URY Festivals: A Guide to 2000Trees 2019
Now running for its 13th year, you’d be unlucky to miss the up-and-coming acts of the current alternative rock scene booming across the Cotswolds.
I’ll be honest with you — this is the first music festival that I will ever go to unsupervised. Probably means that I’m a bit of a novice (so why am I writing a guide?) but one of the lessons that my first year of university taught me is that I shouldn’t be apprehensive about trying new things as that isn’t very rock and roll, so backing out would be the complete antithesis of what 2000Trees tries to embody with what it offers.
Here are 13 things that you’ll need to know before you arrive at the festival this year.
Arriving at 2000Trees
- Location
2000Trees takes place in Upcote Farm in the Cotswolds. This is a large, lush field about 8 miles away from Cheltenham Spa train station. It hosts glamping facilities and a wedding venue nearby. Perfect for those festival proposals… as well as the Instagram feed (why not even both?).
2. Travel to Upcote Farm by coach
This year, 2000Trees will have a regular coach service from Cheltenham Spa train station, called The Big Green Coach Shuttle Bus. This will run from Thursday from 8:30am to 3:30pm with coaches arriving every 20 minutes. On the Sunday, the service will run from 8:45am to 12:00pm. Hopefully this will keep things simple for Festivalgoers travelling from afar!
For those living in London, 2000Trees have also provided a similar coach service called The Big Green Coach London service. This will leave on Thursday at 7:00am from London Victoria station and will leave on the Sunday at 10:00am.
Tickets can be booked in advance on their website or on the day.
3. Travel and parking of cars
The address of Upcote Farm is Upcote Farm, Withington, Cheltenham, Glos, GL54 4BL.
If you are travelling by car, the only route that will allow access to the field in Upcote Farm will be the A436.
Parking charges will apply, but if bought in advance, it will only cost £10; on the day, it will cost £20.
Caravans will NOT be allowed although you are allowed to take a camper van. However, a separate camper van ticket will need to be purchased. We’ve heard nothing on camper van tents, though…
Music and Events
4. So many acts!
This year at 2000Trees, there will be over 140 different acts playing across 5 different stages. The Main Stage will showcase headliners such as Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls, You Me At Six and Deaf Havana. Other headliners throughout the festival include Frank Iero and The Future Violents, Jamie Lenman and Indoor Pets. If you want to accustom yourself to the performing bands, we at URY have created a 2000Trees Playlist on Spotify.
5. The Retreat
Due to growing popularity, 2000Trees is expanding by introducing a new area called The Retreat. This will be located around the corner from the Main Stage and will host workshops such as yoga, Pilates, podcasting and debates. Even Extinction Rebellion will be making an appearance for a Q+A session!
6. Live Comedy
There will be a roster of comedians to enjoy if you could do with a bit of a giggle! Featuring appearances from Andy Askins, Mr Badger, Erika Ehler, Anna Sparks and Simon Lomas.
Check out this Youtube playlist that the 2000Trees team have put together for the full comedy roster:
7. Silent Disco
The massively popular Silent Disco will also be making a return this year. There will be three silent disco events happening this year at Main Stage and The Cave after the headline acts have finished (11:15pm). They will last until 3am, so you can make the most of your festival experience.
Safety and Camping Information
8. Cashless money
2000Trees will have no cash machines this year. Instead, you will purchase those pints and peanuts using your festival wristband. To load credit on beforehand, you need to make an account on PlayPass, link your ticket barcode to the account to top up the initial balance on your wristband and select Auto Top-Up to beat the queues.
Running short of cashless money at the festival? There will be Top-Up stations dotted around the festival site.
9. Safety lockers
Safety lockers will be available to pre-book on Eventbrite by the company Recharged.
10. Bring enough food and medicine
Even though food vans will be on-site, I would recommend bringing some tinned fruit and snack foods as all the walking around and dancing can leave you feeling fairly peckish. Also mosquito spray, sun cream and plasters will be necessary as this year’s festival is set to be a scorcher!
You can check the weather forecast for the weekend here:
11. Torches
Have a torch handy so you can find your way back to your tent from the toilets in the middle of the night. (2000Trees will have toilets but no showers).
12. Separate your rubbish!
There will be recycling facilities this year at 2000Trees. Also, as the event is hosted in a field, it’s ideal if rubbish is disposed of properly as there will be other users of the field after the festival. It’s key that you take your tent home too, or dispose of it if needed; many festivals have struggled over the past few years with cleaning up thousands of tents, so make sure you don’t abandon yours.
13. Keep valuables safe!
Don’t leave valuable items in your tent as there could be a risk of tent break-ins. Instead, invest in secure clothing such as a money belt or a secure rucksack. As previously noted, the safety lockers might be a good shout if you plan on taking anything of significant value with you.
Stay tuned for the 2000Trees review which will be out next week on the URY Music blog :)
