In the last decade, many bands have been far more forthcoming about their own mental health, becoming advocates for good mental and self-care. For many of us, music is an escape and release. It’s where we hide when the world frightens us. When we can’t deal with things. To have people tell us that it’s okay to not be okay, that other people feel the same and have pulled through – it’s an important message, now moreso than ever.

It’s with this thought very much prominent that we’ve teamed up with some of our favourite musicians to create a limited run of exclusive collaborative merch, with all profits going to mental health charity Mind.

Every few months new designs will be available for pre-sale for a limited time, so make sure you get yours because once they’re gone, they’re gone. This first series features designs from Jamie Lenman and Ducking Punches and will be available to purchase until 31st December to ship in January 2020.

Check out the Punktastic store here.

From the peaceful and emotional sets that took place under a canopy of trees, to the raucous mayhem over at the main stage that had us thrown into the most fun pits we’ve ever experienced, this festival really does have it all.

Lucky for us, we were there to check out the whole thing, braving the heat and having the time of our lives.

Words: Yasmin Brown [YB], Gem Rogers [GR] Images: Penny Bennett [PB], Matt Higgs [MH]

Sweden’s Normandie have spent the last few years steadily ticking off the UK festival circuit, and after a triumphant set at Reading + Leeds in 2018, it’s now 2000trees’ turn to see what the four piece can do. Blending rock, pop and metal sounds, Normandie are masters of all they turn their hand to, and it results in a thoroughly upbeat and enjoyable set with a true festival vibe. Heavier tracks like ‘Dead’ bring monster mosh pits into The Cave tent, while set closer ‘Collide’ is a beautifully uplifting dose of pop rock; their experience on stage is evident as they lace the air with energetic fun, and the packed tent is full of smiles and singalongs that stretch all the way to the back. It’s the perfect start to our final day at 2000trees, and main stage slots will surely be coming Normandie’s way in future. [GR]

After two wonderful yet tiring days, Scottish delights Vukovi are the perfect band to revive you. Their vibrant and humorous set entices aimless wanderers to position themselves purposefully in front of the main stage. Front woman Janine Shilstone carries the band on her back, the combination of her charisma and flawless powerful vocals a definite highlight of the weekend. Those in the crowd who have up until now been seated quickly rise to their feet, intrigued by the rough and ready Glaswegian accent that fills the field in between sweetly sung songs. Shilstone’s personality never shines through quite as much as it does when she first spots ‘Mr. Fridge’, however – an apt (if a little unoriginal) name given to a crowd member who is, indeed, dressed head to toe in a cardboard fridge-freezer, his head popping out of the open freezer door. She’s so excited, in fact, that she commands a circle pit to open around ‘Mr. Fridge’. It’s a pit made up of just two rules: “Keep Mr. Fridge in the middle and keep Mr. Fridge safe'”. The entire set is the very definition of a delight, made up of wonderfully catchy music and inexplicably cool characters that you can’t help but give into, setting a high bar for so early in the day. [YB]

Following Vukovi’s vibrant and entertaining set, Muncie Girls is unfortunately met with little enthusiasm. With the very nature of their music being more serene, the atmosphere mellows as they make their way through the afternoon set. While the Exeter trio are undeniably talented, their presence on the main stage seems out of place, and the lack of enthusiasm throughout the crowd highlights that perhaps they’d be better suited to festivals with more indie lineups than the heavier, more energetic vibes we have come to expect from 2000trees. [YB]

Hello – did anyone order an extra large helping of Incredibly Loud and Crushingly Heavy? Because it’s just been delivered (albeit a few minutes late) to The Cave in the form of Glasgow five-piece Lotus Eater, and you’ll definitely want to come and get it. This set is absolute mayhem, with riffs that climb in to rip out your eardrums and a rhythm section that rattles the hell out of (what’s left of) your bones; each song is a short, sharp hit to the senses, with that energy mirrored in the pits in front of the stage. This is an impressive, rage-filled set from a band who are only just beginning – Lotus Eater could well be one of the best breakout bands of the year. [GR]

