Hull-based newcomers Newmeds may have been billed for one of the earliest slots of the day, but that doesn’t stop them from pummelling the crowd with their eclectic brand of rock’n’roll-infused hardcore. Imagine a blend of Every Time I Die, Queens of the Stone Age and Daughters and you’ll be somewhere close to imagining what the early punters experienced as their intimidating vocalist clambered over their heads for 30 minutes, backed by swaggering riffs and effortless groove. ‘Nothing Is Heavier Than The Mind’ is the highlight of the set, so if you fancy checking this band out you should start there.

Next up it’s melodic hardcore veterans Demoraliser, one of the many bands to come out of mosh retirement just for today. Demoraliser, or “Demozza” to the initiated, were a huge part of the UKHC scene in the early 2010s, but disbanded in 2015 and haven’t been seen since, until today. Judging by the crowd reaction, they’ve been very much missed. From the second the lights go down, before the opening swell of ‘Pretender’ has really even started, The Leadmill is a flurry of arms, legs and inflatables. What follows is 30 minutes of pure chaos. At one point a man crowd-surfs on a blow-up unicorn. There’s a cheeky Terror cover. Everyone is having the absolute best time. Are Demoraliser the most original, interesting band on the lineup? No, not by some stretch. However, are they the most fun? Very possibly.

With the bar set extremely high after the above acts, can Feed The Rhino make their set count? Of course they fucking can. They may not have been absent for as long as Demoraliser, but their return has a lot of people extremely excited, none more so than vocalist Lee Tobin who spends the whole set with the biggest grin on his face, eyes wide and wild, clearly thrilled to be back doing what he loves. Raucous, groove-laden tracks like ‘Featherweight’ and ‘The Burning Sons’ sound absolutely huge, and the band play with a vibrancy that bands half their age would struggle to muster. Their set is so perfectly executed, so full of life and energy, that it seems like a crime for this to be a one-off. There’s been precisely zero talk of the band doing anything else after this show, but maybe if we all wish for it hard enough, something will happen.

Expansive post-hardcore heroes Palm Reader are next to take the stage. Last year Palm Reader released the incredible ‘Sleepless’, and the people at this event are lucky enough to be among the first people to hear stunning tracks like ‘Hold/Release’, ‘Willow’ and ‘A Bird and its Feathers’ in a live environment. As always, the band play to perfection, their sound a perfect mix of shimmering beauty and emotional devastation. Josh McKeown is a mesmerising frontman, one of the UK’s best in fact. Every movement he and his bandmates make feel so organic; there’s never any sense of choreography when watching Palm Reader, and yet they’re always impossibly tight and this set is no exception. Older tracks like the chaotic ‘Swarm’ and the relentless ‘Internal Winter’ also help solidify why Palm Reader are one of the best, if not the best band in the UK underground. Their set felt disappointingly short, but it was still an absolute pleasure to behold.

There’s a palpable tension in the air before Dead Harts begin their performance, with good reason given the circumstances, but whatever emotions people were feeling before it started, Dead Harts changed those feelings into joy. Their set is absolutely wild, every beer-soaked riff punctuated by crowd-surfers and mic grabbers, not to mention some very ill-advised circle pits on what had become The World’s Slippiest Floor™ over the course of the day. This may be the first Dead Harts show since 2016, but tonight it feels like they never really left, and they can walk off the stage safe in the knowledge that they more than did Ant proud.

After an emotional set from Dead Harts, the event doubles down on the sadness with an incredible set from Landscapes, another band to come out of retirement for one last bittersweet show. Landscapes just sort of disappeared without any formal breakup announcement in 2017, so it feels right for them to get a proper farewell show whilst also being able to pay tribute to a departed friend. With their sound sitting in the Modern Life Is War / Defeater realm of emotional melodic hardcore, they’re easily the most raw sounding band on the lineup, but that doesn’t stop them from giving a high-energy performance that has the crowd absolutely enraptured.

