Frank Turner photo courtesy of: Gregory Nolan
Thursday:
By the time many early entry ticket holders had got to Upcote Farm for the start of 2000 trees festival, everyone in Gloucestershire knew of Frank Turner’s ‘secret’ solo set. With this news confirmed chaos was assured and it promptly sent everyone on site jostling for prime position inside The Cave tent. But before Turner whipped everyone into a state of euphoria, his Xtra Mile cohorts The Xcerts were on hand to provide a dose of anthemic angst rock. Drawing a large crowd who, although weren’t there primarily for them, were not shy in showing their affection for The Xcerts’ emotive hybrid of grunge and melody. Closing with fan favourite ‘Aberdeen 1987’ to a hearty sing-along, The Xcerts left smiling knowing they had won around more than a few new fans.
The night of course though was owned by Turner before he had even walked on stage, a solo set was always going to a special one, the chances of seeing him with only a guitar these days are slim. The manic energy only increased when he announced that he was to play his second album ‘Love, Ire & Song’ in full, the album most responsible for pushing him beyond bar room gigs and into the wider consciousness . Hearing rarely played songs such as ‘Better Half’ and ‘Jetlag’ along side fan favourites like ‘Photosynthesis’ added to an already electric atmosphere . The Cave tent was sweaty, cramped and far too hot but there was no denying the set was a triumph and everyone left feeling lucky to be there.
Friday:
To start the morning off right we headed to The Greenhouse stage for the BBC Introducing sessions. These sessions saw a miss-mash of artists play short acoustic sets. Highlights from this being Oxygen Thief, the only man who could play the acoustic guitar but still be metal as fuck, and a Q and A session with Xtra Mile Recordings’ boss Charlie Caplowe who discussed his label’s take over of The Greenhouse Stage (more on that later).
Opening up the Main Stage were The Retrospective Soundtrack Players, their lively intelligent rock drew an impressive crowd, cheery and catchy, they did a grand job of waking up those still recovering from a heavy night previous. Up next on The Greenhouse Stage was Ady Suleiman, this young Liverpudlian, a relative unknown, was a prize find for many. Borrowing from classic mo-town, his dreamy soulful melodies and tales of confused love went down a treat. Finding your new favourite artist is what 2000 Trees is about, and talent like Ady Suleiman epitomised that.
Returning to Oxygen Thief for his full set, this 2000 trees veteran knew how to please a crowd. ‘Modesty Is Dead’ and a mash-up of ‘Jailhouse Rock’/’Killing In The Name’ (yes, you read that correct) got everyone in The Greenhouse tent buzzing. No doubt he’ll return next year, but if the packed out tent was anything to go by, expect to see him on the bigger Leaf Lounge stage.
Celebrating 10 years as a label Xtra Mile’s presence was very much felt at this year’s 2000 trees. So much so that they sponsored a take over of The Greenhouse stage to showcase their acts. First up was the west counties’ own Crazy Arm, melding Springsteen-esque underdog mentality with the raucous folk of The Levellers, Crazy Arm showed they can strip back their sound to just acoustics and still be a force to be reckoned with.
However, the prize for ‘Most Life Affirming Set’ and hell even ‘Best Set of 2000 trees’ easily goes to Reading’s Ben Marwood. Having gained cult status at 2000 trees, it seemed like every Marwood fan in the land had descended upon The Greenhouse stage and boy, were they vocal in their appreciation. Every word screamed back and with chants of “Marwood for Main Stage” a formidable campaign has begun for 2014. Punktastic has always tipped Ben for big things, but this set went above and beyond in proving he’s the real deal. Incredible songwriting and the nicest guy in rock n’ roll (sorry Grohl you’ve been de-throned), this was a ‘you’ll wish you had been there’ kind of set. Fantastic stuff. Closing up the Greenhouse stage for the night was festival legend Beans On Toast, predictably sloppy, it’s all part of his charm. The ever charismatic performer was a joy to watch. You either get it or you don’t and if you don’t, well that’s your loss.
Rounding up the friday night was the headline set from Frank Turner and his band The Sleeping Souls. Be-set with technical issues (something that would plague the Main Stage all weekend), his set wasn’t the highlight it should have been. Recovering what he could from a bad situation though Turner and his band still managed to create a rousing communal vibe with sing alongs that rounded off friday nicely.
CLARA CULLEN