London’s Camden has a
big reputation for being the home of alternative creativity and, as such, it
proved to be the perfect setting for Hertfordshire’s autonomously-creative Chasing
Cadence to celebrate the release of their new EP, Destroy Something Beautiful.
Named for the band’s perception of the music industry as one
that “shuts out the beauty of creativity, innovation and most of all, diversity”
Destroy Something Beautiful, released
on September 16th, is another step in Chasing Cadence’s ambitious plan
to lead the UK rock world.
As ambitious as that plan may be it is well within their reach
and what’s remarkable is that so far they’ve done it with one foot firmly grounded
by their roots. The result is an unpretentious, inventive, hook-heavy rock EP
which plays gloriously live.
Jack Harris, Vocals
The Black Heart, Camden
29/09/2016
Photo Credit: Lauren-Alice Golding
The Black Heart, in Camden’s back streets was the packed
venue for this celebratory show, which the Chasing Cadence boys put on,
promoted and sold out themselves before taking full advantage of the
opportunity to unleash mayhem.
Undeterred by various technical issues, the five-piece gave
this set everything they had which happens to be razor sharp guitar riffs, a
whole lot of sweaty energy and the ability to command a proud and admiring
crowd.
Explosive single Everyone
Relax was a certain highlight (and has an intense video to match that you
can see here) but new track Watching The World,
the second instalment in the video trilogy) is a chugging masterpiece that
has literally been on repeat in the Louder Now car ever since September 29th
(honestly, it has).
One poignant characteristic of both the EP and their live
show is just how relatable Chasing Cadence are. These are songs about perseverance
and the determination to not waste life or time and they are coming from a
down-to-earth, hard-working band that can see their goal and are running
towards it at full throttle. It’s inspiring.
As if covering Sia’s Chandelier
wasn’t distinct enough, vocalist Jack Harris chose to scale the venue during
the track, continuing to lead his troops whilst clinging to the back wall by
his finger nails.
Those same troops soon dutifully carried Harris around the
venue in a victory crowd surf before, of
Rob Barlow, Guitar
The Black Heart, Camden
29/09/2016
Photo Credit: Lauren-Alice Golding
course, extending the same courtesy to
guitarist Rob Barlow.
Every member of the audience was visibly proud of all that
Chasing Cadence have achieved, a fact that seems to humble and stun all five of
the band’s members. But between performing at Download festival, playing
Wembley Arena and now releasing a personal, relatable, explosion of an EP there
is certainly a lot to be proud of.
With wallets getting
emptier and pay packs getting smaller our industry is constantly coming up with
new ways of making live music more accessible to more people and recently
co-headline deals and multi-name line-ups have proved to be a pretty genius way
of doing it.
As those line-ups go, it doesn’t get more exciting than
Brawlers, Dead! and SWMRS, on a boat no less, and that’s exactly what happened
at Bristol’s Thekla on September 7th.
If the crowd thought that they were in for an easy ride with
Brawlers, well that would make them wrong. Their set was a montage of everything
a band could possibly get a crowd to do.
Harry Johns - Brawlers
Thekla, Bristol
07/09/2016
·Wall of death under strict instructions NOT to
mosh or “any of that shit”? Yep.
·Crowd running rings around a horizontal Harry
Johns? That too.
·Trust-falling from the balcony? You bet.
·Having everybody run from one side of the boat
to the other in an attempt to literally rock it. Of course that happened.
The recklessness in the pit was well and truly matched on
stage with an emblematic energy that lastedDay
Job, from this year’s The Black EP, is
a solid choice. Coincidentally that track really touches a nerve at Louder Now
HQ right now.
all night long. If you’re looking
for a place to start with these guys,
It’s safe to say that few have had a better year than Dead!
Arguably the best young band on the planet, and without a doubt the most hyped,
the London four-piece can’t seem to put a foot wrong. But guys, the hype is
real, Dead! ARE unbelievably exciting.
Alex Mountford -Dead!
