25 Unmissable Acts at TRUCK FESTIVAL
We had the best time in the fields of Truck Festival 2023, so we thought we’d put together a little guide for you if you intend to follow in our footsteps. Here are the twenty five artists and bands you cannot miss at this year’s celebration.
FRIDAY
photograph by Henry Pearce
Declan Mckenna
You may know him from his 2015 boomerang hit “Brazil”, or the many many bangers he’s released since. With three albums under his belt since the release of the aforementioned big hitter, Declan Mckenna had been thrice crowned British Indie Royalty. You’d be a fool to pass up the opportunity to witness him in all of his effervescent sweet indie glory.
Groupies Pick: British Bombs
photograph by Caity Krone
Katie Gregson-Macleod
Hailing from Scotland to break literally every single person’s heart ever, comes Katie Gregson-Macleod. Gaining traction in the Tik-tok world, Katie has more than sufficiently cut her teeth in the (presumed) trials and tribulations of being a singer/ songwriter in the brutal age of the internet. If you’re looking to be beautifully held by someone’s music, probably cry and run the gauntlet of being a wreck for the rest of the weekend, we thoroughly recommend catching her set.
Groupie’s Pick: Complex
photograph by Alice Backham
NewDad
If you’ve been living under a rock, as I apparently have, NewDad will have snuck up on you with the style and charisma of Jerry Mouse. It is clear as day that they are up next in the queue for the ‘biggest band in the world’ competition. They are deeply vibrant, effortlessly cool and I am equally jealous, in love and fearful of them.
Groupie’s Pick: Nightmares
photograph by Rosie Carne - Volume 3
English Teacher
A band of Groupie’s oldest and dearest friends, we know the most important facts about them already. Like, what their favourite type of bread is, or who they would choose to eat ham with, or who they’d be if they were a sea creature. Also we all met hollywood actor Paul Rudd once together. Aside from that, English Teacher as an experience is a beautifully emotive, full-body-shivers type of deal… if you’re into that sort of stuff aka amazing music.
Groupie’s Pick: Nearly Daffodils
The Wytches
They were the second gig I ever went to. I was fourteen, thoroughly annoying, and stood right at the front. Formative, soul crushing, and I, personally, cannot wait to experience The Wyches again.
Groupie’s Pick: Summer Again
photograph by Marieke Hulzinga - Volume 3
Mandrake Handshake
What to say about Mandrake Handshake? You must see it to believe it and undoubtedly, you, reader, will be there. So I only have advice for you, bring exclusively good vibes and hold your hands out and be ready to have them returned doubled in size.
“the aesthetic of the psychedelic moment can be mimicked in sound,”
Groupie’s Pick: Vitamin Sunday
SATURDAY
photograph by Hollie Fernando
Wet Leg
They have done so much for the weird and slightly off-putting girl agenda and I would relish the opportunity to personally thank them for their service. Let’s be real. We all know the songs, come and sing with us.
Groupie’s Pick: Wet Dream
photograph by Tommy Davies
Soft Play
From Tunbridge Wells, they’ve been around the block a good few times, sprinted it in fact. Soft Play have been a staple in the Kent/ Sussex and wider music scenes since their debut in 2014. Yet another obsession of my fourteen year old self, who saw them in Bexhill (with LIFE and Shame supporting) and was forever changed. They are wildly vulnerable, nostalgic for some, while breathing new life into their unique flavour of punk.
Groupie’s Pick: Everything and Nothing
photograph by Laura Lewis
Sophie Ellis-Bextor
With a rich repertoire and household name status firmly assured, Sophie Ellis-Bextor is a pop icon, you’d be a fool to pass up the opportunity to see her in this particular field. Also, the scene from St Trinians where they’re robbing the National Gallery doing gymnastics over lazers, soundtracked by Sophie Ellis-Bextor. So very 2007. I think about it daily.
Groupie’s Pick: If I Can’t Dance
photograph by Amber Pollack
Sundara Karma
Another band having had a glorious rebirth, they altered my teenage brain chemistry, and I believe, a whole generation of music industry people have Sundara Karma to thank for their careers, because without them the world would been a very different place. While they shaped us, they also reflect us, growing and evolving over years. I’m personally ecstatic to have the opportunity experience their majesty again, after so years apart.
Groupie’s Pick: Wishing Well
photograph by Saffy Padget - Volume 1
Lime Garden
One of the Groupie’s favourite alumni, cover stars of our first ever print magazine. This Brighton four-piece are firmly on the road to world domination. Sharply relevant lyricism, natural cool, and the knowledge that they all have little trinket collections are just a few of the millions of reasons why Lime Garden are the band to watch.
Groupie’s Pick: I Want To Be You
The Magic Gang
On their farewell tour, a staple of pre-2020’s indie music scene. With two studio albums under their belt, eleven years of magical memories and each having budding new projects to tend to. The Magic Gang deserve a beautiful send off, ill see you there through the tears in my eyes.
