2000 Timber Pageant – Saturday (Day 4) (see additionally Day One, Day Two and Day Three)
Upcote Farm, Cheltenham
fifth – eighth June 2023

The fourth and last day of 2000 Timber noticed performances by Holding Absence, Hundred Causes and Dream State earlier than American Soccer rounded off this yr’s pageant. 

Saturday brings with it the primary overcast morning and the very actual menace of rain of the pageant. We don’t have to attend lengthy earlier than the heavens open, and so the primary couple hours of the day are spent sheltering within the tent; a tedious train made higher by a few breakfast White Russians.

Fortunately we don’t have to attend too lengthy earlier than it passes both. It does nonetheless imply we miss Manchester punks Unfastened Articles kicking issues off over on the primary stage, however conversely it additionally implies that our toes keep dry. Swings and roundabouts. As such, issues start a lot the identical manner they did yesterday, with a wholesome dose of pop-punk over within the Axiom tent – this time courtesy of Colchester’s Pet Wants.

In what’s in all probability the perfect show of guerilla advertising we’ve ever seen at a pageant, the previous three days have seen indicators, banners and flags promoting the set seem mysteriously across the web site. At one level earlier this morning, an inflatable t-rex doing likewise wandered previous too. Spectacular actually and, judging by the massive crowd that’s amassed for the four-piece, profitable too.

Losing little time in breaking out the massive weapons Punk Isn’t Useless, It’s Simply Up for Sale makes for an brisk and impassioned begin, establishing a tempo that doesn’t let up as soon as in the course of the band’s 30 minute set.

Taking in materials from throughout their profession, frontman Johnny Marriot treats the stage as his personal private playground, operating from one facet to the opposite and climbing the tent’s help, a lot to the love of the gang, lots of whom are answerable for the aforementioned advertising.

At one level, Marriot’s mic lead will get caught round brother and guitarist George, the 2 of them sharing a smile but by no means lacking a beat. Elsewhere, tracks equivalent to Misplaced Once more spark one other singalong, whereas fan-favourite Tracey Emin’s Mattress elicits its anticipated deafening response.

It’s last quantity Get On The Roof that showcases simply how a lot this band means to so many, nonetheless. Good natured mosh pits erupt entrance and centre as Marriot leans into the baying crowd, every of them singing again each phrase together with him. Although solely eight songs lengthy, their set is a spotlight of the weekend, each for us, but in addition for a lot of of those who cling round to purchase merch or take selfies with the band after their set. There’s a brilliant future forward for these guys.

From one spotlight to a different now, as over on the primary stage London post-punks Excessive Vis are making it identified they’re pissed off. Realizing subsequent to nothing concerning the band earlier than at the moment’s set, it’s greater than a nice shock to seek out they fall someplace in between the likes of Jawbreaker and Psychedelic Furs, with a wholesome dose of bands equivalent to Eagulls thrown in for an air of the modern.

Each livid and melodic on the identical time, frontman Graham Sayle espouses a number of the most necessary however accessible messages throughout all the weekend; “this one’s about fellas sniffing cocaine as an alternative of speaking about their emotions” he says at one level, garnering an enormous cheer from a crowd that’s consuming out of the palm of his hand.

With a fabric taken virtually equally from each the band’s data, the likes of Speak For Hours present a woozy, extra introspective supply than heavier tracks equivalent to Trauma Bonds. The messages are a lot the identical, but that makes them no much less necessary. And Sayle sums it up succinctly earlier than last observe Select to Lose. “Begin engaged on your self and cease being a bell finish” he states earlier than the gang erupt in entrance of him for one last cathartic time.

Protecting with the catharsis and one other post-hardcore supergroup of types, Methods Away hit the Axiom stage for his or her first UK pageant look. That includes members of bands equivalent to Boysetsfire, Samiam and Knapsack, it’s straightforward to why pockets of the gang are massively excited.

