Last night State Champs played a very different show at the Underworld: it was hot, sweaty and very rowdy, and naturally it was an absolute delight. Tonight’s show is just as excellent, but for very different reasons. The band aren’t as used to playing acoustic shows as they are to playing incredibly lively shows, so it’s just as exciting for them as it is for the crowd. If there were any nerves involved before the show, they’re quickly overcome when the band take to the stage.

Opening with one of their biggest hits, ‘Elevated’, it’s a very different version to the one we’re used to, but it sounds utterly fantastic. Frontman Derek DiScanio’s vocals sound absolutely glorious in an acoustic environment, and at one point he goes solo on ‘If I’m Lucky’ which shows off his voice even more. It’s a short but sweet set, and the setlist favours older tracks which they don’t play as much, like ‘Stick Around’. It’s definitely a treat for diehard State Champs fans, and it’s an absolute triumph of a set.

Tonight’s headliners are Sleeping With Sirens, and it’s safe to say there are some very happy fans when they come onstage. Some had slept outside the church the night before to get the best seats in the house, and there are girls crying with emotion in the front pews as Kellin Quinn and co take the stage. The band open with ‘With Ears To See And Eyes To Hear’, one of their oldest hits, and it goes down an absolute storm.

Sleeping With Sirens are seasoned pros at playing live, and Kellin Quinn’s incredibly distinctive voice is in its element in this atmosphere. As the headliners, they obviously play for a lot longer than State Champs, which does mean they lose that short but sweet quality, but they keep their wildly keen crowd entertained at all times. One of the highlights of the set is their cover of the Goo Goo Dolls’ ‘Iris’, which is almost better than the original, and then naturally their encore rendition of ‘If You Can’t Hang’ is a huge success. It’s a massive banger already, and it sounds incredible in an acoustic setting.

Tonight has been a huge victory for everyone involved, and it’s down to the combination of the excellent bands, mind-blowing venue, and the general atmosphere. It’s a night that will stay in the minds of every single person who attended. Bravo.

LAIS MW

You can purchase the album here.

How did you enjoy your show?

It was tremendous. What a delight. I’m so happy to be here. I just feel blessed that we’ve been given the opportunity to come and play. There were a lot of smiling faces and kind eyes in the audience. So many kind eyes. I had a great time.

And you had some pretty loud shirts on. I loved it.

Yeah, to make up for our otherwise dull personalities.

Stop that! I’m not having it.

No, but it is quite garish. I don’t know why. It’s a dashiki, a male dress from West Africa. Blue is a ceremonial colour, more of a celebration. Red’s more wedding. So I sometimes wear red if I feel like I’m at a wedding, which I often do. The whole world is my wedding.

So what’s this festival then? Not a wedding?

No, this is more of a gift to the ancient gods. A sacrificial ritual. Some of us will perish along the way. We put it all out there and the universe gives us positive vibes back.

So you’ve got a new EP, ‘Uprise’.

It came out on the 10th of June. We put our hearts and souls into it and purged our innards and cleansed our spirits and in the process we made a record which we’re really happy with. I mean, I just wanna make more and more music. I mean, it’s five songs, which is great, but I feel like – we’re constantly writing stuff, but those five songs were the ones we liked most right now. But I dunno, there’s not much to say. I think it’s good. I think it’s a bit different to our last one. Our last one was a springboard to our position right now.

I suppose that should be the same with everything. Everything should be a springboard to the next thing.

Always have something to look forward to, that’s the key to happiness. People are happier on Fridays than they are on Sundays. That’s true, because anticipation is a mighty thing. Because anything could happen.

So your EP came out through Venn Records. How are you finding the Venn Records experience?

The experience! It’s like an emotional logflume. At first it was like, ‘These guys are really cool, we have to prove ourselves’, and then we went into the water, and now we feel like part of the family. It’s really weird. And what a very positive group of people to surround yourself with. They’re really talented musicians, but more than that, they’re friends. I think that’s more important than anything. That is why we’re in a band in a way, to make friends. Friends helping out friends is pretty damn cool, and then the roster of bands – I mean, these guys are great. Heck, Youth Man, Muskets, Jesus Fucking Christ. We’re eternally appreciative. They’re helping us live dreams really. It might sound small, and I’m speaking for myself and on behalf of the band, and I’ve heard so many other people’s ideas of success, but I think of us as a successful band – people know our songs, they come and see us and they buy our records. We play in front of more than one person. There’s human beings out there. Cosmic brothers and sisters. They’re great and they’re helping us live dreams. It might sound a little rose tinted, but I’m living entirely in the moment. Entirely. I don’t want to remember it as the best days of my life, I know it now.

