Arctangent 2015 pitshots

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Not in any shape or form official or anything to do with the brilliant festival.

Just to make that clear.

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Soggy fields. Tents. Bacon. Sheep.

Plaid. Beards. Smiles. Good loos.

Cider. More beards. Guitars.White Russians. Mud. Rain. Friends.

Variety. Math. Noise. Doom. Black.

Post. Alt. Heavy. Jazz. Dance.

Glitch. Djent. Whatever.

It can only be ArcTanGent. The singularly most inventive, exciting, varied, brave, heroic, challenging, disparate, off-beam, off-the-wall and anti-normal festival there is.

Now in it’s third year, the ATG legend and brotherhood goes from strength to strength pulling in the weird, the wonderful, the bold, the beautiful, the eclectic and the electric.

With the biggest and best line up yet, there’s almost too much bewildering and mouthwatering choice.

In no particular order, over the next 100 or so pages, I’ve tried to capture the heart and spirit of the music at this wonderful celebration of the off-the-beaten track from the middle of the action. No side stage. No in front of the barrier. Nope. Right in there.

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ken d ll ta ily hel ile a re heav n wh akily e a s t te a sh y th sho ally d of h ’s Theile usued an. All onains wso t. It t l t h s i oin ata i p w xic y sh ex ery p e intoing m hich imag not th man’s e los one. Wf the that’s ving the d th s iPh ality o . But sic-lopture rit an stival qu ckingne mu d ca , the gtest fe sho ply o try an ssion grea sim pt to the paof the temergy, f one en lity o lanet. rea the p r. on ooa wo B , ers Che

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There is now an enormous smouldering pyre of discarded guitars somewhere in the UK. Weeping axemen and women having reluctantly thrown away their beloved telecasters and PRS babies in shame and with heavy hearts. Chon do things with guitars that shouldn’t be allowed. Ever. Their technical playing is not just another level, but a level then another level above that. On a weekend packed fuller than a fat chav’s sweatpants with impresarios, maestros, musical wizards and geniuses, this jazzed-up collective re-write the guitar manual and put up such a shade for just about every other six string warrior to cower under. The performance isn’t all about guitars, obviously, but it’s impossible not to drop one’s jaw at the fret skills on show. A beautiful and fluctuating set veering between pure jazz rock and proggy post-rock does to the Yokai tent what Mrs Kayne West’s greased up arse did to the internet. A stunned and captivated assembly nod heads, tap feet and stroke beards through a mesmerising demonstration of musicianship and artistry. Not that easy to dance to, granted, but dancing with your mouth agog is not necessarily a strong look.

8.5

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pocket apocalypse - px3 stage

pocket

monsters Tiny tent. Big sounds. Big list of identifiable influences. There’s a little bit for everyone in here. Obviously musically flavoured by a whole range of alt/rock showing glimpses of Intronaut, Reuben, Oceansize, Hundred Reasons and even present industry darlings and future festival headliners Arcane Roots. But they’re far from a tribute mash up band or a bunch of sound-a-likes. There’s an originality here too, squeezed in among the reference points. The playing is faultless. The rhythms swing between unsettlingly jagged to balm-like soothing. Diminutive in stature but huge on vocal output, front man Nick Jones shows control, range, versatility and skill hovering somewhere between Andrew Groves, Mark Halls and Dave Mcpherson. This is tidy, progressive and competent stuff from such a young band. If they can develop some more hooks and hummable bits to accompany the magnificent soundscapes, we could well be seeing and hearing a lot more from this likeable and clearly talented quartet. Big future? Wouldn’t bet against it.

7.5

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the lite

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juffage - px3 stage

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It takes some balls to stand solo with just a semi acoustic at a festival as diverse but totally musically-minded and skill-soaked as ArcTanGent.

But that’s all Juffage seems to have. Apart from Mr Smith’s reasonable voice, we’re ‘treated’ to dreadful try hard disjointed angular guitar playing topped with woeful, spiky, self loathing and bedsit angst-ridden lyrics. Ok, it’s a great piece of curation to keep the mix fresh and different and I’m sure many people delight in this dysfunctional ersatz attempt to mix Elliott Smith with that bloke who sang Whatever (Liam Lynch?), but today, it’s not my bag. Balls.

