Minchin takes to the 'Great Oak Stage' following his headlining stint as Judas Iscariot in the sell out arena tour of Jesus Christ Superstar and off the back of the huge Broadway and West End success of his multi award winning musical Matilda – which scooped a record breaking 7 Olivier Awards. Going back to his day job of stand up musical comedy, this will be his first time performing in the historic Royal Park.
Having released six CDs, three DVDs and performed sell-out international live shows, Tim Minchin has also become a fixture on TV and radio in his native Australia, here in the UK and even guest starring in the US drama Californication. His legions of fans from comedy, drama and musicals will have the opportunity to see him perform his full show live on 10th July in Hyde Park.
Tim will be performing on the main stage, so bring along your picnic blankets and chairs and claim your spot on the grass in London’s Hyde Park. If you’d rather though, there will also be unreserved seating in the Grandstand area for an evening of the best outdoor comedy entertainment offered anywhere in London.
Joining Tim will be the cream of UK comedy talent:
Milton Jones is the king of the one-liners, a regular on BBC Radio 4 and TV’s Mock The Week where his quick fire humour gives audiences several laughs a minute. This summer he's in between national tours with some classics and plenty of brand new one-liners. Clever and stupid. No, mainly stupid. "No-one can touch Jones when he hits his stride" The Guardian. "He's fast,absurd and very funny" Radio Times
Newly crowned ‘Queen Of Comedy’ at the British Comedy Awards 2014, ventriloquist extraordinaire Nina Conti will be unpacking her suitcase of friends as she brings her puppet sidekicks to Hyde Park. White-haired Scottish Granny, the cynical monkey, Monk and of course the hilarious face-mask that lets Nina interact with terrified members of the audience!
Since playing Jonathan Creek in the late 90’s, Alan Davies has become a star of both television and screen, an actor and comedian whose laconic style is as at home in comedy clubs as on TV panel shows. A regular team captain on BBC2’s QI, playing Stephen Fry’s loveable sidekick, catch him perform this one-off show, before he heads out on a UK tour later this year.
Gina Yashere is the outspoken Londoner who the Guardian has called “one of the best comics in the world” and the first Briton to appear on the Def Comedy Jam in the US. Gina won both 'Best International Comedian' and 'Best Comedy DVD' at the Black Comedy Awards in 2014.
Holding the whole show together is one of the most popular British comedians ever. Jasper Carrott is famous the world over for his hilarious observational comedy, one man TV shows and global tours, not to mention his chart success with the spoof hit ‘Funky Moped’. He has received the Lifetime Achievement accolade from the British Comedy Awards and this is a rare chance to see him live in action.
Hard to believe that this is the 15th installment of Truck Festival – some of its founders were barely more than 15 years old themselves when it started back in 1998! This year sees a return to the classic format, under the new management of the team from the award-winning Y-Not Festival, with the main Truck stage back where it always was and the legendary barn stage re-opened for business, only now with a new roof decked with solar panels to provide green energy to power the stage within. The team have put together a splendid line-up for you at Hill Farm, with a mix of returning favourites,including The Mystery Jets, British Sea Power, 65 Days of Static and Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly, and exciting acts new to the festival: The Temper Trap, Villagers, The Low Anthem, Guillemots, Little Comets, Three Trapped Tigers and many more. And perhaps the biggest coup of all: we've got Matilda-soundtracking, Jesus-Christ/A-List-Superstar TIM MINCHIN!
This being Truck, local acts and labels are heavily involved with the event, from established names like Fixers, Spring Offensive, and This Town Needs Guns to those playing Truck for the first time, including Old Grinding Young, the Black Hats and Kill Murray. The Big Scary Monsters & Alcopop labels present an afternoon of bands in the barn and BBC Introducing in Oxford will also be on-site once more. And the stars of last year’s Rumours performance will be back – Michele Stodart, Trevor Moss & Hannah-Lou, and The Dreaming Spires. In breaking news, Fresh Out The Box DJs return to close things off in the Barn both nights for the traditional ‘cowshed rave’!
There's also a large Big Top stage and the Ladybird tent providing kids' activities by day and entertainment by night. There are two distinct camping areas: one for families in one end of the market field, and the larger main campsite in its usual spot. The Didcot Rotary Club and friends are here once more, serving hearty food, smoothies (and of course donuts) and raising substantial funds for good causes. Keep an eye out for some new flavours this year, we hear rumours they'll be trying their hand at pizzas this year!
