It’s almost that time again, as we prepare to pack our bags and make our way to Upcote Farm for one of our favourite festivals of the year, 2000trees. Year-on-year the line-up offers some of the best names in alternative music, so we’ve picked our must-see bands at this year’s festival!
Phoxjaw
Thursday – NEU
Bristol’s Phoxjaw return to 2000trees for what will be a hard-hitting show in support of their new EP A Playground For Sad Adults. The quartet are impossible to pigeonhole, delivering an utterly unique brand of alt-rock that translates monumentally live. Be sure to catch their set on the NEU stage, and you may walk away with a new favourite band.
Nervus
Thursday – The Cave
Nervus are a band who in the duration of their sets are able to provide not only fun, but also powerful messages to take on and pass forward. Em Foster has an unfaltering ability to ring lead a crowd so expect a lot of crowd participation, mixed in with tracks from albums Everything Dies and Permanent Rainbow. Nervus are here to bring some optimism to a world currently filled with pessimism in their own special way, and we cannot wait to witness them live once again.
YONAKA
Thursday – Main Stage
Photo Credit: Thomas Coe-Brooker
Rock quartet YONAKA are very in demand right now and it’s clear to see why, with their infectious brand of rock set to take over the main stage on Thursday. Expect to hear material from their Top 40 debut album Don’t Wait ‘Til Tomorrow, including their latest single Rockstar. Their 2000trees performance is one of many festival appearances in their calendar, following their sold-out UK tour earlier this year.
Conjurer
Thursday – The Axiom
Conjurer are one of the most exciting metal bands around at the moment. Debut album Mire was one of the breakout albums of 2018 and the upcoming Curse These Metal Hands with Pijn is one of the most anticipated releases of 2019. Extreme music isn’t for everyone, but Conjurer might just be the best band you see all weekend.
Holding Absence
Thursday – NEU
Headlining the NEU stage, Welsh post-hardcore quintet Holding Absence are guaranteed to end the Thursday with a bang. Their appearance follows the release of their self-titled debut album, an all killer no filler record with plenty of singalong moments that will have the crowd in the palm of their hands. Get down early as we predict that the tent will be packed, trust us it’ll be worth it.
Jamie Lenman
Thursday – The Axiom
2000trees favourite Jamie Lenman will be playing two sets for Lenmania II on Thursday; opening and closing the day. The ever creative former Reuben frontman will undoubtedly be on top form and, after a triumphant set at Glastonbury, Jamie Lenman will not be one to miss. Twice.
Raketkanon
Friday – The Cave
Word on the street is that Belgian four-piece Raketkanon have an excellent live reputation, one that we will be witnessing for the first time at 2000trees. The experimental rockers released their third album, RKTKN#3, earlier this year via Alcopop! Records, so expect to hear plenty of new material in their set. Performing at the festival ahead of their sold-out headline show in Brussels, we have a feeling that Raketkanon will be just as successful outside of their home country in no time. Be there to witness the chaos!
Hands Like Houses
Friday – Main Stage
Back in October Hands Like Houses released their fourth album -Anon. and have been relentlessly touring since. Currently in the midst of a European and UK tour, they’ll be rounding this off with a slot on the Main Stage on Friday where fans can expect to hear the likes of latest single Sick and fan-favourite Monster. Their varied back catalogue means you can never be quite sure what to expect from a HLH set. and that’s what makes it such a great treat to experience.
Modern Error
Friday – NEU
Despite being a relatively new band, Modern Error have already achieved an impressive amount. Having toured with both Enter Shikari and As It Is the band’s live résumé is not to be sniffed at, which makes us even more excited to see them at 2000trees. Solidifying their fanbase with the release of their Lost In The Noise EP, expect a dark and mesmerising set from this up-and-coming quartet.
Jim Lockey & The Solemn Sun
Friday – The Axiom
No strangers to 2000trees, Jim Lockey And The Solemn Sun return to the festival with their fierce folk sound. The band, who have recently reformed, have admirably toured with Mumford & Sons, Pete Doherty, Dropkick Murphys and more in the past. Download their § EP for free HERE and get to know these 2000trees favourites.
Drug Church
Friday – The Cave
Drug Church are basically one big party. Cheer was one of they most enjoyable albums of 2018 and the heavy, hook-filled, perfectly crafted punk songs will see 2000trees become a chaotic, fun mess. Although slightly different to the rest of the bands at 2000trees, Drug Church are one of the most anticipated and may be a festival highlight.
Rolo Tomassi
Friday – The Cave
Rolo Tomassi are always great fun live. The energy they bring to a live setting is unmatched. 2018’s Time Will Die and Love Will Bury It is a phenomenal album, punishingly brutal and crushingly beautiful in equal measures, and we look forward to drinking it all in on Friday.
Delaire, The Liar
Saturday – NEU
Emo punks Delaire, The Liar have been turning heads over the last 18 months with their brand of angst-ridden, poignant rock. In their short career they have supported Creeper and toured with Chapter and Verse, making them more than ready to show 2000trees exactly what they’re made of. Catch them on the NEU stage on Saturday, you can thank us later!
A
Saturday – Main Stage
Despite not releasing a full-length since 2005’s Teen Dance Ordinance, alt-rockers A have been thriving since bursting back on to the scene in 2008. Thanks to their wealth of experience, their high octane live shows are completed with a setlist to captivate fans who have been there from the start, or just stumbled upon their set during the festival. Keep your ears peeled for Nothing; this top ten hit from 2002 might throw you right back and have you singing along.
Martha
Saturday – The Axiom
Love Keeps Kicking is arguably the best album of 2019 so far. Martha‘s summery, earnest pop-punk will be perfect after a couple of days of partying and will bring smiles to faces for the rest of the day.
The St Pierre Snake Invasion
Saturday – The Cave
In the weeks leading up to the festival you’re bound to notice excitement building about certain bands, and one of those who deserve a very big mention is The St Pierre Snake Invasion, who are definitely gathering an impressive social media buzz. This Bristol based quintet released their second album Caprice Enchanté earlier this year and have been touring since, causing sheer rowdy-punk carnage wherever they go. We can’t wait to see what they bring to 2000trees this year!
Every Time I Die
Saturday – Main Stage
The mighty Every Time I Die will be performing their iconic 2003 album Hot Damn! in full at this year’s festival. One of the best live bands in the game right now, the metalcore heroes will bring their chaotic and unpredictable live show to Upcote Farm, and we honestly cannot wait.
Frank Iero and the Future Violents
Saturday – The Cave
Following on from the release of third album Barriers in May, Frank Iero will be heading to Trees along with his latest band line-up The Future Violents, to close The Cave stage on Saturday. Adopting the frontman role with ease following on from his earlier musical adventures, expect a setlist of singalong friendly tracks and a big dose of punk-rock to round off your weekend. If you like what you hear during Frank Iero And The Future Violents‘ set at 2000trees, they’ve just announced a co-headline tour with Laura Jane Grace And The Devouring Mothers later this year, so you can get another live fix!
2000trees Festival takes place at Upcote Farm, Cheltenham between 11th-13th July. For further information, tickets and the full line-up head to the festival website HERE.
Written by: Henry McCaughtrie and Nicola Craig