4

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black peaks - arc stage

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Th er e’ sb a ro ig un no d ise ro th ck an i s fu d p ck go bi os /k od g t /m no ex ca et w pe br s u a /ro ill ct se l/p ia at ck .T o n io st he bo ts bu ns / e r y m o n t de cr ck ch ba am liv /a .A st, lt er m nd be ed a au w b w ith ru ty ith ,b ta la ol lig lo nd ht ck , sh sa ad nd e, br ai ns .

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9 Fr th on Bl e l ted d ac ove by r k lo es Pe ab the s o i ak le tu k n v i ac ne ng g u s d wa oca s p ip lru l g cl ce a n a b int s W ym se ea sso d m o o a t th ns ris sou illi x th ill na e a o S up at e h n d nd n an e r Ga stic d M d urd ug c wit sca do d c ock rd s o ea isp a e on h n f o l p ‘ n, la y l cr tr Ga es lar m n’ r er, e o u s o r o m y c . oo of nch wd lled dne olo H ou ll u dy gr u t r t a t , m ow ime lig en ’sgr rfu ge o l aj n u w ht r ow ly it v e es l tic p r h a arl oic s, m ock gr y o e ag m o n ni u wn fic sic en . t.

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7

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n a r r o w s

b r i d g e

d i s a s t e r

tacoma narrows bridge disaster cunts - arc stage

t a c o m a

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polymath - bixler stage

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Open the cupboard. Take out a big bowl. Throw in a box of shifting rhythms. A good pinch of massive riff bombursts. A drip or two of smooth, seductive seventies soul rock like Greenslade. Sprinkle in a good load of glitched-up, fucked up percussion and noise capsules. Chuck in a glug of hefty and super spiced bass. And finally throw in 40 or so bananas. Mix well with razor wire, snake piss and raw meat and liberally throw it all into a packed, sweltering tent full of pissed up bearded musos, et viola. Polymath. Curious. Challenging. Hot. Joyous. Fun. Powerful. Original. Fucking delicious.

8

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delta sleep -

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-

bixler stage

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er y ev tet f th o uar q e n e t, o . So . Th oub of ear some d y t a d ase n ny c hou t A a i w nts dm an. sho i s, w r dee they c iscrea rfect i es n x lde i a m d, al pe th o et n i p G b a o w a n this You mathp ugh d in pered Twi nt cor s of f ro e o h r m t llia pep u i d n r b o e n l m b a u ly ez s ta eb bre illiant he alb g top? alway bes abl r t i e gly b b v e m so nin ro up ng th f e lo n e s d h u t n t e g i o as son nd lov nclud ed can i and a ey ’v ing ! t s l h l t n unt Bi ta ard at a s c d h h u e n s w p sta do the r Je , ex a of ase ked e ke c l g a -p in s li -p d k k r r m w o o cro a ja e-w ll w ing p r it a u d d s n d w e A k . ro fun ure y c ent idd v ike g d s al he p A g T n m so er.

Ca old eth ent nd tog om a m w m e a sing o, n dre r-ra ust i g out a h ith g ow l n w l i l e k ng le b bac e-ti t. eop pin p s eas l d b a i e r e ec -lik und a sp uid al h q as r s e ion nt ev t s a c i e g en erf t a wh to p r bou a can a g) s ne n ine i a l h a t the and lly n’s cal i a g u t osty ma ac M y e s l ’ t lak Tru tha ut. lly B (if a i p c gho o e u p p o s th thr g (e ma . t on yin o a val l p ep esti is s f h ) T e g . h get min of t ce rum n d a s form rles per pee e h . t te: tion fec eba r d e P No

10

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toundra - bixler stage

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8

Spanish fire and passion all wrapped in a swishing, flashing post rock cloak. Glorious and rich textures effortlessly mixed with technical rises and falls. Thunderous and almost threatening moodiness punctuated with zingy guitar riffs and blasts. A kind of latin-infused Maybeshewill mixed with a spicy Oceansize and vocal-free flame-grilled Karnivool. A piquant and powerful mash up but very, very satisfying.