Cold Years know exactly how to work a festival, not taking for granted the fact that the crowd may just be killing time between sets and wandering into their tent by pure chance. Before the set even starts, front man Ross Gordon demands that everyone in attendance comes forwards to the stage, so as to see “the whites of your fucking eyes”. The soft aggression in this command results in total compliance, and as Cold Years make their way through the set, their outstanding performance sees the tent quickly fill up. More commands are met with obedience as the crowd claps along in time with the beat, and while Gordon finds himself restricted behind the microphone, bassist Louis Craighead has enough charisma to carry the whole band, likely being the main reason the crowd eventually loosens up and lets go. [YB]

Back in the forest, we’re in for an emotional rollercoaster as Norwich-based Ducking Punches take to the small stage for a stunning acoustic set. There’s no setting more appropriate for this duo, bringing with them an acoustic guitar and violin to ensure that there isn’t a dry eye under this shaded canopy of green. While following the acoustic nature of this particular stage, there’s still something unquestionably punk about Ducking Punches, not least when Dan Allen takes a moment to discuss the importance of mental health and suicide, particularly among men, before dedicating their song ‘Six Years’ to Scott Hutchison of Frightened Rabbit. This is particularly poignant given Frightened Rabbit’s band’s history at 2000trees, with Scott’s death coming just before they were due to play last year. Silent tears roll down cheeks, drying only during ‘Big Brown Pills From Lynn’, inciting the loudest singalong the forest has seen yet. [YB]

As it nears the start time of Deaf Havana’s set in the forest, the floor becomes a carpet of people, until it’s soon standing room only at the back – and even that’s only if you’re lucky. It’s a solo show today from vocalist and guitarist James Veck-Gilodi, and when he finally appears ten minutes late, he gives profuse apologies – in an incident that most festival goers can probably relate to, he’s had the “chicken wing shits”. Whoops. He then confesses that he’s not sure what to play, not wanting to ruin Deaf Havana’s headline set later – before realising that “we don’t have that many good songs, or at least that I know the lyrics to”. Of course, that’s just not true, and we’re treated to some soul-mending renditions of tracks like ‘Sinner’, ‘Fools And Worthless Liars’, his soothing voice blending perfectly into the beautiful surroundings. It feels personal, relaxed, and elating, and ends with brother Matt Veck-Gilodi taking to the stage to join James for a rendition of classic singalong Robbie Williams track ‘Angels’. The Forest Sessions are one of the most special parts of 2000trees, and sets like this are exactly why it is so loved. [GR]

Can’t Swim seem to have appeared out of nowhere, launching themselves into the scene without taking a moment’s breath. With numerous UK festival slots and headline shows under their belt, they’ve picked up one hell of a British following with only two albums released to date. Their afternoon set at Trees as a testament to this, as the crowd refuses to let up, persistently throwing themselves around, not least when guitarist Danny Rico throws himself into the crowd during ‘sometimes you meet the right person at the wrong time’. The energy wanes slightly when it comes to front man Chris LoPorto, who stands stationary with his hands behind his back for the majority of the set, only seeming to relax part way through the set during ‘$50,000,000’. This doesn’t deter the rest of the band or, indeed, the crowd, however, and the set is a strong contender for being one of the most manic of the day. [YB]

Sadly, The Bottom Line lets down an otherwise outstanding day. Their performance is entertaining, yet the music itself feels stuck in 2002 with early Simple Plan and Sum 41. While most bands have matured and developed their sound to grow with their fans, The Bottom line have unfortunately remained stagnant, and it shows through the response to their set. Even those stood at the barricade are hesitant to get involved and an attempt to get the crowd clapping along with the beat is met with a painful reluctance. It’s not a great sign when a band has to explicitly coax a crowd forward midway through a set, but sadly it perfectly sums up the set. [YB]

When it came to Every Time I Die’s exceptional and noteworthy set at this year’s 2000trees – featuring ‘Hot Damn!’ in full – it seemed only right to hand over the mic (or keyboard) to our resident ETID expert, for a very special look at a set that was not only a powerful experience for all in attendance, but held extra significance and meaning for many. Head here for Liam’s moving report on a set that will be remembered for many years to come.