So what’s next after 2000 Trees?

We just want to continue. We’re best mates, and we’re playing onstage with each other, having a laugh. Like, a real laugh. It’s so silly and so funny and if it continues like this, then great. We’ve written some songs and we’re pushing into new trans-dimensional areas and intergalactic movements. We’re going skyward basically. We’re going to space to see if some friendly martians can help us out. And after that I don’t know. Another tour by the end of the year hopefully, and then an album, and maybe another EP. I don’t know. Double disc maybe. 40 songs. Loads is coming and we’ve got loads planned, but you know. Keep on keeping on. We’re blessed. Big up everyone everywhere forever. Cosmic blessings to every brother and sister out there coming on hard times. We made this record to help people feel good because there’s a lot of darkness in this here world, and you’re not alone.

LAIS MW

Hey guys! You’ve just released your debut album, ‘Smile’ (it is absolutely blinding and you should be incredibly proud of yourselves). How are you feeling about it all?

It’s absolutely surreal. We didn’t expect it to do as well as it has and it’s an exciting time for us.

How would you describe the album and your sound in general to people who are new to the band? A lot of people have compared your sound to the glory days of bands like Slipknot and Korn. Do you think that’s fair?

I understand why. That’s music from when we were growing up. I think you could just leave it at heavy metal.

You’ve released a few songs off the album already, the most recent being ‘MGGDA’. Do you think they’re a good taster of the rest of the album?

I think what we released really showed the full spectrum of what the album will contain sonically.

Even though it’s basically like asking a parent to choose their favourite baby, do you have a particular favourite track on the album? For instance, if you had to recommend one song as a starting point for Cane Hill, which would it be?

As a starting point i’d shoot for either ‘St. Veronica’ or ‘MGGDA’. Polar opposites but two extremes.

You’ve got a lot of hype around you right now, which is very well deserved. What do you think started that off? What’s different about you to other bands?

It was definitely ‘Time Bomb’. When we released that things kind of started picking up slowly and it’s been gradual hype I guess. I think we’re just more honest, and I don’t mean that disrespecfully, but we aren’t afraid to touch sensitive topics.

You’re currently on Warped Tour. How’s it been going? How have people been reacting to you?

It’s been much better than we anticipated.

You played Download Festival earlier this year and you were described as ‘the most dangerous band at Download’, which is a hell of a compliment. How did you find the experience?

I think Download might have been the most fucked up and completely wrecked any of us have ever been. I would gladly do Download again.

You’ve got a wild few months coming up after Warped Tour: you’re playing with Bullet For My Valentine in Australia and the UK. How are you feeling about it? It should be a hell of an opportunity for you.

Our year’s got awesome tours we’re very excited about.

Do you have any more plans after the Bullet For My Valentine tour? Or are you not allowed to announce anything yet?

We don’t have anything after Bullet except for Shipwrecked. Other than that next year is open as far as I know.

Now that your debut album is out, where do you see yourselves going from here? I genuinely feel like your sound is so huge that you could be playing stadiums a few years from now.

Ohhhhh that would be cool. I really like seeing the gradual growth in fans. I don’t know where we’ll be but I’m excited to get there.

LAIS MW

You’ve just been on tour with Blackhole. How did it go?

Pert: Oh yeah, that whole tour and those guys, it was just really fun.

So, are you excited to play the main stage at 2000 Trees later on?

Harry: Oh yeah, really excited.

Have you played here before?

Harry: Two years ago. It was our first year of being a band and we played the Axiom stage. It was really cool. We fucking love this festival. It’s beautiful. Actually, last year I slept just next to that water over there. I’d drunk so much that I just slept on a crate. It was beautiful.

So tell me about your new EP, ‘The Black EP’.