A blistering emotionally charged mix of punk and different rock, there’s parts of bands like The Menzingers at play, making for a much less weighty expertise than one would possibly count on. It’s to not the band’s detriment nonetheless, it’s a observe excellent set, and whereas it is likely to be their first time within the nation, their collective ability and expertise makes for one thing really particular. And although the gang would possibly lack the identical devotion as Rival Faculties the earlier night, as we file out the tent into climate threatening to show, anybody with even a passing curiosity within the post-hardcore can recognize what they’ve simply seen.

From there, we take issues down a notch as we head to The Forest to catch Chicago emo royalty Mike Kinsella and his solo-project Owen. As soon as once more, it’s the proper setting. Kinsella’s acoustic and understated choices shimmering beneath the festoon lighting.

It’s a uncommon UK outing for Owen, although with Kinsella’s band American Soccer headlining the Axiom later tonight it was absolutely too good an opportunity for the bookers to move up. We’re glad they didn’t. Peppering his set together with his trademark dry, often surreal humour, Kinsella offers us with a handful of solo and AF songs, together with the likes of House is The place the Hang-out Is.

Certainly, the character of the stage does imply every now and then the sound struggles to succeed in the furthest away from the stage, nevertheless it’s a small value to pay to see some of the influential songwriters of their era play to what seems like a handful of individuals within the woods. Magical.

From there, we handle to catch the final three tracks from London’s queer punks The Oozes over within the NEU Tent. Frontman Tom Gilbert prowls and jumps across the stage, giving off a vanity which is definitely fairly endearing as we’re handled to their model of shouty, riffy, offensive punk.

The tent is round half-full, and people down on the entrance are having loving each minute, because the band storms via tracks Bitch Boy, Strap and DBSAC. They’re plenty of enjoyable, and we’ll be holding a watch out for the following time they tour to make sure that we catch a complete set.

It’s throughout to the Fundamental Stage now for Cardiff’s Holding Absence, hailed as some of the outstanding British bands to interrupt via within the final 5 years. The four-piece rock up sporting coordinating blue and white tie-dye with all the joy of a band gracing Timber’ Fundamental Stage for the primary time of their profession.

The group reaches again to the sound desk with loads of individuals watching from afar too; not too shabby for a pre-5pm slot on the final day of the weekend. The set kicks off with Like A Shadow from 2019 self-titled debut album, and by third track, Gravity, the circle pits have shaped, these partaking absolutely appreciating the observe’s ebb and movement; a headbanger of an intro coupled with dreamy, synthy verses and sing-along inducing refrain.

A kite within the form of a butterfly flies over an area ringed with ominous-looking gray clouds, however with patches of hopeful blue sky pushing via. Guitarist Scott Carey takes on growling duties for Aching Longing earlier than frontman Lucas Woodland shares that the following time they’re on stage within the UK they’ll be touring upcoming album. Due to this fact, “it’s time to get emotional” with 2021 single In Circles, adopted by “a track that was written for festivals and 1,000,000 crowd surfers” within the type of Past Perception. After which, Woodland praises the safety employees as they welcome many a crowd surfer over the barrier on account of this poppier providing.

From not too long ago launched A Crooked Melody into anthemic smash hit, Afterlife, the gang surfers preserve coming. Woodland as soon as once more offers thanks this time to the gang for sharing with them “such an exquisite strategy to finish the cycle of our final file”. And with that the band launches into one among their most carried out tracks, Wilt, which brings down the tempo due to its shoegazey parts, but ramps up the emotion, notably within the frontman’s vocal.

And with that, Holding Absence exit a stage for the final time in 2023 (within the UK, at the least), and have and not using a double simply cemented themselves as a ‘Timber band’, and earned themselves a lot increased billing sooner or later.

