One of the UK’s most distinctive gatherings for progressive, experimental and heavy music has unveiled its full program. The ArcTanGent Festival will return this summer to Fernhill Farm in Somerset, just outside Bristol, bringing four days of genre-bending performances spanning math rock, post-rock, avant-metal, doom, and experimental electronic music.
The festival’s final announcement adds a wave of highly anticipated acts to an already ambitious lineup. Among the latest confirmations are cult British progressive rock legends Cardiacs, Danish blackgaze outfit MØL, and rising UK punk-metal act Witch Fever. They are joined by American mathcore group The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza, British singer-songwriter A.A. Williams, Bristol experimental act Scaler, and a special live silent-disco set from Australian rock band Battlesnake.
These additions complete a lineup already packed with influential names from across the heavier and more experimental ends of modern music. Headlining the 2026 edition are dark folk and industrial icon Chelsea Wolfe, legendary alternative rock innovators Primus, and Swedish post-metal titans Cult of Luna performing “Mariner” in full alongside collaborator Julie Christmas to celebrate the album’s 10th anniversary.
Elsewhere on the bill, fans can expect performances from a wide spectrum of experimental heavy music. Avant-garde electronic-metal artist Igorrr joins atmospheric blackgaze pioneers Alcest, cult UK progressive band Sikth, grindcore legends Napalm Death and synthwave powerhouse Perturbator. The festival will also host sets from acts such as Arcane Roots, Chat Pile, High on Fire and Agent Fresco.
Across four days of programming, the lineup will be distributed between multiple stages, including performances by bands such as Nordic Giants, Conjurer, Nothing, Mass of the Fermenting Dregs, Oathbreaker, Eivør, TTNG, Master Boot Record, Pupil Slicer, and many more emerging experimental acts from around the world.
Festival organiser James Scarlett celebrated the completion of the lineup, noting the excitement surrounding the final announcement: the booking of the long-requested Cardiacs, the reunion of Youthmovies, and the first UK appearance by The Tony Danza Tapdance Extravaganza all mark key moments in what is shaping up to be one of the festival’s strongest editions. According to Scarlett, ticket demand has already been exceptionally high and the event is expected to sell out.
Since its launch in 2013, ArcTanGent has grown into one of Europe’s most respected festivals dedicated to progressive and experimental music. Known for its adventurous programming and welcoming community atmosphere, the festival continues to attract fans eager to explore the outer edges of rock, metal and avant-garde sound.
Tickets for ArcTanGent Festival 2026 are currently on sale, with organisers warning that availability is increasingly limited as the August event approaches.
ArcTanGent Festival has completed its 2026 lineup, confirming Cardiacs, MØL and Witch Fever among the final additions for the event taking place August 19–22, 2026 at Fernhill Farm near Bristol.