Set against the rolling hills of Upcote Farm, 2000Trees 2025 once again proved why it’s a cornerstone of the UK’s alternative music scene. With a line-up that balanced chaos and catharsis, familiar faces and thrilling newcomers, this year’s edition delivered standout sets across every stage. Here’s a look at just a few of the bands who made a lasting impression.
Kid Kapichi
Kid Kapichi’s double-header at 2000Trees felt like the end of an era. With a line-up change imminent, their Wednesday and Thursday sets carried extra emotional weight – it was a loud, cathartic farewell and celebration of what the original group had built. Wednesday’s Forest Stage performance leaned into nostalgia with deeper cuts like “Rob the Supermarket”, “Glitterati”, and “Smash the Gaff”. The lack of space for a proper pit didn’t stop the crowd from matching the band’s energy, though it was Thursday’s Axiom Stage set that truly erupted. A non-stop barrage of fan favourites like “999”, “I.N.V.U”, “New England”, and “Let’s Get To Work” turned the crowd into a whirlwind of moshing and crowdsurfing, complete with a chaotic rowboat pit. Known for their biting political lyrics and working-class rage, Kid Kapichi turned both shows into something bigger than a festival set: a shared release of fury and pride. It was equal parts a punk rock show, political rally, and family reunion.
Hot Milk
Headlining the Forest Stage on Wednesday night, Hot Milk proved why they’ve become one of the most talked about names in the UK alt-rock scene right now. Despite being outdoors, their set was sonically tight, punchy, and full of raw emotion. Their energy was infectious, and the crowd responded in kind, turning the woods into a wild, neon-lit celebration. The set was briefly paused due to an injury in the audience, but the band handled it with care and professionalism, waiting until all was well before diving back in. We then got to hear a crowd-led singalong of “Breathing Underwater”, which created a moment of tender magic amidst the chaos, cementing the set as something special. The set drew from both their new album Corporation P.O.P. and older favourites, giving both new and returning fans something to enjoy.
Meryl Streek
Meryl Streek delivered two of the most emotionally potent performances of the entire festival. His blend of spoken word and pop-tinged instrumentals isn’t just an aesthetic, it’s a Trojan horse for furious political commentary. His Wednesday set was packed and punchy, delivering a firestorm that tackled issues like addiction, corruption, and the housing crisis. Thursday’s Main Stage opener was even more poignant – deliberately abandoning the distance of a big platform, he spent most of the set at the barrier with the crowd, turning the performance into something raw, human, and heartbreakingly real. Far from being a detached voice preaching to the masses, Meryl Streek positioned himself as with us, angry for the same reasons, hurt by the same injustices. Despite his intensity, his gestures of kindness – fist bumping kids down the front and even handing out a rose from his mic stand – underscored his core message: look after each other, despite it all. “Paddy”, a tribute to his late uncle, became a crowd-chanting moment of communal grief and love, cementing this as the emotional centrepiece of the festival for many.
Himalayas
Himalayas brought pure electricity to 2000Trees with their gritty, anthemic rock sound. With huge riffs, infectious hooks, and an unreal stage presence, the Welsh rockers kept the crowd buzzing from start to finish. Tracks from their latest album landed just as hard as fan favourites like “Thank God I’m Not You”, proving their catalogue is only growing stronger. While their influences are rooted in classic rock, there’s a contemporary sheen and urgency to their sound that really gives them an edge. They’re far from being newcomers to the music scene, and it’s clear they’re on a fast upward trajectory – they very well may be on their way to headlining status in the next few years.
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Bambie Thug
Bambie Thug’s set was one of the most unexpected delights of the weekend, delivering a glitchy, goth-pop sound that felt like a bit of a fever dream, in the best way possible. Combining Y2K-era pop energy, reminiscent of Lady Gaga and Kesha, with haunting visuals and edgy electronic elements, Bambie Thug self-described themselves as a “goth Britney Spears” and totally lived up to it. Between cheeky crowd banter, starting a “girl pit” by throwing a potato into the crowd, and stage-diving into the audience, they made it clear they were here to break rules and turn heads. It was a fun, subversive, and undeniably captivating set, turning the Forest Stage into a party, while also taking the time to call out the injustices faced by millions both locally and internationally. It was a reminder that alternative music doesn’t have to come in black band t-shirts and guitars – it can dance, strut, and scream too.
Blackgold
Blackgold were another surprising standout of the festival. Despite a brief delay due to technical issues, they exploded onto the stage with an unapologetically chaotic blend of classic hip-hop swagger and crushing metal riffs, even featuring a live DJ mixing on stage. The energy was unmatched, and even in 30 degree heat the crowd was moshing, dancing, and grinning from ear to ear. One of the weekend’s most wholesome moments came during their set, when an older gentleman crowdsurfed to a roar of cheers from the crowd. Blackgold are genre-defying, party-starting mayhem incarnate – if you weren’t paying attention before, you should be now.
The Dangerous Summer
The Dangerous Summer offered a welcome breather amid the festival’s heavier offerings and the sweltering heat. Their set was mellow and heartfelt, soaked in the kind of nostalgic indie rock that soundtracks road trips and heartbreaks alike. With tinges of emo and pop punk influences, their sound was emotional but not overwrought, finding a delicate balance that they pulled off with ease. Under the blazing sun, their music felt like a warm breeze, easing us into the afternoon. They also dropped a surprise tour announcement mid-set (a full day ahead of the official news), drawing cheers from long-time fans. While it wasn’t the loudest or wildest performance of the weekend, it definitely was one of the most grounding.
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Delta Sleep
Delta Sleep delivered a beautifully layered and cerebral set, with math rock precision and a surprisingly euphoric energy. Known for their complex time signatures and textured melodies, the band brought a technical musicianship to the stage without ever feeling cold or clinical. There was a natural ebb and flow to the performance, with quieter moments swelling into joyous crescendos. Their dedicated fans sang along with every word, creating a wonderful atmosphere that felt more like a shared experience than a performance. In a festival full of noise and chaos, Delta Sleep reminded us of the beauty of intricacy and emotion intertwined.
Frontierer
Frontierer came to annihilate, and annihilate they did. Their set was a relentless barrage of noise, equal parts grindcore, technical death metal, and sheer sonic violence. With guitar tones that sounded like malfunctioning machinery (that’s a compliment, we promise!), and an incredibly tight rhythm section, the band turned their slot into a masterclass in controlled chaos. At one point one of the members even climbed up the tent’s scaffolding, to the delight of the gathered crowd. It’s definitely not for the faint of heart, but Frontierer’s performance was one the most technically impressive of the festival.
Whether you came for ferocious pits or tender singalongs under the trees, this year’s line-up delivered unforgettable moments at every turn. More than just a music festival, 2000Trees remains a community – loud, emotional, and fiercely alive.
Header image by Jez Pennington
