Two Gloucestershire music festivals have been recognised as the best in their category at the 2023 UK Festival Awards.
Cheltenham-based 2000trees took home the title of Best Medium-Sized Festival, with organisers thanking 'each and every one of you who voted AND to all you legends who come to Upcote Farm to make 2000trees THE BEST party every year' on its website.
While Barn on the Farm in neighbouring Gloucester took home the accolade for Best Small Festival.
The 15,000-capacity 2000trees, which takes place at Upcote Farm in Withington, near Cheltenham, each year, already has the title of Britain's coolest festival from Kerrang! Magazine — and won Best Medium-Sized Festival in 2018 and 2022.
It was founded by five Gloucestershire friends, including University of Gloucestershire lecturer, Andy Rea, along with Mark Gardiner, James and Rob Scarlett, Si Maltas and Brendan Herbert back in 2007.
Andy said: 'We’re all absolutely thrilled to have won this prestigious award again, especially as music fans play such a large part in deciding the winner. We are music fans first and foremost who love going to gigs, concerts and festivals, so 2000trees was borne out of our frustration with the existing offerings which we felt all put profit ahead of people.
'We started with a simple passion for music and the desire to create a dynamic, energetic and accessible event that puts the festival-goer at the top of their priorities.
'It is also extremely important that the festival offers high-quality placement opportunities for our students, so they gain practical skills and real-world opportunities in supportive learning environments. For me, as a practitioner academic, my involvement in the festival enables me to share professional experiences alongside academic theory, both in the classroom and during the student placements.'
In an Instagram post announcing the win, Barn on the Farm organiser, Josh Sanger, said: 'Thank you so much for supporting Barn through the years and believing in the festival family we’re all creating. Really appreciate your patience on what is to come next year, we’re still working on it and will update you all as soon as possible. This continues to be your festival.'
Headliners at 2000trees 2024 include The Gaslight Anthem, Manchester Orchestra and Kids In Glass Houses — and there's 30 per cent off tickets until the end of 2023.
Barn on the Farm's 2024 headliners are yet to be announced.
