Gigraphy Galleries - 2000trees, Day two

By Sophie Ditchfield

After such a great start to the festival, I was thrilled to get started exploring the rest of the site, especially with so many great acts on the line up.

Cherym

I started off the day by heading straight to the Main Stage to catch Irish girl rock band Cherym. Having looked at the line up, it seemed that 2000trees made sure there was representation scattered throughout, and Cherym were the perfect example of that. As a queer band with a person of colour as their lead vocalist, it's great to see a level of diversity that's sorely lacking in other festivals. They’re a band that are vocal about everything they fiercely believe in and warmed up the spectators at the Main Stage perfectly.

Static Dress

Next up were another band that also knows how to warm up a crowd. Leeds based Static Dress are one of the best alternative bands on the scene right now and they proved exactly why at 2000trees. This band has a raw, unfiltered power that resonates deeply with their fans. The way they command the stage and orchestrate the crowd is a testament to their potential, with a barrage of crowd surfers diving over the barrier throughout the entire set. They ended with a wall of death that parted the crowd like the Red Sea, and front man Olli was Moses. Mark my words, it's only a matter of time before they're headlining the biggest stages. Their relentless passion, combined with their undeniable talent, is setting them on a path to greatness. Keep an eye on them – they're destined for the top.

Cassyette

The next act up on Main Stage was one that managed to maintain the high energy levels, keeping the crowd's enthusiasm alive and the atmosphere electric. Cassyette made a bold statement with the name of her upcoming album written across her torso, adding to the mounting anticipation for its release. Fans have been eagerly awaiting new music from this rising star, and the unique promotional tactic only heightened the buzz. On stage, Cassyette is a powerhouse. Her energy is palpable, and she has a commanding presence that draws in the crowd. Her confidence in her vocal abilities is evident in every performance, delivering each note with precision and passion. She has a knack for engaging with her audience, making every show an unforgettable experience.

Movements

After their electrifying set on the main stage, I moved over to the Cave stage to catch the next act - Movements. After witnessing their performance on their UK tour in November, I was hooked. Since that night I’ve been eagerly following their journey and was thrilled to see them on the festival lineup. They were one of the bands I was most looking forward to seeing, and their set did not disappoint. The atmosphere was charged from the moment they started playing. The pits were a spectacle, with the crowd bouncing side to side and an endless stream of crowd surfers flying over the barrier. The energy was relentless, and their connection with the audience was palpable, making for an unforgettable experience. Their live rendition of 'Afraid To Die' was particularly powerful. The song, already a hit, sounds incredible in a live setting, showcasing their ability to elevate their studio recordings on stage. I’m really looking forward to seeing what they release next.

Boston Manor

To end my first full day of acts, I headed over to The Axiom to see Boston Manor. They’re a band I have been seeing live for many years, so it only felt right to catch them again, especially considering they come from my corner of the UK. After their electrifying set on the Forest Stage the night before, I was excited to see what they could bring to the tent.

Unfortunately, they encountered massive technical issues, which delayed their set by 25 minutes. You could see the frustration on front man Henry's face, but the band took it in stride and still managed to put on a hell of a show. Their professionalism and dedication shone through as they powered through the technical difficulties and delivered an unforgettable performance. Despite the setback, the energy at the Axiom Stage electric, and the crowd was fully engaged, proving yet again why Boston Manor remains one of my favourite live acts.