Every year there’s one festival lineup you read and just think to yourself, “yeah, they’ve aimed high this year.” This year’s 2000 Trees lineup may well be this years; the organiser, who I can only presume has very similar tastes to myself, has seemingly managed to get every band worth seeing together in one place, even at least one who aren’t really even a band anymore. You won’t find a single bad band on the lineup but if you’re mad and not sold yet, here’s some picks which we urge you to check out:
The Xcerts
Having released one of the best albums of 2014, There Is Only You there’s been no better time to see Xcerts live. The three piece, who have supported just about everyone of note and toured relentlessly, released the most well written album of their career. No mean feat if you’ve heard 2010’s Mike Sapone produced Scatterbrain! Their live show, as energetic and emotionally charged as it has been in the past, seems more polished, the band sounding phenomenal. You’d be a fool to miss them.
Vennart
Former Oceansize genius, and Biffy Clyro guitarist/man screaming at the edge of the stage having the time of his life, Mike Vennart is back with a full band and, based on the first track shared from his forthcoming album The Demon Joke, ‘Infatuate’, it’ll be everything previous Oceansize fans could have hoped for. With a familiar live band, Vennart’s set at 2000 Trees will no doubt be mesmerising.
Get Inuit
Recent Alcopop signing Get Inuit won me over very quickly with their single ‘Dress of Bubblewrap’, their indie-pop lushness not struggling to draw a smile over my face. I think, with a large number of riffy bands playing the festival, Get Inuit will provide a summery interlude.
McLusky
A bit of relief here, as someone who had a ticket to the Le Pub show last year but couldn’t afford to travel there (gutting). McLusky, well, a form of McLusky featuring largely Future Of The Left members playing entirely McLusky tracks, which is as close to the real thing as you’re going to get, are performing another set, this time in a festival setting at Trees. I’m not entirely sure what to expect from them live but if it’s basically a mix of FOTL’s onstage cynicism/humour and McLusky’s music then it’ll be brilliant.
Fatherson
I had the joy of seeing Fatherson support Lonely The Brave last year and found myself wondering why they weren’t headlining the show. Excellent vocals and lovely music came together to produce heart melting, glorious, music. I’m sure, given that it’s been over a year, they’ll have even more excellent songs to woo us with.
Human Pyramids
I didn’t think that, after their splendid ArcTanGent set last year or the equally brilliant live session they performed for us in a sheep sheering barn, that I would be seeing Human Pyramids live again so soon, although I’m exceptionally glad that I am – the massive band, with their huge number of instruments and choir, are a spectacle live, made all the better thanks the brilliant compositions from Paul Russell. If you’ve missed them performing live so far then just go and do it before you lose your chance.
Tellison
Every festival needs a set of singalongs and, as far as I’m concerned, Tellison are the best singalong band there is. Excellent emotional songs, mass singalongs, self-depreciating between-song commentaries, Tellison have it all. Their new album is out this year (the sooner the better…) so expect new tracks and classics.
Arcane Roots
We’ve recently both previewed and reviewed Arcane Roots so if you want an idea how good their live show is then I’d suggest you give that a read but, in short: riffs, even better riffs, new songs which push the boundaries of what has come prior. Their new album is out this year, it’s probably going to be incredible so there’s no better time to see them.
Jurassic Pop
How could you not love a band who play songs based around Jurassic Park? Do you not have a heart? Why would they let you into a festival without a heart, you monster?
The St. Pierre Snake Invasion
It still bugs me that I almost dismissed this band at ArcTanGent 2013. Their set last year was brilliant, the live aggression still there yet their songwriting stepping up about 5 notches creating an unstoppable force. One of the best live bands of last year, they are completely worth your time at Trees.
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