2000 Timber Competition – Thursday (Day Two) (Wednesday, Friday and Saturday to comply with)
Upcote Farm, Cheltenham
fifth – eighth June 2023

Taking a break from the bigger, extra established various festivals on the calendar, we head south to 2000 Timber to see the way it compares. Louder Than Battle’s Dave Beech & Sally Hirshman have been there for the weekend.

Thursday’s begin is a delicate one. Missing the planes, and certainly the folks of Obtain Competition, we’re not awoken on the morning time, and as an alternative begin the day with a leisurely journey again to the Phrase Stage for 10am to catch Sophie Okay and Yasmine Summan and their award-winning podcast, On Wednesdays We Put on Black.

The pair present an open, sincere chat in regards to the various scene from each business and life-style standpoints with loads of laughs thrown in. This partially is because of Okay’s millennial versus Summan’s Gen-Z dynamic. It’s performed on for comedic impact, however you possibly can inform there’s a mutual respect between the 2 which solely provides to the chemistry.

Regardless of the early begin, there’s a decent end up, most of whom are established followers of the podcast. And although it feels somewhat extra ramshackle than their chat at Obtain, it additionally feels way more casual, making for the right option to blow off any cobwebs which have settled in a single day, whereas getting us able to face our first full day of bands.

With none time for pause, it’s over to the primary enviornment for the primary time this weekend for Bristol trio Profiler. Coming off the again of touring in Might in help of InVisions and Earth Caller, the three-piece open The Cave tent with a wholesome dose of nu-metal. Vocalist and guitarist, Mike Evans, and bassist, Joe Johnson swing their devices round throughout the breakdowns with a wild and wilful abandon, by no means as soon as lacking a observe.

Regardless of the sound within the tent being effectively balanced, there may be noticeable bleed from the soundcheck on the Axiom stage, and the band typically let the silence dangle between one observe and the following making it extra apparent nonetheless. Nonetheless, we’ve got little doubt that their between-song chat will develop to match the remainder of their on-stage vitality. And with competition appearances and help excursions now beneath their belt, it’s protected to say we are able to count on to listen to an announcement of their first headline tour earlier than lengthy.

Opting to remain at The Cave, issues get critically heavy for UK hardcore four-piece, Cage Combat. Sounding precisely like one may count on a band with such a reputation to sound, we really feel for anybody who’s head is hurting from the evening earlier than, although it goes with out saying that their livid and cathartic mix of NYC hardcore and occasional black steel gained’t a lot blow away any cobwebs, however utterly obliterate them.

Although having began off life as a bed room facet challenge, at present’s iteration is a completely realised compelled to reckoned with; the addition of French vocalist Rachel Aspe remodeling the outfit from a reliable if not familiar-sounding hardcore band into one thing head and shoulders above their contemporaries. It’s a brief, sharp set that recollects bands resembling Hatebreed and Madball, but additionally the likes of Gorerotted and even Cradle Of Filth, instantly cementing Cage Combat as one of many weekend’s highlights so early within the competition.

Over to the primary stage now by means of some critically wonderful tacos and cauliflower bites (in all probability among the finest competition meals we’ve ever eaten) as British metalcore five-piece Ithaca take to the stage. With their 2022 album They Concern Us having been met with such essential acclaim, our expectations are excessive.

Sadly, although, we’re left upset. The sound is muddy in locations, and frontwoman Djamila Azzouz’s screams don’t fairly attain their full potential, though her clear vocals do reveal her vary and expertise. A band with an important message about enabling oneself to heal from trauma, we are able to’t assist however really feel that the general expertise would have translated way more successfully later in one of many tents slightly than earlier on the Major Stage.

As such, we decide to move to the Axiom Stage to catch the tail finish of metallers Narrowhead. And it’s simply the tail finish too. The truth is, we handle to catch simply the ultimate two songs of their Deftones-inspired grunge. It’s sufficient to make an impression, nonetheless. On us definitely, but additionally on a crowd that’s kind of stuffed the tent regardless of it nonetheless being early.

Again to the Major Stage now and we’re greeted with a “’Ello Cheltenham! We’re Child Kapichi from Hastings, and we like medicine and combating.” And combating music is definitely what they carry. Their set exudes the frustrations typical of working-class, modern-day Britain, because the band kicks off with a trio of tracks within the for Sardines, Working Man’s City and 5 Days On (2 Days Off).

While their polished punk sound could also be harking back to bands elsewhere on the weekend’s invoice, they definitely ship each vitality, and a cheeky ‘no fuck’s given’ perspective together with undeniably catchy hooks and riffs. Requests from frontman Jack Wilson for ranges to be adjusted after a number of of the songs do nothing to dampen the momentum of the present, likewise with a half-way level chant of “Fuck the Tories”. “If you happen to don’t like that you simply’re on the flawed gig” Wilson quips, earlier than dropping instantly into Social gathering at No. 10 which definitely appears to get the group on-side.

A brief interlude by which the band play the sport ‘Right here’s what you possibly can’t win’ (impressed by the title of their most up-to-date album) follows and sees band members throwing out chocolate bars to members of the viewers. If the group weren’t on facet earlier than, they’re now. An inflatable hamburger flies round amongst the group surfers throughout each Rob the Grocery store and Glitterati, taking us to the opening notes of 2022 single New England.

Regardless of the right alternative for a sing-along, it’s considerably disappointing that Bob Vylan don’t be part of the band on stage, though they’re because of seem simply after Child Kapichi. As an alternative, Wilson introduces them, solely to have Bobby’s half play as a observe.