Harry: Best EP of the year. Ok, so basically we’re quite a new band and quite recently we’ve discovered within ourselves what we’re actually about, and that EP is a representation of that. We’ve got an EP and an album from before and people liked them which is good but it was just us being in our mid-20s singing about girls and stuff, and now as an older gentleman I realise that’s bullshit. I’d rather write songs about getting drunk. The best thing to do is write songs about what’s around you, isn’t it? It’s true though. The best songs, it doesn’t matter what kind of music you like, you listen to them and you go “Fucking hell, I know what you mean.” Like our song ‘Day Job’, every person in the world knows what it’s like to work a shitty day job. We fucking do, so we might as well write a song about that rather than what it’s like to pop champagne. We drive around in a van, play shows, get drunk and try and forget about all the boring stuff we have to do when we’re not on tour.

So what your’s main stage debut going to be like? Are you going to play a lot of the new EP?

Pert: Yeah. All of it! We don’t really change it up depending on where we’re playing or what stage we’re doing. If you like us, then you like us, and if you don’t, you’re wrong.
Harry: We’re not the kind of band – I mean, you’ve heard the songs, so if we come out on the main stage, people know what to expect from us. Holograms and dragons coming out of your hair and fire going everywhere, that’s not what we’re about. And you know that’s not what we’re about, and 2000 Trees are gonna know that’s not what we’re about, and that’s gonna seem fake and bullshit, and my radar for fake and bullshit behaviour is up to high sensitivity in this band. That’s why things can sometimes take a little longer for Brawlers, and I think also that’s why certain people really are impassioned by what we’re doing which is really nice, but it’s just because I’d rather cut the bullshit and take the long way around. That’s exactly how we all feel. And it’s great because we see all these bands that are spoonfed, and I couldn’t go to sleep at night if that was what we were doing. As I said, I’d rather take the long way round and be honest and cut the bullshit.

But that’s the way it should be. The bands that get big too quickly never last because they haven’t put in the graft.

Pert: We’ve done some graft, and we’re happy to do a thousand more years of graft.
Harry: We can go to our graves and think, “Yeah, we did that the right way”. I think something that’s inescapable about alternative music at the moment is that a lot of bands come out of the gates and they strategise their sound or image towards people of a certain youth culture, which is fine, and that’s not our concern. All our songs are about getting drunk and doing bad shit and that’s just as important as the bands with the backwards caps talking about eating pizza and pretending to be American. I’m not interested in that. And that’s fine and it’s got its place but it’s a place I don’t give a flying fuck about.

So what are your plans after 2000 Trees?

Harry: We’ve got Kendal Calling. And then we’re gonna finish off the record. I can’t say too much about it because we’ve got a few tricks up our sleeves, but if all goes to plan, it’ll be out in January 2017. And there’s a few little hidden things happening between here and then.

LAIS MW

How are you guys doing?

Jamie Bower: Great, yeah. Living the dream.

Are you excited for the show?

Jamie: Oh yeah, nervous. Always nervous before we play any show.
Sam Bower: It’s my first festival. I’ve never played a festival before. I’ve never played outside.
Tristan Marmont: It’s our first UK festival actually, so it’s quite a big deal.
Jimmy Craig: It’s not too big for it to be daunting. You know where everything is. I’m really excited.

I’ve never seen you play before. What can I expect?

Jamie: General insanity.
Tristan: Chaos.
Jamie: It’s gonna be a good one actually, because we’re gonna be playing to a lot of people who have never heard of us.
Roland Johnson: We’re stoked to get in front of people who have never heard us. We’re here to win over people and give everything we’ve got.
Jamie: And then they’ll be like, ‘Who are these dickheads?’
Tristan: “Yeah, who are these guys? They’re shit.”

Incorrect. Everyone’s going to have a lovely time. I’m excited to see you live for the first time. I feel like the video for ‘Enough’ was a good taster for me.

Jamie: Hopefully. It’s interesting playing to a crowd that’s not your own. I think you automatically become slightly more reserved and we’ve gotta fight against that instinctive nature. Actually we don’t wanna do that at all. If anything, we wanna be more outrageous. I might throw up. It depends. I’ve eaten a burrito.

Well, that is quite outrageous.

Jamie: Isn’t it? “This guy’s had a burrito! Calm down!”

When you first started talking, it sounded quite outrageous, and then you said burrito.

Jamie: Yep. You can expect a watery sick. I’m just happy it’s a beautiful day, but I’m happy it’s not sweltering. We played a show in Budapest the other day and it was sweltering and I honestly thought I was going to die.
Tristan: Roland almost passed out.

And were you dressed like this (all black)?

