A love letter to ArcTanGent’s final year at Fernhill Farm
Words & Photos: Nadine Ballantyne
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This year, we bid farewell to Fernhill Farm; what’s been ArcTanGent’s home for 12 years. Next year sees the site moving to the Midlands. They’ve squashed concerns confirming it’ll still be the same intimate stages, just a new, more accessible location (that hopefully attracts more worldwide bands).
A weekend of regulars, first timers and the best silent disco any festival has to offer. It’s a complete sell-out year, and worthy so.
Photo: Nadine Ballantyne / Heck
Wednesday
We start easy and early with a whirlwind of soundscapes by regulars Lost In Kiev (8/10). A band who curate their set every time they play, and every time feels like a different experience.
Cardiacs (8/10), now with added Mike Vennart, come out to a delighted audience who didn’t think they’d get to see them live again. It feels anarchic and takes every ounce of your brain to concentrate on the different musicianship of each member and what they’re disjointedly playing. One of those bands you’ll need to lie down in a cosy field after.
We jump to the more groovy Alpha Male Tea Party (7/10), a band back from a recent touring break. Still sounding aggressive, the band’s melodies are a welcome break before we head over to SikTh (6/10), where the classic line-up has been reunited and sees them headline the Yohkai stage - which is looking rather dashing and bigger this year. It’s a straightforward set from the gang whilst the crowd, as predicted, goes crazy even for the opening night.
Thursday
What other festival can you kick off your day with some lovely doom metal by Witchsorrow (7/10). It’s midday, and the tent is packed out for these dark and battle jacket-loving maniacs.
From this, to Otayonii (9/10) playing solo on the main stage. I’d describe it as chaotic good. We definitely need more women shouting at us all at festivals. Otayonii doesn’t hesitate to get deep into the crowd from song one - partly feeling like an art installation that doesn’t give you a choice, you’re going to see and hear this one-woman band whether you like it or not.
Upcomers Bucket (8/10) are a three-piece Irish band oozing old school noise rock and electro influences whilst giving the audience an energetic live show to match.
Over to Yohkai stage for some more noise with Ronker (9/10), who give off “plucky young band” vibes. They give the stacked amps a good test of sturdiness as they bravely jump back and forth.
The beauty of ATG and it being an intimate site is the short walk between stages. If you fancy dashing for half-and-half sets, you can.
Back over to the main stage, we catch Nordic Giants (6/10), who play against a wall of revamped visuals. It’s a classic set from the duo and a needed cool down before watching The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza (7/10), which in itself is a hell of a name, and if you’re in the ‘I’m going to check out this band because of the weird name’ game, this band is quite the surprise. This is the first time the band have played the UK, so it’s no surprise the crowd go off explosive, it’s a never-ending barrage of crowdsurfers. Musically, it’s punishingly chaotic, almost as if Dillinger and Frontierer came together and decided your ears needed to be assaulted.
Igorrr (10/10), an opera/techno/extreme metal band that blend theperfect amount of performative theatrics and breakdowns. It’s a standout set of the festival. Singer Gautier deep stares into a crowd who are lapping it up. Igorrr are future headliners.
After a day of erratic pits and crowdsurfers, headliners Chelsea Wolfe (8/10) tone it down with majestic light visuals, gothic vibes, and a calm end to the night. The set is beautifully balanced, but you can’t it’s hard not to think about the previous act, Igorrr, who at times came across as more of a headliner...
Friday
We’re thankful for the wonderful sunshine today. Wednesday night we had our doubts the tent would survive, but the sun’s out and Conjurer (7/10) are on the main stage, where they deserve to be. A band we’ve seen grow over the last few years, both musically and creatively.
A set we the we were never going to miss, Heck (9/10), who play their last show ever. And they actually mean it this time. We saw them previously at ATG for their “last show”, and we’re glad to be back again to witness the pure raw chaos that is Heck, a band who spend more time off stage than on and never misses a beat. Singer Matt ends up climbing the highest we’ve seen someone accomplish yet on the tent pillars. They’re the reason “climb = show stop” signs are printed.
Another band returning to ArcTanGent for an exclusive set are Arcane Roots (8/10). Either the organisers must have some truly magical powers to persuade bands to come play ATG, or it truly is a festival where the bands are fans and just want to spend time here. It’s a noble set by the band, giving fans the experience they were expecting, best of all, the smiles seen on stage. It’s enchanting to see a band happy to be back.
One of our favourite discoveries of the weekend is Perturbator (9/10), despite hearing 5 different pronunciations of the band’s name. Set up as a duo on stage with just drums and keys/guitar, the French musician lets the light show do the talking. Suddenly feeling like I’m in an 80s game with its industrial guitar tones and analogue-sounding electronic beats.
From feeling like I’m in the matrix to feeling like I’m about to get obliterated, Napalm Death (10/10) definitely gets the biggest crowd of the weekend in the Yohkai tent as legends of grindcore. The crowd were so captivated that they played the shortest song in the world twice.
It’s been noted Primus (8/10) at ATG is one of the biggest selling days they’ve had, and you can certainly feel the difference with queues and space. A notable number of young people take up the barrier, costumes galore, little homages to their eccentric aura. Primus brought the funk, and the crowd brought the energy. A tip of the hat, and Les Claypool walks off stage to worthy applause.
Saturday
We kick off our final day with lowheaven (6/10), a fun little Canadian band that was described as a blend of “screamo and blackened noise”. Despite performing early, the band was full of energy. We watched the bassist accidentally flick kick his shoe off somewhere behind the stage.
Keeping it heavy, we fly by Leeched (8/10), one look at the singer and, well, if looks could kill, that stare could have taken out the entire tent. Heavy industrial chugs and deathly screams; what’s not to relish?
We heard someone describe Oathbreaker (8/10) as “good stompy music”, and honestly, it’s pretty accurate. Another band who’ve utilised the visuals in their art to create an unforgettable live experience as they start contained and suddenly break out into heavy ferocity. Vocalist Caro’s screams are truly spellbinding.
Another band returning for ATG, the one and only Jamie Lenman (7/10), who retired some years ago from music, but has returned for a one-off set. Jamie quips he’s the only artist who’s talked themselves down a bill for their own convenience. Despite the sounds coming across a little thin (previously, his live shows have sounded beefy), Jamie is a natural with the crowd and gives us a Reuben song as a treat.
Chat Pile (9/10) are another standout band this weekend. One of those bands that sound better live than on record. With a hint of old school influences, sludgy basslines and lyrics that show the absurdities of modern USA, it’s an unforgettable set. As vocalist Raygun constantly strolls back and forth, he gives us in-between song chats of movies to watch (and not watch) and a story about their little trip to Stone Henge. Truly wholesome band and set.
High On Fire (9/10). Holy hell. We thought Napalm Death would beloud but High On Fire might have topped it. Guitarist and singer Matt casually strolls out shirtless, unfazed and ready to destroy. A giant inflatable spliff bounces around the crowd in the darkness as bodies fly over the barrier.
We come to our final headliners at Fernhill Farm. Cult of Luna & Julie Christmas (8/10) deliver a truly unique set to celebrate the album ‘Mariner’ in full. The vocals from Julie are sensational throughout. A barrage of smoke and lights consistently back light the band in a chaotic yet atmospheric way. Even through the smoke, you can see the emotion and angst from the band.
It’s been a year of one-of-a-kind sets, monumental returns, and heartfelt goodbyes. ArcTanGent continues to prove why it’s the best UK festival for alt rock and metal, a one-of-a-kind place to discover your favourite new band. Tickets are on sale at a discount for next year.
Visit https://ww.arctangent.co.uk/ for more information.