It’s my personal favourite time of year when 10,000 music fans descend onto Fernhill Farm for the annual musical jamboree that is Arctangent
Aaahh Arctangent, my favourite weekend of the year is here at last. Thanks in no small part to (as far as I can make out) alchemy and magic, the lineup seems to get better every year, and this year is no exception. Everywhere I look across the line-up there are bands I know, bands I’ve discovered recently and bands I don’t know, waiting to be discovered like panning for a ripe golden nugget. After arriving a tad late, I parked up, set up and cracked open my first ale of the festival, when that was done, it was time to wonder over to the site with slightly more than a spring in my step.
Wednesday
HYOM - Glorious way to start the festival, like coming home after a hard day at work to find your favourite food waiting on the table. Cathartic and spellbinding, one of the UK’s best bands for me. It might be the fact that they are the first band and I’m giddy with excitement, but I can honestly say, they have never sounded better.
God Alone - Head scratchingly complex yet oddly accessible at the same time. The whole band looked like they were wringing the joy out of every second they were on stage. A scintillatingly good time was had bopping around like a loon, yes, this is what I came for.
Year of no Light - Utterly brilliant, music to get lost in, with 2 drummers providing real depth to their music, this band never disappoint. Crushingly heavy, the slow pace bely the fact there is some great songwriting going on hidden under the hood. Another band who seem to get better every time I see them.
Colossal Squid - The songwriting skill of Adam Betts coupled with his genius behind the kit make for a heady brew. Twitchy and complex, like catnip to the Arctangent faithful, he is a blur of motion and energy, great stuff.
Kalandra - A lovely change of pace next with the traditional folk stylings of Norway’s Kalandra. Beautiful and haunting, the juxtaposition from the last band was just what I needed, and an indication of what makes this festival so unique.
Slift - A band to get you travelling to far away places. Throwing themselves mind body and soul into their music, it’s difficult to believe that such a cosmic freak out comes from just 3 people. I’m losing myself to their psychedelia so much that even without any drugs, this music is doing things to my mind it has not felt for years!
Wardruna - Genuinely beguiling, in a first for the Wednesday, the main stage plays host to the wonder of Nordic folk heavyweights Wardruna. It’s quite a coup for the festival to have such an esteemed band headline and they were captivating and wondrous. Transforming the stage in such a way that the depth was astounding, this was an epic show in every sense of the word.
Thursday
Codespeaker - Wow, what a way to start the day, getting flattened by the sludge stylings of Scotland’s Codespeaker. Heavy as all kinds of hell but with an emotional underlying heft. Singer Greg Armstrong prowls the stage like a caged tiger pouring every fibre of his being into the words, the band matching him for intensity, I was simply not designed to be this carried away at 11 in the morning on my first day at a festival. Utterly incredible. They are also, great people and you should watch the interview with them here.
The Grey - The huge crowd is treated to a full bore head shot of adrenaline. Grady Avenell joins the band half way through their set and treats the crowd to a glorious show, with a Will Haven song or 2 thrown in to send the crowd delirious with joy. It’s also worth mentioning at this point, how good they sound, in fact, the sound at Arctangent is second to no festival in the world, it’s amazing and it’s helping The Grey propel themselves into set of the weekend territory.
Rezn - I’m a massive fan of the Burden album so was really looking forward to seeing these guys. Sounding heavier live than on record, they tore through their set levelling the audience as they went, slow and sonically dense, it was very good indeed.
Pothamus - The songs from Arbur sounded massive in this setting. Shamanic, droning and oh so hypnotic the band whisked me off to far away places, actually, scratch that, they didn’t whisk me off, they drove me inwards, seeking introspection and finding a happy well of joy inside myself, just when I needed it.
We Lost the Sea - Wow, just wow. The band came on in staggered formation, slowly building the band, cleverly duplicating their huge sound. Filled with mostly songs from A Single Flower, this sounded epic. For 45 minutes I was carried away on a wave of lush soundscapes, transported to a wondrous place. Emotional, existential and uplifting like few others, this was simply stunning. Don’t miss my interview with drummer Alasdair Belling here.
Lowen - Middle Eastern soaked doom arrives next to provide some interesting juxtaposition. Downright filthy sludge with uplifting gorgeous vocals takes some getting used to, but once I’m locked in step with them, they make me a very happy man indeed.
The Fall of Troy - Not knowing anything about this band I went in blind. Angular mathy riffage married to sing along melodies make it a very pleasant surprise. One of the best things about Arctangent is that even if you don’t know the band you still get quality and interesting music, and this was no exception.