Permitting issues to get a bit heavier now, for Welsh metallers Dream State. It’s been a tough couple of years for the band, for lots of the identical causes because it has been for the remainder of the world. However of their case, it’s meant an enormous change in personnel. Sole surviving unique member, guitarist Aled Evans has been on a recruitment drive, enlisting new bandmates Jake Bowen on bass, Tom Connolly on drums and Jessie Powell as their new lead vocalist. It’s this that’s on our thoughts as they take to the stage simply after 5pm, and we’re to see how the brand new lineup will evaluate to the Dream State we’ve seen carry out previously…

With minimal preamble, they open with Consolation In Chaos – a track written by Powell for the EP – and the environment within the tent is electrical. A small group of individuals in inflatable animal costumes are leaping round close to the entrance, and when second observe Hand in Hand will get going, our consideration is dragged to a circle pit full with a pig, a giraffe, a panda, and a two-legged, upright crocodile.

The group shout the lyrics again at Powell, who seems in her aspect, kneeling on the entrance of the stage as she sings. We’re handled to a dwell debut subsequent, within the type of newest single Chin Up Princess and the tent is overflowing by this level. The following 4 minutes are a flurry of angelic clear vocals, husky, guttural screams and a catchy, virtually poppy refrain alongside temporary but deliciously heavy breakdowns.

The degrees sound a bit off for the primary half of Open Home windows, however that is rectified in direction of the tip of the track, and Powell takes the chance to start out a “Dream State” chant, thanking the gang for his or her help, thanking Evans for bringing all of them collectively, and, on the verge of tears it appears, proclaiming that “We’re Dream State and we’re right here to remain!”
She dances across the stage throughout Monsters, feeding off the gang’s vitality, having the time of her life. Throughout Chain Reactions (one other from the latest EP), there appears to be some hassle within the pit as three safety guards escort a person out, who it seems has been punched. These on stage appear oblivious, nonetheless, and fan favorite White Lies sees Powell bounce down from the stage to sing in amongst the gang, surrounded by headbanging zoo animals.

2022 single Taunt Me has everybody leaping, and thanks yous are despatched out to all of the performers, crew, meals distributors, followers and everybody else who makes the pageant attainable. The band closes the set with Primrose, which incorporates an at all times enjoyable (or not, relying on whether or not you’re over 30 with dodgy knees) “Get down” adopted by “Get the fuck up”! The entire set has been a ferocious re-introduction to a band that’s bigger than the sum of its components. That is Dream State. And we’re offered. They’re going to be a tricky act to observe, however the weekend isn’t over simply but..

And neither is the rain. Having made our strategy to the primary stage for a last spherical of deep-fried cauliflower (it truly is that good) and UK rockers Hundred Causes, the downpour that’s threatened all afternoon actually makes itself identified, with crowds diving for the closest little bit of shelter, no matter that is likely to be.

For us, it’s the cider stall, and, like penguins, we cram in opposition to one another determined to maintain out of the deluge. It continues because the band take to the stage as properly, however that doesn’t cease an impressively devoted crowd from filling the house between stage and sound desk, whereas others proceed to hitch because the rain slowly begins to ease.

Having caught the band at Obtain for the primary time earlier this yr and having little extra to go off aside from imprecise recollections of a video on Kerrang, their reputation each that weekend, and now, is stunning, however on opening with I’ll Discover You, it’s evident why so many individuals love them. An uplifting slice of anthemic alt-rock, it’s the proper antithesis to bleak climate that lingers over the pageant web site.

Quite than danger one other soaking, we decide to look at from the relative consolation of the aforementioned cider stall although, in consequence, the sound ranges do are inclined to falter considerably, although that is probably extra to do with the wind than the rest. A visitor look from Enter Shikari frontman Roux Reynolds on Silver sends a lot of the gang right into a meltdown and makes for a massively energetic and pleasing halfway level, although by this level the rain and certainly the weekend is starting to take its toll.

A brand new track we don’t fairly catch the identify off suffers horrifically from massively out of key backing vocals, although fortunately this is a matter that’s ironed out earlier than closing quantity and fan-favourite If I Might brings the set to an emphatic conclusion.

Although Hundred Causes had been one of many bands that stunned us most at Obtain and are nonetheless a band we’d be inquisitive about seeing at their very own present, at the moment’s set felt considerably missing compared to beforehand, and although largely the fault of each the climate and questionable sound ranges, it does really feel considerably a disgrace.

