The march upon 2000trees has its own place in the festival calendar. A beloved event that’s never lost in the shuffle between Download and Outbreak festival, it always delivers a line-up that has a special place in the wider scheme of it all. We now delve into ten acts we believe should be on everyone’s list to see across the long weekend. Our selections are all performing across different stages, providing a wide taste of genres and sounds.
Terminal Sleep (Friday, The Cave, 1400-1430)
One of the few acts on the 2000trees line-up making the long-trip from Melbourne, Terminal Sleep are the must-see act of the weekend. Impressing us since their first outing on Chapter 1: No Solace, it is little surprise that they have developed a growing fan base here and across the globe. Making their first outing in the UK supporting Kublai Khan on a limited run of dates, now many will have a second opportunity to see Australia’s blue chip prospect. There now seems to be little doubt that Terminal Sleep, an act who are still wholly independent, will be one of the next big bands in the metallic hardcore genre. So make sure to get down The Cave since and early on Friday so you can say you saw Terminal Sleep before they took over the world.
Grief Ritual (Thursday, The Cave, 1200-1230)
While it might be a stretch to call this a hometown show for Grief Ritual, there was a moment in time that at least half of the metallic hardcore unit hailed from God’s favourite spa town of Cheltenham. Releasing their debut Collapse earlier this year, filled with spite and warnings of the mercenary upper classes, Grief Ritual are more than able to transfer this into their live performance. Firmly flying the flag of representing Church Road Records this year, it will be the first opportunity of the weekend to warm up the mosh moves and spin kicks. There will be little excuse for many except those going to the Wednesday pre-outings of 2000trees, so we expect to see everyone sharp and early for Grief Ritual‘s chaos.
Superbloom (Thursday, The Axiom, 1330-1400)
One of the small pleasures of 2000trees is that most stages are often a small walk apart. This is most true with The Axiom, with its neighbour The Cave just a two-minute walk away. A stage that plays host to the grungier and shoegaze-y side of acts, it has been the site of many highlights of the festival, including 2024’s Turnover set. This year, Superbloom will take to this stage to play their grunge and alternative-styled tunes. This will turn the space into a chill out and escape, a welcome break from the sheer chaos of The Cave throughout the weekend.
Grieving (Thursday, The Forest, 1130-1200)
Since their release of Everything Goes Right, All At Once, there has been a sense that Grieving have been greatly underappreciated. A record that would more than please the listeners of Lonely The Brave and Basement, their mulling tunes are accompanied by graceful and thoughtful lyrics, making for a wonderful record. Grieving now get to grace The Forest at 2000trees, the favourite of many as it is nestled away in the forest that surrounds Upcote Farm. While another early one, Grieving will put on a special show for those who make the effort to turn up.
SPLIT DOGS (Friday, Neu, 1130-1200)
It has been somewhat difficult to not have heard about SPLIT DOGS and their recent record Here To Destroy. It was one that made the airwaves and circled the discussion spheres upon its release, and deservedly so. It’s proper punk music, not the post-punk sort that comes with the slightly passive nature, nor one that is a moment away from selling outs; it is proper in-your-face punk. Plenty of SPLIT DOGS tracks will give the audience a chance to have a shimmy, with the likes of “Monster Truck” and “Lafayette” being the ones we’re saving our shapes for.
Rifle (Thursday, The Cave, 1300-1330)
Those looking for the London stylings of hardcore punk that have been lost in the sands of time will be more than content with what Rifle have put forward in recent years. Spite and revenge filled lyrics are barked in the East-end manner, giving their music both charm and wrath. Rifle will showcase one of the most unique sounds of the weekend, and with a well received crowd that buys in and moshes, it could be one of the best of the weekend. In short, it’s one to turn up to with a pint in hand that will soon be necked, before dancing along to Rifle‘s fierce and wonderful sound.
VEXED (Thursday, The Cave, 1500-1530)
Old friends VEXED make their 2000trees debut this July, bring their heavy hitting and technical riffs to The Cave. Always one to crank up their sound in a live setting to give it a heavier and more cutting edge, with the likes of “Hideous” off Culling Culture and “Anti-Fetish” off Negative Energy, VEXED will rumble The Cave into headbanging and moshing frenzy. The breakdowns on both will gives the moshers plenty to dance to, often command by Megan Targett‘s standout vocal performance, with Jay‘s riff giving the more metal-leaning audience simply something to jam along to. Whenever we’ve had the pleasure of seeing VEXED live, they’ve put on a corker of a performance, and no doubt their appearance at 2000trees will be any different.
Last Hounds (Saturday, The Cave, 1200-1230)
There is a sheer energy behind Last Hounds that will be something to behold at The Cave. Taking the style that the likes of Unpeople, MOSKITO and High Vis have channelled, they stir it into their cocktail of chaos, replete with forceful vocals and riffs for the dancers. This will be another to say you ‘saw them they blew up’, and hopefully this specific set will be the launch pad for Last Hounds to become a mainstay of the UK scene.
PAVÉ (Thursday, Neu, 1230-1200)
Those looking for something more alterative leaning should look no further than PAVÉ during their time at 2000trees. Hot off the heels of a tour supporting The Himalayas, the Manchester unit will be bringing their energetic live performances to the Neu stage. Offering up earworms on their tracks “Whatever The Cost” and “PROPHECIES”, there is heart and rhythm to PAVÉ that will go down a treat to many. This could be the surprise package for those in attendance at the Neu stage, and one they will leave as a highlight of their time at 2000trees.
Love Letter (Thursday, The Cave, 1615-1650)
Featuring members of Defeater and Verse, it will be no surprise to new listeners that Love Letter delve into the sounds of the early melodic hardcore sound of bygone decades. It’s not known when the next UK Love Letter visit will be; perhaps their set is unmissable for that simple reason. With plenty of tracks to stomp along in the likes of “Misanthropic Holiday or Vacation” and songs to scream at the sun on “Panic Disordinary“, Love Letter’s set will be one packed with emotion and force that will only likely be matched by their fellow countrymen in Alexisonfire.