Who’d be a festival organiser, eh?
Well James Scarlett organises two – 2000Trees and ArcTanGent – so he’s clearly a glutton for punishment, but even he must have had a bit of a wobble on Friday evening when Alkaline Trio announced they were having to withdraw from the rest of their UK tour less than a week before their Thursday night headline slot.
In a statement on Instagram, the band said:
We are immensely sorry but we must cancel our dates in England, including tonight’s show in Birmingham, due to medical issues Matt has been suffering from that have worsened. He’s gonna be okay but needs to be treated stateside as soon as possible.
We will be back healthier and stronger!
Skiba then followed up with his own video from a hotel at Heathrow Airport, apologising and updating fans on his condition, saying: “I got numbness in my feet, numbness in my hands, as you can tell I’m losing my voice so I can’t really talk, walk, play or sing. But I’m OK. I’m just a little tuned up but I’m gonna go home and get looked at and we’ll be back as soon as we can.”
Responding to the news in pretty much real-time, the 2000Trees team posted a statement of their own:
We’re gutted that Alkaline Trio will no longer be able to make it to 2000Trees next week, but health comes first and we wish the band the best – we know this won’t be an easy decision they’ve taken lightly.
We will have more news about a replacement as soon as possible. We’re actively working on getting something awesome for you all, and you’ll be the first to know – stay tuned for more info soon.
Speculation (or hopeful delusion?) filled social media as fans pondered who would step in at such short notice. Bands currently touring including Enter Shikari, Frank Turner, unpeople, Skindred, Knocked Loose and perhaps most delusional of all – My Chemical Romance.
Having already delved into the little black book to replace Lambrini Girls with The Wildhearts after Phoebe Lunny underwent surgery to deal with an acute brain injury which forced them to cancel Coachella, it was all hands on deck.
Shining the proverbial Bat Signal into the sky, James Scarlett’s call for help was answered within hours…but by who?
Fresh off the stage at Finsbury Park as part of their support slot for Biffy Clyro, the men from Don Broco checked their voicemails they said yes!
Having closed out 2024’s festival with an incendiary set (literally, they had fireworks and everything!) there is little doubt of the Bedford band’s ability to deliver the goods and the reactions on social media were full of celebrations. Updating the fans on the official trees app, organisers said:
Amazing news for you this gloriously sunny evening!
The one & only Don Broco have literally saved the day & will now be headlining the Thursday of 2000trees. This comes after today’s announcement from Alkaline Trio, who unfortunately now can’t make it.
We’re super happy that Don Broco are returning to 2000trees after a barn storming show back in 2024 and we’re massively grateful to their (& our) whole team for pulling this out of the bag at such short notice. What a result!!!
Lots of praise was rightly poured on Mr Scarlett and the Trees team for their swift actions and delivering, arguably, a bigger headliner with such short notice. The collective exhale from Upcote Farm could be heard from the N4 postcode! Hats off to the team.