Festival lovers and organisers have hailed the biggest ever Truck Festival as its best yet.

About 10,000 people – 2,500 more than previously – packed the sold-out event, which this year expanded to three days, instead of the traditional two.

The Manic Street Preachers, Kodaline and Catfish & The Bottlemen headlined the 19th instalment of the festival, at Hill Farm, Steventon, which came to a close last night with a crowd-pleasing set by London band Mystery Jets.

Highlights included a powerful Friday night set by US hip-hop legends Jurassic 5, who used their show as an opportunity to speak out against police brutality against African-Americans, in the wake of recent killings.

Manic Street Preachers were the biggest band of the weekend, and brought Saturday's action to a rousing finale. The band's Nicky Wire reminisced about playing Oxford in the band's early days. He also paid an emotional tribute to the band's lyricist and rhythm guitarist Richey Edwards, who disappeared near the Severn Bridge in 1995, aged 27.

Other highlights included sets by festival founders Robin and Joe Bennett, from Steventon, with their band The Dreaming Spires. The pair also provided support for other bands, and each curated their own stages – with Joe programming a Veterans and Virgins tent, featuring Truck regulars and newcomers.

Veterans included Oxford bands Alphabet Backwards, Prohibition Smokers Club, Flights of Helios, and Joe's other band Co-Pilgrim.

The festival was originally set up to celebrate Robin's birthday, which still coincides with the festival week. He said: "It has been a great Truck. There has been so much good stuff, and we've really enjoyed it. It has been one of the best yet."

Up-and-coming singer-songwriter Cameron AG played the main stage with his band on Saturday. He told the crowd: "We are all Oxford bands. We grew up coming to this festival, so it's great to be here."

Music fans were quick to give the beefed-up festival a massive thumps up.

Erica Bingley from neighbouring East Hendred, said: "This year Truck had a mini-Glastonbury feel, but with an intense Oxford vibe.

"Of course the sun helped but the music also didn't disappoint. Going up to three days seems to have worked well."

Gabriel Michael,17, from Florence Park was there with his girlfriend Lisa Perry. He said: "This is only the second music festival I've been too, and it has been really good.

"There have been some good bands, the people are all very laid-back and friendly, and the weather has been amazing."

Despite the festival's growth, it retained many of the trappings which make it unique. The line-up featured many Oxfordshire bands, its aromatic cow shed 'Barn' stage was used as a venue for new bands, and much of the catering was provided by charities and local good causes – including Didcot Rotary Club, which provided burgers, chips and bacon sandwiches to hungry revellers.

Access routes were also changed to take festival traffic away from Steventon, cutting the congestion which has plagued the village in the past.

Susie Carter, from Rose Hill, Oxford, described the festival as a friendly oasis of calm. She said: "Truck is fun, relaxed, positiver and carefree. It's a lovely break from the continuous harrowing international news at the moment."

Vez Hoper, from Oxford, manages local rising star Esther Joy Lane, and took time out on Saturday to catch some other Oxford bands. She said: "Having not been to Truck for some years, it was amazing to see how it has come into its own.

"The layout was great, with each stage having its own section, and there were lots of opportunities to engage with charities, mainly through lots of tasty, affordable festival food. It was a super-positive use of catering.

"The festival was amazing all round. Congratulations Truck; you were better than ever."

Festival manager Matt Harrap said: "Truck Festival's 19th year has been a great success.

"We welcomed a sell out crowd of just under 10,000 people to our newly expanded three-day event. The extra day meant extra music and much more time for our Truckers to enjoy themselves.

"We may have had a few showers on Friday but the site held up excellently, and luckily the sun came out on Saturday and Sunday leaving us all smiling.

"As always, there were too many highlights to mention them all, but from new bands like Aztecs, to icons like Jurassic 5 and Manic Street Preachers, all our artists pulled it out the bag putting on great sets across the site.

"We can't wait to come back next year for our 20th anniversary!"

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