Finishing up The Cave’s weekend is a man who needs little introduction; now performing as Frank Iero and The Future Violents, third album ‘Barriers’ was released in May, an authentic and well-received collection of punk-infused rock and roll. Despite the band’s status and excellent performance, though, the tent is relatively empty – though the front few rows are crammed in with enthusiastic fans. It feels almost like Iero has a battle on his hands to break through the expectations that come with his role in seminal emo band My Chemical Romance, and it’s a shame – his performance is incredibly slick from start to finish, with sublime harmonies from guitarist Evan Nestor. It’s a set that could do with a bit more variety in pace at times, and doesn’t always feel as exciting as it should, but there’s plenty of love from fans gathered near the stage and there can be no doubting the band’s skill; Frank Iero and The Future Violents are well deserving of your attention. [GR]

Through little fault of their own, Deaf Havana’s headline set falls flat. With technical issues that means the sound doesn’t travel much further than the first few rows in front of the main stage, it’s hard to command the crowd in the way we know they can. The drums sound like they’re five miles away, failing to cause that thumping in your heart that allows you to feel the music as well as hear it, and you can’t help but feel that nothing about this set up is doing this usually incredible band any justice. With that said, front man James Veck Gilodi’s voice is as strong as ever, belting out tunes from across the band’s discography with ease, and there has clearly been a lot of thought put into the set with extended intros and outros highlighting the band’s strengths.

Ultimately, it’s evident that both the Deaf Havana boys and their fans are having the time of their lives. From a blow up sex doll gracing the stage, to humble and sincere expressions of gratitude (“Thank you for supporting us. I don’t have any other skills”, states Veck Gilodi), the set has all of the fundamental tools of a great show and is embraced by the majority. Most of the crowd seem oblivious to any issues and spend the evening screaming the lyrics back at the band, never louder than when Veck Gilodi’s memory fails him, undeterred by the slight imperfections in his performance. There’s no doubt that Deaf Havana have been stronger than they are tonight, but it’s still a monumental end to what has been a near perfect weekend. [YB]

There’s so much on, it can be difficult to choose who to see – so here’s some of our top picks for the weekend to get you started!

THURSDAY

WSTR

Main Stage, 12:50pm

After opening the main stage at Slam Dunk this year, WSTR are back to do the same for 2000 Trees – and what better way to start a festival than with punchy, riotous pop punk? Keep comparisons to Neck Deep away; WSTR have an attitude and energy that’s all their own. Make sure your tent is up nice and early, and get down for a bounce around.

Phoxjaw

Neu Stage, 1.20pm

After an absolute beauty of a debut EP in ‘Goodbye Dinosaur…’ and tours aplenty, Phoxjaw are ready to make a few waves this year. Their second EP is set for release a few days before 2000trees begins, with new singles ‘Monday Man’ and the darkly fascinating ‘Melt, You’re A Face Of Wax’ proving that the Bristol four piece have plenty more to offer. Heavy, progressive, atmospheric, and just a little bit unpredictable, Phoxjaw are to be missed at your peril.

Puppy

Main Stage, 3.50pm

If you haven’t heard of Puppy yet, you can’t have spent much time on the internet since they released debut album ‘The Goat’ last year. Every man and his, er, puppy is raving about this band, and no wonder, with thundering heaviness, gorgeous harmonies, and chunky riffs seeping from every pore. Puppy do exactly what they want to do, usually with a fair dose of good humour, and it’s earning them legions of fans – this has all the hallmarks of being one of those sets that everyone talks about, and you’d hate to be the person who couldn’t join in, right?

