With 2000trees just around the corner we’re starting to plan what we’ll be cramming into our schedule. We know how difficult that can be, especially with so much on offer, so we’ve picked our must-see bands to help you out. Here is who we think you should check out this weekend…
THURSDAY
Grumble Bee
If you’re going to make one decision at 2000trees, it should be to get yourself on site early on Thursday in time for Grumble Bee. What you hear on record is entirely written and recorded by the ever so talented Jack Bennett, but to capture this in full effect in a live atmosphere he’s joined by bassist Zach Phelps and drummer Callum Connell. If you love hard-hitting yet emotion-fueled music then Grumble Bee is a must-see at 2000trees.
Bellevue Days
It’s an exciting week for sludge pop/alt-rock quartet Bellevue Days. Not only are they appearaing at 2000trees, but they’re releasing their new EP Rosehill giving them lots of ammunition for a stellar set on The Axiom Stage. The band have impressively turned heads at Kerrang! Magazine, Rock Sound, DIY, BBC Radio 1, Radio X and more in their short career, so make sure you get down to their set to witness one of the UK’s most exciting up and coming acts.
Puppy
Heavy metal London outfit Puppy aren’t afraid to shake 2000 trees. If you like your metal served with a Pixies-style psychedelic twist then these are the boys to fit into your schedule. If you don’t manage to catch them this time around (which you should!) then you can get another dose of them at Reading & Leeds Festival, as Puppy are set to claw their way to big things.
FRIDAY
Employed To Serve
They may describe themselves as “nasty hardcore” on their Facebook page, but Employed To Serve will be thoroughly enjoyable company at The Cave on Friday afternoon. Signed to Holy Roar Records, the quintet may deliver abrasive music but if you delve into their lyrics you’ll find that they’re a very positive bunch. With lots of touring under their belts – and with a tour supporting Milk Teeth on the horizon – expect a chaotic performance from the hardcore five-piece.
Brutus
Belgian trio Brutus are loud and feisty, with debut album Burst doing exactly what it says on the tin. A unique blend of hardcore, metal and rock shaken up in just the right amounts, Brutus are bound to bring a tonne of energy to The Cave, and what makes it all the more impressive is that Stefanie Mannaert is on both drumming and vocal duty. With a jam packed summer of festivals and shows, catch this in demand trio at 2000trees and prepare to be smacked hard in their face.
The Dirty Nil
If you like your music raw and sweaty, get some punk in your trunk with The Dirty Nil. This is the band’s first 2000trees appearance with new bassist/vocalist Ross Miller, who strengthens the trio to rock and roll beast mode! The Canadian rockers are no strangers to the UK and Europe, touring like yo yo’s in support of latest album Minimum R&B. You may have caught them in the UK in April with The Menzingers at KOKO or recently taking Europe by storm with The Wonder Years and Against Me! If not, these guys are a MUST at 2000trees, especially if you like your music at 2000 decibels.
SATURDAY
Big Spring
When you’ve been championed by none other than Slipknot and Stone Sour frontman Corey Taylor, you know you’re onto something good. That’s the case for UK rockers Big Spring, who have not only caught the eye of Mr Taylor but also that of Radio 1 DJ Daniel P. Carter, not to mention playing their fifth ever gig at Reading & Leeds last year. It’s no surprise, with their take on early 90s grunge rock bringing a healthy dose of humongous riffs and choruses to match.
Bad Sign
Soon to release their debut album Live And Learn through Basick Records, hard-hitting rock trio Bad Sign need to be on your radar at 2000trees. One of the most refreshing rock bands to surface in recent times, expect to hear new material plus a handful of back catalogue tracks from previous EP’s Destroy and Rebuild. Not shy of the road, having recently toured with both The Contortionist in the UK and Black Peaks in Europe, Bad Sign are guaranteed to bring one of the slickest performances of the weekend – and you don’t want to miss that.
M O S E S
London rockers M O S E S have just signed to Propaganda Records (a new partnership between Propaganda (Club Night) and Autonomy Music Group) so are guaranteed to bring the party to The NEU Stage on Saturday. You can even get a glimpse of their live performance in the video for latest single King Size, a huge blast of raucous indie rock that will have you bouncing in no time.
Written by: Hannah Gillicker and Charly Phillips