Pelican - Post metal heros Pelican return to Fernhill Farm re-energised after their superb latest album with a real return to form. The new songs sound particularly epic and the big crowd were treated to a masterclass of intricate music, creating a sea of bobbing heads in the sun. Doling out Riffs like a deranged dealer, this was a set for the ages.
Melvins - Absolute stone cold legends up next. With 2 drummers adding serious heft to the sound, they took no prisoners and proceeded to pummel the crowd into submission. Hit after hit were throw around with ease, making a mockery of anything resembling normality, this was completely stunning.
Kylessa - Another band who have somehow passed me by, however, by the end of their set I was completely bowled over. Dual guitar and vocal attacks meant my tiny mind was falling out of my ears by the end of this set. Who knew that some progressive sludge was just what I needed, consider me a new fan.
It was at this point that I started feeling a bit ropey due to lack of sleep the night before so went for a lie down (yes am old!) but Leprous sounded immense and I really regretted not staying to watch them. But nothing could stop me from getting back up, dragging my sorry arse back for tonight’s headliners.
Godspeed You! Black Emperor - Blimey, there are a lot of people on stage, by my count I make it 2 drummers, 3 guitarists, 2 bassists, a violinist and someone playing what looked like a theremin. What this all meant, was that there was a depth to the sound which was instantly noticeable. Most of the guitarists sat with their back to the crowd but when they make music this good, it’s hard to argue with their method’s. I’d waited a long time to see this band and at times it was almost a religious experience. Compelling, cinematic and cathartic, it was a glorious way to end my first day, even if I was feeling decidedly less than my best.
Friday
Feeling much better today after a good nights sleep, I even managed a shower, which due to some nonsense about not working properly meant I spent an eventful 10 minutes swearing at the shower as it was stone cold, still it was invigorating if nothing else!.
Overhead the Albatross - After the pummelling sludge from yesterday morning, today’s band were the polar opposite. Gorgeous sound scapes caressed the crowd with a truly lovely audio alarm call, etherial and delicate, this was a musical comfort blanket. The show was already stunning, but when they dedicated a song to Brian Fitzpatrick, the legend so closely associated with this music scene, who sadly passed away recently, they swept everyone in attendance to places we weren’t quite prepared for, it elevated the set to legendary status, I’m not crying, you are. One of the best things of the whole weekend.
Mt.Onsra - Well, the Tool vibes were strong with this one. Intricately woven together melodies made for an interesting listen, a bit rough around the edges maybe but they looked over the moon to be playing and they certainly got the crowd interested.
Giant Walker - A female fronted progressive doom band for lunch you say? Marvellous, sign me up. Genre smashing and genuinely happy with the feedback from the big crowd, they were great. Infectious energy made my lunch go down tremendously well, bravo.
Dimscua - I was very much looking forward to this set and when I got to the tent, it seemed every man woman and child thought the same thing, the crowd was huge. Unbelievably it was the first live show they’d ever done, but you would never have known, the massive crowd were treated to a sonic onslaught of the highest order, heavy, thoughtful and full of ear popping delight, it felt like the birth of something truly wonderful, ones to keep an eye on. Check out my interview with the band here.
Envy – Another Legendary band up next, this time it was the turn of post-hardcore band from Japan who laid waste to the main stage. Heavy and emotive, light and dark like 2 sides of the same coin, this was a release of energy I didn’t realise I needed until it happened. Nothing beats a cry and a mosh.
Delving - Krautrock project from Elder guitar whizz Blapp Blapperflap. Intricately put together, melodic and driving, sat in the sun, this was rather pleasing.
Green Lung - If there was such a thing as boppy doom metal then Green Lung would be trailblazers. Their traditional metal stylings shouldn’t work at this point of the day in the sun but they most definitely do, more fun than you think, brilliant.
We Lost the Sea - Playing the seminal album Departure Songs in full (full disclosure, this is one of my favourite albums of all time) was something I was not missing, despite the horrendous clash with Between the Buried and Me. Just utterly captivating from start to finish, 65 minutes of sheer post rock perfection, utterly incredible.
Frontierer - I had intended intended on just mooching around, but I bumped into a friend (shout out to Tom!) who was on his way to see Frontierer so I tagged along. Well, not knowing anything about them I was completely floored. Overwhelming to the point of awe, a complete sensory overload. It was like being inside a bag filled with pots and pans, falling down the stairs, in dense fog, with a strobe light going off inside the bag for good measure. My head was a mess afterwards, in the best way possible.
Karnivool – After the sensory overload of Frontierer, this was as soothing as a wet towel across my brow whilst sipping a long island iced tea on the beach. I’ve seen the Australian Prog titans a few times now, and hands down this was the best I’ve ever heard them. Everyone was on point and the sound was extraordinary, it was a perfect headlining show.