Thekla, Bristol
07/09/2016
After smashing their way through a fair few festivals this
summer (a couple of which we caught)
Dead! were ready to bring their assured
aesthetic back indoors. From the lamps and flower bunches on stage to the unabashed
nature of their raucous tunes, I can get on board with every aspect of this
band.
You’re So Cheap, released
earlier this year, has quickly and justly become a firm crowd-pleaser but
latest track Something More Original confirmed
that Dead! are only getting better and at this rate it won’t be long until they
run this scene. You can watch the new video for Something More Original right here.
But the celebration of sheer young talent did not end there.
SWMRS vocalist and guitarist, Cole Becker turned 21 just yesterday (Happy
Birthday Cole!) but the bands list of achievements looks more like that of an
act 21-years into their career.
SWMRS have also hit up their fair share of festivals this
summer as well as recording a live session for Annie Mac’s Radio One Show, performing
live for Zane Lowe’s Beat 1 show in LA and releasing their debut album Drive North in February on their very
own label, Uncool Records.
SWMRS
Thekla, Bristol
07/09/2016
Their whole set screamed California punk, a distinctiveness
that SWMRS have whole heartedly embraced bringing all of the verve and raw edge
that comes with it through to their set. Debut single Miley is as punk-rock-anthem as they come and newly released track Figuring It Out has had crowds
woah-oh-ing their hearts out on both sides of the Atlantic.
For a line-up of bands that are still in the early stages of
their anticipative careers there was a remarkable amount of talent on the
stage. The night felt like one that this crowd will be bringing up for years to
come, when these bands are heading up main stages and touring arena’s we’ll
always remember the night we saw them on a boat in Bristol.
With wallets getting
emptier and pay packs getting smaller our industry is constantly coming up with
new ways of making live music more accessible to more people and recently
co-headline deals and multi-name line-ups have proved to be a pretty genius way
of doing it.
As those line-ups go, it doesn’t get more exciting than
Brawlers, Dead! and SWMRS, on a boat no less, and that’s exactly what happened
at Bristol’s Thekla on September 7th.
If the crowd thought that they were in for an easy ride with
Brawlers, well that would make them wrong. Their set was a montage of everything
a band could possibly get a crowd to do.
Harry Johns - Brawlers
Thekla, Bristol
07/09/2016
·Wall of death under strict instructions NOT to
mosh or “any of that shit”? Yep.
·Crowd running rings around a horizontal Harry
Johns? That too.
·Trust-falling from the balcony? You bet.
·Having everybody run from one side of the boat
to the other in an attempt to literally rock it. Of course that happened.
The recklessness in the pit was well and truly matched on
stage with an emblematic energy that lastedDay
Job, from this year’s The Black EP, is
a solid choice. Coincidentally that track really touches a nerve at Louder Now
HQ right now.
all night long. If you’re looking
for a place to start with these guys,
It’s safe to say that few have had a better year than Dead!
Arguably the best young band on the planet, and without a doubt the most hyped,
the London four-piece can’t seem to put a foot wrong. But guys, the hype is
real, Dead! ARE unbelievably exciting.
Alex Mountford -Dead!
Thekla, Bristol
07/09/2016
After smashing their way through a fair few festivals this
summer (a couple of which we caught)
Dead! were ready to bring their assured
aesthetic back indoors. From the lamps and flower bunches on stage to the unabashed
nature of their raucous tunes, I can get on board with every aspect of this
band.
You’re So Cheap, released
earlier this year, has quickly and justly become a firm crowd-pleaser but
latest track Something More Original confirmed
that Dead! are only getting better and at this rate it won’t be long until they
run this scene. You can watch the new video for Something More Original right here.
But the celebration of sheer young talent did not end there.
SWMRS vocalist and guitarist, Cole Becker turned 21 just yesterday (Happy
Birthday Cole!) but the bands list of achievements looks more like that of an
act 21-years into their career.
