With wall-to-wall sunshine and some of the best alternative, punk, rock and metal bands known to man, 2000 Trees is shaping up to be another musical feast and part 2 of our comprehensive review promises to be another smorgasbord of all that’s good and heavy. With another two days full of exciting music promised, there’s a lot of ground to cover, so without further ado let’s get busy!
Friday 11th July.
Getting my Friday off to an explosive start are Failstate who make an early (and most welcome) appearance in the new tent. It must be hard for a band to hit the stage at 10:30 in the morning, but if there’s any pressure involved, it’s not showing. They’re a young band, but one who show a great deal of maturity by throwing their sound in a blender to mix tempos and rhythms with great aplomb. As such, they have no trouble holding the crowd’s full attention over thirty fun filled minutes.
Clobber are a street punk combo who deliver songs such as ‘Bullet Boys’ and ‘Tottenham Court Road’ in a ferocious hardcore/oi! style. They are another band who use their platform for political purposes, but it’s a very narrow world view: there’s no mention of the genocide in Sudan, the slaughter of Christians in Nigeria, or the persecution of the Uyghurs in China, just an obsessive focus on one war on the Mediterranean coast. When you drill down as to why they are so preoccupied with this one conflict, the realisation is really quite frightening (and you should be frightened).
My first visit of the day to the Axiom stage is rewarded with a storming set by the enigmatically-titled Ever. They manipulate sonics in new and exciting ways and pit loud sections with quiet to create a sound that’s not unlike stepping into a hall of mirrors as sound is fractured and reflected in all directions. Songs such as ‘What If’ cut to the very meaning of life and the deep existentialist questions that lie therein. With a definite grunge influence to their modus operandi, Ever have set the bar extremely high for the rest of the day.
Eville are another band who make good use of musical opposites, fusing male and female vocals, the clean and the gruff, loud and quiet, fusing these tensions into a raucous sound and one which doesn’t fail to rile up the crowd. The band’s insistence that the crowd raise their middle fingers and jump on command only adds to the sense of insanity, yet such is the addictive nature of the band’s sound that it is hard not to get involved. They’ve a magnetic pulse that draws the crowd from all corners of the site and that means Eville have made more than a few friends today.
“We are Coughin’ Vicars” screams the band’s vocalist by way of introduction “and this is what Liverpool sounds like”, and he’s not far wrong. Evidencing what a large remit 2000 Trees has, this crew deal a rather nice line in death-rock and post-punk (think Christian Death with a twist of Bauhaus and a dash of early Cure) and it’s the sound of grey, leaden skies and lonely, rain-swept railway platforms. They are definitely one of the most inventive (and certainly most interesting) bands on this year’s bill and they make a nice break from the talk of foreign conflicts. Their vocalist radiates real star quality (either that of ADHD) and is all over the stage like a bad case of formication. Good stuff.
A welcome return to the UK for Melbourne’s Press Club, and this year they are setting things alight on the main stage. They’ve brought golden rays of sunshine with them and their set radiates good vibes with their punchy songs, punchy they might be but they come fully loaded with melody and military muster. There’s little time wasted on between song banter, just cracking song after cracking song, and they’re the type of tunes that make a beeline to you memory bank. It’s the last show on Press Club’s current tour and they’re signing off in some style, namely with an energetic performance that looks like it’s going to break all the house rules.
This year’s 2000 Trees has thrown up all kinds of surprises and no more so than Tyler from Youth Fountain delivering an acoustic set on the Neu stage. Opening with ‘What Tomorrow Brings’ which is quickly followed by Rose Colored Glass’; he looks and sounds overjoyed to be here today and as such his songs tumble forth with a kind of nervous excitement. His voice is like an instrument in itself and means that one guy with an acoustic guitar doesn’t get much bolder, brighter, or better than this. ‘Tarnish’ and ‘Patterns’ are emo-ish, bittersweet songs that sit surprisingly well on the hot July air. He takes requests from the (large) crowd and we get an emotive ‘Deadlocked’ before squeezing in one final tune, ‘Roses In My Backpack’.
