It's been nearly 20 years since a small group of music enthusiasts founded the cult UK festival 2000trees, a humble annual event celebrating broad alternative and emerging talent set in the Gloucestershire countryside. Now affectionately referred to as Trees – a name officially adopted in the 2019 artwork – its purpose has always been to provide an alternative to the country's large festivals. This idea originated from a lively discussion between founder James Scarlett, his brother, and four friends who aimed to combine the strength of a major festival lineup with an enhanced experience for fans. Anyone among the 15,000+ attendees each year would confirm that the team has successfully achieved this goal. Even during the challenging pandemic years, when the festival had to cancel its 2021 event due to ongoing impacts, it managed to survive largely thanks to devoted crowdfunding support and lifetime ticket holders. It's easy to understand why, as Trees embraces the free-flowing atmosphere of its more bohemian counterparts. Camping goes beyond merely pitching a tent at a remote site with limited facilities, and the focus on local and independent food and drink stands out. The festival is well-kept across its comparatively compact grounds, driven by a community spirit nurtured by James and his team across both this event and ArcTanGent, their similarly celebrated sister festival. In 2012, even when heavy mud threatened to halt the entire event, it was the festival's spirit that kept it going, enabling eclectic headliners like Guillemots, 65daysofstatic, and The Futureheads to perform. However, rain is uncommon for a festival that typically enjoys sunny weather, perfectly timed for early July in the picturesque Cotswolds. Last year's event featured clear skies above major acts such as The Chats, Don Broco, and The Gaslight Anthem, the latter of which James had been pursuing for years. The lineup for Trees 2025 seems promising, continuing the festival's tradition of pairing up-and-coming talent with established favorites from various corners of the alternative music scene, recently securing post-hardcore giants Alexisonfire to headline – another dream success for the festival. As this year's event approaches, here are our top tips for the UK’s best-kept festival secret…
Music Unites People
Trees thrives on its community, consisting of loyal fans who return year after year and the artists who quickly become music enthusiasts themselves. There are musicians who have performed repeatedly, including Frank Turner and Jamie Lenman, who consistently associate their names with areas of the campsite and contribute to the lineup; even Million Dead, Frank Turner’s original post-hardcore band, is set to return in 2025. This year also features a new wave of talent led by the acclaimed Northern Irish rap group Kneecap. This reflects Trees’ concept: a festival made for music lovers, along with their friends and families. It functions as a sort of sandbox with an excellent musical atmosphere, allowing the weekend to cater to diverse tastes—as long as they lean slightly away from the mainstream. For emo enthusiasts, few experiences might compare to seeing Coheed and Cambria and Taking Back Sunday perform on the main stage this Friday. So, what's the tip? It's straightforward: engage with others and soak in the music. It truly feels like one big family.
45,000 people were present to witness an event that will undoubtedly establish the iconic Irish band as leading headliners at major festivals.
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In anticipation of this year's significant event, here are our best suggestions for the yearly celebration of diverse alternative and emerging talent.