Who would've thought a quiet corner of the Cotswolds could host one of the UK's most exciting music line-ups. Tucked away on Upcote Farm in Cheltenham, independent rock festival, 2000Trees, has been going strong since 2007. Across four days, and six stages, the festival is jam packed with everything from alt-rock to hardcore.
This year's headliners included Kneecap, Taking Back Sunday and Alexisonfire but the line up also featured a range of fan favourites, rising stars and potential future headliners. A key date on the festival calendar, 'Trees' is a favourite among bands and fans alike and it's easy to see why. As someone who's admired the festival's previous line-ups, I'm slightly embarrassed to admit this was my first time, but it's safe to say it didn't disappoint. Here are five things that stood out:
At most festivals, seeing all your favourite bands involves a lot of stressful scheduling and mad dashes between stages miles apart. Because of Trees' compact layout, it's possible to go from one stage to the next with little effort. Aside from the Forest Stage which is a short walk from the main action, everything is within easy reach. It's the ideal setup for discovering new artists without missing out on your favourite acts in the process.
One example was rising newcomers unpeople who pulled in a larger-than-life crowd early on Thursday. Having caught them at Radar Festival last year I wasn't surprised, but the ease of going from one stage to another meant more people had the opportunity to discover their fresh, fiery sound - potentially being a highlight of the weekend.
2. It sticks to its core value of being a family festivalUnlike many rock festivals, 2000trees goes out of its way to be inclusive for families. There's a dedicated family campsite, and a Forest School for kids to try their hand at den-building. Meanwhile, the Word Stage doubled up as a storytelling space for children in between podcasts and Drag Queen talks.
There was even a children's play area by the main stage, where you'd spot kids dancing, doing mini-circle pits or just chilling on blankets as their parents soaked up the music. Most importantly, other festival goers respected the space families took up, creating a nicer atmosphere for everyone to enjoy.

Fancy dress has become part of the 2000Trees tradition, and this year's heatwave didn't stop fans from going all out. I saw one man multiple times, sweating it out in a full tiger costume, as he clamboured across the front barriers. There were a group of lads dressed as pints of beer, multiple Heroes chocolates, and even someone wearing a fully functioning Guitar Hero rig which was powered by a generator on his back.
There was also the now-iconic Marshall Amp costume, which not only crowd-surfed to the front of the Letlive crowd but ended up on stage alongside the band. It was utterly ridiculous, and hilarious at the same time.
4. It's well organised and easy to navigateThere's no doubt that at some festivals it's hard to find the facilities, but at 2000Trees this was never an issue. The layout was simple and stress-free, you were never too far from a toilet or a much-needed water refill. Food vendors were spread across the site, and the queue for essentials like coffee or merch were never long.
There was a general store near the arena entrance, alongside a store for emergency camping gear. Even in 30°C heat, I never felt like I was baking in a queue for too long which is always a bonus when you're hoping to get a toilet break before seeing your next band
This is an important but rare one: The site was already being cleared of rubbish by the time the last acts finished on Saturday night. The cup deposit scheme (pay £1.50 and get it back when you return your cup) meant hardly anything was left on the ground. Even the toilets stayed surprisingly clean throughout the day. They were stocked with loo roll, regularly cleaned, and aside from one unfortunate instant, not completely horrifying.
Above all, the festival's vibe was warm and welcoming. Artists often call 2000Trees a chilled hangout with friends, and I can't disagree. Everyone seemed to be there for the right reasons. There was no drama, just good music, kind staff, and this plenty (perhaps too much) sunshine!
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