For the first time this year the festival takes place on Friday and Saturday, giving you Sunday afternoon to head home and recover before work on Monday- we've expanded the bar to provide a splendid range of ales, beers and ciders, as well as the addition of some of your favourite top-shelf drinks, and even a few cocktails: we hope this 15th anniversary event provides plenty of opportunity to celebrate! Saturday is also the first fancy-dress day, and after a public vote Truckers chose wild animals as the theme: we'll look on with interest to see what they come up with! speaking of wild animals, keep an eye out for the legendary and elusive Truck Monster: He (or she?) will be appearing around town in the run-up to the event and on the official Truck T-Shirts and Hoodies, of course, available from the Truck Store on-site – which will also be selling merchandise and albums by most of the acts appearing at the festival.
In a year with no Glastonbury and a summer royal and sporting overload, it’s down to the likes of Truck to keep the flag flying for the true spirit of festivals. Truckers have responded well to what is being called Truck’s best line-up ever, and we’re cautiously confident of an advance sell-out for the 4,500-capacity event. Tickets are available for the astonishingly reasonable price of £69 for a weekend ticket, with under-12s free (with a responsible adult), making it a great destination whether you’ve just finished your exams and are attending your first festival or you’re a family with young kids looking for a good value weekend in the country. It’s often forgotten how lovely it is down at Hill Farm and you can’t beat walking down the Causeway in Steventon to get there.
Getting the party started on day one of the Most Beautiful Festival In The World – is the quite excellent MUMFORD & SONS who along with NOAH & THE WHALE, THE DRUMS, MYSTERY JETS and ADMIRAL FALLOWcharge the MAIN STAGE, whilst Breakthrough Star ED SHEERAN,WRETCH 32 and ETIENNE DE CRECY head up the GOLDEN VOICE ARENA. The first class electro for which RockNess is famed commences in awesome form with EATS EVERYTHING and HUDSON MOHAWKE headlining the mighty CLASH presents SUB CLUB SOUND SYSTEM, with Baron of Techno DAVE CLARKE and CLAUDE VONSTROKE assuming control of the new ARCADIA UFO presented by SOMA RECORDS. The HOWARDS END ARENA in association with SOUND CITY presents the finest new music including THEOPHILUS LONDON and STARBOY NATHAN, topped with the much lovedROCKNESS CEILIDH ALL STARS.
Day two of RockNess – NME award winning ‘Best Small Festival’ for two consecutive years running – promises to be a moment of quite simply epic proportions as two of the world’s biggest names in dance head to Scotland. With what is arguably the most spectacular show out of all the major electronic headliners right now, Californian superstar DJ and producer DEADMAU5 on the MAIN STAGE precluded by ANNIE MAC and DJ FRESHwill be truly unmissable. And in a double whammy, there is no bigger act to headline the GOLDEN VOICE ARENA on Saturday night than French electro Gods JUSTICE! Not since Daft Punk played RockNess – a moment so iconic and mind bogglingly awesome that it is now widely acknowledged as one of the most seminal moments in Scottish music history – has there been an act that so frequently tops the wishlist of fans. With an all-French support of BUSY P, JACQUES LU CONT and MADEON, the GOLDEN VOICE roof will without any shadow of doubt be blown off.
International comedy superstar TIM MINCHIN heads up a first class comedy proposition at this year’s festival and is guaranteed a full house in Saturday afternoon’s GOLDEN VOICE ARENA with fast rising Scottish star DANIEL SLOSS and a host of other supremely talented funnymen (and ladies!) on the weekend bill too. Saturday’s CLASH ARENA welcomes Special Guests THE VIEW to what is sure to be an ecstatic home crowd welcome. THE PIGEON DETECTIVES and GUILLEMOTS precede the Dundee rockers in the CLASH ARENA. And as day becomes night, the CLASH ARENA transforms into the hedonistic clubbing utopia of the SUB CLUB SOUND SYSTEM with HARRI & DOMENIC headlining alongside LEVON VINCENT, IVAN SMAGGHE and SENSU. Over on the ARCADIA UFO, in a techno treat of cosmic proportions, BEN SIMS, JAMES HOLDEN and SILICONE SOUL are joined by ANDREW WEATHERALL and SEAN JOHNSTON who present ‘A Love From Outer Space’.
