ArcTanGent returns to Fernhill Farm next summer (19–22 August 2026) with a line-up that feels like a dream wish list finally realised. The award-winning festival, long celebrated as the UK’s home for adventurous rock and experimental sounds, has unveiled its trio of main stage headliners — and they’re nothing short of historic.
Primus will make their long-awaited ArcTanGent debut, marking their first UK shows since 2017. Expect a career-spanning set from Les Claypool and co., whose eccentric, genre-defying catalogue has carved them into rock mythology. Chelsea Wolfe steps into the headline slot at last, following the acclaim of her 2023 record She Reaches Out To She Reaches Out To She. Originally booked back in 2020 before the pandemic derailed plans, Wolfe’s appearance promises to be one of the most atmospheric and unmissable sets of the weekend. Completing the trio, Cult of Luna join forces with Julie Christmas to celebrate the tenth anniversary of their landmark collaboration Mariner with a full-album performance — a UK exclusive for 2026. Both Johannes Persson and Julie Christmas have spoken about the emotional weight of revisiting the record, describing the show as an “experience, not a performance.”
The announcement also brings a wave of heavy-hitters and exclusives. Wednesday night will be led by UK math-rock pioneers SikTh, while Napalm Death fly the flag for grindcore intensity. Oakland’s metal powerhouse High On Fire add their firebrand energy to the bill, alongside UK heavyweights Conjurer. Cellist and composer Jo Quail will also appear with the Crossbones Ensemble in a UK exclusive performance that promises to be something truly special.
These new names join an already stacked line-up that includes Igorrr, Perturbator, Chat Pile, Alcest, Oathbreaker, Agent Fresco, TTNG, Heck, Svalbard, Alpha Male Tea Party and many more. Festival organiser James Scarlett summed up the announcement by saying that Primus at ArcTanGent is “well overdue,” Chelsea Wolfe’s headline slot is finally happening after the cancellation in 2020, and Mariner remains “one of the greatest albums of all time.” To have all three headline in the same year, he added, is “literally unbelievable.”
Since its launch, ArcTanGent has carved out a reputation as the UK’s most daring rock festival — a place where exclusives, reunions, and final-ever performances collide with grassroots discovery. Past bills have featured Mogwai, Meshuggah, Opeth, Converge, Deafheaven, and countless cult favourites. The festival’s independent spirit and commitment to adventurous programming earned it “Best Small Festival” at the UK Festival Awards in 2018, and it continues to grow organically year after year.
FULL LINE-UP SO FAR (New additions in bold)
Primus (Friday Headliner) / Chelsea Wolfe (Thursday Headliner) / Cult Of Luna & Julie Christmas performing Mariner (Saturday Headliner) / Igorrr / Napalm Death / SikTh* (Wednesday Headliner) / Perturbator / Chat Pile / High On Fire / Alcest / Oathbreaker / Agent Fresco / Conjurer / TTNG / Svalbard* / BRUIT ≤ / Amplifier (Silent Disco Live Set) / Heck / Alpha Male Tea Party* / Humanfly / Jo Quail & The Crossbones Ensemble / Psychonaut / Lost In Kiev* / Overhead, The Albatross* / Michael Cera Palin / Darkher / Shearling / Town Portal / Barrens / Blessings / Bucket / Chalk Hands* / DIMSCÛA* / Erotic Secrets of Pompeii / Giant Walker* / The Grey* / HAAL / KLÄMP / Meatdripper / No Violet / Sans Froid* / Swamp Coffin* / Tanzana / Zatokrev / Sara Zozaya
*= Wednesday only
ArcTanGent 2026 takes place near Bristol from 19–22 August, with tickets on sale now.
Information
How to get to ArcTanGent Festival - HERE
Ticket Link for ArcTanGent 2026 is - HERE
