Review: 2000 Trees Festival 2018 – Saturday

While some awoke with sore heads following the previous night’s drinks at the Silent Disco, Swedish Death Candy in The Axiom seemed to supply the perfect rock ‘n’ roll remedy to ease everyone into the day. Essex alt-rock band Sun Arcana seem to be rising stars in the British music scene, and following their set on The Neu Stage, I can see why, as the four piece offer one of the most outstanding and tight sets of the entire festival despite being on one of the smallest stages.

Norwegian hardcore band Blood Command gave a passionate performance in The Cave which seemed to get better throughout the set with audience interaction, while Bloody Knees oozed with confidence in The Axiom, as they used their scuzzy and brash skate rock to create a full on chaotic mosh pit. Back in The Cave, Queen Kwong‘s set was plagued with technical issues causing feedback at various points through the set; however, as irritating as this was, she still managed to pull off a powerful performance.

British rock band The Xcerts have been playing at 2000 Trees on and off for years now, and this year they rightfully earned their slot on the Main Stage with a triumphant performance jam-packed full of their anthemic rock, which kept everyone singing throughout. Following this; I saw another festival favourite in The Cave, Skinny Lister. If you haven’t seen them before, their sea-shanty inspired folk rock may sound like a slightly niche thing; but they are fun and lively and you can’t help but go away from a Skinny Lister gig with a smile on your face.

Headliners Enter Shikari brought the festival to a close with the meteoric show that everyone was hoping for, as front man Rou Reynolds vented matters and jumped around the stage like a lightening-quick crazed professor that was conducting some kind of thrilling experiment with the willing audience. The result?… All around utter happiness as everyone continued to party into the early hours of the next morning with friends and strangers alike, not wanting this year’s festival to be over. 2000 Trees 2019 cannot come around quickly enough.

www.twothousandtreesfestival.co.uk