It’s nearly that time of year again when music lovers from far and wide descend upon Upcote farm for the legendary 2000trees Festival. Fresh off its win as Best Medium-Sized Festival, this year’s edition is shaping up to be truly unforgettable.
Early arrivals on Wednesday are in for a treat, with a Hot Milk headline set that promises to start the weekend with a bang. On Thursday, prepare for a show like no other as the controversial Irish rap group Kneecap take to the stage—an act guaranteed to stir things up and secure their place in 2000trees history and within the UK music scene in general.
Friday night sees US emo heavyweights Taking Back Sunday headline, while Saturday brings the festival to an electrifying close with post-hardcore titans Alexisonfire. With a lineup this stacked, there’s something for every kind of music fan and that’s only just the headliners.
The festival’s genre-spanning bill covers everything from pop rock to metal, and it proudly shines a spotlight on the underground scene as well as the rising stars of the music industry. As always we like to focus more on the more underground bands that are making waves on the scene so we highly recommend catching the following bUTTONpUSHER favourites if you can.
Hidden Mothers are a sad boy black metal band from Sheffield, known for blending elements of black metal, post-hardcore, and shoegaze. Since the release of their debut album “Erosion/ Avulsion” they’ve gained recognition for their emotionally intense sound and dynamic live performances. Fans of heavy music with atmospheric and introspective elements will really enjoy these guys.
Love Rarely have been on our radar ever since their explosive performance at StrangeForms Festival last year. Their fierce, emotionally charged take on post-hardcore immediately grabbed our attention—and hasn’t let go since. Blending raw intensity with intricate instrumentation and powerful vocals, Love Rarely deliver a sound that feels both urgent and thoughtfully constructed. Their live set was a standout moment of the festival, showcasing a band that clearly knows how to channel chaos into something cathartic and deeply compelling so trees fans are in for a real treat.
Delta Sleep have long cemented their place as one of the UK’s most beloved math rock bands, and while their name is now widely recognized in alternative music circles, they’ll always hold a special place in our hearts. For many Trees Festival regulars, Brighton’s golden boys represent more than just intricate rhythms and emotive vocals—they embody the spirit of the scene itself.
Terminals may be a recent discovery for us, but we were immediately drawn to their sound—marked by thunderous, heavy riffs and soaring melodic hooks. Their ability to blend crushing instrumentation with emotionally resonant songwriting makes them stand out in the modern heavy music landscape and we’re excited to check them out live.
There are so many good bands playing the festival that continue to champion the spirit of alternative, independent music and some of which we are also lucky to call friends at this stage so we will always champion them.
If you’ve never been to 2000trees before then you’re in for something truly special. Now in its 18th year, this family-friendly, all inclusive and accessible festival has built a reputation as a vibrant, welcoming celebration of all things alternative. The food and drink options are top-notch, and when the main stages wind down, the party keeps going with the now-legendary silent discos and live band Silent Disco sets from The Xcerts, Dream State, Thrill Collins and Tropic Gold—the perfect way to dance into the early hours. As always, you can rent your headphones from SDK at the festival, but you can get early bird pricing by pre-ordering HERE
2000trees is happening from the 9th to the 12th July.
Tickets are still available—don’t miss out: http://2000trees.co.uk