Let’s be honest here, the 2000Trees lineup was already stacked. With headliners including Taking Back Sunday, Coheed and Cambria, Alexisonfire and one of the few festivals who have stood there ground to allow Kneecap to headline, as well as what has to be the least likely reformation of the year in the form of Million Dead, with an undercard that perfectly mixes new and upcoming artists with more nostalgic acts. But apparently they felt we needed a bit more. The silent disco has always been an important part of Trees and, joining the DJ lineup of Wade MacNeil of Alexisonfire, podcast maestros Sappenin’ and On Wednesdays We Wear Black, Pressure and faves like Luna Tunes and Gemma Edwards, 2000Trees have announced live silent sets from The Xcerts (Wednesday), Dream State (Thursday), Thrill Collins (Friday) and Tropic Gold (Saturday) – I’m particularly excited to having a big old headphone wearing singalong to The Xcerts, as well as checking out the others in an unorthodox late night format.
Speaking of unorthodox formats, they’ve also announced the Coheed and Cambria will be playing a stripped back acoustic set on the Forest Stage, alongside a Q&A session between the band and the Mark and Me Podcast. Worth getting down early for, this takes place at 12:20 on the Friday.
For those of you going with children, 2000Trees have also announced their lineup of kids activities. There are plenty of action-packed activities, performances, and workshops all weekend long at The Word (from 9am until 3pm Thurs-Sat). Their Forest School returns with hands-on adventures and crafts in the shade of the trees, and the Main Arena Play Area is back with games and sandcastle building (where the grownups can chill and enjoy the bands at the same time). Some of their highlights include The Backhand Jags, a punk band providing a safe and uplifting space for the younger rockers to MOSH, Junk Jodie and Dexter Deer, with a woodland adventure told with recycled puppets about wildlife care and a craft activity at the end. There’s also Music Man David Lloyd returning with his unmissable show uniquely tailored for children of all ages which combines music and comedy. Solid Gold Fitness are bringing a family friendly, fun, workout session to start the day. Fizz Pop Science will be exploring the world of chemistry, while Tweedle Entertainments will be brining circus skills in the form of diablos, wobble boards and juggling. Family Camping can be found by turning right after you enter the campsite and walking up the hill.
To round things up they’ve also announced signings in the merch tent. On Thursday you’ve got Grade 2 at 16:30. On Friday Million Dead will be there at 13:00, followed by the excellent Jamie Lenman at 17:00. Saturday will no doubt be a highlight for a lot of people with Letlive. at 14:00 and Vukovi at 14:45. Grab some merch, get it signed.
They also recently announced their beer collaboration with Arbor Ales, Holding Out For A Beero, which I’m looking forward to sampling during that previously mentioned The Xcerts set. Late night acoustic music is also sorted with both Camp Frabbit and Camp Turner announcing their acoustic lineups! Too many excellent bands to mention here but some highlights include Slash Fiction, Commoner, Buds, Resurrectionists and Mexican Dave over at Camp Frabbit, and Orchards, batwings, Ben Brown and Fraser Morgan over at Camp Turner.
Three day, day and evening tickets to 2000Trees are still available here.