SWMRS have also hit up their fair share of festivals this
summer as well as recording a live session for Annie Mac’s Radio One Show, performing
live for Zane Lowe’s Beat 1 show in LA and releasing their debut album Drive North in February on their very
own label, Uncool Records.
SWMRS
Thekla, Bristol
07/09/2016
Their whole set screamed California punk, a distinctiveness
that SWMRS have whole heartedly embraced bringing all of the verve and raw edge
that comes with it through to their set. Debut single Miley is as punk-rock-anthem as they come and newly released track Figuring It Out has had crowds
woah-oh-ing their hearts out on both sides of the Atlantic.
For a line-up of bands that are still in the early stages of
their anticipative careers there was a remarkable amount of talent on the
stage. The night felt like one that this crowd will be bringing up for years to
come, when these bands are heading up main stages and touring arena’s we’ll
always remember the night we saw them on a boat in Bristol.
July has worked out to be an absolutely sensational time to work at Louder Now for a lot of different reasons, but right at the very heart of it all is one monumental fact.
Twin Atlantic are officially back.
So far there’s been a new album title, three new amazing tracks, a new music video, announcement of a UK headline tour later this year, a scattering of stellar festival appearances and a headline slot at the incredible 2000 Trees Festival quickly followed up with a run of intimate warm-up UK tour dates.
Anybody who has read practically anything on this blog before, or had a conversation with me that lasted for longer than 3 minutes, will probably anticipate that my attendance at that warm-up tour was non-negotiable.
The Scottish-rock quartet played an amazing set at the super-quaint Rescue Rooms in Nottingham where they also continued ticking things off of my bucket list for me.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I present Twin Atlantic vs The Louder Now Grab Bag.
(NB: so far this is stressful, I mean I’ve shot for
alphabetical but feel free to rearrange in your minds.)
As you’re aware (hopefully, worrying otherwise) on Saturday
2nd July I arrived at Upcote Farm, the site of your festival, child
and shining accomplishment, 2000 Trees.
Whilst I had a strong suspicion, I couldn’t have been sure
at the time but what followed was one of the best weeks of my life and having
now somewhat recovered (though post-festival blues have hit me real hard) I
think it’s high time I started to thank you all.
I’m going to take a big deep breath, forget everything I
pretend to know about writing and do this as coherently as I can.
Thank you for letting me see your world.
The deep rooted love I have had for live music since I was
10-years-old has been troubled only by the unhappy feeling of exclusion that
has, on occasion, come with it. For the longest time I have wanted to see what
it takes to pull off a festival like yours, to get involved and be a part of
the experience that so many people spend all year counting down for. Thanks to
you I’ve finally seen it, and it was everything I have ever dreamed of.
On Saturday July 2nd there was a small stack of
scaffolding in a field, next to some trees. On Saturday July 9th I
watched thousands of people standing in front of an incredibly impressive Main
Stage having the time of their lives. I’ve seen many stages, of many sizes in many
places but to see one so full of life that simply wasn’t there days before is
something absurdly special.
Main Stage Upcote Farm 02/07
Main Stage
Upcote Farm
05/07
Above and beyond that, it was a privilege to see how much
handcrafted work goes in to building 2000 Trees and an honour to be trusted
with some of it myself! This is something that I’m not sure you would see at
any other festival and everybody should be made aware that artwork, signage,
fairy lights, perimeter fences, monitor covers (you’re welcome ;) ) all got
constructed/painted and put up by your crew, and that’s remarkable for a lot of
reasons but none less than the fact that there are a group of people who are as
proud of your wonderful festival as you are.
Bar Artwork Upcote Farm
2000 Trees
Monitor Covers Upcote Farm 2000 Trees
Thank you for telling me your stories.
It was a pleasure, and frankly awe-inspiring, to hear all
about the days when the six of you would do all of that by yourselves without
even having vehicles to cart yourselves around in. I cannot claim to understand
where you found the energy and drive to do that but I know for a fact that I’m
not the only person to feel eternally grateful that you did.