New music is well represented in Saturday’s HOWARDS END ARENA with BASTILLE, SAINT SAVIOUR and others, plus fun and games from BEARDED KITTEN (who also get the RockNess Express party antics going!).
From start to finish, day three of RockNess 2012 is simply heaving with quality. Last time they played, the response was thunderous. This time they’re back and bringing the festival to an almighty close on the Sunday. Get set for the biggest finale you’ve ever seen as Scotland’s rock superstars BIFFY CLYRO bring the MAIN STAGE to a close! Joining BIFFY CLYRO on Sunday’s MAIN STAGE is ZANE LOWE whipping the crowd into a frenzy as only he does best, the brilliant FRIENDLY FIRES, and the legend that is NILE RODGERS who along with CHIC will deliver a set of back to back all time disco classics.
Sunday’s GOLDEN VOICE ARENA is a stormer as THE KNIFE, METRONOMY and ROB DA BANK get the party well and truly rocking, while the CLASH ARENA sees ASH headline with a very special 20th Anniversary set alongside RIFLES and ERRORS. Changing over into the SUB CLUB SOUND SYSTEM once dusk falls over Loch Ness, the arena goes into full effect with an exclusive 3 hour set from Detroit legend JEFF MILLS. Over on the ARCADIA UFO, MYLO brings his famed EPP Party to Dores in another amazing exclusive with YUKSEK and TIGERandWOODS joining the Skye born maestro. Sunday’s new music proposition includes FOXES, CHARLOTTE O’CONNOR and STEALING SHEEP.
Plus there’s more! As one of Scotland’s premier destinations for DJs and clubbers, RockNess is delighted to welcome back Aberdeen’s CLUB SNAFU for more exemplary beats and good times to the new intimate Kopparberg Kube. Epitomising the sublime music policy of CLUB SNAFU, the boutique space will be headlined by Hot Creation’s funk and disco groovemeisters WiLDKATS, with the outstanding BIGFOOT’S TEA PARTY back to tear up the dancefloor again after last year’s exhilarating performance. CLUB SNAFU resident (and inaugural RockNess DJ Competition Winner) FUAD is one of the most hotly tipped producers on the scene, packing out the club on a Saturday night and we’re really happy to say he too is Dores bound along with fellow CLUB SNAFU resident KRAZZY MARTIN. A key member of Aberdeen’s clubbing community, KRAZZY MARTIN has staged some of the North’s most legendary parties in recent years. So he’ll be right at home at RockNess!
It is with much excitement we can announce our friends at the sublime LUCKY ME collective will take control of the decks in the Kopparberg Kube on Sunday. Firmly at the fore of new hip hop, RnB, house and all things musically experimental, besides releasing vinyl and clothing, LUCKY ME direct in music and fashion. Founded in Glasgow by Mike Slott, Dominic Sum Flannigan, Martyn Flyn, and Ross Birchard (aka previously announced Sub Club Sound System penultimate headliner HUDSON MOHAWKE), LUCKY ME present a triple whammy of outstanding talent with S-TYPE, THE BLESSINGS and DEMA.
Endorsed by Paul Weller, cult cockney mods THE RIFLES are packing out venues across the land and scooping rave reviews as they go with their no nonsense, no frills approach. Recently released album ‘Freedom Run’, the Chingford band’s third, offers tracks that burst into life with the brightest of harmonies. Catch them at RockNess for as good a guitar pop set as you’re likely to hear in 2012.
Multi-national, multi-instrumentalist and multi-talented. GUILLEMOTS don’t do understatement. Mercury Prize and Brit nominated, their music is a lesson in modern brilliance. Ambitious arrangements, expansive beauty and some seriously large-scale emotion, the quartet make music that is, according to charismatic frontman Fyfe Dangerfield “to be heard across the night sky". And where more seductive than Loch Ness. Unmissable.
The most recent spinoff of the Wu Tang-like Odd Future collective, THE INTERNET is a hip hop soul duo consisting of female DJ, singer and producer SYD THA KYD and producer MATT MARTIANS of LA skateboarding hip hop collective OFWGKTA (Wolf Gang Kill Them All). The brilliant young duo’s skeletal beats and smoothed out cooing hit the internet a few months back and RockNess is extremely pleased to be welcoming THE INTERNET to Scotland for the first time.
