Following Kneecap’s triumphant headline set on the Thursday night of this year’s 2000trees (read our review here), there was no sign of anyone – or the weather – relenting or relaxing on the Friday.

Mallavora kicked off proceedings on the Main Stage with one simple message: ‘We’re a band called Mallavora and we’re here to wake you up on this hot fucking day’. They delivered a half-hour set filled with passionately screamed vocals, chugging riffs and circle pits. They also vowed to make a difference with one song about extremism demanding everyone takes the time to ‘Gather your weaponry… They come for our territory’. Ever opened The Axiom with an alt-rock sound that blended elements of shoegaze with grunge and emo, before the dual-fronted punk rock of Jools on the Main Stage continued to fight the good fight: ‘Fuck transphobes, fuck homophobia and fuck Tom fucking Robinson’.

Playing their last show of a UK and European tour, Press Club were on a mission to make every second count in their 30-minute slot. They’ve grown a hell of a lot in the six years since we last saw them live with Natalie Foster running around the stage, doing cartwheels and demanding the audience put in just as much. With anthems like ‘To All the Ones That I Love’ and ‘Separate Houses’, who wouldn’t want to be part of this gang? It was then over to the Axiom for Alcopop! Records signings Keg. With a singer in a Blockheads T-shirt and wool trousers, the seven-piece make a glorious racket that combines space rock, smooth jazz and fightpunk. Think a prog Roxy Music… Proxy Music?

BSM’s Thank were up next for us, with the band positioned in a straight line, Palestine flag draped over an amp at the front and centre. Their live show lives up to the promise of their ‘I Have a Body that Can Be Physically Harmed’ album. High on intensity and wanting the world to be a more welcoming place in an exceptionally and excitingly noisy way. We followed this with a trip to the Forest to roll back the years (for the first time today) with Frank Turner. A special solo set playing 2008’s ‘Love, Ire & Song’ in full, but not in order, it was a huge turnout with mass singalongs and plenty of stories about writing and recording the album and his many times playing Trees. Frank also offered support for Kneecap with an acknowledgment that people in power trying to stop people telling their truths has no place in the arts.

Fresh off the release of new single ‘Throw Yourself to the Sword’, Texan four-piece Die Spitz brought some old-school grunge to the stage while swapping instruments, climbing the rigging and even barking to the audience in a call and response. Having toured with Amyl and the Sniffers and Viagra Boys, the band tout influences like L7 and Sleater-Kinney, and this shines through in the riffs. If the debut record ‘Something to Consume’ captures any of their magnetic live show. we’re all in for a treat come September when it’s released. Cloud Nothings followed by delivering an electrifying set of frantic, frenetic and fantastic indie-rock hits. So many hooks and relentless drumming that keeps everyone’s energy levels at a premium.

Mclusky marked the release of new album ‘The World is Still Here and So Are We’ – their first in almost two decades – with a ferocious and fiery set in the Axiom. Fitting in everything at breakneck pace, there’s now an added glam-rock stomp to heir punk and post-hardcore sound. ‘To Hell With Good Intentions’ remains as vital today as when it was released all those years ago – especially in the live setting.

Million Dead followed with what was only their second gig back after a 20-year hiatus. A reunion few saw coming, the band is now a five-piece so that everyone involved in the band in the first place has a part to play – original guitarist Cameron Dean writing extra parts and beefing up the songs from second album ‘Harmony No Harmony’. Frank Turner appeared to be relishing the chance to go back to his punk roots, screaming the lyrics out with venom and telling stories about how the band got back together – with a welcome shout-out to Buffy the Vampire Slayer. There was a lot of love from the crowd and elder-Millennial anthem ‘To Whom It May Concern”s mantra of ‘I’m only working here because I need the fucking money’ might just have had the loudest singalong of the weekend. The rest of the band were also in relaxed and jovial mood – excited to be taking on this belated victory lap.

We’ve talked many times about the beauty of the Forest stage at Trees but there’s something even more special when it comes to night-time gigs there. This year, Orchards had the honour of headlining amongst the branches and twinkling lights. After a public service announcement-style introduction that thanked the crowd for not seeing Taking Back Sunday and declared ‘Orchards are not math rock’, the four-piece came bounding onto the stage to a heroes’ welcome. Visibly touched by how many people were watching, the alt-poppers fed off the crowd’s excitement and upbeat mood by demanding dancing, a warm welcome to their new drummer and circle pits. It felt like a real moment, especially for a band who took some time out. Lucy Evers’ first ever stage dive was a fitting finale.

And that was the end to a fantastic Friday. What would the final day bring? Read our review of Saturday at 2000trees 2025 to find out.

Spectral Nights Friday facts
Band count: 13
Step count: 16,130
Band of the day: Million Dead

Read our review of Thursday at 2000trees 2025.
Read our review of Saturday at 2000trees 2025.

2000trees Festival takes place on Upcote Farm, near Cheltenham in Gloucestershire every July. You can buy tickets for 2026’s 2000trees now. The festival will be on from Wed 8th July to Sat 11th July 2026.