There’s something a bit special about 2000 Trees Festival. One minute I was enjoying my second festival in as many weeks and the next I was coming to the realisation that I fucking love this festival and everything about it.
It is what every small festival should be. There is a noticeable effort to reduce its environmental impact as much as possible. There are also some of the nicest and friendliest people around, from the organisers, to the stewards, to the bar staff and the bands. Furthermore, the food, toilets and drink options are just about as good as any festival I’ve been to and you don’t feel like they’re trying to suck you dry for every possible penny, the way you do at most festivals. Most of all however, they book some of the best and most exciting underground bands and musicians in the U.K.
For its 5th Anniversary, some changes have been made to 2000 Trees. It seems bigger (although capacity hasn’t actually increased), more organised and a bit more grown up. That said it hasn’t lost any of its intimacy or warmth. The best addition to the site is the ‘Cave’ stage, featuring up-and-coming hard-rock, alternative, progressive and metal artists. What’s more, the Main Stage boasts a far superior sound, the Leaf Lounge (for mostly acoustic, indie and folk acts) has expanded and the carbon-neutral Greenhouse Stage (for comedians, smaller acts and DJs) has been moved to a more remote and picture-esque location. Because of my taste in music I ended up spending most of my time at the Cave and Main Stage and so these are the bands I will focus on.
Thursday
Maybeshewill showcased their innovative post-rock style of fusing guitars and soundscapes in an engaging set in The Cave. Their exceptionally tight set produced an impressive show with a great amount of rhythmic and timbral variation. However, they didn’t quite have the magic that they perhaps could have done, maybe due to playing along to what sounded like a backing track, although this was nonetheless very professionally sutured into the music. (7/10)
Local favourite Jim Lockey then warmed up for his main stage slot later in the weekend with his heart-warming punk-folk stylings. However, this set didn’t quite set the place alight like his set last year in the Leaf Lounge; the atmosphere just fell a little flat in comparison, perhaps due to a half-full tent compared to a completely rammed out barn (Leaf Lounge) in 2010. (6/10)
Sucioperro then closed the proceedings for Thursday night with their Scottish styled, alternative rock. However, the performance just lacked a little spark and any really electrifying riffs that could grab you and not let go. Close friends with Biffy Clyro, unfortunately, Sucioperro just feel like a somewhat less exciting version. (5/10)
Friday
Frank Turner’s backing band Dive Dive got things going on Friday and showed that they are more than competent in their own right. While perhaps lacking the magic that Frank provides, they have their own unique style and put on a good performance. (6/10)
Mojo Fury then revealed their interesting alternative rock sound in ‘The Cave’. They fuse big riffs with carefully crafted songs and Michael Mormecha’s unique vocal sound. The Northern Irish group are clearly one to watch out for in the not-too-distant future. (7/10)
Kong are weird. Really weird. The first thing you notice is their bizarre clown style face-paint/masks. However, you quickly realise that their music is just as weird as their appearance. But this does not mean it doesn’t work; heavy guitar work combined with weird time signatures and crashing screamed/sung vocal sound actually sounds kind of awesome at times. (7/10)
Unlike so many hardcore/rock/metal bands around these days Exit Ten steer clear from mindless screaming and as a result have a much greater impact. Having gradually built up a national following, their new material sounds as good as anything they have done before and there is no doubt another step up the ladder for this exciting Reading-based band. (7/10)
Next up, over on the main stage were ‘Trees regulars Twin Atlantic. Their alternative rock sound combined driving riffs with big choruses and of course, their characteristic Scottish twang, in hit songs such as Lightspeed. However, their newer material sounded comparatively weak and this year’s performance pales into comparison with their fantastic set last year. (6/10)
The King Blues then gave a complete change of pace on the Main Stage. Their innovative fusion of street hip-hop with Ska-Punk is inevitably great fun. They got the whole crowd dancing and singing along to songs such as Save the World, Get the Girl despite the dreary weather. (7/10)
There is a reason that 2000 Trees’ band booker; James Scarlett describes And So I Watch You From Afar as “just about the best live band in the country at the moment”. Despite never having listened to them before, I was totally blown away. Their instrumental fusion of guitars and synthesisers in a post-rock, progressive style is simply mesmerising when witnessed live. Rhythmical and hypnotising yet always taking you by surprise with a multitude of twists and turns, ASIWYFA are a staggering tour de force. (9/10)
Saturday
Zun Zun Egui got off to a slow start in front of a relaxed crowd on the Main Stage. However, as you start to listen to them you realise that they are actually very impressive musicians. They have an eclectic sound, with tribal, African rhythms combined with Indian-style melodies and intricate, Hendrix-esque guitar work. All in all they are fascinatingly entrancing once you tune in, and show that Prog is still as relevant as ever. (8/10)
Imperial Leisure are just about the only band that can match The King Blues for fun. A hatful of good tunes in a ska-punk style with a smattering of Reggae…what’s not to like? Also, as is not uncommon at ‘Trees, the band can be found partying on the Main Stage just minutes after their set has finished, in genuine, ‘we’re just normal blokes’ fashion. Just about sums up the festival doesn’t it? (7/10)
Three Trapped Tigers don’t blow you away the moment they take the stage, but their unique synthesiser/guitar, dance/rock fusion slowly creeps up on you until you can’t tear yourself away. What’s more, their drummer is phenomenal, with unusual rhythms aplenty. Yet another band to watch out for! (8/10)
Any band with a name like The Twilight Sad must surely be awful right? Wrong. These guys play a textured brand of indie rock not dissimilar from Glasvegas or White Lies and are very good at what they do. However, while they clearly have a positive future ahead of them, they unfortunately don’t quite have the songs to take them stratospheric, and after a while they just feel a bit samey. (6/10)
Just about the heaviest band at ‘Tress, Devil Sold His Soul rock! They possess infectious energy and are rewarding with lively mosh-pits from the go. Although, their screaming vocal style is a little bit tedious after a while, their set is a great example of the exciting places that post-hardcore, British metal is going these days. (7/10)
While most people at the festival were at the main stage watching Frightened Rabbit, those who chose Amplifier instead were hugely rewarded. Their atmospheric, Oceansize meets A Perfect Circle
So, another year, another 2000 Trees: it is a measure of their success that they sold out months before the festival this year. They have made leaps and bounds in terms of organisation and layout within twelve months, with the addition of communal busking points around the site - an absolutely genius idea! In conclusion, there were tens of great bands but And So I Watch You From Afar stole the show, closely followed by Amplifier. Having said that, the atmosphere is more than worth the ticket price alone, I simply can’t think of a single reason I wouldn’t want to return every year!
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