Friday 12 July
With typical Spectral Nights timing, a car-related emergency meant we only made it onto Upcote Farm in time for Sl0tface’s appearance on the main stage, missing our tips for Ones to Watch Buds and Bex in the process. We heard great things about both and will endeavour to see them soon.
Sl0tface – Photo credit: Carla MundySl0tface were back at Trees for the first time since 2018, with Haley Shea in fine form throughout – gently and politely encouraging the crowd to get involved in a midday mosh pit while delivering a blistering set mixing old favourites including ‘Nancy Drew’ and ‘S.U.C.C.E.S.S’ with the massive new songs ‘Ladies of the Fight’ and ‘Tired Old Dog’. Problem Patterns followed with their queerpunk songs – ‘Poverty Tourist’ and ‘Letter of Resignation’ – summing up a jilted generation’s thoughts and feelings, while the constant instrument swapping kept everyone on their toes.
Katie Malco drew a huge early afternoon crowd in the Forest, capturing everyone’s attention with her hushed, reflective and introspective emo-tinged songs. When she was joined by her full band, the sound became more expansive – filling the kind of sound space recent touring partner Julien Baker excels in.
Other Half’s short punk-meets-disco songs had elements of Death From Above 1979 in them while Problem Patterns added extra levels of dancing and occasional backing vocals during their set. This was followed by Sweet Pill, an emo band from Philadelphia who won over the crowd not only with their twinkly power pop sound but instant charisma and chat about Greggs – and whether it’s overrated.
Nova Twins were SO loud on the main stage with plenty of fuzz and relentless, driving bass backing up their dirty grunge pop, while Lovebreakers carried on the Gaslight sound from the night before, but with a punkier edge and cover of ‘Born to Run’. CLT DRP (pronounced Clit Drip) have a marvellously moody and menacing sound with fractured funk moments and pummelling, industrial bass.
Bob Vylan – playing for the fourth and a half time in the past three years – commandeered the festival and renamed it ‘Vylanfest’ with typical wit, charisma and chaos. Lead singer Bob worked the crowd as he always does, bringing his daughter on to deliver an X-rated message, delivering important messages about the state of the nation and crowdsurfing all the way back from the sound desk to the stage. Long live the Fred Perry Mafia.
While on the way back from the climactic moments of both Bobs’ set, we heard a blast of Nordic Giants -style guitar and keys blaring out from the Neu tent. We popped our head in to watch Zetra – two guys on raised platforms dressed in masks and oversized capes delivering theatrical and heavy post rock that bands twice their size struggle to match. We just couldn’t leave them until they played their final note.
Empire State Bastard – Photo credit: Joe Singh – SnaprockandpopWe finished our Friday night with Empire State Bastard in the Cave – Simon Neil from Biffy Clyro and Mike Vennart’s band who played one of their first gigs almost exactly a year ago in the Axiom tent opposite. Brutal and brilliant with Slayer and Mr Bungle’s Dave Lombardo thrashing away on drums, the set felt vital and ferocious – with all the band members clearly relishing the chance to indulge in their heavier side with abandon. It was a fitting end to a stacked day.
Read our review of the Wednesday and Thursday of 2000 Trees Festival 2024.
2000trees Festival 2025 tickets are already on sale. The festival takes place from Wednesday 9 to Saturday 12 July 2025 at Upcote Farm, Gloucestershire. More information and tickets are available at 2000trees.co.uk.