ARCTANGENT FESTIVAL

Named after a mathematical calculation, ArcTanGent is a haven for prog-leaning music fans, and 2025 brings another kaleidoscopic lineup that twists the genre's tropes through a modern lens.

- CHERI FAULKNER/MATT MILLS/ PHIL WELLER

Kicking off on Wednesday afternoon, Kalandra's melancholic Nordic folk sets the scene as Katrine Stenbekk's haunting vocals float through swathing keyboards and intricate acoustics before Teeth Of The Sea dial up the weird. They layer throbbing synths with dissonant textures superbly – imagine if Goblin had become infatuated with the rave scene. Meanwhile, Yes fans Wardruna deliver a captivating headline set. Rooted in Pagan traditions, their ritualistic visuals, lyre-led motifs and shamanistic chants make for an otherworldly experience, ensuring sound and vision are equally memorable.

Lost In Kiev kick off Thursday's lineup with a powerful, polished post-rock set, swiftly followed by Lowen who start off shaky, with disappointingly off-tempo drums. However, they soon redeem themselves after Nina Saeidi's theatrics and tahrir vocal technique enhance a ritualistic fusion of progressive doom and Middle Eastern tradition that soon becomes hypnotic. We Lost The Sea's celebrated cinematic post-rock unfolds slowly, gathering momentum and enrapturing the packed tent. Their atmospheric soundscapes provide a profoundly immersive experience. It's raw, unforgettable, and one of the standout sets of the entire festival.

Leprous, despite almost setting fire to the main stage tent during soundcheck thanks to a malfunctioning pyro unit, are enrapturing. Vocalist Einar Solberg, no longer anchored by a keyboard, bounds across the stage belting out atmospheric opener Silently Walking Alone, through to the thunderous Slave. While we're not sure how safe it is to have that many pyros in a tent, it adds to the tight performance and elevates Leprous to potential ArcTanGent headliners.