A Diary From ArcTanGent 2018 by OHHMS’ Paul Waller
We here at Distorted Sound love ArcTanGent. Covering everything from the weird and wonderful, be it math rock, post rock, noise, alt rock, and everything in between, this niche event is a firm favourite in our festival calendar. 2018’s edition of the festival was no different as we had a blast covering the event (check out our review and photo gallery here) but as we raced from stage to stage covering bands aplenty, one thought remained on our minds; were the artists themselves enjoying the experience? It’s a thought we often have when we attend festivals across the globe, how the bands we’re watching are feeling performing on the biggest of stages. So, we turned to Paul Waller of UK riff lords OHHMS to detail his experience of this year’s ArcTanGent. Take it away Paul!
Rather than with a tour, the pick up for a one off festival where we play in the afternoon is always a mega stress that can only be avoided if you attack it with military precision. Whether by plane or by van, getting five musicians in one place at one time is usually a massive ball ache.
Oddly each of us managed to board our rented mini-bus at their allotted time. I think this was the first time since we formed that this has happened, yet somehow a four hour journey still took six.
This meant that on arrival BOSS KELOID had already finished up their set. I love that band and I am yet to see them live so I was gutted. Thankfully we have organised a tour for October and November together so I’ll be able to catch them every night.
As for the show itself, I have to admit we like to be difficult and as obtuse as possible so we decided on playing just two songs that we have never played before off of our upcoming album. The first one was 22 minutes long. On paper it should have backfired so hard. Yet we filled the tent and it stayed that way throughout the set. There were even people with their arms raised clapping along QUEEN style. It was so much fun..
After the massive high of playing in front of the ArcTanGent crowd it was smack back down to earth for a slew of music industry business stuff in what looked like a massive old barn.
As a fan that would have gone to this festival anyway the frustrating issue for me is that with the press that you do as a band, especially being the front person, you don’t get to be a punter and watch all the bands you want to. It’s a nice problem to have of course but it meant that I missed BODY HOUND, SVALBARD, CONJURER and MOL, all my Holy Roar brethren. Saying that, in the press tent I finally had a chance to meet the BOSS KELOID team who were complete sweeties, but before I had a chance to relax, I had the call from the guys to get back on the bus as we were heading home.
Until next time.
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