2000 Trees Returns With A Bang

by | Aug 17, 2022

2000 Trees Festival

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.

Avalanche Party at 2000 Trees

Avalanche Party at 2000 Trees

Avalanche Party at 2000 Trees

Avalanche Party at 2000 Trees

 

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?”.

Lizzy Farrall at 2000 Trees

Lizzy Farrall at 2000 Trees

 

Lizzy Farrall at 2000 Trees

Lizzy Farrall at 2000 Trees

 

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.

Phoxjaw at 2000 Trees

Phoxjaw at 2000 Trees

 

Phoxjaw at 2000 Trees

Phoxjaw at 2000 Trees

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.

Mannequin Pussy at 2000 Trees

Mannequin Pussy at 2000 Trees

 

Mannequin Pussy at 2000 Trees

Mannequin Pussy at 2000 Trees

 

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.

Tigger crowd surfing at 2000 Trees

Tigger crowd surfing at 2000 Trees

 

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.

JOHN at 2000 Trees

JOHN at 2000 Trees

 

JOHN at 2000 Trees

JOHN at 2000 Trees

 

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!

Kid Kapichi at 2000 Trees

Kid Kapichi at 2000 Trees

 

Kid Kapichi at 2000 Trees

Kid Kapichi at 2000 Trees

 

Security keeping the crowd safe at 2000 Trees

Security keeping the crowd safe at 2000 Trees

 

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.

False Advertising at 2000 Trees

False Advertising at 2000 Trees

 

Fun for all at 2000 Trees

 

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.

The Chats at 2000 Trees

The Chats at 2000 Trees

 

The Chats at 2000 Trees

The Chats at 2000 Trees

 

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. 

Pigs x7 at 2000 Trees

Pigs x7 at 2000 Trees

The night ended with the strange but enjoyable Tokky Horror with their electronica/punk set. I don’t think I’ve ever seen an act like them before!

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. 

Lauran Hibberd at 2000 Trees

Lauran Hibberd at 2000 Trees

 

Lauran Hibberd at 2000 Trees

Lauran Hibberd at 2000 Trees

 

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

The Amazons at 2000 Trees

The Amazons at 2000 Trees

 

The Amazons at 2000 Trees

The Amazons at 2000 Trees

 

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 at 2000 Trees

CLT DRP at 2000 Trees

 

CLT DRP at 2000 Trees

CLT DRP at 2000 Trees

 

CLT DRP at 2000 Trees

CLT DRP at 2000 Trees

 

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.

Idles at 2000 Trees

Idles at 2000 Trees

 

Idles at 2000 Trees

Idles at 2000 Trees

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

GeeJay (Phoebe Nightingale)

GeeJay Share New Track Murder And Announce Biggest Headline Show To Date

North London soul-pop duo GeeJay have unveiled their brand new track Murder and announced details of their biggest...
YES (Gottlieb Bros.)

YES Announce 2026 UK Tour Celebrating Fragile

Progressive rock legends YES have announced their return to the UK with a nine-date tour in spring 2026, following the...
Hannah McFarland (Chris Ashlee)

“It Has Been a Whirlwind” — But Hannah McFarland Is Just Getting Started

Alabama country singer Hannah McFarland has barely had a chance to catch her breath. Since releasing her Broken Hearts EP in February, her career has skyrocketed with opportunities she once only dreamed of.

Lewis Capaldi @ Glastonbury Festival 2023 (Kalpesh Patel)

BST Hyde Park 2026 Kicks Off With Garth Brooks And Lewis Capaldi As First Headliners

BST Hyde Park has announced the first two headliners for its 2026 edition, setting the stage for another blockbuster...
Blondshell @ Electric Brixton (Kalpesh Patel)

Blondshell Brings Electric Brixton To Boil On First Night Of London Double-Header

Sabrina Teitelbaum — better known as Blondshell — has built her reputation on raw honesty and songs that cut deep, and...
Ash @ Scala (Kalpesh Patel)

Ash Light Up Scala & Celebrate Ad Astra With Career-Spanning Set And Graham Coxon Collaboration

There was a palpable sense of anticipation outside North London venue Scala on Wednesday night as Ash returned for the...
Callum Beattie @ Glastonbury Festival 2017 (Kalpesh Patel)

Callum Beattie Announces New Album ‘INDI’ And 2026 Tour Dates, Including Biggest Headline Show Yet at Glasgow’s OVO Hydro

Scottish singer-songwriter Callum Beattie has announced details of his third studio album INDI, set for release on...
Maya Lane @ The Grace (Henry Finnegan / @finneganfoto)

Maya Lane On The Hurt And The Healing: From Vulnerability to Growth

On a rain-soaked evening in London, rising singer-songwriter Maya Lane celebrated the release of her brand-new EP The Hurt And The Healing with an intimate show at The Grace. Just weeks earlier, we had met under sunnier skies at The Long Road Festival, beers and whiskies in hand, denim and sunshine everywhere. Now, umbrellas and storm clouds in tow, it felt fitting that Lane’s new project, a record that navigates through storms towards moments of calm, should arrive on a night like this.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing