2000 Trees is an indie festival that takes place between 9-12 July in Cheltenham over a four-day split that switches gears from indie rock to metal and everything in between. It’s a fascinating mix of genres and talent and one of the most lovely, friendly festivals in the UK that preaches a spirit of inclusiveness and togetherness. Last year I went on the Saturday and fell instantly in love – this year I’m back again – after a run through of Jera on Air, Rock Werchter and good lord knows what else. Here are a highlight of each of the bands on each days to watch.
WEDNESDAY 9TH JULY
Blood Command are one of my favourite metal bands and I’ve seen them twice last year; I’ll be seeing them again in the summer. World Domination is an absolute corker of an album and Trees feels like the natural next step for them after stellar shows at Radar and Arctangent. The Norwegian deathpop band fronted by fierce frontwoman Nikki Brumen deliver an astounding tour de force of titanic success. Their moshes have that energy that should lighten up the Trees crowd. A perfect way to get it started. See them at 17:35 in the Forest Sessions.
Last year Panic Shack played to a riotous success and now with a new album and a tour on the way they’re back again. I love them a fair bit; The Ick is as catchy as they come and the natural comedy that Panic Shack bring to their set with shades of Lambrini Girls and Sprints; it’s hard not to admire their craft. Welcome back; you’ve been missed. Sexy, stunning, talented and gorgeous – their Spotify bio bills – there’s nothing they can’t do. And they’re right – you’ll be a convert at 18:50 in the Forest Sessions.
Kid Kapichi are a 2000 Trees band. They’re a “I’m going to have such a good time watching them that they’ll play twice at 2000 Trees” band. Let’s Get to Work is appropriate festival opener for a barnstormer of a gig – catch them at 20:15 on the Forest Sessions on the Wednesday; and then again at 18:25 on the Axiom on the Thursday.
THURSDAY 10th JULY
The day opens at 2pm with UnPeople; braisingly energetic project that feels brash and impressive with animosity on the state of the world and its effects on humanity. Their influences include Deftones and Everything Everything – and they’re a surefire band to watch that go all in on the heavy music aesthetics pushing the boundaries further and further.
It’s not big and it’s not special but it’s very much Big Special. They showed up in my artists to watch for 2025 and they’re starting 2026 with a headline show at the Roundhouse – I’m so happy for the POSTINDUSTRIALHOMETOWN BLUES debut album has led to such a success for these lads. They’re a cracking live act that seem destined for the big time – and now’s your chance to get on board the hype just before 6pm on the main stage.
CIVIC I saw back at Wide Awake in ’23 and they’ve gone from strength to strength since. Full of searing guitars, pummelling rhythms and driving bass it’s synergised by their wall of sound that keeps them passionate with an avant-garde edge that’s hard not to overlook. See them eat up the NEU Stage at 20:45.
Kneecap I have reviewed extensively at Wide Awake but major props for 2000 Trees for sticking for their guns and keeping the act together. They’ve announced a huge show at London’s Wembley Arena on the back of the biggest moral panic in the music industry since the Sex Pistols; and for a group focused on keeping the Irish language alive and standing up to the British Government and openly calling out its involvement in arming Israel – their heart is in the right place and they have the music to back it up. Plus – they put on a hell of a show. They’re a perfect 2000 Trees band – 21:45 is the time to see them.
FRIDAY 11th JULY
Press Club are a band of Australian punk legends that open up the main stage at 13:00 and are repeaters from last year; where I saw them on a smaller stage at the Axiom. Now they’re back and better than ever – debuting their new album To All The Ones That I Love, now four albums deep with a reassured sense of self. The Melbourne four piece with frontwoman Natalie Foster, they challenge frustration that feels like a sonic assault in the headphones full of DIY ethics. Punk rock with heart and indie grit to back it up.
KEG come on at 13:30 on the smaller Axiom stage and have fun party energy that make them a must-watch band. A seven piece sonic explosion that tread a fine line between a complicated jazz degree and a post punk riot; they’re a silly, wonky, incredibly fun time that you can’t help but love. KEG. KEG. I can’t not see them live after being introduced to them at Ritual Union earlier in the year. They don’t tour London enough.
BLACKGOLD were supposed to support Siamese during their tour last year; but backed out. Now they’re back and touring again – having made waves since only forming in February 2022. Their nu-metal bangers have made them an iconoclast on the music scene and have even showed up at Scala’s monthly Face Down event, London’s biggest and most emo rock night. They’re on at the mains tage at 14:00.
2000 Trees is Frank Turner’s festival. The frontman tours it pretty much every year; I first saw him there with the Sleeping Souls in 2024 and now he’s back with the newly reformed Million Dead at 20:40. Two decades after a fallout that was viewed as irreconcilable; it’s a triumphant return that needs to be seen to be experienced. Rtour-de-force of a band – I’ve seen them at the Heavy Music Awards before and they really put on a show. Expect an angrier, riotous madcap of an show that makes the perfect counterpart to his Sleeping Souls set at Jera on Air a few weeks earlier.
SATURDAY 12th JULY
We open the Saturday with Gem and the Degenerates on the main stage at 11:00 bright and early. They’re a garage punk, queer feminist and can turn just about anywhere into a dancefloor. Perfect for the 2000 Trees opening act.
They’re immediately followed on the same stage by The Molotovs; rising mod-rockers determined to bring back the 70s who went for the novel word of mouth approach of touring without releasing a single – so that when More! More! More! finally hit – it hit in droves. Their fiery punk sound is authentic and down to the ground, rich in texture and their guerilla gigs where they’ve turned up out of nowhere have attracted a rich cult following. It’s about time they’re at the festival circuit. See them on the main stage at 12:00.
A friend introduced me to Humour and I’m an instant fan. The Glasgow punks are inventive, riotous and capable of pushing things deeper and deeper. They’re aware of there being something ridiculous about five men getting up and shouting angrily about something they believe is important with a sense of self-worth – and are determined to have fun – as the name suggests. See them on the Axiom at 12:30.
Catbite are a band that I have before at Jera on Air a few weeks earlier; but they’re a fantastic 2000 Trees band. The Ska punk band bring back Ska as a music scene kicking and screaming – Die in Denver is catchy; upbeat and ready to move. See them on the main stage at 13:00. I’ve got them at Jera on Air in the summer and won’t miss them here.
There’s few moshes more fun than a Sprints mosh. The band are rich, lively and authentic Welsh punk rockers – Adore Adore Adore captures their audience in a explosive, inclusive way. At Wide Awake I never felt safer getting involved and it really emerges as the high point of any live band that they can captivate a crowd like this one can. See them on the Axiom at 20:25.
Imminence headline The Cave in an all too brutal clash with alexisonfire on the Saturday at 21:30. They’re one of my favourite bands at the moment, the powerhouse Swedish band blend post-hardcore, metalcore and alt rock to create a unique sound that has been serving them well since 2009. It’s sure to go down an absolute treat.
2000 Trees takes place from July 9-12th 2025.
Learn more about the festival, including how to buy tickets, at the official site.
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