2000 Trees 8 -11 July 2026

Due to one thing or another, it’s been a few years since we’ve been to the wonderful 2000 Trees Festival. But it’s brilliant to be back at one of the best festivals in the UK. It’s in a lovely location and you always get straight in with no issues or hassles. Once you arrive at the site, you’re immediately struck by the great atmosphere which is led by the friendly and helpful staff. From the moment we arrive we feel so happy to be back.

The first band we get to see on the Wednesday is Sprints and who’d have thought at just after eight in the evening we’d be grateful for the shade of the Forest stage. It is also worth noting that Sprints are one hell of a popular band to have secured an opening night slot. It just shows the reputation that 2000 Trees has developed. It’s a festival where groups appreciate the brilliant job it does to support rock bands. When we saw them at Glastonbury they seemed a bit lost, but here their tight punk songs are going down as well as the early festival beers. They proudly declare their set is a rock n roll show and it certainly was!

Things get even better when you realise PUP are then headlining the small Forest stage on the Wednesday. Given they would be more than capable headliners at most rock festivals of this size, that’s a hell of a coup for 2000 Trees. Again, it’s a credit to the reputation and pull of the festival. PUP are actually doing this set AND a main stage show the next day! 
Obviously the forest area is absolutely packed. PUP are an ideal band for 2000 Trees as they are punk rock but also have plenty of melody and choruses in their songs. So it doesn’t matter if you want to mosh, dance or sing. We are treated to a special set as they play the whole of ‘The Dream Is Over’. So it’s a very special start to the festival. Although the fun doesn’t end there, as we get to see Thrill Collins playing a silent disco set. We don’t think there is anything more joyful than seeing a bunch of punks and metal heads singing along to the likes of Girls Aloud, Bewitched, Aqua etc.

Ashaine White is the first artist to tempt us to the stages on the Thursday. For 2000 Trees, it’s a relatively gentle and melodic start to our day…exactly what we needed, especially in the already scorching heat. Whilst we said a gentle start, many of the songs start slow but rapidly build into massive epic alternative rock numbers. 

Having been warmed up, we then get to see Youth Killed It. They’re a late edition to the bill but their accessible punk pop is perfect for 2000 Trees. They generate a really healthy crowd who are treated to some punky but melodic songs. And with ‘Lovely Day’ they have a song with an appropriate title for this gig. When they slow it down on one of the songs, the rapping vocal style means there’s a hint of Jamie T about it. 

They’re a good warm up for the Skinner Brothers who have a similar if slightly amped up sound. Again it’s a rock sound that strays into rap rock, punk and even a dance element. They even throw in a ska flavoured version of ‘Seven Nations Army’. Fck knows how they kept the high energy show going whilst wearing masks and balaclavas!

Mariachi El Bronx certainly offer something different! Not surprisingly, there is an absolutely massive crowd at the main stage. There’s quite a few sombreros in the crowd which suggests many have specifically come to see this unique experience. How many other times do you get to see members of a legendary hardcore punk band doing Mariachi songs?!

Coach Party are a band we were really looking forward to seeing at the festival. We’ve been following them since we saw them totally outshine The Mysterines (we think!) at a gig after they released their first EP. There may have been some who had the impression they were a bit too indie for 2000 Trees. But this is a band that really rocks out and as a live act they are very strong. Their grungy rock set certainly goes down a treat with the packed out tent.

If any band deserves their shot on the main stage then it’s Bad Nerves. As we’ve previously reported, this is one of the few bands in the U.K. who are adding some glam and power pop swagger to their rock n roll sound. Every time we see them we love them, they have the look, the moves and most importantly the tunes!!! They should be huge! Amongst all the rock and metal it’s good to have a genuine proper rock n roll band.

The beauty of this year’s 2000 Trees is that you wait years to see PUP and then get to see them twice in 24 hours. This one sees them in their rightful place on the main stage. As the sun eases off a bit, their anthemic punk rock is absolutely perfect for a crowd that is now hell bent on having fun and singing along to their fine tunes. Pop punk has somehow ended up being a derogatory term but PUP really represent what is good about the modern incarnation of that genre. There’s nothing puerile about their music, it’s intelligent but also accessible and tuneful. A great band.

It’s been a while since we’ve seen The Virgin Marys. Indeed, so long that we’d forgotten that they are one of the few duos we actually like (post the wave of White Stripe clones that happened). We’d also forgotten what an awesome sound they create. It’s pure indie, rock n roll. They attract a crowd that might not be the size they deserve, but one that is clearly passionate about the band. Again, that’s something this festival has always done, attract loyal fans who adore music. It’s a bit odd seeing The Virgin Marys on the small forest stage. Out of the many bands playing over the weekend, they’re probably the one that you’d imagine has the sound that could easily achieve wider commercial success. It’s a real mystery why they’re not huge.

