TRUCK Festival is in its 17th year, and funnily enough, most of those attending are around the same age.

There’s no doubt the Oxfordshire weekend could be described as ‘youthful’ with names such as Rat Boy, Temples and Clean Bandit pulling in the post-GCSE crowd. As the festival itself grows larger and its popularity soars, a vibrant and playful energy has replaced that of the quaint underground get-together, and Truck now feels more like the smaller brother of Reading and Leeds.

That said, the weekend once again delivered a vast and varied lineup to keep the regulars and families happy too.

The lineups at Truck are constantly impressive as they seem to carelessly blend radio-friendly artists with those of a more unknown nature. The weekend’s highlight for many was Rat Boy - real name Jordan Cardy - the latest voice of the disaffected youth and stylistically a dead ringer for Jamie T.

His indie rock tunes spiralled out of control in the Market Tent, as the singer put on what may have been the most energetic set of them all. Stage invasions, toilet paper hanging from the rafters and frenzied fans made for an interesting, if sometimes troubling, display. It was carnage but the crowd lapped it up, Rat Boy’s cheeky smile bouncing back from their euphoric faces.

Whereas the frenzy that Rat Boy induced may have been passionate and gleeful, The Wytches' crowd were just as lively but with more of a gloom and doom vibe. You have to wonder why artists as big as The Wytches aren’t playing main stages by now, but in reality it’s a good thing - they’re best seen in the smaller, darker of venues.

The surf-pysch trio were on top form, launching into hit after hit with their snarling vocals and crushing riffs. Songs such as Digsaw and Wire Frame Mattress were met with huge cheers of recognition, but it was the new tunes that left the crowd most impressed.

For another stark contrast, look to Lucy Rose. Although the smallest and blondest artist on the bill, the indie-folk singer-songwriter seems to have found a new fire in her belly. Ditching the acoustic guitar for an electric one, her delicate voice has never sounded more triumphant and strong. Long gone is the frailty by which she made her name, replaced with a ferocity that gave The Wytches a run for their money.

Truck should definitely pat itself on the back for its booking of headliners this year. Although musically poles apart, both Darwin Deez and Basement Jaxx proved why they were top of the bill, drawing huge responses from huge crowds. Darwin and co. brought some U.S razzmatazz with choreographed dance routines breaking up their barrage of hits. The dancing did its job, as the crowd were eating out of Darwin’s palms by the end of the first song. Big jangly numbers like ‘Bad Day’ and ‘Radar Detector’ proved to all the nay-sayers just why Darwin is such an indie cult hero.

Thanks to Darwin’s moves, people were more than ready to party when Basement Jaxx took to the main stage, and who could possibly stand still when the dance legends threw out hits such as ‘Do Your Thing’ and ‘Bingo Bango’? The energy was electric and the show visually stunning, with tribal rhythms, flamboyantly dressed hype-women and a light show illuminating the festival ground. Although their newer material proved they can still hold their heads high in today’s house scene, the real question everyone was waiting for - ‘Where’s Your Head At?’ - was met with the weekend’s loudest roar.

Truck becomes an adult next year as it hits its 18th birthday and something special must surely be in the planning to celebrate. Let’s hope it shows no signs of growing up just yet. - GEORGE TOMPKINS