2000trees 2026: the Breakdown
There are festivals, and then there’s 2000trees. After four days spent sprinting between stages, discovering new favourite bands, catching long-time heroes, speaking to artists and sharing countless moments with fellow festival-goers, it’s easy to understand why this independent festival has earned such a devoted reputation. More than just a lineup stacked with incredible talent, 2000trees is built on an unmistakable sense of community, one where everyone, from fans and volunteers to artists and crew, feels like they’re part of something special. I left feeling incredibly privileged to have experienced so much across one weekend and with a heart full of unforgettable memories, it’s safe to say 2000trees more than lived up to every expectation.
Wednesday | Love Rarely
Kicking off my 2000trees experience was Love Rarely, a band I’d only really discovered earlier this year. With an interview already in the diary, catching their set felt like the perfect introduction and they completely exceeded every expectation I had. Despite opening one of the festival’s first days, they pulled a huge crowd into the Word Stage and wasted absolutely no time making it their own. Bursting with infectious energy, commanding stage presence and undeniable talent, Love Rarely delivered the kind of performance that instantly turns curious onlookers into fans. Every member threw themselves into the set, creating an electric atmosphere that set the bar incredibly high for the rest of the weekend.
Wednesday | Venus Grrrls
Next up were Venus Grrrls, who brought an infectious burst of energy that was impossible not to get swept up in. From the moment they stepped on stage, there was a sense of pure fun radiating from the band, and that enthusiasm quickly spread throughout the crowd. Their set was packed with catchy hooks, punchy riffs and an effortlessly charismatic performance that made every song feel like a celebration. Looking as captivating as they sounded, Venus Grrrls delivered a vibrant performance that proved exactly why they're becoming such an exciting name on the UK alternative scene.
Wednesday | SPRINTS
Keeping the momentum going, Irish female-fronted punk band SPRINTS delivered a blistering performance on the Forest Stage, whipping the crowd into a frenzy with relentless energy. Mosh pits erupted throughout the set while a steady stream of crowd surfers made their way across the audience. Towards the end of the performance, singer Karla Chubb called out, "Are there any female guitarists in the crowd?" Within seconds, one fan was invited on stage. Karla quickly showed her the riff, handed over her guitar, grabbed the microphone, stepped to the front of the stage and launched herself into the audience for an exhilarating crowd surf. Before wrapping up, the band tore through an iconic cover of Le Tigre’s ‘Deceptacon’, leaving the crowd buzzing as they brought their high-energy performance to an end.
Wednesday | Lake Malice
Then came Lake Malice, a band on the verge of something special, and they know it. Every time I see them, they somehow manage to raise the bar. Their chemistry on stage is undeniable, moving in perfect sync as if every beat and breakdown is second nature, while vocalist Alice Guala and guitarist Blake Cornwall continue to prove why they’re one of the most exciting duos in heavy music right now. Their songs are becoming sharper, heavier and more refined with every release, and that confidence radiates throughout their live show. With their debut album just around the corner, it feels like Lake Malice are standing at the edge of a breakthrough. Based on this performance, bigger stages feel like a realistic next step for Lake Malice as they no doubt have the drive and ability to make the jump.
Thursday | Youth Killed It
Thursday got off to a brilliant start with Youth Killed It. Despite going in without knowing any of their songs, that didn’t stop me from having an absolute blast. Their infectious energy and effortlessly charismatic performance made it impossible not to get caught up in the moment, while the sea of dedicated fans screaming every lyric back at the stage only added to the atmosphere. There’s something special about watching a band connect so naturally with their audience, and by the end of the set, it was easy to see why they have such a loyal following. They may have been a new discovery for me, but they certainly left 2000trees with one more fan.
Thursday | Pool Kids
Pool Kids were next, and they delivered a set that was both technically impressive and effortlessly enjoyable. Their blend of intricate instrumentation and melodic hooks made for a captivating performance, but the standout was undoubtedly vocalist Christine Goodwyne. Her vocal range was nothing short of astonishing, seamlessly shifting between delicate, emotive passages and powerful, soaring moments that filled the stage. Even if the band’s math-rock leanings aren’t something I listen to every day, their musicianship was impossible not to appreciate, making for another standout set in an already stacked festival lineup.