Jamie: Yep. Full black. Full goth.
Roland: I nearly passed out from sun stroke. It was like 6.30 or 7pm and the sun was directly in our eyes and really low and I almost fell over.
Jamie: We’re still rock and roll. We get sun stroke. I wasn’t wearing full garb there actually now I think about it. I was wearing a vest. It was very 2005 of me. A vest in Budapest. Shit, Budavest. I wish I could turn back time and make that joke. Might fly back to Budapest tomorrow just to announce it in the main square and then leave.

Incredible. How were those Euro dates?

Roland: Amazing. We went to Poland for the first time. We did three shows in Poland which was mad. Such good fun. We played four dates in Germany and every time we’ve been to Germany we’ve had a really good time. We did new cities this time and they went down really well. Budapest was madness. We did Austria and Prague as well which we haven’t been to before. The whole thing was a really good run.

And you played with Billy Talent…

Jamie: Yeah, that was the one in Budapest, which was amazing for us. That was, as far as I’m aware, our first support ever.
Tristan: It’s a little bit silly actually when you think about it. Our first support slot being with Billy Talent.
Jamie: It’s mental. I’ve been listening to that band for over ten years. And they’re fucking lovely guys. They’re just so kind and gentle and nice and Ben’s vocal is out of hand and brilliant. We were standing side of stage watching the show and it was mindblowingly awesome. It was one date with them and the rest was headline, and as Roland said, we did three dates in Poland which was pretty bold, and we went down really well. We did Rockcamp festival in Germany which I was bricking it for. Backtrack and Turnstile were on before us which was sick, but they’re so fucking heavy. I thought, “That’s it, we’re gonna get weed on, or something’s gonna happen”. And actually we went down okay. People started to get into us by the end which was really nice for us.

You’re doing a lot of firsts right now. So your first show ever was only in December, which you sold out, and your first UK tour was in April. How did it all go?

Jamie: It was great. I don’t think I’d ever been to the venues on that tour before aside from the Ballroom which we ended with, and I think it’s a scarier prospect playing on your home turf. These venues are really established old school venues and you get the people who go every week just to go, and they know their shit. They know what they want and what they like and what’s good and what’s not and I think we were a bit nervous but it went swimmingly, without a hitch, and it was wicked to play at home more than anything. It was sick. Obviously playing London, the Ballroom show like we did, was absolutely barmy for us. For a thousand people to come and watch this band that’s been around for a year and doesn’t even have a record out, it’s just bizarre to us really.

So do you have any news on a record?

Roland: It’s coming. We’re in the process of planning the finishing bits of recording ready for the start of next year really.
Jamie: We’ve gotta record between now and September. We’re doing the album in 25 days basically, and that’s gonna really bring a sense of urgency to the record. We’ve just done the new single with Tom Mitchener who plays bass for Frank Carter and did the whole Rattlesnakes record. Mitch is amazing and we’re ready to go. We’re doing it ourselves. We haven’t got anyone else pulling the strings at the moment which is great but at the same time it puts a lot of pressure on the band. But the record will be out at the beginning of next year, that’s when we’re looking to do it, so we have from September onwards to get everything polished and preened and start the run up to the record and book the shows and just go out next year and tour the balls off it basically. That’s the plan. Just do everywhere and anywhere. We’re focusing predominantly on the UK and Europe. We haven’t really reached out yet to the other markets. We really wanna build a solid home fanbase and spend the time that is quite frankly right to spend here. We love touring Germany. Any band loves touring Germany, and I’d like to spend more time there. And here as well, we want to do more shows and festivals here, because this is our only UK festival this year. So next year we’ll really go out there and do everything.

Is there anything you want to add?

Jamie: The next single will be coming out in September. We’re gonna do the video for that fairly soon. Other than that, I think we’d like to say thank you, to you and anyone who’s reading this and anyone who’s come to a show. The support is overwhelming. It’s really incomprehensible to me that this was only born a year ago and now we’re here. Thank you so much.