Twat Union is an unusual band name to start off our Friday. It’s a good start to the day though, as they have some great punk pop songs. Most importantly they have lyrics that are equal parts clever, funny and thought provoking. They also engage the audience in a bit of synchronised dancing, which is something we always love to see. 

Beauty School (no photos) is a great name for a band and the promise of an old school pop punk/emo sound manages to drag us out of the shade. Like everyone else who made the effort, we were delighted to see they did indeed deliver a style that was punk rock but also had a focus on melody. We presume they were British, but there was definably an American influence on their sound.

We wonder how many bands over the weekend benefited from playing at the forest stage given that loads of the crowd were so keen to be in the shade? We headed over there to see Slag. There’s a slightly darker and more indie feel to their tunes. There’s also a bit of a Last Diner Party style grandiose to their sound. It actually forms a nice contrast to the bright sunny weather…or maybe we were just relieved to have some respite from the sun!

Part of the beauty of 2000 Trees is its ability to always offer up something a bit different. Ellis B certainly offers that with a sound which is hard to compartmentalise. Yeah it’s rock, but it’s also pop and there is an electronica vibe to it as well. Most appealing to us there is a touch of Marc Bolan glam with a hint of Jim Morrison intrigue to Ellis B. It all adds up to something a bit different and a bit special.

Jayler also offer up something different by actually being a classic rock band. From the look and sound it’s hard to think beyond Led Zeppelin. It’s good to see a young band that actually looks like a rock n roll band. Old school and traditional, maybe, but ironically it actually felt like a breath of fresh air and something a bit different compared to everything else at 2000 Trees. 

Despite having only recently seen The Wildhearts at Bearded Theory, it still feels like an honour to be given the chance to see them once again. It’s another reminder just how influential a band they have been. You also realise that they have created a style and sound that is timeless. The main thing that is noticeable is the absolute love from the crowd to the band. The whole set is a celebration and a sing along during which everyone has the time of their lives.

Ain’t is a bit of an odd name for a band but they’re the first act we see on the Saturday. We’re sure that the shade of the tent probably helps them attract a good early morning crowd. But they keep them all in and entertained with an indie rock sound that to us had a 90s American alternative rock influence on it. 

Speaking of band names, it’s hard to fathom why Car Sick chose their name! It’s hardly appealing and conjures up pretty horrific images. Thankfully, their sound isn’t nausea inspiring hardcore! Instead, it’s on the punk pop spectrum with hints of an almost hip hop feel to it. Mind you a new song called ‘social smoker’ has a real indie rock feel to it. That song could easily attract commercial success and be a future festival anthem. The band are determined to wake up the crowd and do a good job of that. The initial few bobs of the head soon develop into some full on body shaking and a very hot mosh pit! The bassist dedicates a song to his dad who is in the audience and has been taking him to 2000 Trees for 10 years. It’s just another reminder of how much the festival means to people. You can only imagine his Dad’s pride at his son now playing the main stage.

The juxtaposition of band names continues with Peach, who are certainly not soft and sweet. They are pretty hard like the stone in a peach we suppose. It’s an intense sound with a vocalist who has a really strong and piercing voice. We’re not sure they did much for people’s hangover headaches but the crowd loved them.

East Exchange kind of give their sound away with the front person’s image – a flannel shirt over a long sleeved white top and shorts. Having said that, their grunge sound still has a lot of melody to go alongside the passion. They seem a really tight band and have a front person with a powerhouse vocal. They’re on the Marshall stage this year but have the kind of big, anthemic songs that you could easily see working on the main stage. We wouldn’t be surprised to see them very high up the bill in future years. 

Keeping up today’s band name theme, Heart Attack Man sound more like a warning message given the ridiculous heat. Coming from Ohio they should be used to the sunshine, even though their opening song is called ‘Pitch Black’! Their booking for 2000 Trees is obvious given their anthemic punk rock songs. But they probably actually nail that sound better than every other band of that type we saw over the weekend. It hits the sweet spot of being in your face punk rock but with enough melody to drag everyone along clapping and singing. What you really have to give credit to is the crowd. For Heart Attack Man, like every other band over the weekend, there is a dedicated bunch of fans. They’re at the front dancing, moshing, forming circle pits and crowd surfing as if their lives depend on it. Their commitment to having a good time and love of the music is inspiring.

Indeed, that’s the real beauty and magic of 2000 Trees, the people. As we said at the start, we haven’t been for a few years but it’s exactly how we remembered it. Fair play to the organisers who have resisted the temptation to over commercialise it or change the essence of the festival. There’s an irony that all the piercings and tattoos on the crowd would probably make them the type of people that ‘normal’ people in the street might be fearful of or try to avoid. The reality is that this festival attracts some of the nicest people you would want to meet. They all love their music, want to have a good time and look after each other. A great example of a diverse and beautiful community. We’re definitely going to make sure that we’re back here again next year.