Blood Youth

Neu Stage, 7.10pm

Harrogate racket-making mob Blood Youth are on a roll this year. Leaning away from the melodic hardcore of their debut and picking up some distinctly nu-metal sounds for sophomore album ‘Starve’, the band have established an altogether more powerful and unique identity. Explosive, heavy riffs, emotive lyrics, and phenomenal vocals from front man Kaya Tarsus will be order of the day over on the Neu Stage for this 40 minute set. Let’s mosh.

Holding Absence

Neu Stage, 8.50pm and Forest Sessions, 3.05pm

Let’s make one thing clear – Team Punktastic love Holding Absence. A lot. And so should you – their soaring, immersive post-rock taps into every emotion with a delicate subtlety and heaps of heart, while never neglecting a solid anthemic chorus – see ‘Your Love (Has Ruined My Life)’ and ‘Monochrome’ for reference. With this headline set there’ll be plenty of time to absorb the intense experience of a Holding Absence live performance, and it’ll be the perfect chance to see just about every song in their current back catalogue. We’ll be down the front, having a cry as we sing until our lungs collapse. Please join us.

FRIDAY

PENGSHUi

The Cave, 12.25pm

If holding one of the best band names of 2019 isn’t enough to tempt you in for this set, we don’t really know what to tell you. Actually, we do – get up early (ish), and get to The Cave for a unique blend of grime, punk, and metal that’s heavy on the bass and beats. If that sounds like a ridiculous combination, all the more reason to let PENGSHUi show you just how well it works, as they form such a cohesive sound you can only wonder why nobody’s done it quite like this before.

GroundCulture

The Cave, 1.20pm

Newcastle’s GroundCulture have already been demonstrating their strength on the festival circuit this year, having opened Download’s Dogtooth Stage only a few weeks ago – now, it’s 2000trees’ turn to see what they can do. With an EP packed with heavy, uplifting melodic hardcore, the five piece are well on their way to proving themselves across the country, and they’re more than capable of bringing every bit of that energy to the stage. The Cave is the place to be for mosh pits and face-crushing riffs aplenty on Friday afternoon.

Dream State

Main Stage, 2pm

Only two EPs into their career – though there is, happily, a full length album in the works – Dream State have already proven themselves to be nothing short of titans on stage. Heartfelt, honest lyrics coupled with vocalist CJ Gilpin’s passionate performances have allowed the band to form a deep connection with their fanbase, while their post-hardcore riffs give plenty of opportunities for some almighty pits and dancing. Expect one of the most inclusive, empowering sets of the weekend from this Welsh group.

Hands Like Houses

Main Stage, 4pm

Bringing a firmly international flavour to Friday’s proceedings, Aussies Hands Like Houses are almost guaranteed to give you the bangover to end all bangovers – hopefully you’ve recovered from any actual hangovers by this point of the day, otherwise… Ouch. Their combination of insane riffage and Trenton Woodley’s unbelievable vocals, not to mention their electric stage presence and the serious singalong potential on tracks like ‘Colourblind’ and ‘Monster’, is not to be missed.

Watercolours

Forest Sessions, 6.10pm

After a high energy afternoon of headbanging chaos and plenty of sun (and there WILL be plenty of sun…), what better way to wind down than with some dreamy, atmospheric indie pop? With beautiful layering and electronic elements linking soaring choruses, local trio Watercolours are true to their name – soothing and colourful, this will be the perfect half hour to lose yourself in the forest.

SATURDAY

Normandie

The Cave, 1.50pm

In the three years since the release of debut album ‘Inguz’, Normandie barely seem to have stopped to catch a breath. After a support slot on Yellowcard’s final European tour put the Swedes firmly on the map in late 2016, they’ve completed more than a few laps of the UK for both tours and festival appearances and released their mammoth sophomore album ‘White Flag’ in October 2018. This is their first appearance at 2000trees, and it’ll be jam packed with anthemic choruses, elevating riffs, and thundering breakdowns, topped off with mindblowing vocals from Philip Strand. If you want a new favourite band, we’ve probably just found it for you.