Arriving with her Neon Gold Records debut ‘Youth’ late last year, the resplendent synths, industrial percussion and soaring vocals of FOXES (Louisa Rose Allen) were the talk of the town. Now the 22 year old from Southampton returns with eagerly awaited follow up EP, ‘Warrior’ on 1st July, with RockNess the perfect precursor to showcase the new material live.
The exquisite STEALING SHEEP have had an impressive rise over the last twelve months. Show stealing performances across the UK and a nod from Sir Paul McCartney has seen the all-female Liverpool trio gain a growing audience. Far from just another folk clone, the influence of 60's psychedelic rock and pop can be clearly heard across their beautifully crafted songs and unusual instrumentation.
Folky and soulful, CHARLOTTE O’CONNOR admits her musical influences are far reaching. Growing up in Blackburn with a half-Malawian/half-Indian mum and an Irish father, she was exposed to all kinds of sounds. And for that we should be thankful. Debut album ‘For Kenny’ released in March was “romantic and fun with a lot of energy” and is set to be swiftly followed up with an as yet untitled EP late summer.
Last but certainly by no means least, Inverness’ KOBI aka Steve Robertson, Gary Thain and Dave Smith have a big vision for 2012. Having spent several years honing their multifaceted, voyeuristic sound on the live circuit, which most notably included a support slot to Shaun Ryder, the recording of the trio’s debut album is soon to commence in Spain. Catch them this summer at Dores and hear the new material in full effect.
Of course, there have been comedians at Truck in some of the smaller tents: but this is a full main-stage showbiz show with make-up and crazy hair. Of course, Mr Minchin is no ordinary comedian: he describes his act as a "funny cabaret show"; his songs, he says, just happen to be funny. "I'm a good musician for a comedian and I'm a good comedian for a musician but if I had to do any of them in isolation I dunno." Don't be so hard on yourself, Tim! We reckon this is one of the most exciting additions to any Truck Festival bill ever! Tim has also been a big supporter of our friends at the (Oxford-based) Sumatran Orangutan Society, who are regularly seen in Orangutan outfits accompanying our own Truck Monster… here he is wearing one of their T Shirts! (like the shirts: you can buy one here).
FRIGHTENED RABBIT We are very pleased about this addition too: Frightened Rabbit have been gradually expanding from Scott Hutchison's one-man bedroom project in 2003 to their present globe-straddling epic status, clamoured over by indie enthusiasts and major labels alike. Their new album appears this summer, and this will be their long-awaited first appearance at Truck Festival: it seems like the ideal home for the band.
FUTURE OF THE LEFT Future of the Left was formed by singer/guitarist Andy "Falco" Falkous and drummer Jack Egglestone, both previously members of Cardiff band mclusky, in 2005; both incarnations have appeared regularly at Truck Festival, often in the Barn, and that is where they will be once more this year. Apparently Future of the Left have been playing a few Mclusky songs on their set recently, though no doubt we can mostly expect material from their recent EP and the new album The Plot Against Common Sense, which comes out this summer. Welcome back, gentlemen!