The best 2000-Trees-Tale that I picked up during my time
with you was about the early arrivals in your first year. Nothing could sum you
all up more than the fact that you let the first guests into the site a day
early because otherwise they would have been finding a different campsite in
the dark. Well, maybe the fact that you gave them biscuits is even more
indicative.
I’m sure you already know this, but it occurs to me that
this was the trend-setting experience for your festival. You started a tradition
of friendliness that I had heard about before arriving but didn’t really
understand. Having now seen it first-hand I get that it’s precious because that
tradition is your trademark. People come to 2000 Trees because, simply put, it
has the happiest atmosphere going.
Our Wonderful Chef - Smokin' Hot Tamales John Upcote Farm 2000 Trees
The Tree Upcote Farm 2000 Trees
Thank you for having a belter of a line-up.
The fundamentals of the matter are that for three days,
across five stages, you brought a spectacularly broad spectrum of damn good
music to that farm and you did it with the absolute minimum of frustrating
clashes. After ten years, it’s hardly a wonder that you’re experts on this but
it still deserves our tenacious appreciation. It’s what everyone came for after
all.
From the second that Max Raptor took to The Cave stage on
Thursday afternoon, fulfilling the wants of pre-existing fans and converting
the rest in seconds, it became obvious that 2000 Trees would not shy away from
my personal primary expectation of a festival: to be a place you can see bands
you adore, bands you’ve only heard of and bands you’ve happily just stumbled
upon.
Through Black Peaks, Milk Teeth, Moose Blood, Mallory Knox,
Neck Deep, Muncie Girls, Lonely The Brave, The Xcerts, While She Sleeps, Dead!,
Creeper, Ash and Refused (I could go on but…you’ve seen the line-up you made
right?) your festival was a real celebration of the rock community and beyond,
as well as being the very best way to support British Music in its full glory.
Just a word on Twin Atlantic, a band that I could not think
more of and that you just so happened to have headlining the Main Stage on
Friday night. They completely smashed that set out of the farm and it was a
tear-inducing, childhood dream type of honour to be able to see that in the
fashion that I did. For that, I thank you again.
Thank you for all the friends.
I’ve
heard it be said that you’re “lucky” to have such an amazing team of volunteers
and friends who make this magic happen. I’m tempted to dispute that on the
grounds that luck has nothing to do with it. The team you have built is remarkable
but that’s because you’ve earned it.
With
hindsight, it does not surprise me in the slightest that some of the volunteers
have been doing this with you for years and years. It doesn’t surprise me that
people will take time off work to help with set-up. It doesn’t surprise me that
people will literally get on a plane from the USA to help you build 2000 Trees.
I’ll throw a bit of Spock into the mix and go as far as to say that it is
simply logical. It might sound absurd but it makes complete sense.
I
don’t even become surprised when I consider what work had to be done. Fences
were painted, huge areas of grass was raked (with only the one rake), trenches
were dug, bars were built, huge artwork was constructed and painted, a million
goody bags were packed, huge barns were cleared and swept but ultimately many, many
good times were had.
Bar Building Upcote Farm 2000 Trees
Gaffa Taping Upcote Farm 2000 Trees
Grass Raking Upcote Farm 2000 Trees
But
the team you have built is not only special because of their ability to graft
and share in your vision. It’s special because it is made up of some of the
kindest, interesting and warm people I have ever had the pleasure to meet and I
am ultimately grateful to have spent time with them, to have worked alongside
them and to call them my friends.
Nick...doing...something Upcote Farm 2000 Trees
Elliott, Me (completely normal) & Kristina Upcote Farm 2000 Trees
Work is hard! Upcote Farm 2000 Trees
I
mean, if nothing else my Instagram looks absolutely BANGING
now.
I could go on and on but frankly there are Uni students with dissertations that
are shorter than this letter has become so I’ll start to wrap up.
Thank
you for absolutely everything.