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rt a nn e v

e g a st i ka o -y

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Th ta e m om th ke no at to t ent he M on tch thi ik st n e a a b g o a ny r t g a s e, nd m nd w h o o t o a f he his . ho re s on the No ve m re w a of ag ’s ot t a m c s a o ic h m t t mu a h s v e n ow r t lei ed fee ian ev an he ch s g ru l o un er ha f up ing ly ht s b orm f a de thi y o s a m rl n a m rs ic eco er a ini we l a ro l m zi ur ng e l O po e. ro n k c un o en g re Cl ea f d n a d fo , s j s r t s o ize cl us t he o a ss ze fr w ho s fr ont le om se t.

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K ba ick 25 ss ing Th 5 in of im e the fu f w ju po De o se ith ar st ss m pen d a the Bu e t ke ibl on e lm b Bu t, oo ep y h Jo r fr os ow b ild wi ma up ig ke om t G el l of efo u th ny pi h. B , t th en oos es en a th re s a M hi ng ut he e b nd e in the Ro usi gh th the b am is- ing od it c a li e st a lik e c y alm an pic ke Fo ght an fou r is zin e t el r t s r g se ost cla cro the A to te. -pi se e s m t T s n w c th ee sic d n. .. ur en he e a t t ms an su th se tio re h un th ng ro a n, ey f em e w n ’re air O nd n-i d th on pe ing n is ev rat g er e oo yd .

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10

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8

Slick, strong post metal instrumental noodlings played and performed with aplomb. Nothing too new or original, but bloody good at what they do. The rhythm section is tighter than a fat lass’s thong and provides a great canvas for the duelling and intricately fused guitars. All very smart, sassy, solid and, at times spicy. Shoe gaze with real attitude.

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eschar

eschar - px3 stage

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Th th e Th e pe ms rice e r at for lve like sa m te po an nt t iv ce pla st r e oc y w co k/d ng hic ing t h o re o ga is a su om -l c tio n en h a ade n. p e n A bi rge ack alt g t e ro i c d oc ca me sta cke t rs g sio al w -s e. n fo uffu The ith ra a j s no ed oy a big m ts qu e nd o bi lod exc asi i g ba c ex item orc he nd pl e wi osiv nt s stra th e r eem l s o a bi omp s to und g se so tha be un t g ch em an d ge an oes do nell nui d ed bi ne gg wn l er a s thro y be ug gr tor sid in m h e s. t Gr wit hei r ea h t t s he tu ff.

7

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to the country the dillinger escape plan - arc stage

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I’ LO M H V NE M AV E W VE T AS IN I R O O P TE G TH SU F PE U RS TH D R D E S T N- T T TR EM IL E W LI H IS I M HE O H SE OL RES VA IND M KE IN NG ET TH T ES PE L S ED ON OF MY ER H E C E W P C ,T A F L O R M RO BO HI RO TE H E AN T T ES IF R I’ C E D R JU M A AI W N H D S H TI C N D N S D ES S UC O N I H CH IS, VA AT ST M D RE T IN O TR E F I A TH L A M AD PR ILL AM V I O AG A F T IP A GE L I S LLE E IMA LL. A LY TO O IN C L E.T N HE S T TR NR T I N MO G BU D V F IN G G E N GER OV AT HE AB SH HE ULY ES C , IN ST INA T I OR E ET O E . Y SO E V A T G O T T C T ESC R. A JU LU LLS ER AW ND E C O UT ION ’S LO M A N N M T H Y E H F R SE AN PE O D P, EL OC FL -IN PI N I AL E, O G C E TO Y PL N V L Y K ES SP E CA L E O I D TH AN E D E N MB JAM D, H F IRI ON L O A O IN ER N E T H , D -P BA RO NG G S D S I A Y M W CA TO IT R O VE, CK ING H N N L W S E AT E IG I - U D TH VE H KE I N RF EY N T, T TH A D CLA HE E O > IM Y > >

