Big show, Monster Trucks: the deal and appeal of Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live

Big show, Monster Trucks: the deal and appeal of Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live

As the Hot Wheels show returns to London, Deej Johnson looks at the appeal of Monster Trucks Live

I don’t know who first put oversized wheels on a vehicle body and called it a Monster Truck, but I do know this… They were REALLY onto something! While some people see absolutely no appeal in watching enormous vehicles do unroadworthy things, millions of others flock to see the extravaganza… Again and again and again!

That’s because there’s something inherently fascinating about seeing vehicles with wheels taller than a human being… And trucks that speed, jump, and roar around an auditorium. The exhilaration some feel watching these behemoths perform their tricks and stunts causes an indescribable breathlessness.

This weekend will be no different as Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live returns to London. The all-new show, Glow-N-Fire, promises excitement, fun and flames. This is due in part to the much-ballyhooed special appearance from Arcticgon…

Arcticgon, if you haven’t heard, is a transforming dragon truck that breathes fire and frost. Like most Monster Trucks, Arcticgon offers spectacle, scale and an improbable promise… And the thrill of the show is seeing these things deliver!

Of course, Arcticgon isn’t alone. Customarily, there are eight trucks in each lineup. Other vehicles looking to deliver action, spectacle and body-rattling noise here include Mega Wrex, Tiger Shark, HW 5-Alarm, Bone Shaker, Bigfoot, Gunkster and Skelesaurus…

Many of these are already established as Hot Wheels hits. But how did the Hot Wheels brand come to be filling the O2 in the first place? The answer is more compliacated than you might think!

Back in 2017, Monster Jam shows had already been providing this most-Marmite of shows for 35 years… And for around 20 of those, Mattel held the toy license. They put out hundreds of vehicles, in four different sizes – and the partnership thrived.

In 2018, however, Spin Master took over the license for Monster Jam toys. Soon after that, Raycom-Legacy Content Co. announced plans to tour a Hot Wheels Monster Trucks show. In 2019, the first full season comprised 23 shows across North America. A second tour followed in 2020 and included various European venues.

While covid subsequently stopped the Hot Wheels turning, the live show soon returned… Bigger, louder and better than ever. To see Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live for yourself, visit here