There couldn’t have been a better headliner for this event than the reinvigorated, dual-mouthed, post-metal behemoth that is Devil Sold His Soul. Whilst Landscapes’ music is emotionally heavy, it’s coated in a bleak sense of despair that wouldn’t have been the right endnote to this celebration. Devil Sold His Soul are emotionally heavy, but their sound is one of hope and triumph. Awash in blue light, the band fill the room with feedback before devastating the sold-out crowd with ‘The Narcissist’ from their stellar new album ‘Loss’. Duelling vocalists Ed Gibbs and Paul Green are a force of nature, tearing up the stage whilst the impossibly tight band plays behind them. Alongside a couple more new songs, we’re treated to a handful of tracks from across the band’s discography. ‘An Ocean of Lights’ from 2010’s ‘Blessed & Cursed’ feels particularly cathartic, but it’s set closer ‘Hope’ that truly provides the perfect message to end the day. As the closing line of “I know that we’ll be just fine” rings out, it’s clear to everyone in the room that Ant Allen has had the send-off he deserved, and that music can bring people together better than anything else in the world.

If you missed the show but want to contribute to Ant’s incredible legacy, please make a donation to Music Minds Matter and / or Project 6 Sheffield.

LONG LIVE ANT ALLEN

LIAM KNOWLES

It’s crazy to think that Feed The Rhino have been around for the best part of eight years now. Their debut album ‘Mr Red Eye’ was beautifully brutal. But like a fine wine, this record is more matured, more focused.

In places it is somewhat toned down. Second track ‘Losing Ground’, for example, might not be as heavy as some fans would expect, but it’s expertly crafted with some beautiful guitar playing and an almost ballad-like chorus that is sure to be a hit live.

If you’re thinking this new sound might diminish from all that makes Feed The Rhino great, well you couldn’t be more wrong. Embedded in the roots of this record is the mix of thrash, hardcore and punk that the guys have been unleashing over the years, only now it’s more finely blended together. ‘All Work And No Play Makes Jack A Dull Boy’ is the pinnacle of this convergence, and simply put it is three and a half minutes of brilliance.

Don’t call it a comeback. Feed The Rhino have always been incredible, and this is by far and away their best record. Full of explosive riffs, and brutal yet atmospheric lyrics, overall testament to their skill. Here’s to the next eight years which are still full of potential. They might be even louder than before.

CHRISTOPHER LEE

It is taken from their upcoming fourth album, ‘The Silence’, which will be released on the 16th February via Century Media Records.

The band will also be going on a UK headline tour via the following dates with Bad Sign, HCBP and Cove.

FEBRUARY 2018
20 BRISTOL The Exchange
21 EXETER The Cavern
22 SOUTHAMPTON Joiners
23 LONDON The Underworld
24 NORWICH The Owl Sanctuary
27 NOTTINGHAM Rescue Rooms
28 NEWCASTLE Think Tank
MARCH
01 GLASGOW G2
02 MANCHESTER Rebellion
03 BIRMINGHAM The Flapper
15 NORTH WALES Hammerfest*

* Feed the Rhino only

photo: Mark Latham

The song is taken from their upcoming fourth album, ‘The Silence’, which will be released on the 16th February 2018 via Century Media Records.

The band will also be going on a UK headline tour early next year via the following dates.

FEBRUARY 2018
20 BRISTOL The Exchange
21 EXETER The Cavern
22 SOUTHAMPTON Joiners
23 LONDON The Underworld
24 NORWICH The Owl Sanctuary
27 NOTTINGHAM Rescue Rooms
28 NEWCASTLE Think Tank
MARCH
01 GLASGOW G2
02 MANCHESTER Rebellion
03 BIRMINGHAM The Flapper

photo: Mark Latham

The song is taken from their upcoming fourth album, ‘The Silence’, which will be released on the 16th February 2018 via Century Media Records.

The band will also be going on a UK headline tour early next year via the following dates.

FEBRUARY 2018
20 BRISTOL The Exchange
21 EXETER The Cavern
22 SOUTHAMPTON Joiners
23 LONDON The Underworld
24 NORWICH The Owl Sanctuary
27 NOTTINGHAM Rescue Rooms
28 NEWCASTLE Think Tank
MARCH
01 GLASGOW G2
02 MANCHESTER Rebellion
03 BIRMINGHAM The Flapper

photo: Mark Latham

It will be released on the 20th February 2018 via Century Media Records, with pre-orders launching in early December. You can watch the video for the first single, ‘Heedless’, below.

The band will also be going on a UK headline tour early next year via the following dates.

