Hi
July 2023
Everyone loves a festival, but anyone who spends even a short period of time in our scene knows that 2000trees isn’t just another festival. Beloved of both fans and attendees alike, it makes early July into a haven of community, sustainability and great music. This year is no different, which is why we’ve dedicated a huge chunk of this issue to previewing what you can expect. We’ll see you there.
RIOT! 4. Slam Dunk 8. Royal Blood 10. Creeper 12. CIEL 14. Kids In Glass Houses 16. YONAKA ABOUT TO BREAK 18. Shelf Lives 2000TREES 20. The Xcerts 32. Militarie Gun 36. Prima Queen 37. Koyo 38. Heriot 40. Big Special 41. Hannah Grae FEATURES 42. Honey Revenge 46. Trophy Eyes TEENAGE KICKS 54. Best Ex
Stephen Ackroyd @stephenackroyd Editor
UPSET Editor Stephen Ackroyd Deputy Editor Victoria Sinden Associate Editor Ali Shutler
Scribblers Alexander Bradley, Alex Ingle, Kelsey Mclure, Linsey Teggert, Rob Mair, Sam Taylor, Steven Loftin Snappers Bethan Miller, Frances Beach, Harry Steel, Jennifer McCord, Jordan Knight, Lizzie Clark-Nørgaard, Sarah Louise Bennett, Tahmid Nurullah, Tom Beard PUBLISHED FROM WELCOMETOTHEBUNKER.COM PO BOX 420, HASTINGS, TN34 9LZ
All material copyright (c). All rights reserved. This publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form, in whole or in part, without the express written permission of The Bunker Publishing Ltd. Disclaimer: While every effort is made to ensure the information in this magazine is correct, changes can occur which affect the accuracy of copy, for which The Bunker Publishing Ltd holds no responsibility. The opinions of the contributors do not necessarily bear a relation to those of Dork or its staff and we disclaim liability for those impressions. Distributed nationally.
THE MONTH IN ROCK
SLAM DUNK Festival season is in full swing, with a bunch of faves taking over Leeds and Hatfield for SLAM DUNK.
Words: Alexander Bradley, Ali Shutler. Photos: Frances Beach, Sarah Louise Bennett.
4 Upset
M K
→ AS ROU REYNOLDS PASSIONATELY EXPLAINS ONSTAGE AT SLAM DUNK, live music can’t help but forge a sense of community. Whether we like it or not, being together in a field with strangers listening to music inspires unity. It doesn’t matter whether that’s the boozy singalongs of Flogging Molly, the angsty punk of The Offspring or a new generation of vibrant rock acts like Wargasm, Charlotte Sands, Vukovi, Scene Queen and Zand who spend the weekend guesting during each other’s sets, bigging each other up in interviews or cheering on from the sidelines. It makes sense that Shikari are the perfect band to headline this joyous love-in. Over the past few records, Enter Shikari have evolved from angsty rave-rockers to a constant source of vibrant positivity. Their headline set finds a balance between the two, with the likes of ‘Pls Set Me On Fire’ and ‘A Kiss For The Whole World’ channelling sheer, poppy euphoria while ‘Juggernauts’, ‘Anaesthetist’ and ‘Arguing With Thermometers’ are more vicious than ever. The band hits hardest when they’re a force for communal rage though, with Wargasm joining them onstage to perform a menacing ‘The Void Stares Back’, while Cody Frost jumps into the quickfire round to help out with a glitching ‘Bull’ and a defiant ‘The Last Garrison’. Armed with an impressive light show and bucketloads of eco-friendly confetti, Shikari’s set constantly finds hope as the band strive for higher heights. And it’s a good job they demand such positivity because there’s a feeling of tension in the air at Slam Dunk. According to various punters on social media, actually getting onto either site is a gruelling ordeal, and things don’t get much better from there. A lack of toilets, drinking water, food stalls and general accessibility for the sellout crowds all appear as regular complaints. Seventeen years in the game, it’s clear that a lot of regular attendees believe that something has gone quite seriously wrong, and they want answers. Even the bands struggle. Shikari
Upset 5
One of the most beloved weekends on the festival calendar, 2000trees returns this month with a line up stacked full of Upset faves. Over the next few pages, we’ll tell you everything you need to know, from what the bands want to see, to the new acts you can’t afford to miss.
THE Words: Alexander Bradley. Photos: Jennifer McCord
20 Upset
With a new album on the way and a slot at a festival that’s, by this point, essentially home from home, THE XCERTS couldn’t be more welcome at 2000trees. So long as they stop leaking the line-up.
Upset 21
Y
MILITAR YOU NEED TO SEE...
After a whirlwind few years, Los Angeles’ MILITARIE GUN are landing proper with their debut album.
Words: Rob Mair. Photos: Jennifer McCord
32 Upset
YOU NEED TO SEE... Festivals would be boring without finding your new favourite band. If you’re heading to 2000trees, here are some you cannot afford to miss.
RIE Upset 33
SWEE 42 Upset
ET
S HONEY REVENGE prove they’re worth all the buzz with their vital debut album. Words: Linsey Teggert. Photos: Jordan Knight.
Upset 43
FOUNDA OF DEC 46 Upset
ATIONS CAY O Australian punk rockers TROPHY EYES are entering a brand new era - and it’s not all sunshine. Words: Alex Bradley. Photos: Tahmid Nurullah.
Upset 47