Coilguns are a band from Switzerland, and they haven’t travelled all the way to 2000 Trees to take prisoners and they attack the crowd with a quick fire, scattergun approach. It’s full on and full throttle, and not even some technical issues can derail the band’s process. I’ve seen such issues throw many a band into a tailspin, but Coilguns use it as an opportunity to engage with the crowd and it is such situations which separate the men from the boys. When the band are back in the saddle they pick right up from where they left off and without missing a beat. Impressive.
Delta Sleep hail from Canterbury and deliver a cerebral brand of rock that incorporates math rock, indie and emo. It’s a sound that’s very hypnotic and as such, their set seems to alter the very fabric of time. The rhythms employed seem to stretch the concept of music into new and unheard of shapes (not unlike Eric Dolphy did) and as such you’ll find yourself pulled through wormholes and wonder just how you got there. When I arrived in the Axiom tent it was 15:40 and when I left it was 16:15. I can’t quite tell you what exactly happened in between…all I can tell you is that I had my mind blown.
Bringing what The Slits’ guitarist Viv Albertine called “girl rhythms”, that’s exactly what Die Spitz have, and it’s a unique sound all their very own. It’s a signature swing and you’ll recognise it as soon as you hear it. Formed in Austin, Texas in 2022, the band have come a long way in their short history and have picked up a host of awards along the way. The majority of their set is culled from their 2023 EP Teeth, and just like that release their set is a growling, teeth-barred snarl which sends a warning to the curious. Marrying the rage of Minor Threat to the slumbering sludge of Black Sabbath was always going to be a winner and Die Spitz pick up first prize.
A power trio in its purest definition (i.e. powerful), Cloud Nothings lock together to make the impossible possible. Vocalist Dylan Baldi also plays guitar and delivers some spasmodic solos as if he’s just been electrocuted, bassist Chris Brown plays it low (like Nirvana’s Krist Novoselic) while drummer Jayson Gerycz is not flashy, but bang on point, and it all conspires to create a sound that’s hard to ignore. On the surface they look like three of the most unlikely rock stars, but in the music department they are all business and deliver a set of songs that get the whole tent moving. This is just a passing visit from Cloud Nothings, but hopefully they’ll be back for a full tour soon.
When it comes to music, Wales is a nation that punches far above its weight and consistently produces great rock bands: Budgie, Persian Risk, Manic Street Preachers…the list is endless, but the brightest were undoubtedly Mclusky and make a welcome return after a lengthy hiatus and it’s good to note that time hasn’t dulled their sardonic wit at all, and tonight’s set shows that their off kilter view of the world is still very much…off kilter. It’s an uneven camber that takes the crowd on a wild ride through post-punk, indie, and alternative rock. Like the love children of The Fall and The Smiths, this crew evade easy categorisation, but I suggest you file under “stellar”. With impeccable timing and an ear for a good tune, Mclusky have made the perfect gateway into the evening.
The great thing about Coheed And Cambria is that they wrap complexity up in simplicity; the majority of their songs are full on sci-fi, progressive rock epics, yet they remain easily accessible. It’s not an easy thing to carry off, yet this crew manage it with great aplomb. The musicianship is dizzying with drum lines that defy the laws of gravity and guitar solos that would throw Albert Einstein in a hex, yet that technically-minded bent is delivered with stadium filling hooks. That gives their songs a sing-along quality that makes them familiar friends, even if you are unacquainted. It means that the whole crowd gets involved and creates a unified feel that goes some way to soothe the division that has been sown earlier in the day. And for that we should all be grateful.
Their first show in two decades (aside from a warm up gig) finds Million Dead back from the grave, plugged in and amplified, and delivering that brand of post-hardcore, punk, and alternative they do so well. There’s a lot of love in the house for this London-based crew and when they take to the stage they are greeted with a heroes welcome, and one which threatens to blow the roof of the tent. The years that have passed since the band announced their retirement in 2005 have only increased the fondness for Million Dead and as they take to the stage there’s no signs of rust or decay, rather the band are as sharp as ever and they barely put a foot (or note) wrong over the course of a sixty-minute set. Frank Turner’s vocals are as caustic as ever, whilst the band exhibit the same fire that burned brightly 20 years ago. A Million Dead at 2000 Trees equates thousands of satisfied fans.
As the burning sun starts to set over the Gloucestershire hills, a feeling of expectation starts to bubble on site as we await tonight’s headliners Taking Back Sunday. The word “legendary” is thrown around with reckless abandon nowadays, so much so that it has lost most of its currency, yet when it comes to this Long Island crew no other word will suffice. For over a quarter of a century Taking Back Sunday have been shining a light in the dark, and not since The Smiths burst out of Manchester in 1984 have songs about sorrow sounded so darn good. As the natural light starts to fade, the artificial light illuminating the stage comes into sharp focus and it makes the perfect frame for tonight’s headliners. The cheer that welcomes the band is comparable to the Red Arrow formation that flew over the site yesterday and it obviously fills the band with confidence because they are bang on form from the very first note. Suited and booted, Taking Back Sunday are a major step up in class (and we’ve seen some classy bands today), but with tunes such as ‘Cute Without The ‘E’’ and MakeDamnSure’ in their arsenal they really can’t go wrong. Those who mix the sound at festivals are often the unsung heroes, and tonight Taking Back Sunday have been furnished with a warm and lustrous sound that helps bring their songs to life. Tonight’s set is a masterclass from a band at the top of their game.
Saturday 12th July
It looks like today is going to be another scorcher and with Bristol-based band Hunny Buzz opening the Neu stage, things are only going to get hotter. Theirs is a bright and breezy sound that’s tempered by a strong melancholic streak and as such would make the perfect accompaniment to a beach party or bedroom musings. It’s their bassists special day, so an impromptu rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ lightens the mood somewhat, whilst vocalist/guitarist Lydia Read has the makings of a style icon…so watch this space.
We are no strangers to Hidden Mothers here at the Midlands Rocks, having seen them at various festivals and as a support band once or twice, and today they kick things off on the Cave stage. They are another band who wear the political allegiances on their sleeve (quite literally) and it would have been nice if Trees had opened the festival to other voices to create a more rounded view, maybe a band highlighting Turkey’s ongoing illegal occupation of Northern Cyprus, but either way, all this political intrigue is detracting from the music.
Over on The Axiom stage are Dublin/London band Bleech. Without officially committing a single note to tape, this crew have created a buzz around themselves through hard work and their incendiary live show and that’s exactly what they bring to Trees this afternoon. Heavy on the grunge, this bunch draw inspiration from the 90’s alt-rock revolution, yet don’t mark them down as some kind of retro act; there’s an energy and a fire in their feet that places them firmly in the present. With only thirty minutes allotted, Bleech are on a mission to pack as many songs as they can into their set, and that they do with a manic type of energy. Lovely stuff.
Kicking down the barriers that separate hardcore, metal, and punk, Last Hounds are creating a whole load of trouble on the Cave stage (musical trouble, that is). There is an energy and bounce underpinning their songs which makes them highly contagious and their boisterous set sends shock waves radiating throughout the tent (and beyond). They’ve been tearing things up since the late 2010’s, so they know a thing or two about putting a set list together, and today’s set of songs land like a heavyweight’s punches. Beware of the Hounds.
A late addition to the bill, Spinner are a crew from Denmark and this is their first appearance in the UK, and what better way to pop your cherry than at the UK’s most beloved festival? If they are feeling nervous then it doesn’t show because they unleash a no-holds-barred type of set, and one that takes no one alive. From the very first note to the very last, Spinner are a bundle of energy, a ticking time bomb that threatens to detonate at any moment. Short but sweet, Spinner leave us hungry for more.