LAIS MW

LAIS MW

THURSDAY

Kicking off our 2000 Trees weekend was the bandana-wearing Rob Lynch and his army of sidekicks. With new album ‘Baby I’m A Runaway’ only weeks away, ‘Trees was the perfect time to catch the new songs live, including recent single ‘Prove It!’. However it was fan favourite ‘My Friends & I’ which really made an impact, the roaring crowd drowning out Rob’s vocals as he stands back with a massive grin on his face. Brian Fallon and Frank Turner might want to watch their backs, because Lynch is right on their heels and doing exceedingly well. [TW]

Three years ago, I arrived at my first ever 2000 Trees Festival and one of the first bands I watched that weekend was The Xcerts. Now, standing in almost the same spot as I did then, it’s easy to see the growth the band have made in those few years. With a packed out Cave Stage, the Scottish trio power through tracks from the last album and their new found confidence is staggering. ‘Aberdeen 1987’ receives a sing-a-long that could probably be heard from hundreds of miles away and Festival romance filled the air as a couple get engaged during the ever-emotional ‘There Is Only You’, aww. There is a reason that The Xcerts keep getting asked back to 2000 Trees and we’re sure as hell not ready to let them leave yet. [TW]

The Forest is the perfect place to escape from the hustle and bustle of the Festival, with hammocks and hay bails aplenty to chill out with your pals and soak up the acoustic niceties of the artists who play. Somewhat of a local hero at ‘Trees is Jim Lockey, better known as the frontman of Solemn Sun. Two years ago he stood on this exact same stage and spoke the words that he would never play his old (Jim Lockey & the Solemn Sun) songs again. Alas, you can’t deny the crowd for too long and the turnout for his solo acoustic set was huge. Songs of old are met with huge praise and love from fans & friends alike and with his final tune came the humblest of endings. Standing amongst the crowd, his closest companions gathered around him and sung the words back as loud as they could, and for once it was nice to take a step back and witness the effect music has on personal friendships, a sight that can only leave you with a smile. [TW]

Tonight sees secret headliner Frank Turner take to the stage in the Axiom tent, and judging by the excellent turnout, the ‘secret’ didn’t stay secret for very long. 2000 Trees is exactly the right crowd for Frank Turner: from old Million Dead fans to the devoted followers of his solo career, everyone is delighted to see him play. There are too many singalong moments to mention, but with a setlist that includes tracks like ‘English Curse’ and ‘The Balled Of Me And My Friends’, it’s safe to say everyone present is having a lovely time. [LMW]

Over on the Cave stage, The Bronx are more than ready to let loose. If there’s one band who know how to play a rip roaring live show, it’s ‘The Motherfucking Bronx’. From start to finish, it’s complete and utter chaos, exactly as you would expect from a The Bronx show. Even playing on big stages, they come across just as raw and passionate as they did when they first started out, and that’s a pretty impressive feat for a band who have been going for over a decade. Long live The Bronx. [LMW]

FRIDAY

Alcopop Records’ latest darlings Happy Accidents probably weren’t the most popular kids in school, but they make one hell of a cool indie band. Frontman Rich is all limbs and laughter as they work through tracks from recently released debut ‘You Might Be Right’ and drummer Phoebe proves that chicks can sit behind a kit and slay just as much as if they were up front. The trio deliver their indie-punk melodies with a huge side of fun and it’s easy to see why so many have warmed to the band. The Neu Stage at ‘Trees is about bringing Festival goers the best in emerging talent and Happy Accidents are a band everyone should have on their radar. [TW]

2000 Trees isn’t the only great thing to come out of Cheltenham you know, and the guys in Crooks made it their duty to do their hometown proud with their main stage performance. Though possibly the band would have been better suited to the Cave, as some of vocals and guitars were lost amongst the overpowering bass, Crooks still put on a stellar performance. Vocalist Josh Rogers is as energetic and emotional as ever and the delivery of the tracks from debut ‘Are We All The Same Distance Apart’ is almost faultless. With Solemn Sun’s Chris Capewell joining in the fun for his guest vocal slot on ‘What Might Have Been’ the performance is one they’ll surely remember for years to come. [TW]

Trash Boat are one of those bands who have a lot of hype around them right now, and after watching them play the Cave stage, it’s well and truly justified. The band have a fairly early stage time and they still manage to fill the tent. They have fantastic energy, bouncing around the stage, and teamed with some great songs, they’re a pleasure to watch. [LMW]

WACO are one of those bands who don’t sound anything like anyone else, and it’s their uniqueness (and loud shirts) that make them so interesting to watch. Frontman Jak Hutchcraft and his band are incredibly watchable, so make sure you keep an eye on these guys. There’s a reason why Venn Records signed them. [LMW]

With members from Gallows and Sikth (as well as Radio 1 Rock Show’s Dan P Carter), Krokodil were never going to be anything but relentlessly heavy. When they take to the Cave stage, there’s a huge turnout, and rightfully so. This band have some fantastic chugging riffs and it’s almost impossible not to headbang while they play. Brilliant. [LMW]

