Heilung | Photo: Day Rutherford

Live Review: A Unique Sonic Journey: ArcTanGent 2023

Over the course of a decade, ArcTanGent festival has carved out a unique niche for itself within the alternative music scene. It proudly boasts billings that are one-of-a-kind, living up to its claim of offering “line-ups you won’t find anywhere else on Earth.” After our recent visit to its sister festival, 2000 Trees, earlier this year, we couldn’t resist exploring what ArcTanGent had in store. Here’s a breakdown of our weekend experience.

Pupil Slicer | Photo: Day Rutherford

Local riff powerhouse, Ogives Big Band, had the pleasure of opening proceedings on Wednesday for those lucky enough to grab an early entry ticket. Spirits were high as the fields started to fill up, and the sun beamed between the tents across the arena. Bicurious got the crowd going and made an already packed out Bixler tent get down and jump up in one last burst of energy before they left the stage. The Wednesday crowd would be further whipped up by Pupil Slicer’s vocalist Kate Davies’ unholy growls. The returning metal-lers were quick to get the mosh pits going.

As the sun started to set over the picturesque scenery of Fernhill Farm, DNVE took to the stage – flawlessly fingering their guitars as they played through their really good set. Scalping came as a surprisingly great way to end the first day. Going into it knowing nothing about them, I found the Bristol based guitar infused dance music to be a breath of fresh air within the lineup. The set also showed off some incredible visuals and some great lighting.

Thursday morning started with an early set from Leed’s post rockers, Din Of Celestial Birds, who received a warm welcome and gave the perfect performance to wake up for. Returning festival favourites Svalbard, felt right at home when they took over the Yohkai Stage in the afternoon. Serena Cherry’s ability to seamlessly switch from dirty gutturals to incredible cleans is a sight to behold.

Empire State Bastard | Photo: Day Rutherford

Easily the loudest band of the weekend came in the form of Empire State Bastard. Formed of Oceansize’s Mike Vennart, and Biffy Clyro’s Simon Neil, their deafening growls could be heard all around as they laid into their set. If there’s any festival this band has felt right for this year, it’s this one. The already incredible day of music was far from over, as the ArcTanGent masses were treated to a set from the ever amazing Brutus. The Belgian trio packed out the Yohkai, leaving little room to get a good space to watch from.

Returning to the Arc stage for the first time since their 2017 set, Converge were the first main stage headliners of the weekend and their metal infused hardcore blend took over the crowd from the first note. Fans would leave the set satisfied with the band’s choice of a double encore, however bittersweet, with the latter of the two being a gut-wrenching cover of Entombed’s ‘Wolverine Blues’ dedicated to late vocalist Lars-Göran Petrov.

Converge | Photo: Day Rutherford

On Friday, the PX3 stage was host to Mother Vulture, who stepped up with less than a week’s notice to replace a band on the line-up. While the tent might have not been packed out the band put on a great show and it really felt like they engaged with everyone who turned up. I definitely look forward to seeing them at one of their own shows in the future. Caligula’s Horse have only played the UK a handful of times, so with the festival managing to bring them all the way from Australia, the set promised to be a good time. The band gave it their all across their short allocated time, even getting a loud “G’day, mate” from the audience. As Storm Betty rolled in bringing with it high winds and heavy downpours, it seemed nothing would dampen the festival goers’ weekends (with a huge sigh of relief being exhaled by all, thanks to the stages being sheltered by tents).

Packed out well before their set time, it was clear that there was a lot of anticipation for Heilung’s set, and they didn’t disappoint. Their ritual was a glorious display of dance, tribal music and cult vibes and was a sure sight to behold. From drumming with human bones, to preparing a human sacrifice, nothing could stop the audience from keeping their eyes locked onto the stage, as they stood in awe for the 90 minute set. When their set finally came to an end the tent erupted into thunderous applause back to front right to left, like nothing I’ve ever seen after a show.

fakeyourdeath | Photo: Day Rutherford

Sunday’s rain soaked early risers were treated to a live rendition of ‘Damnation Vs… ArcTanGent’, which saw both Gavin McInally and James Scarlett sitting down and having an in depth and insightful conversation about putting on a festival. A great way to warm up into the music the day had in store.

While Brighton’s fakeyourdeath might describe their sound as uncomfortable, they had no problem attracting a sizable crowd for their set, inspiring a lot of movement as they laid down their strong sounds. The duo have quickly made a name for themselves, and I see a lot of potential for them in the future.

Devin Townsend | Photo: Day Rutherford

With Tokky Horror sadly having to pull out of the festival due to illness, a disappointing end of the day would come for the Elephant In The Bar Stage as the touted Secret Set had technical issues leading to it having to be pulled altogether. Thankfully the Bixler Stage didn’t have the same issues, allowing Loathe to put on an incredible 50 minute set, as they fired on all cylinders and put on a set to remember.

Unfortunately, the music had to come to an end at some point, but what better note to end the festival on than with the genuinely entertaining Devin Townsend, whose constant joking around accompanied by some great music was the perfect way to say goodbye to ArcTanGent for another year.

As a first-time attendee, there was much to love about the festival, from its perfectly sized layout that minimised sound bleed between stages while maintaining short walking distances to its exceptionally diverse and unique lineup. That being said, the festival wasn’t perfect, often seeing long queues for its toilet facilities, but thankfully those waiting to relieve themselves were often met with facilities that were kept incredibly clean and well stocked with loo roll. I really enjoyed my time across the festival and can’t wait to catch next year’s.

Deafheaven | Photo: Day Rutherford