Karnivool, Melvins, Rolo Tomassi, Adebisi Shank, and more announced for ArcTanGent 2025
ArcTanGent, the UK’s beloved bastion of progressive, post-rock, and experimental music, has unveiled the first wave of acts for its 2025 edition, and it’s already shaping up to be one for the books. Taking place from 13-16 August at Fernhill Farm in Compton Martin near Bristol, next year promises a powerful mix of festival exclusives, long-awaited returns, and special performances that will have fans scrambling for tickets.
Leading the charge as Friday's headliner are Australian prog-metal titans Karnivool, making their ArcTanGent debut with a UK-exclusive performance. Known for their breathtaking live shows and the monumental impact of Asymmetry (2013), their return to the UK stage after more than a decade promises to be a highlight. As the band put it, "How good is music? It thrills us from our collective hearts, excited to be circling the round round globe just to play this one show with some amazing acts and friends." With whispers of new material on the horizon, their performance is set to be a must-see.
Equally exciting is the addition of sludge-metal pioneers Melvins, also locked in for an exclusive UK festival set. Known for pushing the boundaries of heavy music for over three decades, their set will undoubtedly be a thunderous affair. Alongside them, Rolo Tomassi, one of the UK’s most genre-defying acts, will be celebrating their 20th anniversary with a special set curated especially for ArcTanGent.
Fans of Southern sludge will be thrilled to hear that Kylesa are making a triumphant return, marking another festival exclusive. Having been on hiatus since 2016, the band’s re-emergence is sure to stir nostalgia while delivering their signature blend of heavy riffs and psychedelic textures. Joining the party are Scottish post-metal heroes DVNE, whose epic soundscapes are perfect for ArcTanGent’s intimate but electric atmosphere. The infectious energy and innovative sound of Alpha Male Tea Party will also light up the festival, promising a unique blend of intricacy and intensity.
Special sets are always a draw at ArcTanGent, and 2025 is no exception. Between the Buried and Me will not only perform two sets across the weekend, but one of them will be a full run-through of Colours, the album that cemented their place in prog-metal history. Meanwhile, The Fall of Troy are gearing up to play Doppelgänger in its entirety, promising a frantic, math-rock-fuelled ride through one of the most beloved albums in the scene.
And that’s just scratching the surface. Post-rock favourites We Lost the Sea will treat festival-goers to two sets, including a full playthrough of Departure Songs, while Irish math-rockers Adebisi Shank make a much-anticipated return, ready to unleash their infectious energy on the ArcTanGent stage. Festival organiser James Scarlett is just as excited, saying, "We’re starting as we mean to go on – ArcTanGent 2025 is going to be ridiculous!"
With over 25 bands already announced ArcTanGent 2025 is setting itself up to be yet another monumental celebration of boundary-pushing music. Between the reunions, album playthroughs, and exclusive sets, it’s hard to imagine a better festival for fans of the experimental and avant-garde.
Full list of acts announced so far for ArcTanGent 2025:
Karnivool (Friday Main Stage Headliner - UK live show exclusive for 2025)
Melvins (UK festival exclusive)
Rolo Tomassi
Between the Buried and Me (2 sets including Colours in full)
Kylesa (UK festival exclusive)
The Fall of Troy (Doppelgänger in full + UK festival exclusive)
DVNE
We Lost The Sea (2 sets including Departure Songs in full)
Adebisi Shank
Alpha Male Tea Party
Gost
Sugar Horse
Inter Arma
Kayo Dot
Sleepytime Gorilla Museum
Heave Blood & Die
Vessels
As Living Arrows
Burner
Boneflower
Chalk Hands
Drongo
Giant Walker
Maud the Moth
meth
Ni
Papangu
Tayne
Tickets are on sale now, and if the history of ArcTanGent is anything to go by, they won’t last long. After the sun-drenched success of 2024’s 10th anniversary, next year looks set to raise the bar even higher. Whether you’re there for the chaotic riffs of The Fall of Troy, the shimmering post-rock of We Lost the Sea, or Karnivool’s headlining spectacle, ArcTanGent 2025 is shaping up to be the must-attend event of the summer.
Save the date for ArcTanGent 2025, and watch the video for the Adebisi Shank banger “THUNDER”:
