Bands to See at 2000trees Festival

There’s a reason 2000trees festival has built such a loyal following over the years. It’s more than just another date in the festival calendar. It’s a carefully curated celebration of alternative music at every level, where grassroots acts share space with scene heavyweights, and discovery feels just as important as the headliners. With so much talent packed into a few days, navigating the lineup can be a challenge in itself. That’s where we come in. We’ve pulled together a Moshly guide to 2000trees, spotlighting the standout bands worth your time and breaking it all down day by day. So whether you’re planning your schedule down to the minute or just looking for your next favourite band, we’ve got you covered.

Wednesday

Love Rarely

While Wednesday at 2000trees festival might be billed as a warm-up, it never really feels like one, especially when the lineup is this strong. Even in its more condensed form, there’s a real sense of intent to the day and plenty of opportunities to catch bands right on the cusp of something bigger. One that’s been sitting firmly at the front of my mind is Love Rarely. Fresh off the release of their debut album ‘Pain Travels’, the Leeds-based outfit have delivered a record that lingers. There’s a depth to their sound: emotive, atmospheric, and quietly powerful that pulls you in and keeps you there. It’s the kind of album that feels carefully crafted rather than rushed, with each track building on that same sense of weight and intention. If they can translate even half of that into a live setting, this set has the potential to be something really special. There’s a buzz around them that feels justified, and Wednesday might just be the perfect moment to catch them before that attention really starts to grow.

BLACKGOLD

Another name bringing a completely different kind of energy to Wednesday is BLACKGOLD. Flying the flag for nu metal in a way that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly modern, BLACKGOLD tap into that early-2000s intensity while still carving out something distinctly their own. There’s groove, there’s bounce and there’s an undeniable attitude running through everything they do. Their tracks feel built for a live setting: big riffs, punchy vocals and the kind of momentum that gets a crowd moving instantly. On a day that already feels stacked, BLACKGOLD offer something heavier and more visceral, perfect for anyone looking to inject a bit of chaos into their Wednesday. If you’re after a set with energy to spare and hooks that hit just as hard as the breakdowns, they’re absolutely one to catch.

Lake Malice

Another band you absolutely shouldn’t overlook is Lake Malice. I caught them at a different festival last season and they delivered, the kind of set that sticks with you long after you’ve left the field. Their music hits hard, blending punchy heaviness with sharp, memorable hooks that just slap in a live setting. What really sets them apart though is their voice beyond the music. They’re not afraid to speak up about issues within the industry, bringing a level of honesty and awareness that adds even more weight to what they do. It feels genuine, not performative and that authenticity carries straight through into their performance. They might still be a smaller name on the lineup, but they deserve far more recognition than they’re getting right now. If you get the chance, make the effort to see them, this is exactly the kind of band 2000trees is built for discovering.

Karen Dio

Next up is Karen Dio, who brings a completely different kind of energy to the day. Blending punchy alternative rock with a sharp pop edge, Karen Dio has a way of making instantly catchy tracks that still carry a bit of bite. There’s attitude, there’s humour and there’s a confidence in the delivery that makes her stand out from the crowd. Her songs feel tailor-made for a festival setting: big choruses, bold personality and the kind of hooks that stick after just one listen. But underneath that, there’s a cleverness to the writing that keeps things interesting and gives the set a bit more depth than you might expect at first glance. If you’re after something high-energy that doesn’t take itself too seriously while still hitting all the right notes, Karen Dio is definitely one to have on your Wednesday list.

Thursday

Happydaze

Kicking off Thursday at 2000trees festival, Happydaze bring a welcome burst of pop punk sunshine all the way down from Scotland. Their sound is bright, energetic and instantly infectious, the kind of tracks that feel built for open-air singalongs and early-day crowds ready to get moving. There’s a real warmth to what they do. It’s upbeat without feeling shallow, nostalgic without being stuck in the past and packed with hooks that land every time. Happydaze have a knack for capturing that carefree pop punk spirit while still making it feel fresh and that balance makes them a perfect fit for a Thursday slot. If you’re looking to start the day on a high note, this is exactly where you want to be. Expect big choruses, good energy and a crowd that’s fully along for the ride.

Native James

Next up is Native James, who brings something entirely unique to the lineup. There really isn’t anyone else doing it quite like Native James right now and that individuality is a huge part of the appeal. There’s a swagger to the delivery, a confidence that cuts through immediately, making it impossible to ignore once the set gets going. Blending alternative rap with grime, the sound is sharp, intense and hits with purpose. It’s a combination that doesn’t always land in a live setting but here, it absolutely does. Native James feels like the blueprint for how to do it right, balancing flow, aggression and energy in a way that translates perfectly to the stage. And that’s where it really comes alive. Explosive doesn’t even quite cover it, this is a performance you feel as much as you hear. If you’re looking for something that breaks away from the expected and injects a different kind of energy into the day, Native James is unmissable.

Delilah Bon

Next up is Delilah Bon and I won’t even pretend to be neutral here, I’m a huge fan of everything she stands for. Delilah Bon is more than just a performer; she’s a voice for those too often spoken over or ignored, and that message runs powerfully through every track. There’s purpose behind the music, and it hits just as hard as the sound itself. But what makes it all land so effectively is that the music genuinely delivers. Whether it’s the infectious, tongue-in-cheek bounce of ‘BUSH’ or the raw, unfiltered release of ‘Dead Men Don’t Rape’, there’s something deeply cathartic about a Delilah Bon set. It’s the kind of performance where you can find yourself dancing one minute and screaming along the next and both feel equally valid. Delilah isn’t just part of the lineup: she is a moment. And at 2000trees, this feels like an absolutely unmissable set.

Bad Nerves

Next up are Bad Nerves, bringing a shot of pure, no-nonsense punk energy to the day. Fast, loud and relentlessly catchy, Bad Nerves deal in the kind of stripped-back chaos that feels immediate from the first note. There’s no overthinking it, just sharp riffs, driving rhythms and hooks that hit before you’ve even had a second to catch up. They’ve built a reputation for high-octane live shows and it’s easy to see why. The songs feel made for packed-out crowds and constant movement, the kind of set where everything blurs into one adrenaline rush from start to finish. It’s raw, it’s fun and it doesn’t let up. If you’re after a moment to fully throw yourself into the chaos, Bad Nerves are absolutely the band to do it with.

Friday

Overgrown

Moving into Friday, one of the first names to get on your radar is Overgrown. Bringing a fresh edge to the lineup, Overgrown sit comfortably in that space between melody and weight, crafting songs that feel both expansive and tightly wound at the same time. There’s a real sense of atmosphere in what they do, balanced out by moments that hit with impact when it counts. It’s the kind of sound that draws you in gradually before fully taking hold, perfect for easing into a packed Friday while still delivering something memorable. They might not be the biggest name on the bill, but there’s a quiet confidence to Overgrown that suggests they’re building towards something bigger. Catch them early, this could be one of those sets you’re glad you didn’t miss.

ALT BLK ERA

Next up are ALT BLK ERA, who bring a completely fresh and vital energy to the Friday lineup. Blending elements of alternative, electronic and punk with an unapologetic attitude, they’re carving out a sound that feels both current and entirely their own. There’s a boldness to everything they do, sonically and visually, that makes them impossible to ignore. They’re also growing fast, steadily carving out a name for themselves within the alternative space and it’s easy to see why. Their tracks are punchy, dynamic and full of personality, shifting between intensity and groove in a way that keeps you locked in from start to finish. It’s music that feels made for movement, but with a message and identity that gives it real weight. That upward momentum makes them a perfect fit for 2000trees festival that thrives on spotlighting artists right as they’re breaking through. Live, ALT BLK ERA don’t just perform, they command attention and this feels like exactly the kind of set that could mark a real turning point.

House Of Protection

Next up are House of Protection, a band that have been steadily building serious momentum and feel more than ready for a stage like this. Blending elements of alternative rock, electronic textures and heavier influences, their sound hits that sweet spot between atmosphere and intensity, creating something that feels both polished and powerful. There’s a tension running through their music that really stands out, moments of restraint that build into explosive releases, giving their tracks a dynamic edge that translates perfectly live. It’s controlled chaos in the best way, and it keeps you fully locked in from start to finish. With their upward trajectory and a growing reputation for delivering on stage, House of Protection feel like one of those bands on the brink of something bigger. 2000trees is exactly the kind of setting where that next step can happen and this set could be a defining moment.

Mallory Knox

Next up are Mallory Knox and full honesty, I am the ultimate Mallory Knox fangirl. Seeing them reunited and back on festival lineups again genuinely feels special. After the last couple of years, with standout sets at Slam Dunk and Download, they’re not just testing the waters, they’re making a statement. Mallory Knox are back, and it really feels like they’re back for good.They’ve always had that signature blend of soaring, emotionally charged vocals and huge, anthemic instrumentation. The contrast between melodic verses and explosive choruses is what really defines their sound, it’s dynamic, heartfelt and built for big crowds. There’s a vulnerability in the lyrics that cuts through, paired with riffs and rhythms that give their songs real weight. It’s that balance of emotion and energy that made them such a staple in the first place and it still hits just as hard now. There’s something powerful about this reunion. It’s nostalgic in all the right ways, tapping into that golden era of 2010s alternative, but it never feels stuck in the past. They’ve still got it: the energy, the emotion, the huge choruses that made them such a standout. For anyone who grew up on that Kerrang! era of music, this is an absolute must-see. It’s more than just a set:  it’s a moment, and one that’s guaranteed to hit hard live.

Saturday

Frozemode

With Saturday rounding off what’s set to be a huge few days at 2000trees festival, things don’t slow down and Frozemode are a perfect example of that. Bringing a fresh, high-energy sound to the final day, Frozemode sit comfortably in that new wave of alternative acts who aren’t afraid to blur genre lines and push things forward. There’s an urgency to their music that really stands out: punchy, modern and full of intent, with a delivery that feels both confident and evolving. It’s the kind of sound that grabs your attention quickly and keeps it, making them a strong contender for one of those surprise highlights of the day. As the weekend starts to wind down, Frozemode feel like the perfect reminder that there’s still plenty left in the tank and plenty more to discover.

Mouth Culture

Next up are Mouth Culture and yes, I fear I’m saying it again, but I love this band. Mouth Culture are just pure fun to watch live. There’s so much energy, so much personality and such a clear sense of passion behind what they do that it becomes impossible not to get swept up in it. Watching them on stage genuinely feels like watching a band actively levelling up in real time. They’ve been putting in the work too. Constantly on the move, they’ve toured alongside big names like You Me at Six and fellow 2000trees alumni Kids in Glass Houses, building their sound and tightening their live show with every performance. That experience really shows, they know how to hold a crowd and make a set feel like a moment. Honestly, this is a band I can see being big, properly big. So don’t waste the opportunity to see them now, while they’re still climbing. It won’t stay that way for long.

Glassjaw

Next up are Glassjaw, a band I’ve personally been dying to see live, so getting the chance to catch them on the main stage feels like a bit of a dream. For many, Glassjaw aren’t just another name on the lineup, they’re a cornerstone of the scene, and seeing them in a setting like 2000trees festival is something special. Formed in the early 1990s, Glassjaw quickly built a reputation for pushing boundaries within post-hardcore, blending aggression with melody in a way that felt ahead of its time. Albums like ‘Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Silence’ and ‘Worship and Tribute’ helped cement their legacy, influencing a whole wave of bands that followed and earning them a devoted cult following that’s only grown over the years. Their sound is intense, unpredictable and emotionally charged, shifting from chaotic, jagged riffs to more melodic, almost hypnotic moments without losing any of that raw edge. It’s that contrast that makes them so compelling, and so enduring. Live, that energy translates into something even more powerful, and on a main stage like this, it feels like it could be one of the defining sets of the weekend.

Heart Attack Man

Next up are Heart Attack Man, bringing a sharp, fast and emotionally charged burst of pop punk energy to the day. There’s a real bite to what they do, tongue-in-cheek at times, brutally honest at others but always delivered with a sense of urgency that makes their songs feel impossible to ignore. Their sound sits in that perfect space between melody and chaos: punchy guitar lines, relentless drums and vocals that swing between sardonic humour and genuine intensity. It’s pop punk with a sharper edge, often self-aware but never losing its emotional core, which is exactly why it connects so well live. On stage, that energy ramps up even further. Their sets feel tight, explosive and full of movement, the kind where you don’t really get a chance to stand still. If you’re after a set that’s equal parts catharsis and fun, Heart Attack Man are absolutely one to catch.

Cody Frost

Rounding out our picks for Saturday is Cody Frost. Cody Frost has been steadily carving out a space that feels completely their own, blending alternative, electronic and punk influences into something bold, unpredictable and deeply expressive. There’s a real sense of identity in their music. It can be chaotic one moment and stripped-back the next, but it always feels intentional: driven by emotion, attitude and a refusal to be boxed in. That versatility is exactly what makes they so compelling, both on record and on stage. Live, it all comes together in a way that feels raw and immediate. Cody Frost doesn’t just perform songs, they fully inhabits them, and that energy makes for a set that’s as immersive as it is unpredictable.