2000trees celebrates its third successful year despite the weather

After an evening plagued with gale force winds and silent discos, Saturday got off to a rather fragile beginning. Musically the mood couldn't have been better complemented as first band The Master Chaynjis provided the weary camp site with some nicely chilled out, almost lounge act style tunes. Opening to only a handful of punters, people were more than happy to wander down to The Tree house (main stage), deckchair under arm and just enjoy the atmosphere. Babel continued the laid back ethos with their folk fused direction with a dash of Johnny Cash.

After a couple of games of smite with some fellow festival goers, it was time for local talent Jim Lockey And The Solemn Sun to put in their two cents worth. Immediately changing the tempo of the festival by launching into first track 'Happy birthday C**t' Lockey and co were clearly bringing some sunshine and audience to the Tree House stage. I must admit, maybe it was the long and cantankerous weekend which had taken its toll on the guys, but I wouldn't file this under their best performance to date. Even though clearly both elated and content to be playing the local festival, the performance just didn't seem as stand out as previous outings have proved. But all in all, an enjoyable set from the local heroes.

The next band Diagonal continued the momentum, yet taking it off the beaten path. Diagonal's sound was nothing short of epic. Huge instrumental songs which wailed away into the afternoon really brought a fresh taste to the trees attendees. Their music intricate and complex. Attention grabbing and psychedelic. Keyboard jams and guitar riffs mixed beautifully in unison. This is progressive, experimental, Diagonal music on it's A-game. Performances continued into the afternoon by The Epstein, and Slow Club. Both seeming to revert back to a more country/ folk like vibe. Not really enthralling the audience, but not discouraging them either, most people were happy just to be plonked in front of the stage, cider in hand.

I don't think the next band Imperial Leisure could have done a better job of snapping us out of our mellowing funk from band previous. Imperial Leisure truly exploded onto the stage. Be it their demented ska punk sound or the sheer number of band members on stage, Imperial Leisure would find it hard not to inspire this audience. Tracks 'In a letter' and 'Great British summertime' contributed to a set which had a mob all too happy in participate to the 40 minute show. Be it a fan dressed as a chicken skanking it up on stage, or a deluded crowd encapsulated in some ska magic, they truly delivered. Their final song of the set 'Untouchable' saw the field in full animation. The applause as the band left the stage soon consumed by chants of their new found fans demanding "one more song!".

After another visit to my good friend the pie store, and a couple more pear ciders later, the band that were given my 'greatest band name ever' award emerged onto stage. Dananananaykroyd were truly fantastic. There. I could stop their review there if I wanted, but it wouldn't be fair to sum up so hastily possibly one of the greatest acts I've ever seen. Be it the uncompromisingly energetic lead singer Calum Gunn or drummer/singer John Ballie Junior, this band just oozed fun. Junior, not the only drummer in the band, Paul Carlin made for a great fellow skin beater, both almost telepathic in their co-ordinated instrument use, giving the band such a unique and powerful style. Their songs littered with duet drum solos and constant energy from the rest of the band.

What could I say Dananananaykroyd sound like? Its hard to pin to a few particular bands, but I'd certainly throw a Jane's Addiction tag with a lot of screamo punk in there. The band were part of the "Politest stage invasion ever" concurred Gunn, as two young ladies felt it more than necessary to negotiate their way into the middle of the party on stage before us. If the worlds politest stage invasion wasn't enough, Gunn declared our next move would be in the form of a wall of death. I must admit, once hearing these hallowed words, I did fear for the more party orientated audience that had gathered in front of the Tree house, but Gunn continued; "We don't want you all to be beating the shite out each other and fighting. So instead of the wall of death, we're going to do a wall of hugs!" I was sold. A field full of people shared my smiles and laughter as left and right sides of crowd ran towards each other to receive said wall of hugs. Truly, a fantastic finale to a fantastic set from a most fantastic band.

The party atmosphere seemed to have peaked after Dananananaykroyd, not necessarily in a bad way, but it was next the turn of of a more chilled epic ending. Red Light Company played the set that they needed to play, before festival finale British Sea Power emerged to a stage now covered in trees and greenery. A most gorgeous stage for a most gorgeous festival. British Sea Power played out the evening in good spirits. Not necessarily capturing the madness of bands previously, but instead harnessing that energy to produce a more traditional festival headlining sound. Their Indie rock music saturating the surrounding fields, leaving us all with the glow and the smiles of the last 48 hours.

Even with the weather as abysmal as it was, 2000trees festival can celebrate its third successful year. It's green ethos, smaller community geared festival, and line up featuring some well knows but also some diamond new acts, couldn't have been better. With 2010's site confirmed for picture-esque Gloucestershire once more, this is one fan who is looking forward to what madness awaits us next year. Hopefully, another magical 2000 trees.

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