From there, a fast journey to the tent for a dry change of garments takes us to the ultimate band of the weekend, US indie rock royalty, American Soccer. Name them indie. Name them emo. Name them math-rock. No matter you name them, somebody will contradict you anyway.

What’s equally as sure as stated contradiction, is the seminal position American Soccer performed each again within the ‘90s, and since their reformation again in 2014. Opening with the majestic Keep Residence from their debut, it’s instantly apparent we’re in for one thing really particular. Purple, orange, and blue strobes gentle the stage whereas a veil of smoke shrouds the band, making for an atmospheric and emotional begin to the set, and finish to the pageant. As anticipated, the tent is full, and it’s clear there’s loads of folks that have had their fill of heavy for the weekend.

Whereas the light acoustic nature of Kinsella’s earlier set struggled a bit in The Forest, right here it has no such points; the total band bringing depth and nuance and heat to the sheer emotion of Kinsella’s lyricism.

The One With The Wurlitzer retains issues again within the early days, its heat swells of brass reducing completely via the heady and hazy guitars. Elsewhere, newer materials equivalent to Inheritor Obvious and Uncomfortably Numb get early outings, showcasing a darker, heavier, and extra experimental facet to the band than something from their debut. Certainly, it appears on latest materials the band have leaned way more in direction of their math rock and put up rock influences than ever earlier than.

The midway level sees them disappear from the stage leaving simply the drummer, who as soon as once more picks up his trumpet. Bathed in smoke, and lit by blues and yellows, it’s an experimental and prolonged part that appears to bore a number of the youthful or certainly drunker members of the gang that head in direction of the exits. Judging by the scent within the air, there’s loads of weed being smoked as properly, and it seems like the proper music to permit your self to get misplaced within the intricacies of, and we will’t say we blame anybody partaking.

One other, harsher, extra discordant breakdown part sees the band taking part in with suggestions and loop pedals, but additional proof that they’re heading in a considerably totally different course. It’s this part the place the one actual sound issues unsurprisingly rear their heads and what was discordant noise rapidly turns into deafening, as if there’s a problem with one explicit channel.Fortunately, it’s quickly remedied as the pinnacle into the ultimate trio of songs, as soon as once more heading again to their roots for a triumvirate of tracks from their debut. Truthfully? Comes first, adopted by an beautiful outing for I’ll See You When We’re Each Not So Emotional.

It’s the ultimate observe everybody in attendance is aware of nonetheless, and because the last notes of By no means Meant ring out from Kinsella’s guitar, the cheer the gang present is the loudest of the set. It’s quick lived nonetheless, as a string snaps on Kinsella’s guitar, bringing issues to a quick pause as he chats the viewers, showcase extra of the dry humour of earlier.

“Are you restringing that you simply fucking maniac?” he laughs to his guitar tech. “There’s like 5 fucking guitars there!”. It’s a uncommon behind the scenes second the gang are appreciative of. Much more so when seconds later, guitar handed again and track restarted, it occurs once more to a cheer from the gang.

This time nonetheless, a recent guitar is handed over and the band lastly begin what’s arguably some of the well-known emo songs of the ‘90s. What follows is likely one of the most joyous moments of the pageant. A tent full of individuals enthralled and enraptured for a twinkly slice of Midwest emo written virtually 30 years in the past. And although the band would possibly properly have moved on, many people current right here haven’t, and as we glance round us, there’s greater than a handful of watery eyes within the neighborhood. The proper strategy to finish an virtually excellent set.

And identical to that, our first style of 2000 Timber is over, and although we head again to the tent aching, chilly, and with the inevitable pageant heartburn, we all know for certain that we’ll be again subsequent yr.

~

Dave Beech is a music author primarily based out of Manchester. Hyperlinks to his work will be discovered over at his weblog, Life’s A Beech, in addition to his Louder Than Conflict Creator Archive. He additionally tweets as @Dave__Beech.

Extra phrases by Sally Hirshman.

Photographs by Jez Pennington, Joe Singh and Gareth Bull