2000trees 2026: BoolinTunes & The Frog and Fiddle’s Ones To Watch

Duo Haggard Cat have become a residence for the late nights of 2000trees, between late night acoustic sets and now a silent disco live set in The Forest. They dropped an excellent record, THE PAIN THAT ORBITS LIFE, earlier this year, packed with energetic indie and alt-rock goodness. The duo have always impressed in a live setting no matter the venue, being able to amp the energy that they show on record two-fold when it comes to the stage. Haggard Cat are looking to give those camping or staying late a treat of a set down in the late night glow of The Forest stage.

The Frog and Fiddle‘s very own Lickshot are among the handful of local bands from Gloucestershrie that have been picked to perform at 2000trees this year. All these locals bring a range of sounds, with Lickshot delivering up an explosive ska that mixes in drum’n’bass, punk and nu-metal. While an 11:00 start on the final day of the festival is a glaring timeslot, Lickshot are packed with an energy that will blow off any cobwebs from three days of 2000trees, and send onlookers into the final day with a spring in their step.

Ever since their hiatus after the release of the incredible Melancholia Hymns, the chatter was always about when Arcane Roots were going to return, rather than if. Such was the prowess and uniqueness of their sound that most simply refused to believe that Arcane Roots were done a band. As “A Wave, Across The Sea” proved, they’ve not lost their touch, which only builds on the anticipation for their live return at 2000trees and ArcTanGent this year. No doubt that the likes of “If Nothing Breaks, Nothing Moves” and “Off the Floor” are going to see many making up for the years by screaming the words at the top of their lungs, which could make for one of the most packed sets of the festival.

There is certainly a strong following emerging around Bodyweb. Many can be heard vouching for the nu-metal-hardcore unit, and even more are representing them as their merch has become a mainstay at shows across the UK. Arguably they created some of the strongest nu-metal iterations of late on their sophomore EP, deadwired. Extensive touring under bands like SPEED have seen them refine their live performance down to a speciality. Now the big stage beckons for Bodyweb, and with dates pencilled to support Knocked Loose later this month, and a spot at 2000trees on The Cave, the etching of the UK’s next breakout act is truly starting to take shape.

It’s unlikely there’s a venue in Cheltenham and the surrounding areas that Truck haven’t played over the years, except one – 2000trees. Now this is the year they do, and like all the local bands who will feature at 2000trees this year, they are more than deserving. Truck will also perform at what is one of the most verdant festival stages in the country in The Forest. The setting will fit indie folk and acoustic sound among the trees and foliage of the hidden-away stage. For those looking for hearty and warm tunes to greet on them before a busy Friday at 2000trees, Truck will be the perfect choice.

There are those who will vouch that Beauty School are one of the more underrated band within the alternative and emo space in the UK, which last year’s From Now On further added evidence to. Their sound is brimming with anything a fan of the emo genre could want, with melancholy, warm riffs, and vocal hooks aplenty. Tracks like “Lately” are ones that the 2000trees crowd will chant along to “Lately I’ve been falling apart” with heart and furore. Then there’s the groove and glisten of tracks like “Reaper“, which many will find themselves humming as they wander round the hills of 2000trees.

If you asked those at both the Frog and Fiddle and Boolin Tunes who we think are one of the most underrated bands within the UK at the moment, the answer would be Prodigal. They are striking gold within the nu-metal sounds of the 00s, whether it be the industrial leanings of System of a Down, or the grungier side of Deftones. There are very few, if any, who seem to have such an ability to pull it off like Prodigal do. While “Forever//Forgot” has been the headline track for them, there are plenty more gems within their discography in the form of “Feed” and “ROT“. Tracks like these will rumble awake The Cave and show 2000trees that a special act can emerge from this neck of the woods.

One of the quiet success stories our of the UK recently has to be thistle., the grungegaze unit who blend lo-fi atmosphere with earworm shoegaze hooks. Tapping into the ‘gaze vein that the likes of Fiddlehead and fellow 2000trees performers Superheaven have opened, thistle. add their own English grit to their sound. The Northampton unit explore 90s grunge that invokes the nostalgia through vocal melodies and guitar work brimming with its own hooks. While each of these influences subtly show themselves across thistle.‘s sound, the trio’s ability to bring them together in a distinctive manner proves that the popularity they’ve struck isn’t just hype.

This Canadian unit is everything their name says on the tin. Rough, confrontational, but also deeply authentic, they’re blending together the worlds of hardcore and folk to make an atmosphere and sound that will feel familiar to those who listen to Chat Pile and Agriculture. Acting as a soundtrack to life outside big cities, it captures the dysfunction, neglect, and simple misfortune that trails human existence. With their sophomore record, The weathervane is my body, on the horizon, and each single deeply impressing, there is a sense that Truck Violence could be a highlight of The Cave that many will have as a favourite from the weekend.

What makes The Cave our favourite stage at 2000trees is that it’s often brimming with DIY and undergrounds acts. These are the acts who craft their own sound, produce their own music videos, and do the hard miles when it comes to travelling at home and away. There is perhaps none more so who encapsulate that this year than Stress Positions, who will make the journey across the Atlantic from their home in Chicago. Their frantic noise rock and hardcore blend will be the surprise package of the weekend. Stephanie Brooks‘s frenzied vocals command a sound that will carve itself into the ears and minds of onlookers, and make for a set that will have the crowd dancing, headbanging, and who knows what else.