Noizze
The return of the award winning festival, 2000 Trees are going out this year with arguably their biggest ever lineup. But of course, you already know that. By now you’ve probably already got a rough schedule for the weekend in place. We don’t need to tell you to go watch Kneecap’s set that will prove to be historical, annihilate your vocal chords to Alexisonfire or watch Coheed & Cambria whilst longing to brush Claudio Sanchez’s hair. Once again, the lineup for 2000 Trees is god tier, and you all know it.
But beneath the big names and scene favourites lies an utter treasure trove of new and fresh artists playing across the weekend. And with that in mind, here’s our top picks for the artists you would be utterly foolish to miss next weekend.
2000 Trees is part of unpeople’s DNA like few others. They played their first ever show here in 2022 and are returning heroes, having just packed out the Avalanche stage at Download as well as headlined the prestigious (honest) Noizzefest at Clwb Ifor Bach in Cardiff. Fans of three-part harmonies, massive riffs and singing away your problems, make sure you catch them at 4:20 on Wednesday on the Forest Sessions, or 2pm Thursday on a well-deserved Main stage slot. – Will Marshall
Self described as ‘Bristol Hardcore with a Queer Edge’ and founded in a skate park, this band could not be more grassroots if they tried. Uncertainty sounds better placed in the late 80s Hardcore movement, and provides a breath of fresh air to stalwarts of the genre. A must for the headbangers and those who like their music aggressive and eclectic. Playing The Cave 11am-11:30am. – Cece Lawless
London’s Puppy are a refreshing, tongue-in-cheek twist on alternative metal, fusing sugary melodies with old-school metal riffs and a grungy, sludgy sentimentality. Vocalist Jock Norton’s unmistakable inflections and sharp, offbeat lyricism help Puppy stand out as a notable force within the UK alternative scene. Their genre-blurring sound has seen them share stages with the likes of CKY, Turbonegro, and Employed To Serve, cementing their reputation as a band who defy categorisation. Their Thursday set sees Puppy primed to deliver an intimate midday performance that will showcase their masterful musicianship and playful yet heavy live presence that’s won them a cult following. Expect thick riffs, infectious hooks, and a show that feels equally nostalgic as it does new- a reminder that Puppy’s oddball charm and creative edge make them one of the UK’s most endearing heavy acts to watch. – Emily Simister
Mallavora pride themselves on accessibility and championing disability rights, ensuring that their headline sjows have enough space for plenty of chairs if people need to sit down, and often have intervals in their set as well. Not content with being good people, they’re also bloody excellent musically, a strain of alt metal that’s got bounce, melody and aggression that only gets heavier live. We should know – they laid waste to Fuel Rock Club at Noizzefest earlier this year. Catch them on the Main stage, 11am Friday. – Will Marshall
Vexed are one of the UK’s best, most undersung metalcore bands and their second album Negative Energy raged against industry cliques while simultaneously facing devastating grief and mental health struggles. Now, they’re finally making their 2000 Trees debut at 3pm on The Cave stage – prepare to hear some vicious gutturals, string-bending riffs with more bounce than a massive trampoline park, huge choruses and perhaps even a taste of what they’ve cooked up since then. – Will Marshall
Savage Hardcore from London Town, False Reality pulls no punches. With thrash inspired riffs and screams that set your goosebumps ablaze, this band will undoubtedly gain a fair few new fans after their set at 2000 Trees. Ensure you catch them at the start of their journey and you can brag that you ‘were there’ before they blew up. Playing The Cave 2pm-2:30pm Friday. – Cece Lawless
In a landscape suffocated by algorithmic blandness, drowning in overproduction, Philadelphia’s Kaonashi tears through the monotony with a sound that channels pure, unhinged chaos- deliberately frenzied and defiantly offbeat. Tracks like ‘Red Sink, Yellow Teeth’, and ‘I Hate The Sound of Car Keys’ showcase just how far the band pushes the boundaries of unconventionality, with vocalist Peter Rono’s shrill, piercing screams acting as the catalyst of this. Their latest release, 2025’s I Want To Go Home, takes their sound to even stranger, more diverse heights- levels we didn’t think possible. One thing’s for sure: if you’re after something truly authentic and different, don’t miss Kaonashi’s set from 13:00 to 13:30 on The Cave stage. It’s guaranteed to be a set you’ll remember and blow away those early-day cobwebs. – Emily Simister
The Sheffield post-hardcore/post metallers have had a hell of a run since releasing their long-awaited debut album Erosion / Avulsion in November last year. They’re also Noizzefest alumni, having levelled Downstairs Clwb, and have also rammed out tents at ArcTanGent pre-album release last year. They’ve also been a constant source of support for the UK underground, shouting out their mates and bands they love, championing music as excellent as their own in the firm knowledge that a rising tide lifts all ships. 11am on a Saturday might be a big ask, but if you get to The Cave for then, you’ll be richly rewarded. – Will Marshall
