate with each song highlighted their rising star status and left a lasting impression on everyone present.
Truck Festival will return in 2025, taking place from 24-27 July, early bird tickets will be available from this Friday 2 August, so be sure to grab them while you can!