Also storming the barn will be TURBOWOLF who sound "exactly how you might imagine a band with that name should " (says Kerrang), and they are charged with bringing the rock back to the barn – no doubt they will prove more than up to the task. We are pleased to announce a first tranche of acts from the Thames Valley Delta, as we call it, and a few from further afield. There will be a trickle (truckle?) more to come shortly, so don't fear if your personal favourite isn't on this list. Here goes with some micro-descriptions. Do check out all of these artists if you haven't already heard them! In no particular order at all:
MAN LIKE ME are Johnny Langer and Peter Duffy, pockets filled with underground classics London Town, Single Dad, Carny and Lovestruck. DELTA ALASKA are a five piece from Londonwho play pop songs as loud as they can. Sounds good to us! JOHN J PRESLEY: the fragility of Josh T Pearson, the raucousness of Tom Waits and the orchestration of the Dirty Three. Enticing! THE BLACK HATS. If you’re all about “high energy post-punk, skewed with some dub beats and ska riffs” then you’ve come to the right place. CO-PILGRIM, Mike Gale (once of Black Nielson) and friends concoct melodic magic; their dreamy new LP is produced by Mark Gardener of Ride. DUBWISER, Oxford's finest, indeed legendary, reggae band will get you in the mood for fun. SPRING OFFENSIVE are a relentlessly inventive guitar band complete with rich harmonies, pounding rhythms and dark lyrics. DEAD JERICHOS: this three piece New Wave / Psychedelic band are Truck regulars and will set the barn jumping once again. CRASH OF RHINOS are five dudes from Derby in a band. OK! FLIGHTS OF HELIOS: a drone/popular song/psychedelic ensemble from Oxford. THE DREAMING SPIRES channel Big Star, Teenage Fanclub and the Everly Bros (via Steventon) on their new album on Clubhouse. POLEDO, also from Steventon, wielding trashy riffs from the Dinosaur Jr playbook and big beats courtesy of Steve Jobs. THE LAST REPUBLIC: the next big band to emerge from Wales? Soaring, bittersweet vocal melodies set against a sonic landscape of distorted grandeur! TREVOR MOSS & HANNAH-LOU, Kent's original and best folk duo currently across the channel recording a new LP. THE HI & LO– two musicians and a boot full of instruments from Leicestershire. They play stripped down original roots music.
Edward II • Vintage Trouble • Akala • The Hip-hop Shakespeare Company • Shlomo• Otis Gibbs • DJ Derek • Jason Ringenberg • Urban Folk Quartet • The Wave Pictures • Crowns • Rachel Sermanni • Keston Cobblers Club• Still Moving DJs
Performing his unique brand of musical comedy, Tim will be wowing audiences on Thursday 12th July with his back catalogue of hilarious, scathing and often unsettlingly lovely songs.
Guaranteed to have audiences in stiches, Tim is well-known for his iconic dance moves, wildly teased hair, and enormous sense of occasion. A veteran comedian, he’s made appearances on TV shows such as the BBC’s Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Genius and Channel 4’s 8 Out of 10 Cats, as well as BBC Radio 2’s comedy sitcom Strings and BBC Radio 4’s The Infinite Monkey Cage. Tim’s performed sell-out shows across the UK and recently toured with the 55-piece Heritage Orchestra performing his biggest live show ever, culminating at two sold-out nights at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
Julia Safe, Co-Director of Larmer Tree Festival said: “We’re very excited to be welcoming Tim Minchin and his grand piano to the festival – he’s the biggest comedy headliner we’ve ever had! To celebrate this, and make sure the whole audience see him, Tim will be our first comedian to grace the Main Stage. This year’s festival is shaping up to be the best yet and we can’t wait for July.”
The stunning Victorian Larmer Tree Gardens also play host to an impressive and eclectic mix of music. Joining confirmed headlinersJools Holland (Wednesday 11th July) and Levellers (Friday 13th July), just booked music acts include Edward II, Vintage Trouble, Akala, The Hip-Hop Shakespeare Company, Shlomo, Otis Gibbs, Jason Ringenberg, Urban Folk Quartet, The Wave Pictures, Crowns, Rachel Sermanni, Keston Cobblers Club and Still Moving DJs. A firm favourite among regular Larmers, the legendary DJ Derek will also be back, ready to spin more reggae classics.
With an exciting programme of music, comedy and a huge timetable of over 150 free workshops, shows and activities, there really is something for everyone at this family-focused festival. Tickets include all entertainment, free parking and camping for tents, caravans and campervans, and under 5s go free so there are no additional costs.
A three day ticket costs £140 per adult but festival-goers can enjoy a four or five day weekend for only an extra £25 or £50 respectively.
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra with special guest TBC • Levellers • Imagined Village • Fatoumata Diawara • Port Isaac's Fisherman's Friends • Edward II • Vintage Trouble • Raghu Dixit • Akala • Dub Pistols • Shlomo • Dizraeli and The Small Gods •Red Sky July • Otis Gibbs • Emily Barker & the Red Clay Halo • The Legendary DJ Derek • Jason Ringenberg • Cahalen Morrison & Eli West • Urban Folk Quartet • The Miserable Rich • O'Hooley & Tidow • The Wave Pictures • Crowns • Bard • Rachel Sermanni • J P Cooper • Churchfitters • Keston Cobblers Club • The Lasting Days • Boat to Row • Ali Warren • Still Moving DJs
