Preview: 12 Essential Bands to See at ArcTanGent Festival 2024

ArcTanGent Festival has showcased some of the best acts from math rock, post-rock, progressive and tech metal for a decade. Add in a dose of experimental music, and you’re considerably left with one of the UK’s unique festivals. Since launching in 2013, it’s grown to become a highlight on the alternative music festival calendar, constantly showcasing a host of great and weird acts, constantly expanding its sonic palette.

2024 sees ArcTanGent in a celebratory mood with a stellar line-up to mark its 10th anniversary. Over four days, Compton Martin near Bristol will host over 100 acts from around the world.

It’s safe to say ArcTanGent Festival 2024 has plenty to offer. From influential post-rock bands to brooding black metal, compelling math-rock to dizzying tech metal, and beyond. As there is so much to see, we’re doing our duty by highlighting 12 essential bands to watch at ArcTanGent Festival 2024, along with a few other noteworthy recommendations.

12 Essential Bands | Best of the Rest

Explosions In The Sky

Seven years on from closing the Arc stage, the Texan instrumental post-rock outfit will make their return to ATG on Friday night. Throughout their career, the quartet have repeatedly shown an ability to craft compelling narratives without uttering a word. Utilising dramatic crescendos, Explosions In The Sky tends to gently draw you in with gorgeous atmospheric tones.

With their music featured in a wealth of TV shows, films, and commercials, the back catalogue is filled with moments of musical delights that you can get lost in. Amongst them is ‘Your Hand in Mine,’ considerably their signature track yet as last year’s ‘The End’ record showed, EITS are still able to sweep you away on tracks such as ‘Ten Billion People’ and ‘Loved Ones’.

Explosions In The Sky are guaranteed to deliver a stunning and sublime wall of sound as they return to ArcTanGent.

Where & When: Main Stage on Thursday @ 9:40pm

Baroness

Georgia metallers Baroness will be making their debut at ATG, yet with their mix of sludge, metal, and prog elements they are sure to be more than welcomed by the masses. Led by John Baizley, the quartet has routinely shown their versatility for 20 years. Whether that’s on the rumbling ‘March to the Sea’, ‘Last Words’ soaring chugs, or ‘Take My Bones Away’s infectious groove, Baroness‘ musical breadth is wide yet cohesive and consistent.

In a live setting, they’re thrilling and can steal the show of any stage they step onto. Don’t be surprised if they do the same as they make their ArcTanGent bow on Friday.

Where & When: Main Stage on Thursday @ 5:30pm

Julie Christmas

Whether through her time fronting Made Out of Babies, collaborating with Cult of Luna, or through her solo work, Julie Christmas has built a reputation as one of alternative’s most acrobatic vocalists. This past June saw her return with ‘Ridiculous and Full of Blood Review’, her first solo outing in 14 years.

With a backing band that includes guitarist/vocalist Johannes Persson of Cult of Luna, and bassist/producer Andrew Schneider (Kenmode/ Unsane), Christmas explores a range of emotions. Her delivery on ‘End of the World’ is venomous before sounding euphoric on ‘Silver Dollars’. All the while her band conjurer up a stirring, monstrous sound that treads on post-metal, hardcore, and sludge with hints of avant-garde.

Her ArcTanGent debut has all the ingredients to riveting with her hypnotic and vicious range sure to leave a lasting impression.

Where & When: Main Stage on Thursday @ 3:50pm

Pleiades

Last September, Manchester-based five-piece Pleiades returned with ‘Affinity With’, a versatile collection of post-hardcore. Proving to be equally melodic and abrasive, Pleiades are an ideal fit for ArcTanGent and well worth waking up early for on Thursday (along with itoldyouiwouldeatyou).

‘Affinity With’ weaves in tales of 18th century Russian emperor Alexander I and his escape, and Amos Clift, a lighthouse keeper who witnessed how sociocultural escalated to starvation in San Francisco. Throughout the record, vocalist Andrew Calderbank takes on the roles of these historic figures, conveying their emotions with precision whether that be passionate or vulnerable. He’s backed by a band who have plenty of finesse and dynamism, showcasing a variety of textures.

Where & When: Yohkai Stage on Thursday @ 11:35am

Unpeople

Unpeople‘s ethos is about unity through discontent, and after delivering a well-received self-titled debut EP back in April, they’re heading to ArcTanGent to spread their brand of melodic metal. In their arsenal, they have a melodic flair that’s infectious enough to brighten up a doom-loving ATG punter.