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N EI NC > G H ER> O BO N A M E R E I O R> FU F H LK T N H YO US AP LI N E Y ZA P U I FI I > S RD RS TH 43 T O S T NE LO H S > T % S R C C V IS >G M EK B > O I FA E / OFF RO UR > A IL N N LLE SM OD IN SS RE SU N O BU T> O T R ST WE SH >S > ILE PA H R U W L I N I N M N N E SH ER NA Y L, M E G SO TH IN BE > ' BA N S E E T> ON O W A

BY IC F > E L > RE YO 'S > ISA U W > > >W OL R > > HE F > N > >

PR A

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9

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e chain. Off its face. Off th f Of r. te kil ff .O ric ct Ele Eclectic. ed g. Delicious. Crazy. Fuck tin ac str Di e. at ar sp Di . beat ergetic. . Weird. Wonderful. En al in ig Or . ss le irt Sh . up resting.

Eventful. Inverted. Inte Entertaining. Exciting. .

Noisy. Rocky. Riffy. Edgy y. nk Pu . ive ss re og Pr ts.

In the nu renic. e. Comforting. Schizoph bl ta for m co Un . ng sti ra Cont from ll. Nine Inch Nails. John Tu ro th Je . lic de he yc Ps rning. g. Mystifying. Smiling. Gu Cleft on drums. Pleasin

8

cult of luna - yokai stage

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lunalandings

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Huge slabs of spiralling majesty. Dark. Brooding. Magnificence. Spine tinglingly captivating.

The Swedish post-metal magicians weave a heady spell on a damp evening in a rearranged slot after flight fuck ups led to them cancelling their main stage appearance. And, although they perform a truncated set, you get the feeling the enforced move to the smaller, womb-like Yokai tent has condensed the magick into something even more potent and intoxicating than it would have been in the main space. The swirling, mesmerising light show benefits from the contours of this huge big top, adding the visual topping to the most delicious and mind-altering space cake. Heady. Trippy. Seductive. Wow.

8

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her name is calla

her name is calla - yokai stage

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I’m not sure about the wisdom of putting the sultry, smokey, stringy and heart-rending sounds of Tom Morris and his merry band in the middle of the afternoon - Her Name Is Calla always conjure up late night train journeys, smoke-filled folk clubs (remember those?) or early morning hungover walks through city streets just coming to life at dawn. However, they do a superb and seductive job of hugging and caressing the afternoon throng with their delicious mix of folk, neo-classical and post rock gorgeousness. The enraptured crowd sway, dream and purr through a beautiful, plaintive and perfectly spiced set. Scrummy.

8

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Lunchtime.

And time to tuck into some meaty, spicy, complex, sophisticated and fucking delicious mathy, technical pie. Paul Russell and his team are Heston Blumenthal.

Surprising, experimental, technical, exciting perfectionists. They never fail to set the tastebuds on fire while mollifying any jagged spicy burns with complementary silky smooth textures and oh-so-clever balances and juxtapositions.

The riffs are humanly quantised to within a millionth of a hemi-demi-semi quaver; the team are in perfect harmony and balance. Their interplay and understanding is bewitching, beguiling and, at times, beyond belief. And they look like all four of these master chefs are having a bloody good time while they’re hard at the cooking, conjuring and creating. A blistering bill of fare takes the ravenous and boisterous crowd on an oscillating culinary journey.

Every note is played perfectly and the interplay between the ingredients is truly mouthwatering.

But, like Blumenthal, the perfection, experimentation and science is as far away from anodyne or clinical. There’s soul and passion oozing from every cadenza, arpeggio and spidery, polyrhythmic riff and run. This is as honestly near to instrumental perfection as you could stick in your mouth. Challenging, fiery, multi-layered, multi-textured, brave, technical but jam-packed with feeling, heart, soul and love. Seriously, absolutely jaw-droppingly brilliant.

