We’re right into the thick of festival season now and next week sees the return of Cheltenham’s 2000 Trees and is always a highlight of the summer for the bands who play on it and even more of a treat to the thousands in attendance. Winner of the UK’s best medium sized festival for the past three years, tickets are almost sold out, with all of the day tickets already gone and very limited weekend passes still available, so don’t hesitate in missing out on one of the UK’s most exciting festivals!
If you need any more incentive, then here are a list of some of the top acts to look out for across the site.
Kneecap
They are undoubtedly the most talked about group in the world right now and Trees sees them performing their first ever festival headline slot in the UK. The Irish rap trio are no strangers to the farm, performing a blistering set on the Forest Stage only a couple of years ago and some initially questioned their positioning closing the Thursday night of the festival, however off the back of their latest statement single “The Recap” their set promises to be one of the most chaotic of the whole weekend.
Alexisonfire
If you were to think of one name that would be top of the list to headline 2000 Trees, chances are that it would be the Canadian rock outfit. It’s a surprise that they’ve not played already but Upcote Farm feels like the perfect place to showcase their perfect blend of melody and hard rock. Whilst the members have gone off on their other paths and had successful side careers, they are at the most ferocious and powerful together as a whole and is due to be an epic closer on the Saturday night. Guitarist Wade McNeil is already scheduled in for a special DJ set once the bands finish, but could we also see a special solo set from Dallas Green somewhere across the weekend?
Hot Milk
Having just released their hotly anticipated second album “Corporation P.O.P”, Hot Milk are at the height of their powers right now as they headline the Forest Stage for those lucky early punters on the Wednesday night. Known for their energetic and chaotic live shows, as evident from their most recent and intimate tour, the likes of “90 Seconds To Midnight” and “Swallow This” are destined to be two of the highlights of the entire festival.
Million Dead
Frank Turner is no stranger to 2000 Trees, often appearing with his Sleeping Souls outfit and performing a solo acoustic set elsewhere in the festival this time around. However, the return of the hardcore outfit almost 20 years of being out of the game is a tantalising prospect for everyone. Whether we’ll get to hear any new material is something we’re unsure of at this time, but what we can be certain of, is that the tent is going to be packed to the rafters.
Calva Louise
The unfortunate clash with letlive is quite possibly one of the trickiest to negotiate over the weekend, however those looking a set full of blistering riffs and breakdowns need look no further than Calva Louise. Already proving their worth last year during one of the incredible “Silent Sets” on the Forest Stage, they are sure to bring the heat once again in The Cave on Saturday evening.
Trash Boat
Another later addition to the already stacked line up is one that is surely destined to bring the pit. Last year they released one of the most exciting albums of the year with “Heaven Can Wait” and this year sees them in a huge slot gracing the main stage. Expect many a crowdsurfer to make their way over the barriers during the epic “Break You”- which live is due to sound even more visceral as it does on record.
unpeople
Having only released just a small number of songs already, unpeople are already one of the most vital bands on the scene brining a stadium like sound to intimate venues around the UK. Already something of a Trees favourite already, they are sure to bring a huge crowd on both the Wednesday and Thursday on the farm.
Meryl Streek
Kicking off the Thursday morning in style, the political punk artist from Dublin bears a lot of similarities to his Irish counterparts headlining that evening. After packing out the Neu Stage this time last year, word from the “2 Promoters, 1 Pod” podcast, promises a stage show which is going to change the game, so it’ll be well worth shaking off that early morning hangover to the main stage nice and early.
2000 Trees runs from Wednesday 9th July until Saturday 12th July. Full information and lineup can be found at https://2000trees.co.uk/ and tickets can be purchased from https://2000trees.co.uk/tickets