The return of the award winning festival, 2000 Trees are going all out for their 15th birthday bonanza. But of course, you already know that. By now you’ve probably already got a rough schedule for the weekend in place. We don’t need to tell you to go cry to Holding Absence, aggressively fingerpoint to The Wonder Years, get your ears utterly annihilated during Sugar Horse and openly lament your fading youth whilst watching American Football. Once again, the lineup for 2000 Trees is god tier, and you all know it.
But beneath the big names and scene favourites lies an utter treasure trove of new and fresh artists playing across the weekend. And with that in mind, here’s our top picks for the artists you would be utterly foolish to miss next weekend.
The Oozes
One of the best surprises tucked away on The Forest stage last year, up and coming London/Manchester queer punk quartet The Oozes have cultivated a large online presence since the release of their debut EP in 2020, the band find themselves bumped up to the Neu stage for their second year at 2000trees. With unapologetic lyricism revolving around the modern realities of being part of the LGBTQ+ community in the UK and a blend of groovy instrumentals weaved through uncompromising trad Brit-punk energy. Fostering a wholesome live atmosphere full of love and support for their community, finding the time to joke and interact with the crowd whilst constantly clad in colourful stage costumes, The Oozes are a live delight for those seeking out authentic modern punk attitude and an unabashed celebration of queer music. – Harry Shiels
When, Where?: Saturday, approximately 15:45, Neu Stage
Lake Malice
Part of a wave of bands fearlessly mashing together trap, metal and more, Brighton noisemakers Lake Malice haven’t released a debut EP or album yet but have earned tour spots with the likes of Bloodywood, Enter Shikari, Vended and more. A wild amalgam of hyperpop, vicious screams and soaring choruses, Lake Malice are a prime example of the creativity of the UK’s scene right now, with songs like ‘Magic Square’s’ rapid-fire flow or recent single ‘Bloodbath’s’ callout of toxic relationships all underpinned by thunderous riffs and glitchy electronics. Playing early Thursday afternoon on the Cave, they’ll be sure to bring the party. – Will Marshall
When, Where?: Thursday, approximately 13:00, The Cave
Lambrini Girls
Garnering a reputation for confrontational and chaotic live shows whilst exuding the undiluted feminist energy of the ‘90s riot grrl movement, queer punk collective Lambrini Girls have been on a fast rise up the UK underground scene. Finding themselves heavily praised and now opening for the living legend Iggy Pop (and for good reason), the Brighton based trio combine biting feminist lyricism pointedly attacking societal ills, sleazy, powerful bass lines and fast paced noise soaked punk rock. Having just one EP and a handful of singles, Lambrini Girls are staged to go down as one of the sets of the weekend when all is said and done, with it only being a matter of time before they climb the ranks of festival bills and playing the larger stages. This is required watching at 2000Trees, prepare to have your face melted and watch the Neu stage buckle under the chaos. – Harry Shiels
When, Where?: Thursday, approximately 13:30, Neu Stage
Press To Meco
Over the years, we’ve included Press To Meco a good few times in this yearly feature on the best bands to catch at 2000 Trees. And for good reason too; they’re simply sublime. No other band has quite managed to match the trio’s unrivalled talent in combining blissful vocal harmonies, visible chemistry, killer pop hooks and lacerating riffs. However, if you didn’t heed our advice previously, this will be your final opportunity to do so. Yes, after three brilliant albums and five prior appearances at Upcote Farm, Press To Meco will be going the way of Arcane Roots, Black Peaks and other now sadly dormant Trees favourites by playing their final ever show in the forest. A sad prospect indeed, but instead of this being a funeral, Press To Meco’s final show is set to be a celebration of a brilliant career in fantastic company. Be a fan of the band or not, this is a farewell not to be missed. – Dan Hillier
When, Where?: Wednesday, approximately 18:05, The Forest
The St. Pierre Snake Invasion