Waffer-thin mint anyone?

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9.5

axes - arc stage

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the ability to

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g in sw ge n a ia r st r le le va bix

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er epp p t n gia , the iffs s t ge zy r , a s r k d. C nec eir rea hly h p t s a o ug r nto t i o a s th wh kin .A rp. nap And i ce . s p t t i s s . Bu s f a h k o e s f uc le rni an nt t ri n k r ga tali p I r te a s t e i y l l gu Bix eat o ca and ked dm al v c n s n a n a o r p a si old , gu ting o cc h, b iles iva c l e i m r a h s a ht le, .As wit into , sty ime d t s y l s e h i c p d sa lun to p ree ith ay nd pw es g a v u i r Frid d dd ui ta rve t an eg l se u n a o o e l a ri t gm mil fy b fyin e s i e t b sa k s, and hoo h c ri le, yab o j en

7.5

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maybeshewill - arc stage

just

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n otio em h uc l so m w nta o me eh u r m t ins aze am ll’s al i o t w usic he s ails m f e r a yb eve ed Ma It n arth e by the n eu out ed v t a g a sin cre to h Mis is em . t e r s and y ea The lob eh . h b y t t u to rain bea tly p y b e irec um r d gp e g n ay h i t t w f h sa s o pat pul e. rier ed r r abl a e e b b n i l g ham ma ona ay i ur c rati o w f y e with t er g th can filled it ev i n l i g p n s bb sup agi re i gra ass to a theat the m d y e uc ating The erform full . e d r y e t r r ca put in p are ope and -up e aga ry owd their d r e c c e ed s u r g e y on l ov R h a , t , f y , d f g o t to of in the j oy ear the And , moon ngs as eer i n g h h i s From g r l v stil ni n d st the mo grin rns an mber, a n d but f o e o l h ss nA ble tab ma of I c r e d i evi e uds n i c Clo cen o s t i n he e i t f h i m gn sT and ma Film rns e up s e H t of nal an L o g i t on er mo -a-l Pap of e to ing t s e film es ing t m n i a tiv gse ub l Ber as cap o a t n gs t wri t in pu i f h d l ic ul al Wh wo pt 2 re! at o h ing t c en dor ns a n w , a do do ped um and ven b e e ve. s ey oo e lo h g g T u e . h .H me mt wd sha cro s fro r t n a e spe re t mo ally n n o e oti ev em nd a d uce sed

9.5

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k d

ak/dk - yokai stage

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s of oad L . th syn en v i r m-d gs, trin stea s , d s l o oxe ne s, b s. O n e o k t t blo ts, . Bu Two bea ops , o s l of ove gr o ads e o c L an ms. at o, d Wh dru ian . s P gic ong Ma d b n e h a T s . rk y om hat Spa , bo r sw ’ e t e a h s, b g, t ang hin t b o , N eps g? ce. ble ron ian l w l i o r gb ly g sib kin s a o h es ld p cou bon , c i not hyp , l a gic ma

8.5

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simply the beft

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cleft - yokai stage

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Riffs, riffs, riffs, more riffs, throw in some riffs, add a couple of riffs, then chuck in a bulging elephant’s scrotum rammed full of riffs. Add the aforementioned riffs to the other riffs. Stick ‘em on stage at the hands of two affable and engagingly nerdy wizards and what have you got? About two thousand delirious, dancing, moshing, cheering, salivating, drooling, very happy riff addicts. That’s what. It’s so life-affirming to see Dan smiling his way through this glorious riff fest after coming through brain surgery (during which, the neuro-surgeon must have left a bunch of riffs in his frontal lobe after he suchered him up). The banter and genuine love between him and John on the bangy things is palpable and spreads like chlamydia through the crowd as they stride through some banging new riffs alongside old faves like Trapdoor and 12 Second panda. Riffy perfection. Quite simply, the beft.

