FESTIVAL PREVIEW: ArcTanGent 2024

ArcTanGent Festival returns from 14-17 August for its tenth birthday with a lineup more than worthy of celebrating that milestone. It takes place at Fernhill Farm, which is nestled amongst the undulating fields of the Mendip Hills National Landscape not far from Bristol. In the decade since its inception, ArcTanGent (or ATG as it’s commonly referred to by its faithful punters) has become synonymous with heavy music that leans more towards the left field and avantgarde. Originally a post-rock fest, it has expanded to include everything from djent and prog metal to glitchy electronica and everything in between.

It’s a fairly no-frills affair – there’s no fairground rides or children’s entertainment for example – but it’s clear they put a lot of thought into what they do provide. The music is good, the food is delicious, the bars are stocked with local craft beer and cider and above all, the vibe is impeccable.

ArcTanGent 2024 sees Texan post-rock legends EXPLOSIONS IN THE SKY, djent pioneers MESHUGGAH and Scottish volume pedallers MOGWAI headline the mainstage on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday respectively. The latter is set to be extra special given the fact that promoter James Scarlett has admittedly been trying to get MOGWAI at ArcTanGent since the festival’s inception. Having them close out the tenth anniversary is a dream come true for organisers and punters alike. 

We’re getting ahead of ourselves though. The weekend actually kicks off on Wednesday with a pre-show party for those who opted for the four-day tickets instead of three. Traditionally, the lineup for the Wednesday is made up of fan favourites from the previous year getting invited for another showing. There’s no need to worry about clashes either as this year the action all takes place on the second stage, dubbed Yohkai. Previous pre-shows have taken place on the smaller Elephant In The Bar Room Stage, so this is a welcome upgrade for fans and bands alike. 

Opening proceedings on Wednesday are HOST BODY, the Bristol math rock crew featuring members of ArcTanGent alumni ST. PIERRE SNAKE INVASION and OGIVES BIG BAND. Two breakthrough acts from 2023, Sheffield’s HIDDEN MOTHERS and DIN OF CELESTIAL BIRDS return to wow the crowd once again. MASTODON fans will find a lot to enjoy from COBRA THE IMPALER. CURSE THESE METAL HANDS, the Peep Show-inspired supergroup formed of members of PIJN and CONJURER were formed with the specific intent of playing ArcTanGent so it’s only right they return for the third time. The real question is how will they parody BARONESS with their merch this time round?

LLNN will once again flatten the place with their crushingly heavy sci-fi sludge before festival faves BOSSK play the first of two extra-special sets of the weekend. At the end of the night, it’s time to don your headphones for AIMING FOR ENRIKE’s silent disco live set. 

ArcTanGent gets fully underway on Thursday morning with emo up-and-comers ITOLDYOUIWOULDEATYOU on the Arc Stage. Experimental drone collective A-SUN AMISSA open up the Elephant In The Bar Stage while PLEIADES bring their emotionally charged post-rock to Yohkai. If UNPEOPLE aren’t already your new favourite band they will be after their huge hooks flatten Bixler. If you’re after something less catchy, more blasty UNDERDARK on Yohkai is the band for you. It’s shocking that Leeds post-metallers HUNDRED YEAR OLD MAN have never played ArcTanGent until now so their set on PX3 isn’t to be missed. Japanese rockers BO NINGEN deliver a high dose of psychedelics to the Arc Stage. London power trio URNE are currently riding a wave of success having supported the likes of GOJIRA and AVATAR recently.  

The run of bands from late afternoon onwards is just silly, especially on Arc and Yohkai stages. The ‘demented pixie’ herself JULIE CHRISTMAS followed by caveman battle doom trio CONAN, then the sweet harmonies of BARONESS into the raucous stoner rock of RED FANG. The recent cancellation of CLOWNCORE was a huge blow to fans of abrasive, avant garde electronica but at least it’s solved the honking clash with one man noise machine AUTHOR AND PUNISHER. Space rock legends SPIRITUALIZED step in as replacements for CLOWNCORE. Playing one of their final sets ever, rave-core crew TOKKY HORROR will bring the party to Elephant In The Bar Room, while firm festival favourites AMENRA bring their cinematic post-metal to Yohkai. 

ArcTanGent founder James Scarlett and Damnation Festival head honcho Gav McInnally have unsuspectingly taken the podcasting world by storm with 2 Promoters 1 Pod. As such, their 10am live recording on Friday morning is sure to bring in the early risers. Get your questions ready. The early portion of the day sees raucous garage rock from MODERN TECHNOLOGY before Goth-rock duo ZETRA bring the theatrics. Representing Church Road Records are THE SUN’S JOURNEY THROUGH THE NIGHT and IRESS. France’s FANGE bring their harrowing industrial horror to Elephant In The Bar Room. It’s worth getting to that stage early for BENEFITS later in the afternoon as it’s sure to be packed. It’s going to be emotional as instrumental rock legends THREE TRAPPED TIGERS play their final-ever show on the main stage. 

GLASSING’s latest album From The Other Side Of The Mirror has been bothering AOTY lists since its release so they’re certainly ones to watch on PX3. EMPEROR frontman IHSAHN brings his avant garde solo material to the main stage before a masterclass in shred from Tosin Abasi’s ANIMALS AS LEADERS. If it’s a party you’re after then don’t miss BLOOD COMMAND on PX3. Electric banjo and spoken word shouldn’t work but SHOW ME THE BODY prove that it does. If their 2019 headline slot is anything to go by, jaws will be on the floor for MESHUGGAH’s return. 

What better way to clear the cobwebs off than with one of the most disgustingly heavy bands on the scene right now, TORPOR. If you want something a little more groovy to ease you in, CODEX SERAFINI have got you. GRAVE PLEASURES and BEASTMILK frontman Mat McNerney brings his black metal project HEXVESSEL, while members of BLACK PEAKES and PALM READER debut their new project VOWER. Both BOSSK and AND SO I WATCH YOU FROM AFAR play their second sets of the weekend, this time on Arc Stage. 

KEN MODE bring their signature stomp to Bixler before the boisterous beats of Bristol’s SCALER will get the Arc Stage bouncing. ArcTanGent took its name from EARTHTONE9’s 2000 album, so it’s only fitting that they play the festival’s tenth anniversary. Doom metal kings ELECTRIC WIZARD and French space cadets SLIFT give fans of slow and heavy riffs plenty to fill their pipes with. MS PAINT had one of the breakthrough albums of 2023 so their headline slot on PX3 is fully deserved, although it’s hard to deny that it’s all about MOGWAI closing the weekend. 

As the festival approaches, be sure to follow the ArcTanGent playlists which they’ve lovingly curated into genre-specific categories, and subscribe to 2 Promoters 1 Pod for the lowdown on what’s happening behind the scenes.

ArcTanGent will take place at Fernhill Farm on August 14th-17th 2024. Tickets are available now and can be purchased here.

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