With Arctangent 2026 coming up soon, I thought I’d put together some tips for people arriving to the festival for the first time. I’ve also added things for the solo traveller, because arriving at a festival on your own can be really intimidating.
2026 is only my third ATG, so there may be bits I’ve missed, if so, please message me or let me know in the comments and I’ll update this page.
I’ve also recommended some bands, because you have to, don’t you?
General Advice
Drink more water!
There’s a fair chance that 2026 is going to be really hot. Take some electrolytes and have some water along with your booze.
Sunscreen and shade are the way forward.
Camping
Unlike some festivals, the parking isn’t that far from the campsites, so making two runs to the car isn’t that much of an issue. There’s no need to break yourself trying to bring everything in on one trip.
The camping area to the festival site is less than 10 minutes from the furthest point of the gen pop camping. It’s very easy to get from the arena to your tent.
It can get really cold at night. Like sleeping in all your clothes cold. Make sure you bring warm clothes and a heavy sleeping bag or duvet. It might stay warm at night, but it’s best to be prepared.
Bring an eye mask and earplugs.
Seriously. I can’t begin to explain how much this has improved my festival camping experience. Tents get very bright and it will wake you up in the morning. As for the earplugs, it’s just noisy in general. These two, really fucking obvious additions are a game changer.
Don’t be a dick.
ATG goers are usually very good for this, but remember that you are camped with hundreds of people within the sound of your speaking voice. You might not want to sleep, but others do. So please be mindful.
Travel john
Drank too much beer and having to get in and out of your tent all night? This will save you the hassle, and a much easier target than trying to use a bottle.
Solo camping
There is an ATG solo traveler page on Facebook where you can talk to other fellow solo people. They’re a lovely bunch. I’ve been solo for both of my trips to Fernhill and have had no problems meeting people / having a great time.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/arctangentsolos
This is where the solo camp site is this year.
You should also be able to find the camp ground with the Snoop Hogg flag (it’s a pig wind sock) that someone brings along. It’s a really useful landmark. Sorry for the terrible photo.
We’ll be delighted to see you and share the festival experience / some beverages.
Festival arena
ATG is a very small festival. All the stages are in tents. All the stages are clearly named and are within a few minutes walk of each other.
The switch over between bands is really short because James Scarlet is kind of insane, and wants to get as many bands playing as possible in a day. There’s about five minutes to switch stages. You stop for food / beer / a piss and you’re going to miss some music. It’s a bit annoying to be honest, but it keeps you on your toes.
You can bring your own alcohol into the site, but as the festival makes money from the bars, they ask you to buy some beer from them as well. Heroes buy Beeros.
There is never a long queue for the bars. Arbor Ales provides the beer, and it’s really good stuff.
Earplugs.
The sound quality at ATG is really good. However, it is really fucking loud. As with all live music, you are best using ear protection.
I used Alpine, but there are lots of options out there.
https://www.alpinehearingprotection.co.uk/collections/earplugs
The merch tent.
There will be a queue for this opening on Wednesday and Thursday. Really.
ATG goers take their merch seriously. If you do too, then get there early.
Food
Bunny Chow
This is a South African curry, served in a loaf of bread. It’s one of the best food stalls at the festival, but be warned! It is spicy. They sell a mild version, half and half, and spicy. Even the half and half mix is enough to raise a sweat. I have no idea how people eat the spicy version, and I say this as someone with a fair tolerance for spicy food.
There is a van that makes an amazing breakfast, but I was too hungover to remember its name. Just look for the queue I guess. People have suggested that this is Suzie’s. Thanks folks.
I’ve found the food surprisingly uninspiring at ATG, which is a shame, so if anyone reading this can recommend food vans to me, I’d be delighted.
Connectivity
There is almost no phone signal on site. This is important to know, because you need to screenshot your ticket before you get to the site. You should be ok on Wednesday, early in the day, but as the site fills up the local cell tower gets overloaded. I’ve been told EE works fine, but I can’t confirm that.
There is a free wifi point on site, but only in one location. Don’t rely on your phone to arrange meeting people.
Bands
I can’t not talk about bands, but I won’t bother with the big hitters. Here’s some smaller bands you should be checking out.
Wednesday
Wednesday is the day where bands that went down well the year before come back, kind of like a victory lap. It’s a fun day as everyone is settling in and just having a good time. Although it’s worth reminding you that you probably should pace yourself. This is a marathon, not a sprint. Unless you’re in your 20’s, then go nuts, I’m not your dad.
These three are returning from 2025 and were some of the best acts of the festival. I’m sure they will be as good this year.
Overhead, the Albatross
My favourite band right now. No one sounds like them. Their mix of electronica and post rock is the most cathartic music you can dance to. They are easily going to be one of the highlights of the weekend. They just should have been higher on the bill.
Dimscûa
Their debut last year will be the stuff of legend, let’s see if they can do it again. (I’m very sure they can) Crushing, AmenRa inspired post metal.
Lost in Kyiv
One of the best post rock bands on the bill. The new album is a lot heavier than their older music. Expect twinkily, pretty post rock with some really big riffs.
Thursday
Bruise Blood
Mike Bourne from Teeth of the Sea playing the silent disco with his solo project. I’m not sure exactly what to expect as the album was a bit patchy, but some form of evil electronica would be a good bet. If he’s half as good solo as Teeth of the Sea, it’ll be an amazing show.
IAN
If Godspeed were a post metal band who really like Neurosis. Yup. Get excited.
It’s going to be a full on start to the day.
L.O.E (Last of Eden)
Post rock with a really strong live show. Their album, Chiaroscuro, is great.
Psychonaut
This should be one of the highlights of the weekend. Impressive proggy metal, with lots of energy and big riffs.
Friday
Wildernesses
Mixing alt rock with a touch of shoegaze and post rock, Wildernesses are well worth your time. Their song English Darkness is one of the songs of the year.
Barrens
They walk the line between post rock and metal and do it very, very well. Honestly, they don’t need much more hyping.
Arcane Roots
Delighted to see AR reform. Their last album Melancholia Hymns, is a perfect mix of alt rock and prog. They were an amazing live band and I’m hoping that their time away hasn’t dulled their performance.
Scaler
I don’t know a band who are as different live as they are on record as Scaler. Their last album was a muted dance album that veered into Trip Hop, but live, they are (or at least were last time I saw them) a ferocious mix of guitar and techno. So I’ll be front and centre for this and then nip out for the last 30 minutes of Primus. Hopefully I’ll catch Primus playing Tommy the Cat.
Saturday
Forlorn
Looking for a band to scratch the same kind of itch as Rolo Tommasi? Forlorn play what I would have once described as Holy Roar metalcore. And they do it really well.
Lowheaven
Crossing Deftones with Neurosis is a hell of a high concept pitch but Lowhaven makes it work. Melodic when needed and crushing when let loose. I’m very annoyed that they are clashing with Din of Celestial Birds though…
Din of Celestial Birds
One of the best post rock bands out there. Their new album is one of the most uplifting records that I’ve heard in ages. That clash tho…
A.A.Williams
Her music has been called a lot of things, death gospel, dark folk, goth, but it doesn’t matter. Closer to folk / goth post rock, A.A. will be one of the weekend highlights as she and her band are a well oiled machine at this point and she can hold a crowd in the palm of her hand.
The ways of exile 