Welcoming, unique and stand-out are just a few of the words I would use to describe this grassroots festival based in Upcote Farm in the heart of Cheltenham. From feminist lectures and comedy sets to heavy metal and punk performances this festival manages to perfectly juxtapose the aggression and non-conformist ideologies that are rooted in punk rock, with the astounding character and atmosphere of the Cotswolds. This year 2000 Trees adopted an ‘out of this world’ theme for their 15 year anniversary which offered late night walks around the festival and set performed on the famous Forest Stage an extra-terrestrial feel and for four days abducted us, as festival goers, to another world.
2000 Trees is truly a festival that can leave you exploring for hours without an ounce of boredom but here are some stand-out sets that really made the weekend a great one.
WEDNESDAY
Holding Absence
After a short walk from the car-park, setting up camp, getting our wristbands and opening our first drinks of the weekend it was already time to see our first set of the Festival, Holding Absence on the iconic Forest Stage. Although arriving late to their set the Welsh rock band performed 9 of their most popular hits. The Vocalist, Lucas Woodland’s euphoric voice perfectly complimenting the shoe-gaze like riffs from the guitars and post-hard core deep bass tones. The Cardiff based troupe kept the audience engaged and singing along with ease throughout their time on stage as they made an excellent display of their craft.
Bob Vylan
Shortly after Holding Absence had finished their set the Forest Stage started to pack out in anticipation for one of the most unique and special punk-bands of recent years. As Bob Vylan took to the stage to exhibit an angry, face-spittingly raw critique of the British government and the institutions they control as Bob shouts into the crowd “the only good pig is a dead pig” before performing one of their Iconic songs ‘Pulled Pork’. From parents with children no older than five or six on their shoulders to young teenagers pitting at the front of the stage the self proclaimed Fred Perry Mafia created a display of rage and social commentary through powerful hard hitting lyrics about Racism and injustice and the perfectly tight drumming over pre-recorded tracks. Bob Vylan are no ordinary punk band and are an excellent example of how UK Punk has modernised and changed itself to fight the issues of a post-covid, cost of living crisis Britain.
THURSDAY
Bilk
Opening the Main stage on Thursday for us was the Chelmsford based Trio Bilk, although starting with a shallow crowd of maybe 30 to 40 people on the boiling hot Thursday morning Bilk crashed onto the stage with an excellent array of their sex pistols alike, punk influenced indie rock covering topics of student life, fashion and UK drinking culture it wasn't long before hundreds of festival goers flocked to see the young band in action. Although audience participation was kept to a minimum the band were excited to point out their own merch when they spotted it and offer their appreciation to those watching. Overall, this fast paced mash up of indie and punk was a perfect opener for the main stage on Thursday morning.
Skindred
In my opinion this fusion of Reggae and metal is always the perfect booking for a mid-day main stage pick me up. The front man, Benji Webb’s audience interaction and energy during their sets is unmatched and never fails to get the audience bouncing and moshing and even swinging their shirts around, or as the band call it’ The Newport helicopter’, to their popular set ending song ’Warning’. The award winning welsh band has made a huge name for themselves around the UKs rock music and festival scene and are a staple of festivals such as 2000 Trees they're a band I can watch over and over again and never get bored.
SOFTPLAY
Coming off their hiatus SOFTPLAY, previously known as Slaves, are a UK based hard punk rock duo consisting of drummer and vocalist Issac Holman and guitarist Laurie Vincent. Although not performing together for 4 years the couple had excellent stage presents and showed real and true passion throughout the set. The bluesy guitar riffs perfectly contrasted Issaacs hard hitting vocals and aggressive drumming and had the audience gripped from the first song right until the end. The pair invited their punk counterparts Bob Vylan on the stage for a cameo which perfectly rounded off a scorching hot day of punk and excellent live music.
