2000trees 2025 - Ones to watch

Joshua Wilkinson
Jun 24
4 min read

Taking place in the heart of Cheltenham and surrounded by fields and woodland, 2000trees is one of the best medium-sized festivals the UK has to offer. Attendees are guaranteed to have one of the most unique live music experiences possible, and with only two weeks left until the 2025 instalment, what better time to highlight some of the amazing talent on display this year?

We've broken down each day of the festival and picked a few key acts from each that we've either caught before or can't wait to catch for the first time, to hopefully help you plan your itinerary.

Wednesday

Hot Milk

Starting off with Wednesday's headlining act, Hot Milk's unstoppable rise to power will continue on the first day on the first day of the festival. With their new album "Corporation P.O.P" set for release on 27th June, this headline set will provide fans with their first opportunity to see their latest tracks live - and what a place to do it.

Panic Shack

When we last caught Panic Shack at 2000trees 2024, we were caught up in their infectious energy and raw, unapologetic music and performance style. Now, one year on, the band have released multiple singles from their upcoming self-titled album due to drop 18th July, the latest of which being 'Thelma & Louise'. We can't wait to catch them again and feel that infectious energy once more with some new material!

Unpeople

A band we've been fortunate to catch on a few occasions, Unpeople are one of those special bands with a true power to bring people together. If you're attending an Unpeople set, you're leaving an Unpeople fan, with a style and sound you'll struggle to hear anywhere else. If you want to see what the future of heavy music looks like, then make sure to be in their crowd.

Thursday

Big Special

Our first pick for the first full day of the festival is the punk duo that is Big Special. Blending powerful music, impactful poetry, and true performances on stage, Big Special are guaranteed to offer up an experience you won't be forgetting anytime soon. If you want a heavy-hitting exploration into the human psyche and lyrics that hit out a broken society, then Big Special are the act for you.

Check out our interview with them at Leeds Festival 2024.

Big Special performing in Manchester — Photo credit: Christina Sylvester

Snayx

Another act for the punk lovers out there, the last time we caught Snayx was during their run supporting Billy Talent. From track one the audience was hooked, with truly infectious beats and in-your-face vocals demanding your attention. While the band are heading out on a headline UK tour in September, it's safe to say that their set at 2000trees will be one you can't afford to miss.

Bambie Thug

Skyrocketing to stardom after their performance at last year's Eurovision song contest, Bambie Thug is an artist who really lives up to that term. Bringing their outrageous performance style with iconic outfits and unrelenting tracks, Bambie Thug is not an act that can be ignored. Catch them here while you can, because before you know it they'll be headlining.

Friday

Graphic Nature

Fresh from two festival sets at Download and Ghostfest, Nu metal inspired metalcore outfit Graphic Nature are one of the most exciting bands in the scene right now. Lyrics inspired by personal struggles are interspersed with theatrical breakdowns, culminating in tracks that feel like if a gut punch was an enjoyable experience. If you need to get your heavy fix while at Trees this year, their set is the place to do it.

Fidlar

A returning favourite from last year, punk rockers Fidlar are always guaranteed to be a good time. Having released their latest album "Surviving The Dream" since their last performance at Upcote Farm, Fidlar's fast-paced, never-stopping tracks make for some of the most energetic crowds you could lay eyes on. It's extremely difficult to have a bad time during one of their sets, so get yourself down there and make the most of the fun.

Witch Fever

If there was one band that you absolutely can't afford to miss this year, Witch Fever would certainly have to be in the running for it. Unapologetic, outspoken, and downright inspiring, Witch Fever are a group that have built an audience from not just their music, but also from tackling and pointing out injustice wherever they see it. With their sophomore album "Fevereaten" releasing on October 31st, 2000trees is set be the last time you can catch them at this level of the billing.

Saturday

Letlive

Presenting audiences with the first time to hear the band live in almost 10 years, Letlive are one of the names on this year's line up that are almost certain to draw a crowd. After splitting in 2017, the group reformed towards the end of last year for a farewell reunion tour to give fans the goodbye they deserve. Outside of two London dates on 10th and 13th July, their 2000trees appearance is the only chance UK audiences have to catch them before they say a final goodbye, so be prepared for an intense, unapologetic, and bittersweet set.

Calva Louise

Another act we've been fortunate enough to catch both on support duty and at their own headline set, Calva Louise are one of the many bands at 2000trees 2025 that are best experienced live. Performing at both Download Festival and 2000trees last year, we saw Calva Louise at their headline show in Manchester where they very much demonstrated that next time they need a bigger venue. The festival field may well be the only place that can properly contain the band, with their unique sound always instilling the crowd with a need to jump, headbang, and mosh until their legs give out.

Calva Lousie performing in Manchester — Photo credit: Josh Wilkinson

Love Is Noise

Releasing their debut album "To live in a different way" to rave reviews earlier this year, it's difficult to explain exactly why you should check out Love Is Noise - you just have to. With the kind of sound that demands to be called a listening experience, each and every track is filled with as much emotion as it is intensity. Expect to see much, much more from them in the future.