The fourth edition of ArcTanGent proved to be the best yet. A stacked lineup full of experimental and unusual music. Despite a damp weather prediction proving correct, no amount of mud could dampen the spirits of some 5,000 music fanatics. Here's our review of the festival in the format of a series of Math Rock Times ArcTanGent Awards in the following categories:
Best in Math Rock
Best in Post Rock
Best Electronic Artist
Weirdest Artist
Best Artist With Vocals
Surprise Package of the Festival
Best Newcomer
Best Production
Happiest Band
Best in Math Rock
Winners: Toe
Honourable Mentions: Body Hound, Axes, Delta Sleep, Totorro, TTNG
As usual, ATG featured some of the best math rock bands around. Although Toe are not the most stereotypical math rock band, their ingenious blend of jazz/math fusion was astounding. They put in a set that combined technical prowess with intense passion and a telepathic communication between all members of the band.
Best in Post Rock
Winners: Mono
Honourable Mentions: Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Caspian, Yndi Halda, Nordic Giants
This was an incredibly tough one to choose. Ultimately, Mono produced a set that was simply flawless. Tender, heart-wrenching melodies soared into frantic walls of noise and each time the crescendo peaked, the band was able to find yet another gear to step up. This is a band at the very top of their game and they produced a set of the utmost quality.
Best Electronic Artist
Winners: Three Trapped Tigers
Honourable Mentions: Quadrupede, Adam Betts, Alarmist
Noisy electro-math three-piece Three Trapped Tigers have been at the forefront of the experimental scene ever since their first EP was released in 2008. Yet again this set proved them to be absolutely pivotal to the UK music scene. Their intense yet almost effortless set created a new benchmark for aspiring experimental bands to look up to.
Weirdest Artist
Winners: Space Blood
Honourable Mentions: Zeus, Mutoid Man, Anta
With a three-faced mask, rainbow trousers, confetti cannons and a voiceover that attempted to brainwash the audience into buying the band's merch, drummer and bassist duo Space Blood's bizarre set full of pummelling math/noise deservedly earns them the crown of Weirdest Artist.
Best Artist With Vocals
Winners: Alma
Honourable Mentions: Arcane Roots, Black Peaks, Samoans, Delta Sleep
Most ArcTanGent bands tend to be instrumental, so when a brilliant singer comes along it makes a welcome contrast. Alma's beautifully touching set which centred around Pete Lambrou's vocals was an absolute delight. Soft and brooding but also delicate and optimistic, this was very special indeed.
Slowest Buildup
Winners: Godspeed You! Black Emperor
Honourable Mentions: Mono, Caspian
For a post-rock band, having a slow build-up could either be indicative of flawless composition or of being slow and boring; for Godspeed You! Black Emperor's set, it was absolutely the former. Godspeed are a band who do nothing by half-measures and their perfectionism was epitomised by a set that was truly meditative. They gradually built their compositions into breathtaking climaxes and created a fully immersive, almost spiritual experience.
Best Surprise Package
Winners: Fall of Messiah
Fall of Messiah are a band I'd heard good things about but never listened to before. After stumbling onto their set halfway in, they absolutely blew me away. The band played with tremendous urgency and force and were a joy to watch. Imagine if you took the post-metal edges of Deafheaven and combined them with the euphoric post-rock of Maybeshewill and you arrive somewhere near French five-piece Fall of Messiah. Definitely ones to watch.
Best Newcomer
Winner: Chiyoda Ku
Honourable Mention: Kusanagi
Fresh-faced Chiyoda Ku produced a superb display of riff-based math rock on the PX3 stage and will hopefully be invited back soon. Liverpool-based Kusanagi also produced a blistering set of frenetic (mostly) instrumental rock and ran them very close indeed.
Best Production
Winners: Nordic Giants
Honourable Mention: Godspeed You! Black