FRIDAY
Heart Attack Man
Starting off my Friday was a set of punk pop and hip hop fusion by the Ohio based Trio, Heart Attack Man. Despite the high temperatures of the sweltering Cheltenham sun and being under the bright lights of the busy tent lead singer Eric Egan commanded the stage with his incredibly captivating stage presence and powerful voice forcing the audience to mosh and dance from the first song right through till the end. Each member of the band governing the stage and the audience and the chemistry within the band itself was outstanding. A band I would definitely be looking forward to seeing again and will definitely be at many festivals alike in the near future.
KUBLAI KHAN TX
This is by far the busiest tent I saw the whole weekend, Adults and kids alike waiting eagerly for the heavy distortion and deep growls of this Texan based metal core band. As the band take the stage and we hear the first screams of ‘The Hammer’ it is clear that no energy is lost to the unbearable heat, every deep chugging riff ,aggressive smashing of cymbals all carried by the tightness of the bass drum uplifting the tent the audience crowd killing and moshing with encouragement from lead singer Matt Honeycutt’s invigorating barks and demanding the crowd to “get anabolic!” There is absolutely no contest this was the heaviest set of the weekend.
Bullet For My Valentine
The Friday night headliners were no other than metal scene legends Bullet For My Valentine, taking to the stage with a roar of applause it is clear that, although seemingly rogue and straying away from the usual punkier theme, this was a perfect booking for a 2000 Trees Headliner. As the set progressed however it started to become lethargic and audience interaction was kept to a minimum by frontman Matt Tuck. The set list seemed catered to more veteran fans of the band and left us in the audience who weren't avid fans looking for something more as stage presence was lacking. Overall however, the performance was tight and it is very clear the band have a lot of experience in the scene and are widely loved, a band i can see headlining more festivals in the future.
SATURDAY
High Vis
In complete contrast to the rest of the weekend this last day at Trees is covered in rain and wind mirroring the tiredness of the crowds after a weekend full to the brim with excellent live sets. This however would not dampen the working class hardcore stylings of High Vis. After an outstanding set at Outbreak Festival, High Vis performed at Trees for the second time this time taking the main stage. With indie riffs not unlike Manchester legends The Stone Roses and powerful screaming vocals paired with emotional lyrics about unhealthy coping mechanisms, grief and mental health this band gripped the audience from start to finish. The lead singer, Graham Sayle offering his appreciation through the set suggested the world of punk “saved my life” highlighting a familiar connection between the band and the audience. This band will be the next big thing within the punk and hardcore scene and will be headlining festivals such as 2000 Trees in years to come.
Electric Six
The Perfect Festival Booking! On a dreary day at the end of a festival Electric Six are the perfect midday pick me up the energise an idle audience, families and punk enthusiasts alike gathered to sing along to their greatest hits with inflatable colourful balls and alien heads gliding through the crowd this set was one to really put a smile on your face. As they played their most popular songs ‘Danger! High Voltage’ and ‘Gay Bar’ the sun came out and confetti was flying through the air, truly releasing a sense of electricity for the final day of this festival.
Black Honey
The last set of the weekend I caught was Black Honey, surprisingly in quite a small tent the band took the stage to perfectly combine fun riffs and infectious vocals with lyrics covering topics of injustice and mental health issues. A stand out of this set for me was when lead singer Izzy Baxter encouraged all women and gender non-conforming people to come to the front of the crowd whilst she made a speech about making punk and rock spaces a safe place for women to feel secure in, this paired with many recent allegations coming to light in the punk scene specifically is an important conversation to be had and one that should be carried out and discussed widely. Black Honey kept the crowd bouncing through the whole set and blew the roof off the tent, if the howling gusts of wind didn't do that already, and I can absolutely see them smashing the main stage in years to come.
Overall, you'll never get bored at 2000 Trees. From excellent and captivating rock and punk bands small and large to discover, to a massive array of food vans catering to all dietary needs ( my favourites included 'No Frickin Chicken' and 'KoFu Korean Fusion') and smaller stages near every campsite for festival goers to bring their instruments to and perform on you will never find yourself without something to do. The community feel at this festival is like no other and there are games played throughout the campsite that other festival enthusiasts encourage you to get involved with. Whether you are part of a big family, a punk enthusiast , a student or just a general festival lover i can guarantee THIS is the perfect festival for you.
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