Lotus Eater

The Cave, 2.45pm

If you like your music technical, disgustingly heavy, and with just a dash of destruction about it, Glaswegian metal quintet Lotus Eater will answer all your prayers. And then some. Sophomore EP ‘Social Hazard’ only just scrapes past the fifteen minute mark, but it’s an aural assault from start to finish, and their live performance brings just as much ferocious energy to the stage – it’s lucky they’re playing on the final day, because The Cave may not be left standing after this one.

Ducking Punches

Forest Sessions, 4.15pm

One-time solo project and now four-piece folk rock group, Ducking Punches will be bringing some of the most emotive tracks of the weekend to their Forest Sessions set. Dan Allen’s lyrics are frequently brutally honest, set to foot tapping beats and lively riffs that are sure to be magical in this intimate woodland setting.

Delaire, The Liar

Neu Stage, 4.35pm

There may only be two of them, but Londoners Delaire, The Liar know how to make plenty of noise. Vocalist Ffin Colley is nothing short of astounding and Delaire’s live sets have a tantalisingly wild quality about them – unique and genre-defying, they are quite simply Delaire, The Liar. Missing this set would be nothing short of a mistake.

Can’t Swim

The Cave, 5.50pm

With a sound that pulls on the heavier elements of pop-punk and even dips into the punk rock style of Alkaline Trio, New Jersey quartet Can’t Swim have a rawness and honesty that speaks to all troubled souls. There’s huge power in these haunting melodies and creative instrumentation, and their audience are equally passionate – come down to The Cave for a thoroughly therapeutic singalong, and you won’t regret it.

Every Time I Die

Main Stage, 7.50pm

‘Hot Damn!’ in full. Do we actually need to say anything more? This will be loud and riotous. Be there.

For an even bigger taster of what’s in store at 2000trees, we’ve put together a massive Spotify playlist to whet your appetite – check it out below, and we’ll see you this weekend!

Alongside landlocked Bristol venue institutions like The Exchange, Stag and Hounds, Two’s Company and Old Market Assembly, bands will also be performing on the water throughout Bristol’s famous docks.

“We like Booze Cruise to feel like a boozy gathering of friends rather than a music festival.” states Jonas. “We love small, sweaty, wild shows, so seeing bands playing in clubs with a max capacity of 350 —all day long for 3 days straight—sounds like paradise to me. That, and you don’t need to sleep in a tent!

“We like to think we have a unique line up—almost none of the bands playing could be found on the bill of any other festivals this year. We love the idea of being a festival for genuine music discovery. Chances are you haven’t heard of all of the bands playing in both Bristol and Hamburg before, but you might end up walking home with a record by your new favourite band.

“Diversity and inclusivity are very important to us, and we hope that our artist programming and marketing reflect the family atmosphere we want to create at the festival.”

Bristol’s Booze Cruise is a socially aware organisation and is proud to support a number of causes. This year will see a portion of profits donated to Sea Watch, a not-for-profit organisation that helps to rescue refugees stranded in the Mediterranean Sea.

Ticket price: £55 weekend pass / £15 Friday day pass / £25 Saturday or Sunday day pass are available here

The 18+ festival takes place from May 24 to 26, and joining names already announced, such as Tiny Moving Parts and Ducking Punches, are:

Apologies, I Have None, Mercy Union (featuring members of The Gaslight Anthem + The Scandals), Vacation, Traverse, Cadet Carter, Sssnakes, Harker, Triple Sundae, Pardon Us, 13 Crowes & Handsome Scoundrels

It’s already a super fun lineup, with some of the best up and coming bands in the industry at the moment, and there’s plenty more to be announced in the coming weeks and months in the lead up to the festival!