Thursday | Delilah Bon
Delilah Bon’s set was one of those performances that reminded everyone why artists like her are so important. Fearless in both her music and her message, she continues to use her platform to challenge injustice, champion those who are often unheard and create a space where people can feel seen. Every song was delivered with conviction, backed by explosive energy and a stage presence that demanded your attention from start to finish. Yet, amid the riotous anthems, it was the emotionally charged ballad ‘Not the President’ that proved to be the defining moment of the set. Stripping things back allowed Delilah's incredible vocals to take centre stage, adding a layer of vulnerability to an already powerful performance. Delilah Bon isn’t just making music: she's creating something that resonates far beyond the stage.
Thursday | Don Broco
Closing out Thursday were Don Broco, who found themselves stepping into the headline slot following Alkaline Trio's last-minute cancellation. If there was any pressure to fill such a significant gap in the bill, they never showed it. Instead, they walked onto the main stage with something to prove and delivered a performance that reminded everyone exactly why they’re regarded as one of the UK’s best live bands right now. Every aspect of the set felt effortless, from the huge singalong choruses that echoed across Upcote Farm to Rob Damiani's unmistakable stomps that had the crowd moving in unison. Even a well-timed hydration break became part of the spectacle, with the band’s trademark charisma ensuring the energy never dipped. Tight, polished and packed with personality, Don Broco didn’t just save the day, but completely owned the headline slot.
Friday | Twat Union
Friday began with one of my biggest surprises of the weekend: Twat Union. They're probably not a band I would’ve sought out on my own, but after a recommendation, I thought, why the hell not? It turned out to be one of the best decisions I made all festival. Equal parts hilarious and genuinely impressive, the band balanced tongue-in-cheek humour with sharp songwriting and infectious punk energy. Beneath the jokes and chaos was a clever social commentary delivered with a knowing smirk, creating the kind of connection where both band and audience felt completely in on it together. They never sacrificed musicianship for the punchline either, sounding just as good as they were entertaining. I went into the set with reservations, but I left wondering why I’d waited so long to give them a chance.
Friday | Call Me Amour
Next up were Call Me Amour, a band I’ve followed for a while now, so I already knew I was in for a great set and they didn’t disappoint. From the moment they hit the stage, the energy was unstoppable. Massive singalongs erupted throughout the set, the crowd feeding off every chorus, while frontman Harry Radford was his usual wonderfully chaotic self, throwing everything he had into the performance. If I had one criticism, it’s that I don’t think the tent was nearly as full as the band deserved. Their ambition, chemistry and stage presence warrant much bigger crowds, but those who did turn up more than made up for it. For what's effectively their first proper summer festival season, Call Me Amour absolutely smashed it, proving they’re more than ready for even bigger stages in the future.
Friday | Mallory Knox
Then came the set I’d been waiting for all weekend. Anyone who knows me knows Mallory Knox are more than just another band on a festival lineup; they’re one of the most important bands in my life. Seeing them at 2000trees for the first time since their reunion was an incredibly emotional experience, and from the moment they walked on stage, I was an absolute mess. Songs that soundtracked my teenage years still carried the same weight, every chorus hitting just as hard as it did all those years ago.
Noticeably absent was guitarist James Gillett, who missed the performance after welcoming his daughter into the world earlier that day. He was certainly missed, but the band still poured everything into a set full of heart, nostalgia and undeniable chemistry. Despite only making sporadic appearances since reuniting, they played with the passion of a band who had never been away. Mallory Knox still have something to say, and after a performance this powerful, I can only hope we see much more of them.
Friday | Funeral For A Friend
Friday came to a close with Funeral for a Friend. While I wasn’t overly familiar with their catalogue beyond their reputation, I was genuinely excited for this set thanks to the addition of Lucas Woodland, whose work with Holding Absence has made him one of my favourite vocalists in modern rock. Any doubts about how seamlessly he’d fit into the band were quickly erased, as Lucas brought one of the most powerful voices in the scene today, alongside the warmth and natural charisma that make him such a compelling frontman. Rather than simply filling impossible shoes, he’s added something new while honouring everything that made Funeral for a Friend so beloved in the first place.