9.5

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cleft + alpha male tea party

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Just when you’d think there’s no more room for any more riffs, our intrepid duo are joined by long-time buddies and brothers Alpha Male Tea Party for, er, well, a riff fest. Mashing up the riff DNA from Deftones, Slayer, Maiden, Rage and more, the ramshackle collective produce one of ‘those moments’.

Not just at this mesmerising and glorious festival, but at any festival.

Ever. Truly one of those moments you can proudly say ‘I was there’. It’s stuff like this that truly sets ArcTanGent apart from just about any other festival. You honestly can’t imagine this much joy from so many people all united by their total love of the riff.

10

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ls e ss e v

e g a st i ka o -y

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8

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blazing q

quadrupede - yokai stage

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g quad 7.5

Another duo. Lemien Dacoq. Smaseph Jolley.

More loops. Amazing drumming.

Crazy rhythms.

Big crowd. Big love. Jazzy grooves. Mathy vibes.

Telepathic interplay. Many smiles.

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alright the captain - bixler stage

9

Due to the Cult of Luna debacle, this fucked up shower of noisy fun are moved to the Bixler stage to pretty much bring this year’s magnificent festival to a close And although Saturday headliners on the main stage are the mighty Deaf Heaven, it seems somehow more apposite to bring the curtain down on this most off-bea independent, unpredictable and brilliant festival with an off-beat, independent, unpredictable and brilliant band. The tent is as full as a bull’s bum and read to party. And the whacko, mathy, proggy, jazzy, funky trio deliver a party set of spiky rhythms, sublime guitar licks, riffs and sorcery held together by thunderou rhythm section alternating with electronic pads, bleeps, farts and layers. By the tome big John from Vasa has added his fat bass tone to proceedings, the mayhem reaches fever pitch with bassist/fart machine operator Todd Wood engulfed by the enraptured hordes and swimming through the human waves. I can think o a better way to end what has been a perfect weekend. Apart from the fucking rain. This performance sums up everything that is good about ArcTanGent: joy musicianship, passion, free-spiritedness, the eschewal of the expected, pure expression, middle finger in the air, warmth, love and most of all bloody brilliant music

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al to a close. most off-beat, m and ready y thunderous the mayhem can think of TanGent: joy, illiant music.

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As a couple of footnotes This whole thing is for fun only. No money changes hands. No industry types are involved (even my mates). It’s not official, endorsed or licensed. My ratings are obviously purely personal and in the case of festivals they’re going to be naturally quite high as it’s the bands and acts I actually want to go and see that I generally do go and see. So I’m kind of biased. Not that that’s really that important. This is meant to be nothing more than the view of the festival through the very pissed eyes of one individual. No payment, payola, favours, corporate or record company money is involved. It’s a hobby. So if you disagree with some of my (or all of my opinions) then that’s cool. The pictures are all shot from my iPhone and then tinkered and tidied up a bit in photoshop. They’re not clean, anodyne, perfectly focused, framed or metered. You can get plenty of those elsewhere. All much better than these wobbly efforts, of course, Most of them are taken while moshing, usually pissed and often with one hand while trying to avoid spiling my pint. They’re not hi-resolution as you can tell, but feel free to nick any of them you want and re-use or repurpose. As I say, they’re pretty shit quality but they are copyleft (copyright free). I obviously have no image rights ownership or an image rights lawyer. If I have goofed up and broken any laws, then sorry. Don’t send me to jail where I’ll get anally fisted by a big bloke called Jeremy in E wing. That would be bad. Just let me know and I’ll do my best to delete or credit the artists etc. As I say, this is all for fun. It’s all for free. feel free to share, quote, steal or re-use anything from here. I won’t hassle you. Promise. And that’s about it. ArcTanGent was a blast. if you weren’t lucky enough to be there, then just maybe some of the images and word farts in this book thing go some way to convey just how bloody special it was. I bloody love live music. Cheers, Bwoooar.

c All shots are my own and are copyleft. Feel free to nick ‘em. Go on. It’s ok.

O

catch up with my rambling word farts about loud music (although there’s not much new on there these days I’m afraid - this has kind of taken over)

http://bwoooartunes.blogspot.co.uk