Punk bands with their punk vans at 2000trees

Imagine, if you will, a music festival where the ‘experience’ is simply… live music. A festival that goes beyond the modern economy of yoga classes, oxygen bars and axe throwing and simply books a load of sick bands to play in a field for a laugh. That festival is 2000trees.

Created in 2007 by six friends, 2000trees has been a bastion of independent music for 16 years. Booking the best new and established underground artists across pretty much every rock subgenre you could think of, its fan-friendly, community-first ethos has only grown more determined with time, sitting in stark contrast to the rapid corporatisation of live music at large and earning it a reputation as one of the best festivals in the UK. As their manifesto proudly states: “Trees is more than an event. It’s a family gathering based on positive community values.” As Huck proudly states: it bangs.

Held on Upcote Farm against the rolling Cotswold Hills, actually getting to 2000trees is a delightful pilgrimage in and of itself. Whether by bicycle, a beat-up Peugeot 107 or a fully-equipped tour bus, everyone’s gotta get there by some mode of transport – the only difference for the artists playing is that, for better or worse, they’re probably living in theirs.

After capturing bands with their vans at Manchester Punk Festival, Chris Bethell headed to this year’s 2000trees to photograph ZULU, Cancer Bats, Witch Fever and more in the comfort and chaos of their temporary homes on wheels.