With doors fully open and a stacked line up from early in the day, 2000trees is well and truly back.
The beauty of trees is when you have a gap on your schedule, you’re bound to find something to get stuck into, and even discover your new favourite band. Wandering round different stages to find something is always incredible to see the showcase of talent that trees organisers have curated.
The first of these for the weekend came as duo Oceanless in the forest. With an instantly infectious energy and their ear worm tracks, this slick pair became an immediate “check out more later” on the discovery list. Kicking their set off with unreleased track Jaded, the pair were clearly here to show what they’re made of and why you should jump on the fan train.
With a sound similar to that of a mix of Mallory Knox, Arctic Monkeys, and Deaf Havana, Oceanless fit perfectly on the trees line up. With a packed out crowd early on in the day, there’s a large fan base already established (and rightfully so) as well as those just relaxing in the trees. Despite this being their festival debut, you would’ve thought they were well rehearsed in the festival circuit. Confident and enjoying every moment Oceanless are definitely ones to watch over the coming months. Although the whole performance was fantastic, stand out tracks of their short and sweet set included This Feeling, and their closing track Bad Habits.
Sticking with The Forest stage, Spanish Love Songs frontman, Dylan Slocum delivered what can only be described as a set made for the forest setting. With an ever growing fan base in the UK, the entire area was backed with people still peaking in from the nearby tents.
Giving a nod to the 2020 appearance that never happened, it was clear Dylan was over the moon to be in the beautiful cotswolds settings. Kicking things off with I’m Gonna Miss Everything, there was a beautiful sense of community amongst fans singing along to each and every word.
Spanish Love Songs music is already hauntingly beautiful by nature, but combined with the stripped back acoustic setting adding something extra special that made you want the set to never end. With a mixture of their latest album No Joy, alongside a variety of their back catalogue, there was something to satisfy both new and die hard fans alike.
Ending on Haunted gave a stunning round out to the first of two sets. As one of the hugely popular singles there were very few people singing along with the whole experience sending shivers down your spine.
With a truly packed schedule on day one, it was time to head over to the main stage for Glasgow’s Dead Pony. Boasting a huge crowd and incredibly punchy beats, they felt so at home. This was another instance of wandering around the stages and finding something that grabbed attention.
With a punk rock vibe infused with some electro beats , this band are ones that to get you in the mood to dance and really get stuck in. With a radiating energy from front woman Anna Shields, if you were a bit shy to sing along , her hypnotic energy didn’t take long to bring you out your shell. IGNORE THIS from debut album of the same name, was an incredibly high energy hit that really got the crowd warmed up for what was going to be a fast pace, non stop show.
About Love, also from new album IGNORE THIS, was one that really pulled you in. Boasting ear worm lyrics and a vulnerable energy, you could feel the heart and soul of this track pulsating throughout the crowd. Closing track MAMA was a setlist stand out and one to add to playlists when mobile signal was available. If you weren’t already a fan of Dead Pony before this set, you were walking away as one.
Moving back to the forest stage its time for another trees regular Seán McGowan. Offering a fairly relaxed atmosphere, McGowen acted as the perfect breather to just relax, and indulge in the music; all while taking in the gorgeous surroundings. Offering a bright and bubbly indie feel you couldn’t really go wrong. Although an excellent set, as someone new to Seán’s music, at points it did sound a little samey, but that can come with the limitations of a shorter set at a festival compared to an individual show.
While Trees one of the most high quality musical line ups, there’s also a massive offering of other entertainment if you fancy a break from jamming to the music. Close by to Forest stage, The Word stage can be found. With one of the weekends offering 2 Promoters, 1 Pod in live format, the tent was filled with attendees eager to listen in to the brain Child of ArcTanGent / 2000trees organiser James Scarlett, and Damnation Organiser Gavin McInally. As well as a host of podcasts and talks over the afternoons, The Word stage offers a morning of entertainment for kids, once again showcasing the family friendly atmosphere.
For this band, one set isn’t quite enough. Giving us a double offering Spanish Love Songs dominated The Axion for what was a weekend highlight. Having already been warmed up earlier in the day with an acoustic set, it was clear everyone was ready to sing along at the top of their voice.
After waiting six years to finally play the legendary 2000trees, Spanish Love Songs declared it the best festival in Britain. With strong declarations of love to the festival, you could tell the band were eager to get stuck in and bash out as many bangers as possible. With rows of people 10+ deep over flowing the tent, its clear the feeling is mutual from the crowd and ADORES Spanish Love Songs.
Delivering a perfect combination of old and new hits, if you’re an old or new fan there was something for you; although once you become a fan, its never long before you’re diving into their entire catalogue. Ever popular track Self-Destruction (as a Sensible Career Choice) went down a storm. With incredibly catch riffs throughout and one of the best Chorus’ for your down beat days, it’s almost like group therapy. Throwing it back with Buffalo Buffalo, this was another clear hit with fans that erupted the tent.
Giving us something from latest release Pendulum gave more lyrics that felt like an incredible release, as well as that phenomenal solo. If you hadn’t yet had shivers sent down your spine, Haunted was sure to be the track to catch you. A clear fan favourite from No Joy, with its atmospheric opening and synth drenched beats throughout we’re shown Spanish Love Songs signature sound in a new light.
Also from No Joy, Clean Up Crew was another track that got the crowd going. Following its punchy opening and pre chorus that HAS to be yelled at the top of your lungs, there is so much to love about this song that sounds so good live. Boasting a beautiful chorus and yet more incredible breakdowns, this song feels like it was created to be played live and truly gives you that cathartic release
Seeing the Californian rock band is always a meaningful and emotionally charged experience that leaves you feeling refreshed. With incredible lyrics to yell at the top of your lungs, combined with the gorgeous surroundings of Upcote Farm, you really can’t ask for more. Closing on Brave Faces, Everyone. If you want an example of how to perfectly end a set, this is how to do it. With an almost theatrical epic build up from the guitars, drums and base, you could tell everyone was ready to chant and echo out BRAVE FACES EVERYONE!
At 2000trees, there’s very little time for a breather. Having barely processed the last band its onto the next. Making a triumphant and highly anticipated return; it was finally time to see Kids in Glass Houses. Providing a beautiful nostalgic energy, these welsh icons are warmly welcomed at 2000trees. Pulling in an enormous crowd, you’d have thought there was nothing else going on (although that is never the case with 2000trees spectacular line ups.) Delivering a performance as if they had never been away, it’s exciting to think what the future might have to hold for these all time favorites.
Of course it wouldn’t be the ultimate nostalgia hit without ending things on the one EVERYONE knows, “Matters at All” a truly magical sounding track, made even more special by the beautiful surroundings of upcote farm and everyone just caught up in their feels having the best time. If it matters at all Kids in Glass Houses, please don’t leave us for this long again.