Commenting on the ethos of the festival and their new expansion to the UK, Booze Cruise organiser Stefan Jonas said:

“We like Booze Cruise to feel like a boozy gathering of friends rather than a music festival. We love small, sweaty, wild shows, so seeing bands playing in clubs with a max capacity of 350 —all day long for 3 days straight—sounds like paradise to me. That, and you don’t need to sleep in a tent!

“We like to think we have a unique line up—almost none of the bands playing could be found on the bill of any other festivals this year. We love the idea of being a festival for genuine music discovery. Chances are you haven’t heard of all of the bands playing in both Bristol and Hamburg before, but you might end up walking home with a record by your new favourite band.

“Diversity and inclusivity are very important to us, and we hope that our artist programming and marketing reflect the family atmosphere we want to create at the festival.”

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here either as individual day tickets or weekend passes.

Words: Yasmin Brown / Photos: Tash Greene

There are few things greater than discovering a band that you know are going to change your life, and for many in attendance at Camden’s Underworld during Ducking Punches’ performance that’s exactly what happened. Previously a solo acoustic act, Dan Allen has recently changed up his sound by adding a full band to his project, and together they have created something amazing. The four self-proclaimed best friends put on a captivating punk rock performance, not only playing amazing tunes, but also broaching the sensitive yet necessary topic of male suicide rates in the UK before launching into their song ‘6 days’. Despite the short set and small crowd, Ducking Punches put on one of the most memorable performances of the day, and are sure to continue to grow from here on out.

Ahead of supporting the amazing Alexisonfire this month at Brixton Academy Gold Key are gracing a handful of UK festivals, and had the privilege of playing the intimate yet iconic Dingwalls right in the heart of Camden. It’s no surprise that, with the early set time and the stunning weather, the venue floor remained mostly vacant, but this didn’t deter the band from putting everything they had into their performance, playing each song with strong determination. Despite only having been formed in 2016, the members of Gold Key are impressively in sync with one another and have created music that is both raw and honest. With album number two well underway, you’d be smart to keep an eye on what this progressive rock band have to offer next.

Playing to a venue such as KOKO so early on in the day can only be seen as a challenge, yet Eliza and the Bear comfortably filled the 1,400 capacity venue with their huge energy and effervescent stage presence. Even without knowing the band intricately there was no escaping the urge to dance along with the band, as they made their way through their set, playing a number of their biggest singles such as ‘Lion’s Heart’, and the latest single from their upcoming album, ‘Real Friends’. This is a band that knows how to have a good time, highlighted when bassist Chris Brand ran away with the show, encouraging the rest of the band to start playing Queen’s ‘Another One Bites the Dust’ before launching into another of their own songs. While they might currently remain fairly under the radar, it would be unsurprising to learn that Eliza and the Bear are selling out venues like KOKO themselves in the not-too-distant future.

If Asylums taught the crowd at Belushi’s anything on this Saturday afternoon, it’s that no matter how small the venue, you can always make crowd-surfing work. This four piece filled Belushi’s pub with an unexpected number of fans singing and dancing along frantically to their own take on rock ‘n’ roll. The band wasted no time moving from one song to another, with just short introductions before launching into each one. Their lack of vocal interaction was more than made up for with groovy dance moves, the guitarist swaying his hips as he effortless played the cool riffs in each song. If their records aren’t enough to entice you into loving Asylums, then a short live set in a sweaty, sticky Camden pub will be.