I
hope I’ve managed to convey just how hard you and the whole team worked to make
2000 Trees 2016 what it was but, although it pains me to say that words aren’t
omnipotent, I’m not sure I could ever convey just how grateful I am to have been
involved.
So
Happy Birthday 2000 Trees, and congratulations on ten hugely successful years.
Please never stop doing what you do, you are far too loved for that.
And
hey – turns out I wasn’t the only person who wanted to send you birthday
wishes…
As festival’s go,
once that ticket is yours and you’ve got your head around the clashes the last
thing anybody gets excited about is the concept of actually camping, and all of
the nonsense it brings with it. But not at 2000 Trees Festival.
#4 - CAMPING
There are more camping areas at 2000 Trees 2016 than ever
before and they are all placed within a nice walking distance of each other,
the car park and the stages.
They’re also all based on an incline which means that the
further back you go, the better your view. Right now that view is incredible
with miles and miles of fields and wildlife out in the surroundings but the
immediate scene of stages, vendors arriving and the crew beginning to start the
busiest day of the week.
Once you guys all get here, that view is going to be out of
this world.
I’m also happy to say that the ground here is soft enough to
get your tents up without having too much of a fight on your hands and if you
do, or if tent life just gets too much for you, you can always retire to a hay
bale or hammock in the forest.
With all of that it stands to reason that something has to
be shockingly bad right? Most festival goers would agree that the worst part of
camping is that you have to actively psych yourself up to use the toilets.
Yeah, not here.
2000 Trees have won awards for their toilet facilities. I’ve
seen them be installed, and they are really very nice. Flushable and
everything, so no need to panic!
And although I can’t yet confirm this for myself I have it
on very good authority from veterans of 2000 Trees and its incredible organisers
that you are all lovely and friendly people who have spent the whole weekend,
for the past 10 years, being ultimately wonderful to each other.
So there’s really no need to panic about the camping
situation here. In fact, just get incredibly excited because by tomorrow, it
will have all started!
This is being posted
at such an ungodly hour because today is the last day of festival set-up before
the gates are cracked open and the weekend of incredible music begins.
The phrase ‘calm before the storm’ definitely comes to mind
when thinking about yesterday. The crew were still hard at work building and
stocking bars, making and hanging health and safety signs and generally pulling
the whole site together.
For me, the Office Manager, Kristina and VIP Bar staff
member Nick, it was a shopping day.
Shopping Trip
Wickes, Cheltenham
5/07/2016
I have learnt many things whilst I’ve been on site but one
thing that I never gave much thought to is how much stuff a team like this can
get through! From as much pipe insulation as we could get our hands on to a
massive hunk of cheese, it takes a lot of stuff to get a festival up and
running.
In particular, we have got through a lot of food, plates,
bowls and paper towels because we’re a big team, engaging in lots of manual
labour and thoroughly spoilt. That is owed, in no small part, to John.
John
Upcote Farm, Withington
5/07/2016
John is the genius behind Smokin’ Hot Tamales, which will be
pitched over by The Cave for the whole festival. But by the time you all get
here, John will have been serving us for weeks. Every night since I arrived he
has cooked up a feast from Thai Green Curry’s to Spag Bol to Ramen Noodle Soup.
Washed down with seemingly unlimited beer and cider, it’s been the perfect way
to end every working day and for that we all thank him.
Once we got back from shopping we laminated some itinerary’s
and maps and headed out to see what had happened with the site since we left.
We know by now that a lot can happen in a day but by the
time we headed out on to the site it all just looks more like a festival.
The last of the fencing and panelling has gone up making
clear paths from section to section and you’ll be happy to know that the bar,
which is now repaired, put in place and decorated with vinyl, has been packed
out from wall to wall with beer kegs.
The finishing touches still need to be made on the Main
Stage (no ramp yet) but it has now taken it’s almost final form, looking like
the badass host that it is.
