ArcTanGent Festival is back for its final year at Fernhill Farm with what could be one of the best line-ups they’ve ever blessed us with. Still planning your itinerary? Here are some personal recommendations for bands you can’t miss…

Words by Maya Rutherford | Aug 10, 2026

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Wednesday once again proves to be just as good as the full days that follow, with what will no doubt be the perfect start to your four days at ArcTanGent. Make sure you check out The Grey in the PX3 tent at 13:35. They’re a 3-piece largely instrumental band from Cambridge; Still riding on the high from their latest album Kodok, blending post-metal themes that flow into a fable, leaving you feeling like you’ve just experienced the heaviest orchestral concert of a lifetime. Very nice lads.  

After running between the two stages for the rest of the day, prepare yourself for some fun over in Yokhai from 23:45, where Cork lads God Alone will be treating you to a Silent Disco. Self-described as “dance-infused math-rock”. These bouncy boys will be playing a “club bangers” silent disco, including some of their own best tracks, great if you fancy a little boogie to start the festival.

Hopefully you won’t be needing the ibuprofen after dancing in the early hours, and you’ll be able to get up bright and early, as on Thursday we have London-based IAN kicking things off on the Arc stage at 11:00. Their debut album ‘Come On Everybody, Let’s Do Nothing!’ released last October has already left fans begging for more. If you’re a Cult of Luna or Amenra fan, you’ll be impressed by the crisp dynamic between their post-rock riffs and moving cello moments. IAN are definitely ones to watch. 

In the Yokhai tent, we have the phenomenal Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza at 18:35. Reforming last year with some original members and a new album on the way, the fans are very excited indeed. They released their first single since 2012 earlier this year, which was very well received, paving the way for what promises to be one hell of a new album. 

Friday brings us Rugby-based Conjurer on the Arc stage at 14:40, sludgey post-metal with an impressive touring and collaboration history; they’ve accelerated in musical maturity and show no signs of slowing down; the latest release, UNSELF, is a testament to how far they have come.

Stay in the Arc tent for a treat, as Japanese post-hardcore group Mass Of The Fermenting Dregs are up next at 16:00, mixing melodic vocals with mathy-shoegaze. They are criminally underrated and have been busy recording a new album; their Instagram posts have created waves of hype and excitement. This set will not be one to miss. 

Saturday will be the day you will have to roll yourself out of your tent and into the Yokhai tent for the live 10:00 recording of the 2 Promoters 1 Pod special episode. Last year, the recording drew a crowd larger than some of the bands. The pod itself gives a great insight into the under-the-hood experience of music promotion, a side of the scene not many of us get to see, discussed in an engaging exchange between James and Gav. A great and gentle way to start your last day.

At 14:45 in the PX3 tent, Manchester-based Leeched bring some industrial dabbling metalcore to delight your ears. They will bring a merciless performance, giving you a punch of energy to make it through the final few hours of the festival. 

Oathbreaker are shortly after on the Arc stage at 16:15; back after a hiatus with their poetic lyrics and a hammering atmospheric sound, they often leave their audience totally transfixed. They’ve just released a remaster of their incredible album, Rheia, which I implore everyone to listen to, and their ArcTanGent set is likely to be a defining one for their comeback era. 

At 20:00 on the PX3 stage, Pupil Slicer cannot be missed. Mathcore woven grind; the time signatures will twist and turn you, with music inspired by the likes of Dillinger Escape Plan, Botch, and video games including Outer Wilds and a personal favourite, FFXIV: Endwalker. They are definitely a band to keep an eye on.

After what will be a core memory-making performance by Cult of Luna and Julie Christmas, make sure you finish your festival off with Battle Snake’s silent disco in the Yokhai tent at 23:10. Always incredibly fun to watch, I have no doubt that they will bring the same energy and fun to their silent disco set. A fitting farewell party for our Fernhill Farm home.