Truck 2008 review
Wed 23rd Jul 08
Truck festival Truck Festival 2008 Sunday means a bit of a slow start for many. We start our day with what is advertised as Gabriel Minnikin but it's actually him with his sister Ruth too. He has a very deep resonating voice and hers – by contrast is quite sweet. Their country sounds from Nova Scotia are the perfect way to get back into another days music and relaxing. Hangovers are quickly soothed away by the duo and when they sing the lyrics "You can't choose your audience" I wonder how they feel about playing to a field full of hung over people all sitting down and gently nodding or tapping a foot.
Johnny Foreigner come on stage and everyone seems to be fully recovered (either that or well on the way to another hang over). Their pop/punk grooves are infectious and 'Eyes Wide Terrified' is a great track.
As I head over to get a beer from the Village Pub stage, I catch The Epstein. Their country music is way outside of my normal comfort zone but they obviously do something for me as a friend comments on how long I've been at the bar and how much of his beer I've 'made evaporate'. One of their songs about drinking on a Dorset Beach I think was the on responsible for me staying for so long.
Fighting With Wire on the Truck stage aren't just ROCK. They're PUNK ROCK. The lads from Derry put on a great start to the set but the kids don't like it so we head back over to spend some time in the quieter surroundings of the Market Field.
The site over the weekend has remained in an amazingly tidy state. That is due to the hard work of those in orange T-Shirts. The crew are working really hard to look after the field and the people in it.
While over in the Market Field, I notice a bit of a commotion in the Pavillion. The Nuns are on and they've pulled in quite a crowd. Their tribute to 60's garage rockers The Monks is going down a storm and all dressed up they see to have captivated audience.
Having had a brief introduction to Frank Turner's music shortly before Truck, I'm keen not to miss his set. His banter is immediately engaging and he opens with 'I knew Prufrock Before He Got Famous' and 'Reasons Not To Be An Idiot'. He tells us that he has a terrible head after a mates wedding yesterday but we know that he must be doing OK.
Not long before his set he was drinking and sitting down about 5 meters away from us. Another of the really great things about Truck is that the musicians seem to enjoy the party atmosphere with and as much as the rest of the punters.
Lyrically Frank Turner reminds me a little of Billy Brag. His song writing captures the soul and although he can be miserable and cynical, he tugs on heart strings and exposes emotions. There are some really beautifully written songs in his set and he has Chris T-T on stage with him which isn't going to do him any harm either.
A trip back to the Pavillion field as I have to see Piney Gir. I saw her at Wychwood earlier in the year and thought she was amazing and today she is hosting the pavilion stage and is performing with The Age of Reason and the Reasonettes. They all look amazing and not a shock to hear them open with 'Hello Halo'. After a few tracks they get the sound levels right and audience participation is the order of the day. 'Blithe Spirit' is lovely and her voice feels quite soothing on the ears.
We have to leave to get back to the main Truck Stage for Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly. His entrance onto the stage doesn't go quite as planned so he asks if we'd mind if he did it again. He reassures us that he isn't being pompous and that much is evident. I'm not very familiar with much of his stuff but I am blown away from the very start. He seems like a really genuine guy and there is absolutely no denying that this man has talent by the bucket load. Part of his spoken voice reminds me of the less annoying parts of Jamie Oliver.
It's brilliant to see it in someone so young and his energy levels compliment the occasion. Closing a festival can be quite a tough slot as a lot of people tend to leave. I don't notice anyone leaving while he is on stage and he's happy to have a chat and kick balls back into the crowd. A 10 foot tall inflatable banana doesn't throw him off his stride and his cover of The Flaming Lips – 'Race for the Prize' is sublime. His guitar skills are obvious but his ability to mix them with technology, other musicians and his voice win me over very quickly. There are rare occasions when you listen to a piece of music and feel the hairs on the back of the neck stand up. Somehow I feel about 6 inches taller through the whole set. Personal highlights are 'Could've Seen it all', 'Call Me Ishmoel', 'I-Spy' and 'The Chronicles of a Bohemian Teenager'. I'm hooked.
Truck, this is my first visit. I don't know what took me so long but I promise not to make it my last if the festival promises not to change too much.
review by James Tayler
photos by Andy Pitt
more pages about Fighting With Wire
more pages about Frank Turner The Only Person In My Band Is Me |
 I Am The Real Frank Turner |
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