Shameless plug – it’s us! We’re elated to have been offered a spot right after Sappenin‘ on Thursday, 4:15 for an entire hour over on The Word stage. We’ve got some special guests in mind that we’d love to tell you about and are just ironing some final details – but band(s) on this list may be making appearances. Also, despite both hosts living that plant based life, we’re going to talk about weird regional cheese. – Will Marshall
La Dispute’s presence in the post-hardcore scene has remained unwaveringly present- set to be reaffirmed through their highly anticipated return to UK stages at 2000 Trees. The band’s raw poetic vulnerability bleeds through each lyric and note- performed with tangible authenticity and intent. Frontman Jordan Dreyer’s cathartic delivery turns each show into a visceral catharsis. By weaving spoken word, frantic post-hardcore bursts and ambient, post-rock passages, La Dispute forge soundscapes that balance chaotic brutality and fragile beauty. Having spent the past year revisiting beloved material while hinting at potential new directions, the band have shared stages with kindred spirits in the scene, like Touché Amoré and Pianos Become The Teeth. The La Dispute-shaped hole in fans’ hearts will finally be filled at their Forest stage headline slot on Thursday night, and it feels no better place for them to make their UK festival-exclusive appearance than the intimate atmosphere of 2000 Trees. – Emily Simister
Hailing from Melbourne, Australia, this fiercely accomplished five piece delivers brutal, unrelenting heavy hardcore to the ears of everyone who’ll listen. Whilst Terminal Sleep are ferocious with their musical delivery, their performances are fun and engaging. Ensuring that their audiences get involved and enjoy the show is top of their priorities. Do not miss! Playing Playing The Cave 2pm-2:30pm – Cece Lawless
Heriot’s ascent in the heavy music scene has become impossible to ignore- actualising through their upcoming, debut international appearance supporting Trivium and Jinjer. The band bleeds authenticity and intent in everything they touch through their live presence and agnostic approach to genre binaries. Through juxtaposing ethereal vocals and soundscapes with crushing, doom-infused riffs, Heriot construct a sound that melds doom, thrash, and hardcore with infectious ambience. Aside from their successful UK tour this April, the band’s unique, layered sound also means they’ve been suited to tour with the likes of Lamb Of God, Fit For An Autopsy and Sylosis. Their The Cave stage 21.45 slot is a heavy clash with emo giants Taking Back Sunday, but their variance in sound combined with the exciting buzz around their trajectory thus far means that there is no doubt around them drawing a crowd regardless. – Emily Simister
Hailing from Orange County, Stick To Your Guns have earned their place as veterans of hardcore-infused metalcore, with landmark releases like The Hope Division and Diamond solidifying their legacy. As the modern heavy scene shifts its spotlight to newer metallic-hardcore juggernauts like Code Orange and Knocked Loose, Stick To Your Guns have managed to still cut through with their distinct voice. Now signed to SharpTone Records, the band are well into their second decade together and their eighth studio record, Keep Planting Flowers saw the band diversify their sound, lean into their melodic hardcore influences a lot more, and featured some killer features from the likes of Terror’s Scott Vogel. Throughout their career, they’ve built a reputation for transforming raw emotion and personal struggles into anthems of resilience, consistently underpinned by an unwavering sense of integrity. Judging by their recent live appearances, Stick To Your Guns will tear up The Cave stage on Thursday with a crushing headline show, taking the crowd through all stages of grief and back again- united together in mutual catharsis. – Emily Simister
If you’re a fan of Turnstile’s Glow On, you will love this band. Last Hounds bring a fun and lively energy to the stage, and you can tell they adore every second of performing. Strings and drums create a strong, stable backdrop for their dynamic and spritely lead singer who makes it impossible for onlookers to not get up and dance. They will definitely help you feel alive after a few days of festivalling. Playing The Cave 12-12:30pm. – Cece Lawless
UK based Metallic Hardcore four piece released their first full length album in January of this year, and have gone from strength to strength since. From playing Incineration Fest to 2000 Trees, they are getting some serious opportunities. Not bad for a group who pride themselves on creating miserably heavy music with no let up. Be prepared to hear their lead singer agonise over the state of the UK, the rise of the far right and genocide across the world. Cheery (really good) stuff. Playing The Cave 12pm-12:30pm. – Cece Lawless
From the ashes of some of the UK’s most beloved, underrated bands, Vower had a lot of expectations on them but they’ve consistently smashed them. Their sets at ATG last year and Download this year, along with their own headline show and others, have cemented them as one of the most exciting progressive bands in the UK. Drawing on post hardcore, metal and more, it’s a melting pot of brilliance capped by Josh McKeown’s immediately-recognisable voice. They’re a force to be reckoned with, so you better be at the Forest Sessions stage for 3:10 on Wednesday, or the Main stage at 2pm Saturday. – Will Marshall