10 electrifying bands to watch at 2000trees, as picked by booker James Scarlett

Next weekend (July 9 – 12), 2000trees will return to Upcote Farm with one of its most stacked line-ups ever. Four days, five main stage headliners, and hundreds of new bands to check out and fall in love with.

And if one man knows which bands are worth popping over to between bar trips, it's booker and all-round making-stuff-happener James Scarlett. Having curated the line-up since the festival began way back in 2007, he's seen a helluva lot of bands come through the field over the years, and knows a thing or two about which acts will be the next to break through. And which are just plain great.

So we asked the man himself to pick his top 10 acts to check out at 2000trees 2025! Check it out below and add them to your clashfinder, because you could be watching the next big thing.

"unpeople are quite simply the best new rock band in the UK. They deal in huge riffs and even bigger choruses, and write hit after hit after hit. I love them so much that they played in 2024 and are playing twice in 2025 – and they’ll probably be back to headline in 2030."

"Karen is another act that will probably one day headline 2000trees – this year she’s on early-doors at midday. She’s just supported Limp Bizkit on their UK tour and by all accounts went down a storm. Check out the song Sick Ride – it’s an absolute pop-rock banger and is my summer anthem for 2025."

"I like this band so much that I’ve booked them for both 2000trees and ArcTanGent this year. They’re like a heavier version of Every Time I Die crossed with The Bronx. They’re still very much up and coming, so get involved now!"

"Are Future Of The Left the actual best UK band ever? Probably. And they’re back and I’ve booked them for both 2000trees and ArcTanGent. If you don’t know this band then check out their 2007 album Curses – it’s in my top 10 favourite records ever."

"Formed from the ashes of Black Peaks and Palm Reader, VOWER are an absolute powerhouse of a band. They’ve taken the best bits of their former bands and created something new and exciting, where big choruses meet hardcore riffs and proggy breakdowns. I love them."

"Every so often, I book an act in a small slot, and they suddenly get much, much bigger. Julia Wolf is one such act. Currently streaming more monthly listeners than most of the 2000trees headliners, she’s about to explode. The music is very genre-fluid; going from haunting piano ballads to full-on heavy. Go have a listen and see if it’s for you."

"Norwegian’s Blood Command are apparently a death-pop act, but to me it sounds like the most thrilling and fun hardcore band I’ve ever heard. And yes, it is laced with a huge chunk of pop too. They’re playing the 'returning heroes' Wednesday night at 2000trees, and this will be a set not to be missed."

"Swiss band Coilguns are a wonderful combination of punk, noise-rock and hardcore. Their secret weapon is that they write actual hooks and actual massive choruses. Anyone who misses the glory days of Refused and At The Drive In needs to get involved with this band right now."

"Over the years there have been various bands that are 2000trees stalwarts; bands that come back year after year because the crowd love them and I love them. The latest band on that list is The Meffs. If you like brilliant punk rock with a focus on the songs, then look no further than this band."

"You will either love or hate this, but you will not be able to ignore it. Somewhere between post-hardcore and metalcore but not really sounding like any band you’ve ever heard, they are not to be ignored. Have a listen!"

Listen to James Scarlett on Kerrang! In Conversation.

2000trees takes place at Upcote Farm from July 9 – 12. Get your tickets now.

Read this next:

• Why you need unpeople in your life: “I’ve never been scared that a crowd is gonna hate us”
• “I went to pick up my luggage and ended up stuck in bed for two days”: 20 Questions with Karen Dió
  
• Blood Command: “It’s like this army of outcasts finding their place in the world”