Festival season is almost kicking off and even with Glastonbury taking a fallow year, there’s plenty to enjoy out on the farms and fields this summer. We will once again be heading to Upcote Farm in the Cotswolds to enjoy every moment of 2000trees.

The line-up, as you’d expect, is completely stellar with acts like Pup, The Bronx, Cancer Bats, Static Dress, Sunny Day Real Estate and Marmozets all making appearances, but below we’re talking through the sets we’re most excited for. See you on the farm?

Alkaline Trio – 9.40pm, Main Stage, Thursday 9 July

Alkaline Trio make a welcome return to Gloucestershire with a career-spanning headline set that is sure to evoke extra-loud sing-alongs (just picture the crowd to ‘Private Eye’), infectious dancing and bouncing pop-punk hooks.

Sunny Day Real Estate – 7.30pm, Main Stage, Friday 10 July

Our original picks, Lambrini Girls, have had to pull out of this year’s festival due to health reasons. A phenomenal band with so much to say, we’re sure they’ll play an even higher slot when they return to Upcote Farm in the near future. This means our new choice for Friday on the main stage is Seattle’s emo legends, Sunny Day Real Estate.

2000trees seems a natural home for SDRE’s sweeping, majestic and melodic sound – with Jeremy Enigk’s fragile yet full-throated vocals set to fill the farm with aplomb. Often referred to as ‘the godfathers of emo’, we expect to be wading through a field of tours come the end of what promises to be a very special hour.

Arcane Roots – 8.35pm, The Axiom, Friday 10 July

When Trees favourites Arcane Roots announced their return after seven years away with the sublime ‘A Wave, Across the Sea’ in January, their set quickly became one of the most anticipated of the weekend. It’s going to be celebratory and captivating throughout as the band delve into their back catalogue filled with mathcore and punky classics.

Battlesnake – 1pm, Main Stage, Saturday 11 July

Battlesnake’s set in the Forest at last year’s festival was one of the standout moments. Ludicrous, loud and legendary, the Australian six-piece’s chunky riff-filled sound celebrates the joy of classic heavy metal and prog rock while their outfits, stage presence and speeches are a joy to behold. They’re also, of course, big fans of pyrotechnics. You’ll leave their set buzzing.

The Xcerts – 7.30pm, The Cave, Saturday 11 July

Another Trees favourite who always deliver will run through their new album ‘i think I want to go home now.’ in its entirety before smashing through a bunch of singalong anthems. Expect passion, pride and plenty of emotion – especially when Murray Macleod sings the record’s closer ‘in your eyes’…

2000trees Festival takes place between Wednesday 8 and Saturday 11 July, 2026. The festival is located on Upcote Farm, near Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. GL54 4BL.

Buy your tickets here.