FESTIVAL PREVIEW: 2000trees Festival 2025

It’s almost time for one of the most beloved weeks in the UK’s alternative music calendar, as the intimate and eclectic 2000trees Festival returns to grace itself upon Cheltenham’s stunning forests once more. This year’s edition promises something special, toting their biggest lineup yet, bringing plenty of both rock’s fan-favourite established acts and hot new scene talent to Upcote Farm. As thousands of music lovers gather for three days of live performances and good vibes, of course we at Distorted Sound will be there to cover it all – but first, here’s a preview of what to expect from this year’s festivities.

Wednesday, July 9th

Wednesday may be the warm-up, but with a lineup this strong, the party immediately gets off to a strong start. Kicking off your afternoon with some grit, VOWER tear up the Forest Stage with their raw, cathartic metalcore tunes, followed by the raucous riffs of charming chaos that is UNPEOPLE, setting the perfect backdrop to sip a crisp 2000trees-exclusive cider. As the sun starts to set, and the first drinks of the weekend are already had, be sure to catch MERYL STREEK’s explosive, politically charged punk set, or KID KAPICHI’s riotous alt-rock, both guaranteed to get you moving. Those arriving late on Wednesday can shake off their travel fatigue with the infectious energy of HOT MILK, with Manchester’s anthemic pop-punkers ending the first night of the festival. (And if that wasn’t enough, start the rave early with THE XCERTS’ silent disco live set into the early hours of Thursday.)

Thursday, July 10th

The first full day at 2000trees is stacked with unmissable talent, starting off with KAREN DIÓ’s fierce, genre-blurring alt rock anthems on the Main Stage. Over at the Axiom tent, SUPERBLOOM’s grungy shoegaze rock will drench the crowd in swirling distortion, or if mosh pits and mic grabs are more your thing, SNAYX will bring their chaotic punk to the masses, followed by THE HUNNA’s anthemic alt-rock indie swagger. Fresh from their appearance at RADAR Festival in Manchester, for those craving something industrial and raw, LAKE MALICE’s furious metalcore is not one to miss at the Neu stage.

Meanwhile, SPACED’s fuzzed-out stoner riffs will shake The Cave, appealing to fans of TURNSTILE and GEL. In the evening, PVRIS’s dark pop-electronia promises to be a sleek, polished spectacle, but don’t miss BAMBIE THUG’s theatrical, genre-defying performance straight after in the Forest, fusing metal and performance art for an unforgettable set. Speaking of Irish provocateurs, the infamous alt rappers KNEECAP will certainly ignite the Main Stage with their incendiary bars and anarchic energy, especially hyped after their controversial Glastonbury set. To end the day with something moody and seductive, DeathbyRomy’s gothic alt-pop will cast a hypnotic spell on your ears in the Forest before the night’s chaos truly begins. Thursday’s lineup is sumptuous and laden with choice, so choose your day’s adventure wisely.

Friday, July 11th

It may officially be over halfway through the festival but that didn’t stop 2000 Trees from scheduling some of their heaviest hitters in the space of 24 hours. Mallavora open the Main stage with their blend of post-punk and prog rock, with their heavy razor-sharp guitar riffs making the perfect wake-up call. Thrashers Eville bring their high-octane heavy music to the Cave, followed by Kaonashi’s charged mathcore-metalcore fusions, both leaving the crowd breathless (and probably a little riled up). Back at the Main stage, Blackgold’s slick groovy nu-metal will get heads bopping, but if you’re after pure catharsis, seek out Thank’s experimental post-punk noise rock (think LADY GAGA meets NINE INCH NAILS). If you haven’t quite shaken last night’s hangover, join one of the countless midday pits that will certainly open up during TRASH BOAT’s anthemic pop-punk set, with the St Albans band returning after a long hiatus.

In the afternoon, make the heartwrenching choice between the poetic post-hardcore powerhouse LA DISPUTE in the Forest, or the gritty girl-power garage rock played by VENUS GRRRLS at the Neu Stage. If neither of those take your fancy, GRAPHIC NATURE’s bone-crushing metalcore promises to incite utter chaos, so dive in if you dare. Nurture your wounds and don’t miss the second Eurovision sensation that 2000trees has to offer, in the form of BABY LASAGNA’s electronic industrial pop, or alternatively WITCH FEVER’s feminist doom punk at the Neu Stage. Whomever you choose, both set the tone for the night’s grand finale: emo legends TAKING BACK SUNDAY taking over the Main Stage for a career-spanning victory lap of iconic hooks and chaotic nostalgia.

Saturday, July 12th

It may be the last day, but you know what they say about good things coming to those who wait. Start the final morning with something different in the form of LOVELY RARELY’s shoegaze and post-punk fusion, nicely paired with HECTARES‘ emotional post-hardcore anthems. Saturday is the day for blurred genres, with the Manchester foursome SPLIT CHAIN bringing a gritty blend of grunge and punk to The Axiom in the early afternoon. Moving further up north, Scottish rockers VUKOVI promise to bring their electro-rock chaos to the Main Stage (probably with some Buckfast in hand).

Then begin the impossible clashes – the choice between the technically brilliant electro-punk band CALVA LOUISE or the incendiary post-hardcore legends LETLIVE. is a tough one. Even tougher is the choice between the Swedish progressive metalcore band IMMINENCE at The Cave, or the English rising indie-rock sensation RØRY in the Forest. Whatever the choice may be, newcomers TROPIC GOLD close out the night with their own silent disco live set that is sure to make its mark.

There is so much more than this preview can possibly capture that awaits festival goers this year passing through the Cotswolds, especially for those hardy persons arriving early to brave Wednesday’s opening chaos. Between the stages, you’ll find artisan food stalls, exclusive festival merchandise, and the kind of spontaneous campsite revelry that makes 2000trees feel like a four day-long house party. If you’re not there this year, keep an eye out for Distorted Sound’s full review, but a fair warning to prepare for the inevitable FOMO.

2000trees Festival will take place at Upcote Farm, near Cheltenham, Gloucestershire on July 9th-13th 2025. 

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