Counterfeit only formed last year, but they’ve already achieved a lot: they played a hugely successful first UK headline tour in April, and they’ve been playing European festivals this summer, as well as shows with the mighty Billy Talent. Frontman Jamie Campbell-Bower (also known for being in Twilight, Harry Potter etc) has a wonderfully unique voice and fantastic charisma to match, and the whole band are a pleasure to watch. Songs like their newest single ‘Enough’ are only a small taster of what’s to come from these guys. Definitely ones to watch. [LMW]

In a stroke of perfect timing, the sun comes out just in time for Neck Deep. And if there’s one band in the world who sound good in the sunshine, it’s them. They get a huge turnout, one of the biggest of the whole weekend, and they get an incredible reaction. There are gigantic sing-a-longs and genuinely great pop-punk vibes, and it truly feels like summer while they’re playing. The highlight of the whole set is predictably their ‘Can’t Kick Up The Roots’ finale, but the whole set’s pretty damn great. Bravo. [LMW]

Similarly to The Xcerts, it was at 2000 Trees a couple years ago that I first got to see Lonely the Brave live and I haven’t looked back since. Back then though, the band were still finding their footsteps as a group, with only a handful of songs to their name. Now, they’re two albums deep and they’re tighter than ever as live performers. Vocalist David Jakes has become somewhat known for his timidness on stage, often standing at the rear rather than playing the part of a flamboyant frontman, but this evening we see him take a step forward and really make the most of his time on the stage. The newer songs are just as powerful as those that won us over at the beginning and though they don’t follow any ‘trends’ within music, what they do create is heartfelt and beautiful and they should feel proud of everything they’ve become. [TW]

Next up are Mallory Knox on the main stage, and they are just as wonderful as ever. This band are the absolute best for catchy choruses and huge sing-a-longs, and they sound completely glorious this evening. Playing songs like ‘Getaway’ and ‘Shout At The Moon’ off their most recent album ‘Asymmetry’ throughout the set and then dropping the huge ‘Lighthouse’ as their finale, everyone in the crowd is delighted. [LMW]

It’s safe to say Basement have been pretty popular for a long time, especially since they returned from their hiatus in 2014. Tonight they completely pack out the Cave tent, which is overflowing with gushing fans, and it’s a great night for them. It’s also a good chance for fans to hear material off ‘Promise Everything’, which was released in January, along with some older hits. They sound great tonight, and everyone comes away extremely happy. [LMW]

Over on the Axiom stage, Moose Blood have more than packed out the tent, and it’s a truly special night for everyone involved. Moose Blood are one of those bands people really connect with, and ‘I’ll Keep You In Mind, From Time To Time’ is one of those albums that truly touches people. With the mixture of Moose Blood’s excellent show, the sing-a-longs and the lighting, it makes for an incredible atmosphere. The most special moment of the night is when they play ‘Gum’ and everyone starts an almighty sing-a-long to “Do you wanna come over later…?” There are people sitting on other people’s shoulders with arms in the air singing their little hearts out, and it’s wonderful to see. Bravo Moose Blood. [LMW]

In the weeks running up to 2000 Trees, it seemed like Twin Atlantic’s headline performance could be put in jeopardy after vocalist Sam McTrusty caught a severe viral throat infection, which lead to the cancellation of many shows and other Festival slots. Fortunately, he battled through and they arrived to the main stage ready to give it everything they’d got. ‘Gold Elephant: Cherry Alligator’ kicked everything into gear, big, bright lights emphasising their arrival. All worries of Sam’s abilities were shattered as he threw himself into the song, looking effortlessly cool and ever the rockstar as he bounced around the stage, flaunting the somewhat new direction Twin Atlantic are heading in with the new album.

From then on it is full-throttle, Twin Atlantic at their absolute best. ‘Hold On’, ‘Make a Beast of Myself’ and ‘Yes, I Was Drunk’ are pure crowd pleasers, but it’s ‘I Am An Animal’ that causes havoc, with Twin demanding we drop to the floor and throw ourselves back up to the final, hyperactive chorus. Understandably, ‘Free’ is a must-hear for the thousands that have gathered to see them and it is made oh so sweeter by the additional vocals from Murray Macleod (The Xcerts), you can almost feel the Scottish pride oozing out of all of them.

