ArcTanGent 2025 – Wednesday recap
From God Alone to Wardruna, here’s how ArcTanGent’s opening day set the tone for an unforgettable weekend.
Wednesday at ArcTanGent feels like a warm-up before the main weekend. With just two stages open those being Yohkai and PX3, the first day has a smaller lineup, but I would argue that it’s part of the charm of arriving on the first day. It gives you a chance to settle in, catch up with friends, and ease into the weekend without having to sprint between clashes, especially as both stages are situated next to each other before Wardruna play the mainstage to close the night.
The music started strong, with bands like God Alone, Thank, Underdark, and Sans Froid kicking things off. As the evening went on, things picked up with Teeth of the Sea and Colossal Squid, who brought a mix of experimental sounds and electronic energy. Later, Slift (one of my most anticipated bands of the weekend) turned up the dial up, filling Yohkai with a buzzing, high-energy performance.
The headliner for the night, Wardruna, closed out the evening. Their atmospheric Nordic folk was perfect and was enjoyed by everyone around me. It was a lovely way to end the evening, calm but powerful.
What stood out most about Wednesday was how relaxed it felt with an underlying excitement for the weekend ahead. With fewer stages and smaller crowds, it was easy to move around, grab food or a drink, and actually see most of the acts without rushing. It gave the whole evening a friendly, communal feel, a reminder of what ArcTanGent does best.
Later that evening we were blessed enough to get a silent disco set performed by AK/DK, which was great fun. I have been to a silent band set before and I think they’re so much fun and are a great way to keep live music flowing past curfew. After AK/DK finished their set they cleared the stage ready for the silent disco DJs to take over.
By the end of the night, there was a nice buzz for what the next three days would bring. Wednesday might be the quieter start, but it definitely set the stage for the weekend ahead.