Main Stage
Upcote Farm, Withington
5/07/2016
The Neu stage has a stage, the first that I have climbed up
on to so far. I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again. It’s crazy to think
these tents are going to be filled up with people so soon.
New Stage - Stage View
Wickes, Cheltenham
5/07/2016
But with more and more people arriving now it became imperative that we had a grasp on who was on site so members of the team have been deployed to the front gate to keep on eye on the goings on. As you can imagine, it's not the liveliest of jobs so the people stationed there tend to keep themselves preoccupied in other ways - like making amazing sketches of each other which lead to great photo ops later on...
Alex's Sketch
Upcote Farm, Withington
5/07/2016
Today the sound gear will arrive, cars will be moved, radios
will be labelled and wristbands will be dished out before our final team drinks
(beer pong was banned, it was far too intense) as the only people on site.
Another day another storming
achievement for the team here at 2000 Trees Festival.
It would be impossible not to be impressed with the speed in
which things are coming together, and now the almost final touches are being
put in place. With these things comes the stark realisation that in just two
days Upcote Farm will be teaming with around 6,500 people.
Nothing gets more exciting than that!
VIP SWAG
Upcote Farm, Withington
4/07/2016
For those of you who have purchased a special VIP ticket,
your SWAG bags have now officially been
packed and alphabetically organised with
all the love in the world. Veteran crew members Becky and Alex hand packed them
all yesterday so that your special shirts, posters, souvenir tickets and much
more will be ready when you arrive.
If you didn’t bag yourself a VIP ticket then that was a
little bit silly of you. But never fear, the Merch tent is just over the way
and boxes upon boxes upon boxes of awesome merch (I know this because it says
so) are piled up high waiting for you to grab your memento of what is shaping
up to be a sensational weekend.
But yesterday’s outstanding triumph came from the Room No.7 area. Aptly named because it was
added in 2000 Trees seventh year, Room No.7 is just next to the Forest Sessions
acoustic stage and has to be the most charmed part of the festival.
The perfect place for a quiet moment of relaxation,
organisers heavily recommended getting down here in the mornings before the
bands start, and it’s easy to see why. But yesterday the team worked like Disney
characters to build this masterpiece.
Base Camp
Upcote Farm, Withington
4/07/2016
Now, I’m not sure you need much more reason to get your
butts down to Upcote Farm this weekend, but if you have ever dreamt of spending
some time in an actual woodland fairy-tale, clearly this is the place to be.
Main Stage
Upcote Farm, Withington
4/07/2016
Quick update on the Main Stage – it gives me goose bumps
now. It looks purely majestic as it is right now, and it’s not even finished.
There’s no ramp installed up to it yet but as soon as there is…
But not only has the Main Stage developed even more but the
crew have, yet again, pulled out all the stops and spent a few hours today
installing an immediately-backstage chill out area complete with Game of
Thrones hay bale throne, for the mainstage bands to compose themselves before
blowing everyone’s minds up there.
Yesterday the
following proposition was made: “Hayley have you got your camera? Want to come
on a ride to the top of the site to take photos?”
Errr. Yes.
After waking up and getting my daily dose of Wi-Fi to
connect with civilization (overrated, I much prefer it here) I cracked on with
finishing the artwork that the rain cleaned off yesterday afternoon.
Once that and lunch was taken care of I got myself a site
map and snuck off to explore this incredible site and see how everything was coming along.
Surrounding Fields
Upcote Farm, Withington
3/07/2016
In the morning it was suggested that I check out the farm
houses gardens, so that’s where I started. Upcote Farm might be home to 2000
Trees but there are other (legendary) people who call this home all year round
and they have clearly worked hard to make it one of the most beautiful places I
have ever seen.
After I had my fill of the garden’s I explored the
surrounding fields and ended up back at the entrance to the festival site. I
took the opportunity to say hello to all of the teams working hard (whilst I
clearly was not) to make this site the incredible place that all of the guests
will see from Thursday.
