Singer-songwriter Frank Turner is preparing to headline the sold-out, eco-friendly 2000 Trees festival this weekend, July 16-17th. It will be a talent-packed weekend of 60 live bands and DJs across three stages. In an attempt to reduce carbon emissions, all the acts are from the UK and won’t travel to the gig by plane.
Turner, who is playing on Friday, said: “Getting to headline a festival is a milestone for me. Something to check off my list. The guys who run it are great people, honest and hard working folk.
“I was booked to play last year and had to pull out due to US touring commitments. That’s something I hate doing, and I feel like I’m making it right by coming back to play this year.”
In 2008 the festival won the “A Greener Festival” award, previously won by Glastonbury and Latitude. AGreenerFestival.com said: “All the award winners have demonstrated the ability to promote environmental efficiency and sustainability, and that they have coherent green policies covering greenhouse gas emissions, traffic and transport, waste management, recycling, protecting the environment, and water management.”
2000 Trees is keen to cut their own CO2 emissions, and they have comprehensive on-site recycling and composting scheme that had a 90% recycling rate in 2008. Also, all power and lighting is produced using locally-sourced chip-fat biodiesel. The organisers say they saved over two tonnes of carbon last year.
For Frank Turner fans who can’t make it to Upcote Farm next week, he’s on tour in December and could be making a trip to Lincoln: “I’ve been thinking about doing a solo tour of the UK sometime, playing smaller venues but playing like every town, Lincoln included. So we shall see.”