Over on the Cave stage, Love Is Noise have been attacked by musical gremlins, meaning they abort their first song, leave the stage for a fresh start. However, those same technical issues arise and will occur through their entire set. Love Is Noise have a sound that’s powerful enough to cut through all the turmoil, and with songs such as ‘Jawbreaker’ in their arsenal, that’s really no surprise. Unfortunately, those gremlins make the band’s set untenable and force the band to abort their set. Hopefully they’ll be back and if they do return, they’re gonna slay it.
After graduating from the Cave stage, Split Chain bring a capacity crowd to the Axiom (and it’s standing room only). With a new album fresh in the world, the band are full of beans and they do play like a collective who know they are on the upswing. They attack with the unified force of a violent street gang, their attack is violent and leaves the crowd battered and bruised (and with a cauliflower ear). There is a new force in the world of heavy music: Split Chain is the name, remember it.
Certainly not overcome with nerves, Anxious marry melodic beats to hardcore fury and the result really is addictive, it’s very moreish, leaves a bittersweet taste and comes with lashings of feedback. Their vocalist is a force of nature and riles the crowd towards greater insanity with tracks such as ‘One Way Street’ unleashing all sorts of pandemonium in the pit. The band are a tightly wound ball of aggression and make every note count. That the band are playing like a finely tuned machine is no surprise as this is the last date of their current tour and they’ll be signing off in style. If you missed them (fool you) then have no fear because they’ll be back to bruise some more eardrums in December, so make a space in your diary.
Spiky and angular, The Future Of The Left remind me of a cross between The Fall and Half Man Half Biscuit at their most inventive (and their most appealing). Their songs find lines intersecting at impossible angles, the band never fail to hit the target with basslines that beat a path to the centre of your memory bank. Off-kilter their sound might be, but therein also lies the band’s appeal and they never fail to put the occasional rabbit from the hat, moments of musical magic and when this band get heavy they hit with Shellac force. With these guys on the scene, The Future Of The Left is looking assured.
A Molotov cocktail filled with highly flammable substance, Lowlives have quickly become one of the most talked about bands on the scene. An explosive mixture of hardcore fury, with the street suss of punk and a little (actually, a lot) garage rock to add some spice to the mix, Lowlives aren’t a band for the faint of heart. Full of vim and vigour they might be but they never lose sight of the important stuff like melody and song structure and as such tracks like ‘I Don’t Like You’ bounce like the proverbial bomb. It’s all very pogo-inducing and there’s not a soul present who is not won over by their sheer effervescence. Lowlives hit all the highs this evening.
Tonight’s headliners Alexisonfire have been called everything from post-hardcore to screamo via emo, yet none of these labels has really stuck. In truth this Canadian crew are all of these things and more, and just like compatriots Fucked Up, there’s no influence that’s really off limits. It makes them one of the most interesting bands on the scene, and it seems that the rest of Trees agrees as the biggest crowd of the festival cram into the main arena to witness the band taking the main stage. Aside from the older fans you’d expect to see down the front, it’s heartening to notice that there are young supporters here who missed the band the first time around (hell, who weren’t even born when the band formed in 2001). As the lights illuminate the Gloucestershire skies a huge cheers erupts as the final stage checks are carried out, but our patience is stretched to breaking point as the main title from The Last Of The Mohicans fills the air by way of introduction. However, it’s all good when the band arrive and launch into ‘Accidents’. It’s a crowd-pleasing, “greatest hits” type of set with at least one track pulled from each of the band’s five albums, and looking around me, there are no complaints as the band hit us with ‘Boiled Frogs’ and ‘Sans Soleil’ in quick succession. This is the type of gig you never want to end and we must occasionally pinch ourselves to make sure this is real and then make a mental note to saviour this moment. With such a deep and even discography, Alexisonfire can’t really go wrong and the look of joy on many of the faces around me attests to the magic of music. Two encores cap an impressive set, the second of which, ‘Happiness By The Kilowatt’ finds the band departing in a blaze of glory and leave us feeling like we’ve seen something very special indeed.