First up on my journey was the Main Stage which has come on
leaps and bounds since the day
before. As I passed it looked as if a lighting rig
was being hoisted into place and The Tree, that I thought looked massive just
24 hours ago now seemed to pale in comparison (but you wait until the
ceremonial light-turning-on event that I have demanded).
Main Stage
Upcote Farm, Withington
3/07/2016
I wandered into the VIP bar area next and found a team
raking the VIP garden in the blazing sunshine. Ten of the shiniest gold stars
to those guys because it looked like hard work in the best of circumstances but
when the sun is this bright and wonderful, well I can’t even imagine. Like
troopers they had the place looking lush (word used appropriately).
VIP Bar
Upcote Farm, Withington
3/07/2016
From the VIP bar I wondered over to Neu Stage, just over the
way from that Main Stage. The tent itself is up and looking amazing but the
team were busy…building up their strength we’ll say so that they could crack on
reinforcing the tent pegs with gaffer tape.
I must ask how much gaffer tape we’ve gone through so far. I
imagine it’s ridiculous.
Neu Stage
Upcote Farm, Withington
3/07/2016
Neu Stage Team
Upcote Farm, Withington
3/07/2016
The Cave and The Axiom Stages are both up and raring to go
but crew were milling about putting up signage so that you’ll all know exactly
where you need to be to catch all of the bands on this incredible line up. It’s
a good job too. They’re the same colour and roughly the same size. Without
signage we would all have to distinguish between them by some other visual standard - and that seems like it will end rather inappropriately.
The Cave
Upcote Farm, Withington
3/07/2016
Axiom
Upcote Farm, Withington
3/07/2016
After being pointed in the right direction (at this point my sense of direction was shot) I hopped over there to check it out
before all of the bells and whistles are put up (by bells and whistles I mean
hammocks and what not, YEAH HAMMOCKS) .
Before arriving here, it was the concept of the Forest
Sessions that really intrigued me so I am beaming with happiness when I say
that this area is everything I wanted it to be and more. Honestly, it’s like
something out of a fairy-tale, with the teeniest of stages set in amongst thick
woods. I cannot wait to see this place in its full glory and I’ll be sure to
check in with it today to see how it’s cracking on.
Forest Sessions
Upcote Farm, Withington
3/07/2016
I came back to The Barn thinking that my big exploration was
over. There were so many times on my 2-hour trek that I had to stop and absorb
what I was seeing. The wildlife alone is sensational, peacocks, sheep,
butterfly’s, dragon-fly’s you name it I saw it on my journey.
Leaping at the chance to help out Sarah from Artist Liaison,
I spent the next few hours organising trader vouchers and making sure that the
bands would be looked after when they arrive on site from Thursday.
But just as I finished off packing those envelopes with food
vouchers and wristbands, Andy skipped over and made the wonderful proposition I
mentioned earlier.
We drove all the way up to the highest point of the area and
looked over the entire festival site. The headliners will be brought up to this
spot for a chance to relax before they explode on to their respective stages.
It’s easy to see why. It literally doesn’t get better than this.
In a day and age where it’s easy to be ashamed of one’s home
country and to be bogged down by the woes of the world all it takes is a view
like this one to remind you. Take out all the unnecessary and all you are left with is
pure, unaltered, beauty.
The Whole Damn Place
Upcote Farm, Withington
3/07/2016
Well, it’s altered a little. The amazing 2000 Trees crew
have rocked up and turned it into the best music event of the year, obviously.
My sheer amazement of this place well and truly continued
into my second day here. The team have continued to be the hardest working,
happiest, friendliest group of people I have ever met and the surroundings just
keep on throwing hidden gems my way.
We drove the buggy’s back to The Barn and a Beer Pong
tournament quickly broke out. I could tell you all about it but it was so tense
I think it might distract from the happy-go-lucky vibe that we’ve been enjoying
otherwise. Pretty sure I’m going to live tweet you all of the action from
tomorrow’s rematch anyway.
