After almost three years, many rounds of crowdfunding and a few community grants that kept it all going behind the scenes, it is great to finally be back at 2000trees. This medium-sized festival has five main stages, plus more pop up and busking stages than you can shake a stick at. After all this time you would think I would be out the door waiting at the gates, but in typical fashion I am running late. First impressions is that the security is very relaxed. You are no more than 3-5 minutes’ walk from camping where you can set up without getting your wristbands, but I dutifully collect my wristband and the included merch bundle before setting up.

I am finally set up and make my way to the main site, which is extremely close and easy to get to. My main priority is to get to the Camp Reuben stage, one of the smaller acoustic busking stages for Haggard Cat; this was not a very well-kept secret as the small tent was surrounded by a massive crowd. By some miracle I make my way inside; intimate does not do justice to this tiny space, it’s cramped and Haggard Cat have already claimed their space in the middle with such energy and presence that warrants their heavy sound. How two people can make such a great noise is impressive. The crowd are more than happy to oblige in proceedings, with crowd surfers pushed against the roof and Matt holding his own, while playing and singing in the pit; this was definitely a highlight of the festival and it’s not even day one yet.

Thursday morning has arrived and feeling very sorry for myself after the night before, I make my way to my first band of the day Marisa and the Moths. What a way to start the day the NUE stage is already filling out and they are on it. Perfect vocals and sound, as I expected from their previous shows, making good use of the stage and between songs, the banter is flowing. The relationship between Marisa and Liam is very open and relaxed and they flow into each song easily, dropping there hits "Skin”, "How Did You Get So Weak”, “Choke” and “Needy”, as well as a new track that will be released later this year.

Next is Holding Absence, a welcome last-minute addition to the line-up. Unfortunately, a very short set but they used their time well, with Lucas and Scott’s vocals just pulling the emotion from you and sucking you in. It’s a very busy tent and probably smaller than they deserve, but they only have one stage they have not played at 2000trees and that’s the main stage; hopefully 2000trees were listening.

After that it’s a trip over to main stage for Creeper and they do not disappoint. Will is doing his lead singer job to perfection and the band are sounding great, the crowd are joining in even though the sun is flooding the main stage. Halfway through the band one-by-one disappear from the stage. A few moments of quiet then Hannah comes back with a blood-stained wedding dress and belts out their song “Crickets” with an amazing voice that you just want to hear more of. We are treated to four more songs, then unfortunately it’s over.

It’s now the peak of the evening and next is Cassyette, the NUE stage is rammed and energetic, only three people on stage but the energy is high, it’s like pop vs metal, with the electronic rock pop noise then these harsh metal vocal fry drops. The odd thing I find is the lead singer is using a backing vocal track, but I think that’s the only way they can bring that high production sound they have to a live audience, to get the dual vocal harmonies and backing singing; it works well and there is no doubt Cassyette can sing. A very enjoyable set.

Back to the main stage for the headliner, Jimmy Eat World to close Thursday off, the sound is good, and the band are nice and clear. The production quality is where you expect it to be for a headline act and I am going down memory lane to the tracks “Bleed American”, “23”, “Get It Faster” and “Sweetness”. It’s a lovely clear evening and the crowd is in a good chill mood as they finish up on their track “The Middle” and that’s it…. but wait there is silent disco so I head over for a while then call it a night.