Featured image and gallery: Truck Festival

For almost thirty years, set within the rolling fields of Hill Farm in Steventon, Oxfordshire, Truck Festival has been a cornerstone of the British festival calendar. Dubbed the ‘godfather of the UK’s small festival scene’, the festival continues to live up to that title, with a line-up packed with established indie favourites alongside a wealth of rising artists waiting to be discovered. Whether you’re there to sing along with festival veterans or stumble upon a future headliner, Truck remains one of the country’s finest showcases of talent.

As we count down the days until Truck Festival returns from 23 – 26 July, the excitement is becoming impossible to ignore. Whether you’re meticulously planning your weekend or leaving room for discovery, these are the must-see acts that deserve a spot on your Truck Festival 2026 itinerary.

CMAT
Thursday, 21:00-22:15, Truck Stage

For those arriving on Thursday, CMAT is undoubtedly the standout act of the day. Her afternoon main stage set at Truck last year was one of the festival’s most talked-about performances, captivating a packed crowd and leaving many begging for more than her allotted 30 minutes. Fast forward a year, and following the success of her album EURO-COUNTRY, the Irish singer-songwriter returns with a headline slot that feels thoroughly deserved. With her sharp wit, larger-than-life stage presence and a set packed with favourites, expect one of the most joyful performances of the weekend. Don’t be surprised if you’re still dancing to ‘Take A Sexy Picture Of Me’ long after the festival is over.

Getdown Services
Friday, 19:00-19:45, Market Stage

Few bands on the line-up are as difficult to categorise – or as fun to watch – as Getdown Services. The Bristol-based duo blend infectious electronic hooks, satirical lyricism and dance-punk rhythms. If you’re after a set packed with energy, humour and the unexpected, make sure this is on your schedule. Fresh from performing ‘The Radiator’ from their upcoming album,Massive Champion, on Later… with Jools Holland, Getdown Services are being propelled into the spotlight.

English Teacher
Friday, 20:30-21:30, Market Stage

The Leeds quartet’s Mercury Prize-winning debut, This Could Be Texas, showcased a band unafraid to experiment, blending art-rock ambition with post-punk energy. English Teacher have steadily become one of the most original forces in the UK indie and alternative scene and garnered a large fanbase with their sharp lyricism and intricate melodies. With acclaimed tracks such as ‘The World’s Biggest Paving Slab’ and ‘Nearly Daffodils’ already under their belt, and a reputation for compelling live performances, their set should be firmly on your schedule.

The Maccabees
Friday, 21:30-22:45, Truck Stage

In 2017, The Maccabees stunned fans by announcing their split, bringing an end to one of the most beloved British  indie bands of their generation with a series of emotional farewell shows. After reuniting in 2025, their return has been one of the most fevered  comebacks in British indie music, and for many festival-goers,  a first opportunity to see the Maccabees live since the band’s long-awaited reunion. With a discography steeped in nostalgia, this is one of the most unmissable performances of the weekend.

Adult DVD
Saturday, 16:30-17:00, Market Stage

Don’t drift past the Market Stage on Saturday afternoon – Leeds’ Adult DVD are set to deliver one of those sets that become the weekend’s talking point. Equal parts indie rock, post-punk and off-kilter electronic experimentation, their music thrives on tension and release: shifting from driving guitar to full-throttle, dancefloor-ready moments. Adult DVD have achieved much of their early success in a fairly short time, with a string of well-received singles and support from BBC Radio 6 Music – including a slot at last year’s 6 Music Festival in Manchester – establishing the group as one of the UK’s most promising new acts.

Two Door Cinema Club
Saturday 21:15-22:45 Truck Stage

Returning to Hill Farm once again, Two Door Cinema Club will celebrate the 15th anniversary of their debut album, Tourist History, with a special full-album performance. Brimming with indie-disco favourites, this is the kind of set that will have the entire field bouncing from the opening notes of ‘Undercover Martyn’ to the final chorus of ‘What You Know’.

Morgan Seatree, Oppidan & Sigma
00:00 – onwards Market Stage

As day turns to night, the Market Stage becomes the beating heart of the festival. From Morgan Seatree’s house beats and Oppidan’s high-energy UK garage to Sigma’s festival-sized drum and bass anthems, the late-night line-up is built for dancing. It’s one of the few places on-site where strangers really become friends.

Rizzle Kicks
Sunday, 16:30-17:15, Truck Stage

Some festival bookings simply make perfect sense, and Rizzle Kicks on a Sunday afternoon main stage is one of them. Having reunited in 2024 after an eight-year hiatus, the duo return with the same charisma and feel-good energy that made them one of the defining British acts of the early 2010s. Their set promises a healthy dose of hits such as ‘Mama Do The Hump’, ‘Down With The Trumpets’, along with newer material that proves they are far more than a nostalgia act.

Of course, no two Truck Festival weekends are ever the same, and part of the magic lies in stumbling across a band you had never planned to see. While these are the acts we think deserve a place in your schedule, leave room for a little spontaneity too. Whether you’re singing along to indie legends on the Main Stage, discovering your next favourite band or dancing into the early hours at the Market Stage, Truck 2026 is shaping up to be another unforgettable weekend at Hill Farm.

Truck Festival will take place on 23-26 July. Tickets are available at truckfestival.com