For a band that has just recently lost their lead singer, it would be easy to be nervous when returning to the stage, but for Mallory Knox, their fan base remains loyal to the four existing members, and a packed-out KOKO proved this without a shadow of a doubt. At no point during the set did it feel as though there was a fifth person missing from the line-up as they effortlessly commanded the stage with their unwavering energy. With circle pits emerging every five minutes, and crowd members continuing to dance along even to previously unheard songs, it became clear that Mallory Knox will only continue to grow from here on out. At every possible moment, Sam [Douglas, bass/vocals] took a second to thank everyone for their support, noting that just a year ago, they weren’t sure whether they would ever get the chance to play shows again, making nights like these even more poignant. Mallory Knox are as resilient as they are humble, and their determination and talent never shines through more than during their live shows. As they move in a more rock-inspired direction, they appear more mature and as sure of themselves as ever, and we’re lucky they chose to stick around.

Twin Atlantic were made for festivals. They were made for live shows, period. Their performances are – without exception – packed with energy and charisma from the opening moments of every show, with the sensations created throughout lingering long after they leave the stage. The Scottish four piece had no problem filling KOKO during their early evening slot, inciting carefree dancing, uninhibited screaming, and crowdsurfing from every corner of the venue. For a full review of their recent headline show at Norwich’s Waterfront, head here.

Maximo Park are, above all else, showmen. From the back of the room, it was clear to see just how the band has grown since their inception in 2000, as arms flew into the air, moving in time with the beat – a sure sign of recognition. The band’s charismatic performance didn’t falter once as they made their way through the 20 song setlist, a huge number of songs for any headline gig, let alone one at a festival. With almost two decades as a band under their belt, the five piece are seasoned performers, working tightly together to create a well-formed sound that even the most casual of fans weren’t able to ignore. From front to back, the energy was incommensurable, and as the evening went on, it became increasingly more apparent as to why the festival organisers had chosen this band to headline Camden Town’s largest venue. While each song was received with gusto, it was unsurprisingly the penultimate performance of their 2007 track ‘Our Velocity’ that received the greatest response, leading seamlessly into ‘Apply Some Pressure’, a trip back in time to the band’s first album and an excellent choice for the evening’s finale.

All of a sudden, Australian natives, The Faim, are everywhere. Whether it’s supporting Lower Than Atlantis on their most recent tour, or their afternoon slot at bank holiday weekend’s Slam Dunk Festival you cannot escape them. And why would you want to? As they took to the stage at the tiny, damp Dublin Castle pub, it immediately became evident that they weren’t going to let the small stage deter them from putting on a huge show. Lead singer, Josh Raven moved around almost constantly, even running through the sweaty crowd and physically interacting with as many fans as possible. Their Fueled By Ramen influences are evident (having written music with Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz and twenty one pilots’ Josh Dunn), and, despite the frequent comparisons, The Faim have created a sound that belongs exclusively to them. The four band members work immaculately together, each bringing their own strengths and personalities to the performance. It’s easy for vocals to be lost in small venues such as The Dublin Castle, yet Josh pushed through the technical challenges throughout the band’s set, giving an excellent vocal performance. Playing all of their currently released songs and then some, The Faim put everything they had into the late night set, and during songs such as ‘Make Believe’, it was easy to feel the music along with them. This band has garnered quite the following, and based on this performance, it’s only a matter of time before they become an international household name.

Produced by Bob Cooper (Nai Harvest, Self Defense Family, Kamikaze Girls), it is taken from their upcoming second album, ‘Everything Dies’. This will be released on the 9th March via Big Scary Monsters.

The band will also be playing the following UK shows.

FEBRUARY
16 LONDON The Lexington^
17 NORWICH The Arts Centre^
MARCH
13 BRISTOL The Exchange*
14 OXFORD Bullingdon*
15 LIVERPOOL Buyers Club*
16 HUDDERSFIELD The Parish*
17 EDINBURGH Mash House*
19 MANCHESTER The Deaf Institute*
20 BIRMINGHAM Mama Roux’s*
21 MILTON KEYNES The Craufurd Arms*
23 LONDON The Underworld*
24 BOURNEMOUTH The Anvil*
25 PLYMOUTH The Junction*

^ w/ Ducking Punches + Grieving
* w/ Milk Teeth + Fangclub