FEBRUARY 2018
20 BRISTOL The Exchange
21 EXETER The Cavern
22 SOUTHAMPTON Joiners
23 LONDON The Underworld
24 NORWICH The Owl Sanctuary
27 NOTTINGHAM Rescue Rooms
28 NEWCASTLE Think Tank
MARCH
01 GLASGOW G2
02 MANCHESTER Rebellion
03 BIRMINGHAM The Flapper

Words: Mark Johnson, Becky Mount

As festival openers go, there aren’t many with better energy than Grumble Bee. Always guaranteed to deliver anthemic songs with plenty of passion, this an ideal act to get the festival crowd warmed up. Grumble Bee is the solo project of singer/songwriter Jack Bennett but live, he plays with a full band and though these shows are always enjoyable, they have tended to still feel like Bennett, plus friends in the past. This show at 2000 Trees is the most refined and sophisticated the band has sounded, with bassist Zach Phelps and drummer Callum Connell feeling more like integrated members of the band than ever before. The time spent touring together as a unit is paying dividends and with new singles ‘Red’ and ‘Bravest Soul’ sounding this epic, the band continues to go from strength to strength on stage and no doubt their status will follow the same trajectory. [MJ]

It’s been five years since Straight Lines released their last album ‘Freaks Like Us’ and it doesn’t take long to realise how much we’ve missed them. Vocalist/guitarist Tom Jenkins sounds superb, as though he never went away, and the band’s up-tempo, alt-rock singalongs are perfect for a festival environment. Not only are the songs highly entertaining, their onstage banter is on point as well, culminating in a giant conga line being formed for their final song, which ends the set in very high spirits. It’s fantastic to see Straight Lines back on stage and hopefully we won’t have to wait as long to see them do it again. [MJ]

Feed the Rhino return to 2000 Trees and this performance shows they’re well and truly back on form. The band’s huge riffs get heads banging and vocalist Lee Tobin invites the crowd to pour over the barrier and share the stage with them. Feed the Rhino bring a ton of energy to the opening day and clearly thrive on getting the crowd moving, helped massively by a set full of well executed, high-octane songs. The audience oblige with a huge circle pit and wall of death, signalling this as the clear winner for highest energy set of the day. Much to everyone’s joy, Feed the Rhino confirmed that they’re working on new material, which they hope to have out early 2018. [MJ]

For a three piece band, Black Foxxes sure can make a lot of noise. And we’re not just talking about the (rightly deserved) fuss surrounding their debut last year. Taking to The Axiom stage on day one of 2000 Trees, their trademark frankness and overwhelming sound once again works its magic, but sadly it does feel like a wasted opportunity; they more than deserve to be further up the bill, blowing even more minds. [BM]

Hundred Reasons, Aaron West and the Roaring Twenties, Ben Marwood, Tellison, Jim Lockey, Bare Knuckle Parade and Non Canon will perform exclusive sets at the festival, along with other bands who are already performing across the weekend.

They join Slaves, Nothing But Thieves,The Wonder Years, The Front Bottoms, Beach Slang, Black Peaks, Gnarwolves, Slotface, De Staat, The Hyena Kill, Get Inuit, Acres, Peaness, Moses, Wallflower, Deaf Havana, Oathbreaker, Milk Teeth, The Dirty Nil, Svalbard, Employed To Serve, Lemuria, The Winter Passing, Jamie Lenman, Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, Lower Than Atlantis, Mallory Knox, The Menzingers, Young Guns, Skinny Lister, Rolo Tomassi, Roam, Pulled Apart By Horses, Dinosaur Pile-Up, Feed The Rhino, Muncie Girls and more at the Cheltenham based festival, which takes place on July 6-8th at Upcote Farm.

Tickets for 2000trees are on sale now, and you can find out addition information at the official website.

Deaf Havana, Oathbreaker, Milk Teeth, The Dirty Nil, Svalbard, Employed To Serve, Lemuria, The Winter Passing and more are among the latest names to join the event.

They join Slaves, Nothing But Thieves,The Wonder Years, The Front Bottoms, Beach Slang, Black Peaks, Gnarwolves, Slotface, De Staat, The Hyena Kill, Get Inuit, Acres, Peaness, Moses, Wallflower, Jamie Lenman, Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, Lower Than Atlantis, Mallory Knox, The Menzingers, Young Guns, Skinny Lister, Rolo Tomassi, Roam, Pulled Apart By Horses, Dinosaur Pile-Up, Feed The Rhino, Muncie Girls and more at the Cheltenham based festival, which takes place on July 6-8th at Upcote Farm.

Tickets for 2000trees are on sale now, and you can find out addition information at the official website.

The event will take place on July 29th in Bristol, and also features performances from Blood Youth, Foes, Shvpes, and more.

Further bands are still to be announced for Fat Lip Fest, and tickets are on sale now.