FESTIVAL PREVIEW: ArcTanGent 2022
It might feel that life in 2022 is in the absolute dumps, but if we can take away any positives from this year is that we’ve seen festival season return in full force. The two year absence enforced by the COVID pandemic was a hammerblow to music fans worldwide, so to have our summer itinerary jam-packed with various festivals is a godsend in such trying times. Much heralded as one of the must-attend events for more progressive-leaning heavy music fans, ArcTanGent makes it triumphant return this week after a three year absence. And with arguably one of the most stacked bills of the year, choosing who to watch this weekend is akin to picking your favourite kid. So let us at Distorted Sound help, this is our preview for ArcTanGent 2022!
Wednesday – August 17th
Day one of ArcTanGent is relatively easy-going for those scrambling over their clashfinders with just the Elephant In The Bar Stage open for business. But it’s still a stacked day of action as hometown noisecore mob LIGHTNING SHARKS kick off the day before performances from the likes of experimental rock outfit MY OCTOPUS MIND, post-doom metallers THE ROAD, energetic rockers MOTHER VULTURE and the expansive MEMORY OF ELEPHANTS will all provide a wicked slice of diversity that ArcTanGent is famed for. Combine that with a one-two punch of SUGAR HORSE and THE ST PIERRE SNAKE INVASION later in the day will ensure that the festival gets off to a riotous start.
Thursday – August 18th
Thursday sees ArcTanGent unveil its remaining four stages as the first ‘full’ day of music begins and believe us, there is a wealth of talent on offer. From the Arc main stage that boasts must-watch bands like CULT OF LUNA, AMENRA, PIJN, DVNE and A.A. WILLIAMS to soon-to-be discovered gems like PX3‘s residents CRYPTIC SHIFT, BOSS KELOID, GRAYWAVE, WE NEVER LEARNED TO LIVE; we anticipate sprinting from stage to stage to catch the wealth of talent available.
Elsewhere, Bixlar‘s offerings of BOSSK, IMPERIAL TRIUMPHANT and BICURIOUS will pack the tent with festival-goers whilst a strong lineup over on the Yokhai stage (THE HYENA KILL, BLODET, ALCEST, MAYBESHEWILL and PUPPY are all worthy of your attention) Thursday surely looks set to be a day of fantastic performances from the first band to the last.
Friday – August 19th
After two jam-packed days, we’d forgive you if festival fatigue might be creeping in, but luckily Friday of ArcTanGent presents another ludicrously stacked offering across its five stages that should easily blow off any cobwebs. TESSERACT, who headliner the Arc stage, seems like a match made in heaven (although clashing with PALM READER is one brutal clash!), Japanese doom veterans MONO, the unique ZEAL & ARDOR, psychedelic black metal fusion outfits like FIVE THE HIEROPHANT and ORANSSI PAZUZU, jazz-meets-tech death hybrid RIVERS OF NIHIL (who arrive at ArcTanGent on the back of last year’s sublime The Work), or the emotion stirring tones of COVET and BLANKET, diversity is high on the cards of Friday’s action.
ArcTanGent always helps champion some of the freshest talent in heavy music and such is the case throughout the day on Friday. From breakout Danish blackgaze stars MØL, UK doom duo TUSKAR, BRUIT ≤ (who arrive on the back of the sublime The Machine Is Burning and Now Everyone Knows It Could Happen Again) or ZETRA, which is a truly fascinating live outfit, Friday at ArcTanGent could very well be the day where you discover your next favourite band.
Saturday – August 20th
Just like the previous days, the final day of ArcTanGent is just as stacked as those that proceeded it. From heavyweights like OPETH, LEPROUS, GODFLESH and THIS WILL DESTROY YOU, the sombre tones of EMMA RUTH RUNDLE, progressive mind-benders THE HIRSCH EFFEKT, CONJURER (who will surely threaten to level the Arc stage), the absolute aural insanity of THE ARMED or Finnish proggers WHEEL; the final day of ArcTanGent intends to pull no punches.
However, where the final day of this year’s festival truly excels is with a hefty offering of top class homegrown talent. From doom metallers FAMYNE and GARGANJUA, ITHACA (who will showcase a wealth of cuts from their stunning new album They Fear Us), the musically delightful ELEPHANT TREE, breakout acts PUPIL SLICER and HERIOT (whose momentum continues to build following their respective sets at Bloodstock), ArcTanGent is pulling out all the stops to ensure British heavy music is given the space to thrive.
ArcTanGent will take place at Fernhill Farm on August 17th-20th 2022.
For more information on the festival like their official page on Facebook.