‘Unpeople’ proved to be a constant highlight, not only showcasing their hooks but a healthy amount of riffs too. They arrive at Arc after a series of festival spots including 2000trees. They also supported Metallica in Austria this summer too. Unpeople are clearly destined for bigger things, so get on the train now at ATG.

Where & When: Bixler Stage on Thursday @ 12:45pm

Night Verses

After going at it for 14 years, the world is finally taking notice of Night Verses. The past March saw the Los Angeles-based trio release the of‘ Every Sound Has A Color In The Valley Of Night’. While its September 2023 “Part 1” was impressive, the full 14 track collection proved to be even more staggering. With its polyrhythmic complexities, expansive tones, dense riffs, and occasional guest vocal features (including Anthony Green and Incubus’ Brandon Boyd), Night Verses‘ fourth full-length was a stunning feat in instrumental metal.

Dynamically exploring prog, post-rock, post-metal, art rock, and shoegaze in their cacophony of sounds, Night Verses are an ideal band for ArcTanGent. Expect to witness crushing riffs from Nick DePirro, Reilly Herrera’s insatiable bass grooves, and Aric Improta’s riveting drum work as Night Verses aim to steal the weekend.

Where & When: The Yohkai Stage on Friday @ 5:05pm

Blood Command

You can always expect to have a good time when Blood Command rolls into town. With firecracker vocalist Nikki Brumen now firmly settled into the Norwegian outfit, there’s no stopping them, On past evidence, they’re not afraid to step up when it matters most, bringing their brand of “deathpop” to the party whenever and wherever they can. Undoubtedly, Blood Command thrives in a live setting with Brunmen’s dynamic vocal range and star-quality charisma.

Their latest album, ‘World Domination’, was an adrenaline rush of metallic punk blasts, chugging riffing, and hip-shaking melodies, with flashes of euro-pop, techno, and hip-hop. Add that to their energetic live show, and you’re left with what’s sure to be an exhilarating outing.

Where & When: PX3 Stage on Friday @ 7:40pm

Mogwai

They got them! For ten years, Mogwai have been one of the, if not the biggest, sought-after bands for ArcTanGent, It’s fitting that as the festival celebrates its 10th anniversary the Scottish instrumentalist will make their ATG debut.

With a vast discography stretching back 27 years, Mogwai has interlaced elements of shoegaze, math rock, art rock, and much more during that time. From 1997’s influential ‘Young Team’ to the synth-leaning ‘Rave Tapes’ to ‘Happy Songs for Happy People’s conciseness, Mogwai‘s style and tone is truly expansive. In a live setting, they’ve been labelled as being cathartic, taking fans on a rollercoaster. After waiting for ten years, the ATG masses will be queuing up for this transcendent thrill ride.

As an added treat for Mogwai, guitarist Stuart Braithwaite will be interviewed on the Elephant in the Bar Room Stage on Saturday morning. He’ll also be performing as part of the post-rock “supergroup” Silver Moth on the Yohkai stage that afternoon.

Where & When: Main Stage on Saturday @ 9:30pm

Brontide

Having appeared at the very first ArcTanGent in 2013, Brontide will be playing their first show in seven years at this year’s event. In their nine years together, the instrumental trio crafted two impressive full-length albums in ‘Sans Souci’ and ‘Artery,’ demonstrating precision in their execution. Just listen to how ‘Bare My Bones’ soars, or how the tension builds on ‘Matador’. More recently, “comeback” track ‘Mineral’ shined with cinematic charm, sounding truly epic in the process.

As anticipated returns to ATG go, Brontide are likely to top the list. Their often indefinable sound touches on the hallmarks of ArcTanGent; post-rock, art rock, prog, and more.

Where & When: Yohkai Stage on Saturday @ 6:35pm

Bossk

It could be suggested that the rise of ArcTanGent has coincided with Bossk‘s increasing influence on post-metal. With a heavy, shapeshifting sound, the Kent outfit are ATG regulars and it’s easy to see why. At times they can be thoroughly punishing with visceral density, especially when Simon Wright’s scathing vocals are added to the mix. Bossk also have a tendency to be tranquil and expansive, sucking you in prog-laden flourishes only to pummel you with a destructive wall of sound.