Backed by a band firing on all cylinders, they delivered a blistering headline performance packed with huge riffs, soaring choruses and relentless energy. Even without knowing every word, I found myself completely swept up in the atmosphere. It was a reminder of why they’re held in such high regard, proving this new era is not just working, but absolutely thriving.
Saturday | Frozemode
Saturday began with one of the standout discoveries of the entire weekend: Frozemode. From the second they stepped onto the main stage, they had a confidence that felt completely natural, blending hip-hop, punk, rock and electronic influences into a sound that was fresh, unpredictable and impossible to look away from. Their flow was sharp, their chemistry as a trio was clear, and their stage presence had that rare kind of effortless energy that can’t be faked. What made their set stand out even more was the genuine connection they built with the crowd. Instead of keeping their distance, they threw themselves fully into the experience, jumping into the mosh pit and spending time with fans at the barrier. For a band on a main stage, that level of interaction feels increasingly rare, but it captured exactly what makes Frozemode so exciting: they don’t just perform for a crowd, they become part of it. They’re talented, authentic and completely themselves, and after seeing them live, it feels less like a bold prediction and more like a certainty that Frozemode are going to become absolutely massive.
Saturday | Mouth Culture
It’ll come as no surprise that Mouth Culture were another one of the weekend’s standout moments. Having watched them tear through smaller venues like Hull a few years back, seeing them now take over the 2000trees main stage felt like a proper full-circle moment and a reminder of just how far they’ve come. Their rise hasn’t happened by chance; it’s been built on a lot of hard work, unforgettable live shows and songs that practically beg to be shouted back at them by a crowd at full volume. That’s exactly what the atmosphere was like throughout their set, with every chorus feeling massive and every breakdown sending waves through the crowd. What makes Mouth Culture so easy to get behind is their perfect mix of tongue-in-cheek humour and nonstop energy and if their 2000trees performance proved anything, it’s that this is only the beginning for Mouth Culture. Their rise is still gaining momentum, and it’s genuinely exciting to wonder just how far they can take it.
Saturday | Glassjaw
Next came one of the most highly anticipated sets of the entire weekend: Glassjaw. They had been one of the bands everyone was talking about throughout 2000trees, and after finally seeing them live, it was clear why they continue to hold such a legendary status. Having previously watched singer Daryl Palumbo perform with Head Automatica, I already knew he had an incredible presence on stage, but nothing quite prepared me for just how intense and captivating Glassjaw would be. From the opening note, the atmosphere felt completely different from anything else I’d experienced across the festival. The band were relentless, balancing complete chaos with moments of incredible precision, while Daryl controlled the stage with the kind of magnetic energy that has made him such an iconic frontman. Their set created what was easily my favourite mosh pit of the entire weekend, with the energy between the band and the crowd becoming something genuinely special. It was one of those rare festival moments where everyone seemed completely locked in, feeding off each other and pushing the experience further with every song. Glassjaw didn’t just deliver a great performance; they reminded everyone exactly why they remain one of post-hardcore’s most respected and influential live bands.
Saturday | Neck Deep
Saturday’s final headliners, Neck Deep, had the difficult task of following an incredible weekend, but somehow they still managed to surprise me. Having seen them countless times over the years, I thought I knew exactly what to expect, yet they delivered a set full of moments that felt genuinely special. Rather than sticking only to the usual festival favourites, they pulled out songs like ‘When You Know’ and ‘Crushing Grief’, while making sure the setlist celebrated their entire journey with at least one track from every Neck Deep record. The songs sounded as huge as ever, with every chorus turning into a crowd-wide singalong, but it was singer Ben Barlow’s relaxed connection with the audience that made the performance stand out, especially as he joked about England’s football match happening during the set. It was the perfect reminder of what makes Neck Deep so loved: they don’t take themselves too seriously, but they always deliver when it matters. They’re far beyond being “just another pop-punk band” now; they’ve become one of the defining names in the genre, with the catalogue, influence and live presence to prove it.