Even so, circle pits are known as for and a worked-up crowd are all too glad to oblige throughout nearer Smash The Gaff, which is devoted to a younger fan within the crowd bearing the proclamation on his t-shirt. Wilson exits the stage, leaving the remainder of the band to play out the previous couple of seconds of the tune, in flip leaving the group frothing on the mouth for extra. And whereas there’s no questioning that the band’s sound is definitely acquainted, there’s additionally no questioning simply how a lot the group love them.

Having seen Bob Vylan the earlier evening, we decide as an alternative to move again to the cave for Bristol post-hardcore outfit Svalbard. Having caught the band spontaneously at 1am ultimately 12 months’s Kendal Calling and being blown away, we all know they’re a should see this 12 months.

It’s a disgrace then, that the band’s stunning, bleak and infrequently cinematic model of post-hardcore falls somewhat flat this time round. That’s to not say the band are dangerous. Removed from it. However the dimension of the tent and a fairly modest crowd, to not point out the blazing solar outdoors, all serve to hamper the ambiance.

After all, competing with Bob Vylan was by no means going to be a straightforward process, but evidently their atmospheric hybrid of post-hardcore, black steel and shoegaze feels way more suited to smaller confines and darker skies. This mentioned, the band’s musicality is second none, it’s only a disgrace it feels somewhat diminished within the vacuous Axiom tent, although fortunately this isn’t a mirrored image on the band.

Although tempted to look at The Surprise Years on the Major Stage, one way or the other night has rolled round, and we go for meals and a few drinks while we spend half an hour questioning round what’s probably the smallest competition enviornment we’ve ever been to. With in all probability lower than 50 metres been the primary stage and the sound desk, it’s intimate so far as foremost levels go, and simply one of many purpose 2000 Timber feels so particular. Sufficiently fed and watered, and with an iffy sound plaguing the primary stage, it’s only a brief journey again to The Axiom tent to make sure we get a stable spot for Welsh trio The Pleasure Formidable.

This a band we’ve seen a number of occasions beforehand, and who’ve been bigged up arguably greater than essential, we’re desirous to catch their atmospheric model of shoegazey indie-pop in a competition tent once more. Sadly, any pleasure feels misplaced because the band arrive quarter-hour late (for causes unknown), dropping a 3rd of their stage time.

Consequently, their set is brief and feels hinged closely on more moderen materials, omitting the group pleasers in favour of fabric from their current album, Into the Blue. It’s an comprehensible choice, however maybe one finest made for their very own tour dates and never a competition stage. As such, the ambiance is sort of non-existent, and the understated nuance of the band’s musicality barely perceptible. It’s a disgrace, as having skilled them in varied venues and competition levels during the last 10 years, it’s simply the worst we’ve seen them.

From right here at the very least, issues can solely get higher, and certainly they do. Quick. Having seen Skindred stay earlier than, we all know what to anticipate, although are nonetheless excited to see them once more. Expectations are excessive and each ourselves, and certainly the group, gained’t accept something lower than the final word celebration we all know the four-piece from South Wales are able to bringing. We needn’t fear although, from the second frontman Benji Webbe and the boys step on stage, it’s clear that they’re on prime type.

The set gives up songs from seven of the band’s eight studio albums, together with upcoming file Smile, and demonstrates simply how robust their back-catalogue is. Beginning with single Set Fazers from the aforementioned Smile, the band will get the group going immediately with their idiosyncratic model ragga steel, inflicting everybody within the neighborhood to start out bobbing their heads and transferring their hips whether or not they need to or not.

Ever ones to throw in a snippet of a canopy or a medley, the band instigates temporary however euphoric sing-alongs of Wonderwall, Again In Black and Bounce/Bounce Round, the Van Halen/ Home of Ache mash-up you by no means knew you wanted.

2018 single That’s My Jam permits for some viewers participation as Webbe splits the group and pits either side in opposition to the opposite, whereas newest single L.O.V.E. (Smile Please) is a real summer time anthem within the making. It’s been mentioned a thousand occasions earlier than, however Webbe is a frontman of a distinct calibre. His relentless vitality, comedic timing, fake exasperation on the crowd at occasions and fabulous outfits take the Skindred expertise to a different stage, whether or not that is the primary or the tenth time you’ve seen them carry out.

In the direction of the top of the set, early hit No person garners one of many largest reactions of the weekend up to now, proving as soon as once more that Skindred are a band with a quickly growing legacy, whose songs from twenty years in the past are nonetheless each related and common, whereas sounding as recent at present as they did after they have been first launched. As is anticipated, they shut out the set with fan favorite Warning, which has been the band’s nearer of alternative since its launch in 2011. After all, it wouldn’t be a Skindred present with out Webbe main the group within the Newport Helicopter, and ahead of the sound desk turns into a sea of swinging t-shirts, shirts, and bandanas- lots of which have been introduced alongside particularly for the event.

Webbe says his goodbyes and leaves the stage, the remainder of the band taking part in him off. We’re ignored of breath and sweating (it’s scorching, and the Newport Helicopter is a few severe cardio for those who decide to it!) however energised with spirits effectively and really lifted. Having just lately been given their first shot at headlining the Second Stage at Obtain Competition (and completely killing it there too!), and with a brand new album dropping subsequent month alongside a headline tour, it actually feels after at present’s efficiency that Skindred are on the lastly on the cusp of breaking the massive time.

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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 Battle Creator Archive. He additionally tweets as @Dave__Beech.

Extra phrases by Sally Hirshman.

Pictures by Gareth Bull, Jez Pennington, Joe Singh, Mac Praed