Scheduled to play two sets across the weekend, Bossk promises to give plenty of surprises for their first set on Wednesday night. While on the main stage on Saturday, they’ll be bringing the riffs in abundance.

Where & When: The Yohkai stage on Wednesday @ 8:45pm / Main Stage on Saturday @ 2:35pm

Vower

With members coming from Black Peaks, Palm Reader and Toska, even on paper Vower sound like an exciting prospect. This was extended last month when they dropped debut EP. Consisting of four songs, ‘Apricity’ truly marked the arrival of one of UK’s most exciting new bands. Led by the enormous vocals of Josh McKeown (formerly of Palm Reader), Rabea Massaad (ex-Toska) supplies dizzying guitars alongside Joe Gosney (Black Peaks), while bassist Rory McLean and drummer Liam Kearley (Black Peaks) merely add to the heavy brilliance.

Blending post-hardcore and post-metal, especially on ‘Eyes Of A Nihilist’, Vower showed their intent on ‘Apricity’, and now they’re heading to AcTanGent. With its members having experienced ATG in the past, Vower are certain to be welcomed with open arms.

Where & When: Yohkai Stage on Saturday @ 2pm.

Din of Celestial Birds

One thing ArcTanGent constantly does is highlight and celebrate homegrown gems that you might not hear or see at other festivals. This year they’re welcoming back Din of Celestial Birds. The Leeds-based outfit delivered one of post-rock’s best releases of 2023 in ‘The Night Is For Dreamers’. Their appearance at last year’s ATG was one of the most talked about.

Since then, they’ve played several festivals (Damnation: A Night Of Salvation, StrangeForms, Dunk! and Portals) delivering stunning and intense sets with their majestic brand of instrumental post-rock. Their second ATG outing sees them appearing as part of the early bird Wednesday bill. Set for a mid-afternoon slot, stunning tracks such as ‘I Love You But It’s Killing Me’ and ‘Junebug’ are sure to kickstart the weekend in impressive fashion.

Where & When: Yohkai on Wednesday. @ 14:50pm

The Best of the Rest

And So I Watch You From Afar

One of several bands loved by the ATG masses, ASIWYFA will close out the early bird day on Wednesday with a fan-voted set, before showcasing their new released ‘Megafauna’ in full on late Saturday afternoon.

Blanket

Longtime Already Heard favourites Blanket are one of several late additions to ArcTanGent, and comes off the back of delivering their most cohesive album to date. ‘Ceremonia’ highlighted the quartet’s versatility, throwing in BritPop and grunge into their shoegaze and post-rock bag of tricks. Catch them on the Yohkai stage on Thursday afternoon.

Year of No Light

This French post-metal outfit delivered one of my favourite albums of 2021 in ‘Consolamentum’. Dwelling in low end instrumentation and utilising elements of sludge, their Friday afternoon set on the main stage should be heavy and compelling.

Amenra

Brooding black-metal via Belgium, Amenra wallow in gloriously bleak with an expansive, albeit monotone, pallet of sounds. Constantly pushing the boundaries of extreme music, their Thursday evening set should be an audio and visual delight.

El Moono

A late call-up to the ATG bill, El Moono are a welcomed late addition. The Brighton-based four-piece recently their acclaimed debut album, ‘The Waking Sun’, this past spring and have been winning over new fans ever since. Their assured blend of post-hardcore, alt-metal and post-metal provides a sprawling collection of songs that are sure to shake off those blurry hangovers early on Friday afternoon.

Every Hell

With former Black Peaks personnel, vocalist Will Gardner and bassist Andrew Gosden, in their ranks, Every Hell will finally make their ATG debut this weekend. Originally scheduled to play last year’s event, Gardner suffered from laryngitis, resulting in the band pulling out after performing with his other band, Skin Failure. Nevertheless, Every Hell are now ready and raring to go and have released a steady stream of raw singles over the past 12 months. Tracks such as ‘Freaking Out’ and ‘The Watcher’ have proven to be raucous, occasionally sultry, and intense. This is sure to be another stepping stone to bigger things.

And Finally…

Go and see the following:

Delta Sleep
Meshuggah
Ihsahn
Pijn
Itoldyouiwouldeatyou
Urne
Bo Ningen
Sun Spot
HAAL
Zetra
Three Trapped Tigers (playing their final show)
earthtone9 (Fact: ArcTanGent is the title of the band’s third album, and where the festival got its name from)