So here goes day three. Surely it can’t keep on getting
better.
PS – Mum, the blog’s finished, you can stop reading now.
Right now.
PPS – Guys, serious question. Does vodka make me a better
writer? Tweet me your opinions.
Everybody loves a
weekend right? Except people who work in retail (ahem). They wouldn’t even
notice it wasn’t a week day if it wasn’t for the sudden influx of humans in the
shop. But despite my daytime employment situation, I too am a fan of the weekend.
This weekend, however, is something else altogether.
Yesterday morning, I arrived at Upcote Farm, Withington for
the first day of set-up at the glorious 2000 Trees Festival where I will be
spending the next eight days and I could not be happier about it if I tried.
After less than 24 hours here I can safely say we’re on
course for one of the most memorable experience of my life.
I got here at about 10am and immediately marvelled at the
surroundings. Based in the Cotswold Hills, 2000 Trees has the advantage of an
actually breath taking view from all angles without even having to put up a
single defining feature.
In all the excitement of arriving on site I drove quite
randomly looking for Andy, one of the festival’s dedicated organisers. I pulled
over once I found the first human I came across, explained to him that I was
looking for Andy and was delighted to find out that this was, in fact, Andy.
I’m telling you this place is magical.
After a quick chat I drove up to The Barn, met a few more
members of the family that is this crew
and jumped straight into applying some
2000 Trees vinyl decals to a set of monitor covers. Prepare yourselves for a
barrage of pictures of these up on the stage during sets next weekend.
Once that job was jobbed we hopped into a vehicle and drove
down to the tree. I, much like you, had no idea what that was other than a
strong suspicion that it might be a tree. It transpires that it’s a beautifully
large tree, encompassed by a picket fence, in front of which will be the main
stage.
We hung out there for the rest of the morning, decorating
the tree with fairy lights and re-painting the picket fence. This was pretty
lovely in itself, painting is incredibly therapeutic for me and I’m really
hoping for an emotional lights ceremony later in the week. If that’s not happening,
I’ll strongly suggest it.
But from where we stood we watched the perimeter fence go up
and the main stage itself begin construction. Ever since I found out I was
coming here I have been excited to see that happen and it’s just as outstanding
as I thought it was. To see something that will be so full of life in its
bare-bones is really special.
Breaking for lunch we were thoroughly spoilt. It was a great
opportunity to meet more of the team, who I will work really hard to introduce
to you as I move through the week because I’ve known them for less than a day
and already feel quite blessed.
I phoned my mum and wished her a Happy Birthday!
The trial-run that was Download Festival worked in my favour
and I managed to get my tent up with ease this time, owed in no small part to
the much softer ground. Believe it or not, there was a time at Download
Festival 2016 when the ground was not only dry but hard.
After all of the excitement, and the settling of anxious
nerves which were completely unnecessary, a nap was in order. The rain has been
off and on all day so I snoozed to the pattering of the threatening drops on my
tent. It’s easy to drift away when you feel truly content and oddly at home.
My ten-minute nap window came and went and I headed straight
back to the barn to paint some
artwork that will (when it’s finished today) be
put up at the bar. The rain washed the paint clean off of three of them, but
we’ll go ahead and brush right past that.
Besides, the rain meant that the most glorious rainbow
stretched over the site. You just don’t get this shit in London.
The whole crew were served a delicious Thai Green Curry and
that brings me to now. I’m sitting in The Barn with a can of cider and a Kit
Kat, managing to write this only because a new friend sat with me and typed
notes whilst I told him what I had done with my day forming a skeleton for this
diary that I would not have been able to get my head around otherwise.
Honestly, I can’t believe that I am here. I feel truly
honoured, and so incredibly lucky to have been given the opportunity to help
set up this festival, to contribute to this event that means so much to so many
people, and to meet all of these incredible people.
I have never felt more at home, and more determined to make
myself useful! I’ll just point out that this is day one. O-N-E. This week is
going to kick all other week’s ass.
