2000trees have announced Soft Play (formerly known as Slaves, UK) as the final headliner for the 2023 rock and alternative music festival. Alongside them, Bullet For My Valentine and Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes were previously announced to be headlining Friday and Saturday night respectively. The independent music festival will take place at Upcote Farm in Cheltenham later this summer.

The festival posted on their official Instagram page, “Beyond stoked to announced @Softplayband (formerly known as Slaves) are headlining the Thursday at 2000trees! New name, same songs, same incredible live show!!!”

The band first headlined 2000trees festival in 2017, between releases of their second and third album in 2016 and 2018. Their first album, Are You Satisfied?, reached the top ten of the UK music charts and was nominated for the 2015 Mercury Music Prize. They have performed and have song writing credits with other big UK artists, including Chase and Status, Gorillaz, and Slowthai. They last released music and performed together in 2019, before going on an indefinite hiatus.

The festival will be the rock duo’s first show since reforming as Soft Play. To commemorate the event, the band even said on Instagram: “First gig back headlining @2000trees_festival wtffff. We wanna know what tracks you’d like us to play on the night. Our set is in your hands.”

Playing alongside Soft Play on the Thursday includes big names in rock music such as Skindred, Eagles of Death Metal, American punk rock group The Bronx, and more.

Scheduled to play a plethora of festivals this summer, Hastings band Kid Kapichi are playing a set at 2000trees after completing their 2023 Here’s What You Could Have Won European tour. They last played in 2022, and have moved to the main stage after a successful year and the release of their first album Here’s What You Could Have Won. They said on Instagram: “Happy to be returning to 2000trees festival this year, this time on the main stage. What a festival. What a line up.”

One fan, @ziolipo56, commented on their post, calling them the “best band on the line-up“.

The Friday line-up features Rival Schools, Dinosaur Pile-Up, Simon Neil of Biffy Clyro’s metal side project Empire State Bastard, Prima Queen, and Motherhood alongside headliners Bullet For My Valentine. Kelsey Karter & the Heroines are a highlight, playing the festival after finishing supporting Billy Idol on his American tour. Playing on Saturday under Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes are Deaf Havana, Black Honey, Electric Six, and American Football.

The other new acts announced include Dinosaur Pile-Up, Hell Is For Heroes, B-Sydes, Bilk, Beach Riot, CARSICK, Congratulations, Clarence, NOISY, Gaffa Tape Sandy, Haggard Cat, and Love Is Noise.

The full line-up is available on the website.

2000trees festival began in 2007, and is one of the UK’s most loved alternative music festivals. The organisers say it is a festival for a community rooted in music. Their manifesto says: “Trees is more than an event. It’s a family gathering based on positive community values. A sense of community, common culture, kinship and collective wellbeing. Music is the foundation for these positive values. Music brings this extended family together, giving everyone a powerful and vivid shared experience. This experience lingers long after the festival is over.”

Final weekend and day tickets are available on the offical website here.

It takes place:

05/07/23 – Upcote Farm – Cheltenham

06/07 – Upcote Farm – Cheltenham

07/07 – Upcote Farm – Cheltenham

08/07 – Upcote Farm – Cheltenham