2000 Trees Returns With A Bang

Sunburn, hay fever, and a damaged hard drive with two days of photos lost. On the bright side, 2000 Trees is back in all its glory!

For the first time since 2019 the ever faithful Trees crowd descend on the Cotswolds for four days of blistering heat and an even hotter lineup.

Early birds head in on the Wednesday with just the forest stage open. It’s had an overhaul over lockdown with the stage now capable of holding a full band, rather than just acoustic acts. It does feel like it’s lost a little part of the chilled vibe that people enjoyed, but it’s still a great area to get out of the heat and relax for a while.

 

Wednesdays lineup however, is not as relaxing with lively acts such as Black Foxxes, and Pulled Apart By Horses getting the crowd into full flow for the days ahead of them. Heavy Lungs ask the question on everyone’s mind. “It’s a school night. What are you doing sitting in a field?”.

 

 

The night ends with the ever popular silent disco. It’s tough to get to sleep when the headphone wearing throngs accidentally become one huge choir just outside your tent!

Thursday had a great start to the day with Phoxjaw, Tigercub, and Ditz opening the main stage.

 

Haggard Cat and Lonely The Brave were in the Axiom along with by Holding Absence who were brought in to replace the aptly named No Devotion.

There were two great up and coming acts in Superlove, and Cassyette on the Neu Stage.

 

 

The crowd went mad for Dinosaur Pile-Up on the main stage, including a number of T-Rexes who had found their way into the mosh pit.

 

Ever popular US emo punk rockers Jimmy Eat World closed off the main stage, but there was still time for some fun with Joe Unknown in the Forest for those who weren’t quite ready for the night to end.

 

 

Petrol Girls really got the crowd going in the Cave on Friday, but no one was ready for the carnage when secret act Heck came on. The band came straight out throwing themselves into the crowd for some crowd surfing action, before scaling the tent posts. Not quite sure how nobody came out of their set injured!

 

 

 

American act Slothrust wowed the New Stage crowd with their delicate yet powerful alternative rock.

Rolo Tomassi impressed as always in the Axiom, as did Boston Manor and Turnstile on the main stage.

 

 

Irish band The Scratch provided my favourite moment of the weekend in the Forest. Not because of their fun music, but because one of them managed to throw a ping pong ball from the stage into one of the audience members mouths. Such skill.

 

 

I decided against heading to the main stage for headliners Thrice, instead choosing to see heavy noise rockers Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs who put in a pounding set. You know an act is good when you can feel their music hitting your face. 

I think awards should be handed out to those that have braved all the heat so far and are still living their best life on Saturday! One of the good things about 2000 Trees is getting home midday on the Sunday and being able to relax before the week begins. 

 

 

No time today though as regulars Avalanche Party start the day off in style on the main stage. 

 

 

We have a good mix of acts following them throughout the day in Mannequin Pussy, Knocked Loose, The Chats, You Me At Six on the main stage. Elsewhere there is a line of new talent filling up the schedule with JOHN in the Axiom, Kid Kapichi in the Cave, and False Advertising and Lauran Hibberd on the Neu Stage.

 

 

 

CLT DRP and The Amazons put in great sets late evening before Saturday headliners Idles close things off in style drawing in a huge crowd to see their fast paced punk rock.

 

2000trees took place on Wednesday 6th – Saturday 9th July 2022 at Upcote Farm, Cheltenham. 2022 early bird tickets are out now.