Saturday
The final day, completely done in, tired and my feet are killing me, still, gotta get up and get on it as there are many many wonderful bands just waiting to caress my ears, or in some cases smack them really hard (more on that later).
2 Promoters 1 Pod – The days starts with James and Gavin in the Bixler tent, crowd spilling out across the fields, sitting with coffees and breakfast burritos in hand. They are on fine form and unbelievably emotional. It was a tough listen at times, raw emotion spilling through their usually jovial back and forth. This has been, without a shadow of a doubt, the most emotional festival I’ve ever been to.
Indifferent Engine - Starting the day proper were the post hardcore stylings of Indifferent Engine. Incredibly raw, and visceral, the band perform in front of a wall of old CRT TVs. Front man Adam Paul threw himself body and soul into the lyrics to such an extent, many people in the crowd were genuinely worried about his well being, it was an exhausting, impassioned and beguiling start to the day.
Wren - Droning sludge metal next and what better way to deal with the relentless sun than sonic doom. Feeling ever so slightly out of place in the heat, this was more than made up for by being crushing and relentless, and also like the sun, relentless in its fire. Captivating stuff and the band were on fine form.
A Swarm of the Sun - The ethereal soundscapes created by this band took me away to far away places. Swept away on a sea of angelic aural delights with gorgeous ambience, delicate vocals over glorious piano which soon give way to pummelling metal, a complete triumph in every way.
Bipolar Architecture - Like the previous band, these guys deal in sonic waves, or pulses of heavy interspersed with softer passages, unlike the previous band, when these guys let rip, all hell breaks loose, black metal fury rising like an erupting volcano of noise, this was a brilliant performance.
Sleepytime Gorilla Museum - I had been told to go and watch this band from a friend, but he did warn me they were ‘a bit odd’. Well, he wasn’t wrong. Like a Salvador Dali fever dream rock opera, it was Unhinged and yet very watchable, I was dumbstruck and really wanted to see what would happen next, oddly captivating.
Dvne - The blistering progressive metal of Scotland’s Dvne battered the crowd into submission, but battering suggests non acceptance, but it was the opposite of that, the crowd relishing it with open arms. The audience willing and eager to devour everything thrown at them, Shai-Hulud would approve.
Between the Buried and Me - The technical prowess on show over this whole festival has been astounding, but it gets taken up yet another notch with veterans BTBAM. Genre fluid movements flow like fine wine, brutal and melodic, folk are dancing around outside like kids in a playground, a joyous release in every way, really rather good.
Inter Arma – In amongst the alternative, math and post rock offerings nestle Georgia natives Inter Arma. Stunning brutality is the order of the day here, utterly levelling the place as they go. Drummer T J Childers is a blur of limbs, orchestrating everything from behind his kit. Captivating from beginning to end.
Ahab - Come along with me my hearty captain as we venture forth on this galleon bound for the deepest sea. Funeral doom outfit Ahab are more than a match for this fourth day festival crowd. Funeral doom suggests dourness and sadness, this was anything but, the drummer in particular was grinning and smiling his way through the whole set. Deliciously slow, heavy and transcendent, it was a triumph.
Clown Core - “Musical geniuses but completely mad in the head”, these sage words were uttered from Tom (not that one) and pretty much sums up all you need to know about this band. I almost wanted to not like them but they blew me away with their insane visuals and quite frankly, scarcely believable musicianship. The crowd lost it’s collective shit when the AI generated porn came on the gigantic screens behind them too, mental, enthralling and bonkers, this was a set that will be talked about for a while I reckon.
God is an Astronaut - Post rock royalty next, after the sensory assault of Clown Core, this was much more accessible. I was whole wholeheartedly swept away on the gossamer thin strands of ethereal post rock. Completely lost in the moment, this was the perfect wind down after an emotional day, like putting on my favourite pair of slippers in front of the fire in winter, this was stunning.
Tesseract – And so, we come to the final band of the whole festival which fell to Tesseract. The stage set up was awe inspiring, the band looking like they’d just stepped out of a space ship from their own dimension. Dan Tomkins was in fine voice. These guys are a well oiled machine and coming at the end of their album touring cycle, this was laser tooled sonic precision.
So, how to sum up this majestic festival. I know I say this every year, but it really is like coming home, there is no other festival like it, filled with like minded outcasts and chin scratching weirdos (and I mean that in the nicest possible sense as I am one of those people). I feel calm as soon as I get here and leaving is a heart wrenching experience. This year was as emotional as it gets, like a lot of the music on show, I was higher than the sun one minute, then floored with emotion and feeling like bawling my eyes out the next. My goodness this is just the best weekend, thank you to everyone who makes this thing the way it is, see you next year.