Another Trees favourite – one thankfully not breaking up – returning for their sixth appearance down the farm. Ever since their first set at 2000 Trees back in 2014, The St. Pierre Snake Invasion have become something of a dearly dotted community favourite in thanks for their pulverising, often painfully intimate sets that see the Bristolian bruisers mash up hardcore, punk, metal and everything in between. However, this set will see them in a different light. Riding high following the release of their utterly fantastic new record Galore, a record that see’s the band taking inspiration from acts such as Soulwax, Massive Attack, Meshuggah and The Chariot, the band are set to demonstrate their new and brilliantly inspired sound on the main stage once again. Expect dance floor fillers, utter bedlam, and – topically – ‘Submechano’, a song about meeting your end in a doomed submarine. – Dan Hillier
When, Where?: Friday, approximately 12:00, Main Stage
Heriot
UK underground darlings Heriot make their triumphant return to 2000 Trees, bringing metallic hardcore that’s the aural equivalent of a sledgehammer to the skull, their Friday main stage set promises to be a visceral assault on the eardrums. Drawing on sludge, hardcore, industrial, noise and with riffs heavy enough to level a city, they bring acerbic screeches and moments of haunting melody to spread out the bludgeoning. Heriot have only gone from strength to strength since the release of debut EP Profound Morality, playing with the likes of Lamb of God, Napalm Death and more. This’ll be a battering you won’t want to miss, hungover or not. – Will Marshall
When, Where?: Friday, approximately 13:00, Main Stage
Bat Sabbath
Dating back to 2011 at Sonisphere Festival (RIP) Canadian hardcore-punks Cancer Bats created an alter-ego version of themselves. Just as full of riffs but leaning more into their metal influences heard throughout their discography, they covered Birmingham heroes Black Sabbath to finish the night. This somehow led onto them releasing a few of the covers as an EP in 2013 and later bringing their metalhead twin out every now and again for a show, last seen in the UK in 2017. Yes, you should absolutely go and see Cancer Bats play a ‘normal’ set on the Friday, but you might never get a chance to belt out ‘War Pigs’ or ‘Paranoid’ with a band that will pay dutiful homage to Ozzy and Co ever again. Also, what better way to warm up for The Bronx who will follow straight after. – Adam Vallely
When, Where?: Thursday, approximately 20:40, The Forest
Projector
Another hidden gem of the ever-expansive Brighton and Hove music scene, Projector have been quietly plugging away for quite some time now. Drawing a variety of comparisons from the early era’s of Pixies and Sonic Youth, to the soundscape cultivations of Joy Division and My Bloody Valentine, the three piece fit in a niche of trad grunge influenced riffing that’s sorely missing and welcomed with open arms. Expect flange and noise soaked guitar tones, angular drum patterns, driving bass lines and an undeniable live presence, Projector channel the pure undistllled essence of the late 80’s and early 90’s alternative scenes to great effect. They’re well worth making the time for when they hit the Axiom stage early Thursday. – Harry Shiels
When, Where?: Thursday, appropriately 12:30, The Axiom
Slash Fiction
For those new to 2000 Trees, the live music doesn’t finish come the end of the respective headliners. In the main campsite sits Camp Frabbit, Camp Turner and Camp Reuben, community run busking stages that play host to acoustic sets into the wee early hours. Sheffield heartthrobs Slash Fiction will be joining an utterly stacked lineup at Camp Frabbit Thursday evening, and for those with an interest in genuine and human emo, this isn’t a set to be missed. 2021 saw the band releasing their LP debut Gender, Trauma & Friendship, an utterly spellbinding exploration and documentation of heartbreak friendship and identity in the key of intricate emo, punk and subtle post-rock tendencies. Quite frankly, it was one of the most under-sung records of 2021, and anyone with an interest in the UK’s queer punk scene would be foolish to miss this set. Expect late night community singalongs, a celebration of inclusivity, public catharsis and one or two cheeky covers. – Dan Hillier
When, Where? Thursday night, 00:15, Camp Frabbit
Zulu
One of the most exciting bands to emerge from the fertile US hardcore scene, Zulu tell tales of Black joy, anger and resistance in the face of a systemically racist country. Soul samples are sprinkled amongst outbursts of powerviolence and hardcore breakdowns in a totally mesmerising sonic display. One of the many incredible bands signed to scene leaders Flatspot Records, they’ll bring their supercharged hardcore to the Cave on Friday afternoon armed with debut album A New Tomorrow, and if their incendiary Outbreak Festival performance this past week is anything to go by, 2000 Trees isn’t going to know what hit it. – Will Marshall