Groupie’s Pick: Believe in Yourself (The Arthur Theme Song)
photograph by Hollie Fernando
Willie J. Healey
One of the most unique voices of today, three studio albums under his belt and still striving for more, still experimenting and creating. Willie J Healey live is truly beautiful experience.
Groupie’s Pick: The Apple
by Nicole Osrin - Volume 2
Folly Group
Another Groupie alum on the lineup, Folly Group bring eclectic charm to any stage they grace, and they get you cutting shapes you never knew you had in you.
Groupie’s Pick: Butt No Rifle
photograph by Sam Keeler
Been Stellar
New York shoegaze, gorgeous and brutal, is what I’ve heard of Been Stellar. They come highly recommended from every mouth who’s ear knows them. They have the aura of nineties mess to their sonic beauty. They sound like a world famous band from yesteryear and I am equally curious and preemptively delighted to experience their slice of NYC in a field in oxfordshire.
Groupie’s Pick: Sweet
Sub Focus
Weaving through drum ‘n’ bass, dance, and jungle elements. Sub Focus (real name Nick Douwma) is in a lane of his own, a totally multi-genre artist and producer.
“I've always tried to take inspiration from other music, house, ambient or whatever. I've felt that sometimes drum n' bass has been too self referential, I guess I see myself more as a general electronic producer.” - Sub Focus told Skiddle in 2018
He is a quarter of the DJ collective ‘WORSHIP’ with Dimension, 1991 and Culture Shock, with them doing regular collaborations together aside from the larger group.
Groupie’s Pick: Go Back (feat. Julia Church) with Dimension
SUNDAY
photograph by Ben Parks
The Kooks
If you are British, and were alive in 2005 onwards, you’ve heard a song by The Kooks. Beginning with quintessentially late 2000’s indie music, especially for the soundtracks of coming of age films and TV, as heard in ‘17 Again’ (2009) starring Zac Efron. The Kooks have had a lifetime of hits, and they keep going and going.
Groupie’s Pick: She Moves In Her Own Way
photograph by Harriet Neate
Black Honey
A soaring, magnificent ruckus. Having spent time with Black Honey on a red sofa in the back room of Third Man Records’ basement, I can confidently proclaim they are one of my favourites. Figurehead Izzy B Phillips also gave me a beautiful series of tattoos, and I have never felt more simultaneously platonically drawn to and held by someone in her presence. A trueborn star.
Groupie’s Pick: Heavy
photograph by Ki Price
Bob Vylan
Comprised of a pair of Bobs, which will always make me smile. The London duo are a powerhouse together. Through their music, they speak on society, the world and everyday battles faced by everyday people.
“We’re speaking about very heavy issues and themes that run through the music. They’re not really funny things, you know, but I think it’s important to be able to find humour in them,” Bobby Vylan told Emma Way of Buzz Music earlier this year, when asked about the humour running through their songs.
You would be a very silly person to pass up seeing Bob Vylan at Truck, they will knock your socks and shoes off.
Groupie’s Pick: Humble As The Sun
photograph by Camille Alexander
Heartworms
We have been trying to make professional print magazine magic with Heartworms since Groupie’s inception, the closest we’ve come is Jojo aka Heartworms winning a Groupie award for ‘Newcomer of The Year’ in 2020. That was on our old website. It was shit. But you know what’s not shit? Heartworms.
Groupie’s Pick: Jacked
photograph by Melissa Gartner
VLURE
I cannot say much about VLURE otherwise this will be 5000 words longer than it needs to be. They are from Glasgow, and personally and unprofessionally I am very scared of them because they are all very beautiful and talented.
VLURE live will change your life. That is all.
Groupie’s Pick: Shattered Faith
and you’re a very lucky sasauge if you’re coming on
THURSDAY
photograph by Nici Eberl
IDLES
Thursday’s headliner, what a way to start the best weekend of your life. IDLES will make you want to take your top off and run around. If you see me doing just that, don’t film it and put it on the internet.
Groupie’s Pick: Dancer (with LCD Soundsystem)
photograph by Isy Townsend
Balancing Act
Another treat for getting to Truck early, your newest favourite band, Balancing Act. I’ve done balancing competitions with them and they’re proper good at it, worth a watch I say.
Groupie’s Pick: She Plays The Theremin
photograph by Camille Brule
DITZ
Brighton post-punk, leaving a trail of heavenly chaos in their wake wherever they go. Having supported aforementioned IDLES and countless other household names, DITZ have cut their teeth over and over again, wading through crowds or saring atop their hands, throwing guitars across stages or screaming at the top of their lungs. DITZ are one of the greats, not to be missed.
Groupie’s Pick: I Am Kate Moss