With their headline performance coming to its end, Twin perform a stunning rendition of ‘Crash Land’, bringing everyone together for a (slightly wobbly) sway before we all have one last hurrah to ‘Brothers & Sisters’ and ‘Heart and Soul’. To some, Twin Atlantic were an unlikely choice to headline 2000 Trees, but they pull it off better than many who have graced the same slot before. With their fourth album on its way, it’s doubtful that this will be their only Festival headlining slot for years to come. [TW]

SATURDAY

UK hardcore has seen a surge of credible acts breaking into the limelight recently and Terrible Love are a band that stand out amongst the ruckus. Debut EP ‘Change Nothing’ blew my head off when it was released and despite feeling slightly broken (it is the third day after all) I was very much ready for more of the same. Opening with the EPs title track, frontman Jonathan Desmond demands us to wake the fuck up, his throaty vocals raw with emotion. The set is short but devilishly sweet and proves that Terrible Love are onto something really great. [TW]

Scotland is well represented at 2000 Trees this year, what with Twin Atlantic headlining and The Xcerts kicking off the Festival on Thursday night, but the one band who well and truly bring the party is pop-rap-rock outfit The LaFontaines. Fusing together huge choruses with Kerr’s unique Scottish rapping (really, it works) this mad bunch have everyone off their feet, even those that were so adamant to remain on their bums. With fellow Scotsmen in the crowd, chants of “FREEDOM!” were bounced back and forth throughout, Kerr impressed with his tennis skills thanks to the fancy dressers in the crowd and overall everyone just had a really good fucking time. Sometimes music can get a little too serious and a lot of drama unfolds, but then there is The LaFontaines and they’re here to remind you to enjoy yourself every once in a while. [TW]

Creeper are another of those bands who have a lot of hype around them right now, and approximately a quarter of the crowd at 2000 Trees seem to be wearing their merchandise. Pretty impressive for a band who haven’t been around all that long, but they deserve it. They don’t sound a million miles away from a love child of Alkaline Trio and AFI, but that’s a hell of a compliment in itself. Today they are raw and energetic while also maintaining a great sound, and there’s no doubt they’re ones to watch. [LMW]

Zoax are one of those bands you can watch over and over again and never get bored of them. Every show is a little different, each one a little more bonkers than the last and frontman Adam Carroll never disappoints. This time he aggravates anyone who’d chosen to sit just outside the Cave stage and enjoy their food, stole a bottle of whisky and coke and also borrowed approximately 7 hats from those gathered around him. All of this while the rest of the band seamlessly deliver the funk-infused hardcore rhythms which make up the band’s debut album. Aside from all the fun and frolics of their live set, Zoax have worked incredibly hard to get to this stage of their career and it’s really great to see them becoming so widely adored within the alternative music scene. [TW]

Over on the Axiom stage are Black Foxxes, who are about to release their debut album ‘I’m Not Well’. There’s a great turnout for them, and their mixture of big riffs and often melancholy lyrics makes for a special performance. They’re undoubtedly a band with a lot of potential, and there’s not long to wait to see what they’ve got under their sleeves with their debut album (spoiler: it’s pretty great). [LMW]

Grumble Bee probably isn’t a name you’d put with a music act, but it’s one you definitely need to pay attention to. Jack Bennett & crew, aka Grumble Bee take to the Neu Stage as if they’d played it a thousand times over. With only one EP, it’s amazing to see so many people singing every song word for word and becoming emotionally involved with the performance. Bennett is an exceptionally talented musician, with a jaw-dropping vocal tone, it’s hard to not just stand there in awe of the man. He’s thankful for everyone who’s shown up today, when really it’s us who are thankful for the music he has written. Big, BIG things are still yet to come for this humble man. [TW]

Tonight While She Sleeps more than bring the fire to the Cave tent. The crowds are overflowing and the suspense before they come on is huge. As they take to the stage, the crowd go absolutely wild, with While She Sleeps flags flying and the fans chanting for them. This is one of the rowdiest crowds of the whole festival, and the band incite a circle pit that’s so massive it goes around the outside of the tent. It’s bloody fantastic to see, and with their setlist including absolute bangers like ‘Four Walls’, ‘Seven Hills’ and ‘This Is The Six’, it couldn’t get much better. Utterly glorious. [LMW]

TAMSYN WILCE & LAIS MARTINS-WARING

LAIS MW

LAIS MW