5 REASONS WE'RE EXCITED FOR 2000 TREES - #4

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! 

2000 Trees Set-Up Diary - Day Four (the one where we had to go shopping)

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.

2000 Trees Set-Up Diary - Day Three (the one where a throne was built)

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.

Two. More. Days.  

Main Stage Throne

Upcote Farm, Withington

4/07/2016

2000 Trees Set-Up Diary - Day Two (the one where we took buggy's to the top of the site)

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.

2000 Trees Set-Up Diary - Day One (the one where Hayley just can't believe she's here)

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.