ArcTanGent 2026: A Headline Bill for the Ages
ArcTanGent Festival returns to Fernhill Farm near Bristol from 19–22 August 2026, and the newly announced headliners confirm what many already suspected: this is shaping up to be one of the most iconic editions in the festival’s decade-plus history.
TICKETS ON SALE – HERE
A Hat-Trick of Unforgettable Headliners
Primus, the legendary experimental rock trio, will headline the Friday night. Marking their long-overdue debut at ArcTanGent and their first UK show since 2017, this performance promises to be a highlight not just of the weekend, but of ATG history.
Thursday sees the festival welcome Chelsea Wolfe to the main stage. After her original headline slot in 2020 was cancelled due to the pandemic, her return is highly anticipated. Riding high off her acclaimed 2023 record She Reaches Out to She Reaches Out to She, this set promises atmosphere, weight and transcendent beauty.
Closing out the festival on Saturday night is a UK exclusive that will draw in fans from far and wide. Cult of Luna & Julie Christmas will perform their seminal collaboration Mariner in full, celebrating the album’s 10th anniversary. The only UK performance of this monumental album in 2026, it’s a rare moment in heavy music you don’t want to miss.
“This will be an experience, not a performance. Blood, sweat, and tears… light, love, and sound so loud I might shatter.”
— Julie Christmas on revisiting Mariner
Wednesday Warm-Up with SikTh and More
The festival’s expanded four-day format means the party begins early. Wednesday’s headline slot belongs to the genre-defying math-metal pioneers SikTh, who lead a bill that also includes new additions Svalbard, Alpha Male Tea Party, Lost In Kiev, and many more. It’s a celebration of the UK’s underground scene at its most innovative.
New Names and Notable Highlights
Joining the already-announced acts are a host of boundary-pushing artists including grindcore legends Napalm Death, Oakland metal powerhouse High On Fire, post-metal heroes Conjurer, and a UK-exclusive performance from Jo Quail & The Crossbones Ensemble, whose genre-blurring compositions have become festival favourites.
Previously announced artists include Igorrr, Perturbator, Chat Pile, Alcest, Oathbreaker, Agent Fresco, TTNG, Heck, and Bruit ≤, offering a varied and adventurous line-up with something for every fan of the leftfield, the loud, and the uncompromising.
A Festival Like No Other
Organiser James Scarlett summed it up perfectly:
“To have [Primus, Chelsea Wolfe, and Mariner live] all headline ATG in the same year is literally unbelievable – and we’re extremely proud to present a festival line up truly unlike anything else you’ll find on the planet.”
With a reputation for curating some of the most innovative line-ups in the rock, metal, and experimental music scenes, ArcTanGent continues to prove why it’s one of the most beloved independent festivals in Europe.
Tickets for ArcTanGent 2026 are on sale now.
ArcTanGent Festival 2026 — Fernhill Farm, nr. Bristol
Wednesday 19 August – Saturday 22 August 202
More information at https://arctangent.co.uk/
A full list of bands announced today for ArcTanGent Festival 2026
Primus (Friday Headliner) / Chelsea Wolfe (Thursday Headliner) / Cult Of Luna & Julie Christmas performing Mariner (Saturday Headliner) / Napalm Death / SikTh* (Wednesday Headliner) / High On Fire / Conjurer / Jo Quail & The Crossbones Ensemble
FULL LINE-UP SO FAR (New additions in bold)
Primus (Friday Headliner) / Chelsea Wolfe (Thursday Headliner) / Cult Of Luna & Julie Christmas performing Mariner (Saturday Headliner) / Igorrr / Napalm Death / SikTh* (Wednesday Headliner) / Perturbator / Chat Pile / High On Fire / Alcest / Oathbreaker / Agent Fresco / Conjurer / TTNG / Svalbard* / BRUIT ≤ / Amplifier (Silent Disco Live Set) / Heck / Alpha Male Tea Party* / Humanfly / Jo Quail & The Crossbones Ensemble / Psychonaut / Lost In Kiev* / Overhead, The Albatross* / Michael Cera Palin / Darkher / Shearling / Town Portal / Barrens / Blessings / Bucket / Chalk Hands* / DIMSCÛA* / Erotic Secrets of Pompeii / Giant Walker* / The Grey* / HAAL / KLÄMP / Meatdripper / No Violet / Sans Froid* / Swamp Coffin* / Tanzana / Zatokrev / Sara Zozaya
*= Wednesday only
