Friday at ArcTanGent delivered epic sets, from soaring post-rock to prog-metal and a headline show under the stars. Catch our full day three recap!

Friday morning started strong on the Main Stage with Overhead, The Albatross, who delivered a set that felt like a sunrise ritual. Their post-rock textures was a slow build that pulled you in rather than hitting hard from the start. It’s one of those sets that reminds you why ArcTanGent is such a haven for instrumental fans.

Meanwhile, the PX3 stage was home to some of the festival’s more intricate and mathy offerings, keeping those looking for technical wizardry satisfied from the get-go. One of the joys of ATG is that even at peak times, it’s never overwhelming. There’s always space to lean against the tent pole, grab a drink, and soak in the afternoon.

By mid-afternoon, Future of the Left lit up the Yohkai stage with their wit and controlled chaos. Their mix of biting lyrics and angular riffs, a perfect contrast to the more atmospheric acts surrounding them. This is where Arc really excels: the ability to pivot between sprawling soundscapes and short, spiky bursts of noise without feeling out of place.

Across the stages, Friday also offered plenty of room for discovery. It wasn’t just about the big names, smaller artists brought serious rhythm and noise and often drew some of the most passionate pockets of the crowd. 

As the sun began to dip and the site started glowing in that warm late-summer light, you know that sweet golden hour, things got going. Between the Buried and Me turned Yohkai into a prog-metal pilgrimage with a full playthrough of their iconic album Colors. For longtime fans, it was a bucket-list moment; for newer listeners, a masterclass in technical brilliance. Every twist and tempo change landed flawlessly, and the crowd responded with total commitment, heads banging, hands raised, and faces locked in enjoyment.

Then came Mew on the Main Stage, a set that already felt historic before it even started. Billed as possibly their final UK festival appearance, there was a sense of anticipation in the air, and they didn’t disappoint. Their dreamy, expansive alt-rock washed beautifully across the field, shimmering with nostalgia but still brimming with vitality. It was a set full of heart, and for many, a genuine emotional high point of the weekend.

Finally, the night belonged to Karnivool. Closing out the Main Stage, the Australian prog giants delivered an utterly commanding headline performance and for many was their highlight of the weekend, and with this being their only UK appearance of the year, it felt like a gift. The sound was huge, the execution razor-sharp, and the crowd interaction electric. Away from the stages, Friday had that perfect festival flow. Bars and food stalls were buzzing but manageable, no soul-destroying queues, just plenty of options to refuel before the next big set. For those who had the stamina, the silent disco returned after the headliner wrapped, turning the night into one big, glowing dance floor.

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