When, Where?: Friday, approximately 15:50, The Cave
De Staat
Dutch eccentric Alt Rockers De Staat saw a lot of success off the back of their last appearance at 2000trees in 2019, leading to more presence across the UK scene, most recently including an expansive EU/UK tour last October with CLT DRP. Whilst British crowds still may not be too familiar with the Nijmegen five-piece, they’ve actually got an expansive back catalogue absolutely stuffed with insanely catchy electronic tinged alt-rock bangers dating all the way back to 2009. Finding themselves in the unenviable position of clashing with Cave stage headliners Cancer Bats, if you’re not in the mood for the Canadian hardcore heroes chaotic antics or just fancy something utterly unique for your Friday evening, then perhaps you should heed the call of De Staat emanating from the depths of the Forest stage. – Harry Shiels
When, Where?: Friday, approximately 20:40, The Forest
The Bronx
In 20 long years these undoubted legendary Californian punks have travelled the world, causing chaos in city after city, but always entertained fans with a wry smile. Recently noted as a band to see before you die in the national press it is impossible to disagree. Will their head honcho, vocalist Matt Caughthran, dive into the crowd? Undoubtedly. Will every drop of sweat laden energy be left in The Cave Thursday night? Most definitely. The only question fans are begging to know the answer to is will they pay a 20-year tribute to The Bronx I and play it full? For those that have missed out on the last two decades of memorable riffs, sing along lines and a damn good time, don’t worry this is a false alarm and you can prevent your shitty future by experiencing one of the best punk bands on the planet hands down. – Adam Vallely
When, Where?: Thursday, approximately 21:55, The Cave
As Everything Unfolds
Post hardcore is too restrictive a description for As Everything Unfolds; sure, the Buckinghamshire quintet are rooted in it but there’s far more, from pop and metalcore, all mixed together into songs that are as emotionally vulnerable as they are anthemic. Their recently-released second album Ultraviolet is a striking example in sonic evolution, bringing in bouncing nu metal without losing those tender moments, as well as stadium rock moments and slick solos. With choruses like ‘Felt Like Home’ and ‘On the Inside’, they’ll be an easy crowd pleaser when they take to the Neu Stage on Friday as part of their festival-conquering summer tour. – Will Marshall
When, Where?: Friday, approximately 18:50, Neu Stage
Kneecap
“Guess who’s back on the news? It’s your favourite republican hoods”. Making their 2000 Trees debut last year to the surprise of those watching the Main Stage, the Belfast Hip-Hop trio might not be what you’d typically expect to hear lingering about the staunchly rock and punk festival. Laying down hard techno/house inspired beats with in your face, tongue in cheek lyricism with a hard punk ethos, Kneecap aren’t afraid to express their politically charged pro-republic and individualism views in their native tongue and English. One of the most unique acts on the bill this year (and that’s saying a lot), its well worth rushing the Forest stage before your Saturday headliners have finished their sets for a high-energy Irish rave. – Harry Shiels
When, Where?: Saturday, approximately 22:45, The Forest
Delaire The Liar
London’s Delaire The Liar could perhaps loosely be called alt rock, but there’s shades of emo and much more in their vulnerable songcraft. 2021’s Eat Your Own showed a band refining their creative prowess with songs with serious bite as well as a startling emotional depth. Their latest single, Bite Trap, is another stunner with its acerbic screams offering violent catharsis amidst its stirring melodies. While they’ve been somewhat quiet of late, ‘Bite Trap’ makes clear that’s because they’ve been brewing their best work yet. They’re sure to capture more than a few hearts as they open the festival on Wednesday afternoon – early birds, don’t miss out. – Will Marshall
When, Where?: Wednesday, approximately 17:00, The Forest
Bonus Addition – Haggard Cat
It’s Haggard Cat. They’re playing a barrier-less floor show in The Word stage. You will probably leave with bruises. The tent will likely collapse. It’s going to be class. – Dan Hillier
When, Where?: Wednesday, approximately 22:05, The Word
2000 Trees Festival 2023 takes place next week at Upcote Farm, Cheltenham. The final tickets and additional information can be found here.