Starting life in 2003 as a one-day event, Supersonic Festival has grown significantly over the past twenty one years to be one of the premier European showcases for DIY, Leftfield and experimental music situated in the heart of Birmingham. Welcoming a wide variety of artists, genres and cultures to showcase across their home in Digbeth, Supersonic celebrates the fringes of the alternative music scene and gives a larger platform to acts you wouldn’t typically find at more mainstream events.
A little grunge, a little psych-rock, a lot of nail biting punk rock fury, Atlanta collective Upchuck are fast becoming favourites in the punk scene. Feeling very old-school in their approach, the band oozes DIY energy, skate-punk defiance and an overwhelming passion for personal freedoms and alternative community. Embracing cathartic live performances, unbridled presence and energy lead to them scoring an opening slot for Aussie punkers Amyl and The Sniffers across the U.K. and Europe this November. Supersonic looks to be a rather intimate affair for a band who’s are surely soon to shoot straight through the ceiling and breakout themselves.
Where, When? – Saturday, 20:20, XOYO (Second Stage)
Hailing from the murky underground scene of Leeds, Welsh Language goth rock power-coven Tristwch Y Fenywod (The Sadness Of Women) are a throwback to early goth rock roots. Conjuring witchy atmospheres as the trio channel by employing cavernous electronic beats, eerie traditional folk instrumentals and haunting vocals. Transmitting their energies into songs about bog bodies, flickering landscapes and queer enchantment, their debut album releases the day of their Supersonic set. With two teaser singles readily available, the promise of an otherworldly experience harking back to the cultural roots of Welsh paganism and witchcraft is too tempting to ignore.
Where, When? – Friday, 19:30, XOYO (Second Stage)
Regarded as one of the leading figures breathing new life into Ireland’s burgeoning folk scene revival, John Francis Flynn takes the emerald isle’s traditional instrumental folk and vocal style and experiments with variations on soundscape explorations. With soulful and poignant storytelling and instrumentals teetering on the brink of dissension his latest album, 2023’s Look Over The Wall, See The Sky makes for a simultaneously somber and cathartic experience. Said to be performing his Supersonic set with a full band, expect plenty of fiddle, traditional Irish instrumentation, acoustic guitar from the folk realm and touches of psychedelia in the hypnotic songwriting.
Where, When? – Sunday, 18:10, o2 Institute (Main Stage)
The term ‘supergroup’ is bandied around too often when describing a cumulation of forces from multiple legendary (whether underground or mainstream) sources. However The None prefer to approach their new project with an egoless mindset, hence the anonymity behind the name. This absolutely does not diminish from the four talented individuals involved and their varying degrees of success in bands such as Cassels, Frauds, Youth Man & Young Legionnaire/Bloc Party. But why even mention these stellar bands? The None is an opportunity to stretch individual musical talents and share new ideas with fellow turbulence makers.
Bassist Gordon Moakes, driven by his urge to play again after moving back to the U.K. from the U.S. and with no active projects on the cards, approached Jim Beck (guitar), who then in turn helped drummer Chris Francombe on board. ‘It took ages.’ Gordon explains, ‘And then it started to fit together fairly quickly. We got 2 or 3 songs kind of in place.’ Yet the final piece of vocalist took some time but they landed on their first choice, Kaila Whyte. ‘Chris & I immediately said Kay and then we didn’t think as they are living in Birmingham. Months went by, I remember Gordon sending a really forlorn message.’ Jim continues. ‘Then we text and you [Kaila] replied within 20 minutes haha.’ Like putting adverts up in music shops as teenagers starting their first band it was a stuttering start, but with the right person, in the right place, at the right time it soon all clicked.
‘They had been working for a while and then I came on board and it was ready to go…we had 2 or 3 practices and we started recording.’ As Kaila gives insight to the instantaneous chemistry between the quartet. ‘I think all our styles aligned which I never really had.’ It is quickly apparent how every member in the [Zoom] room is comfortable, can speak their mind and yet not step on anyone’s toes whether in conversation or musically. ‘It is a product of how we all work’ says Gordon. ‘It’s just been so easy’ Chris reiterates whilst sipping a beer on the call in the Montenegro sunset. Rarely seen is a new band starting their lifespan so calmly and at ease.
‘I think there reaches a point if you’ve been doing it long enough you found the things you enjoy so you learn to focus on those. Not thinking everything is so important, like the end of the world. The main thing is just remembering to enjoy it, just writing songs and playing. Focusing on that and let everything else just come.’ ‘And we trust each other’s taste.’ Kaila adds and Chris agrees ‘No one’s very protective over anything we are just trying to serve the songs.’
The return of the legendary festival, ArcTanGent are going all out for their big 10th birthday bash. But of course, you already know that. By now you’ve probably already got a rough schedule for the weekend in place. We don’t need to tell you to go and see the big names atop the lineup. Once again, the lineup for ArcTanGent is absolutely god tier, and you all know it.
But beneath the big names and scene favourites lies an utter treasure trove of new and fresh artists playing across the weekend. And with that in mind, here’s our top picks for the artists you would be utterly foolish to miss this weekend.
For those to harbour inevitable sore heads come Saturday morning, Torpor will either fix you or just completely kill you off. Playing 11am on the final day of the festival and peddling in the kind of sludge that’s genuinely horrific, painful and existentialist in nature, Torpor present hideous music for hideous times; there’s nowt joy to be found here, nor barely any optimism. But such is the grim joy of this fantastic albeit totally bastard miserable band. By populating textural sludge soundscapes with motifs of doom, post-metal and ambient industrialism with delicate finesse, Torpor present authentically overwhelming music that sounds akin to a post-apocalyptic soundtrack for a pre-downfall world. If you want to either experience the worst hangover of your life or hear some of the best sludge music in the UK with your morning coffee, then look no further. – Dan Hillier
When, Where? – Saturday, 11:00, PX3 Stage
Tastemakers take note, now is your time to start listening to alternative rock four-piece Unpeople. Rising from the ashes of 2000 Trees favourites Press To MECO with dual vocalists and guitarists Luke Caley and Jake Crawford enlisting bassist Meg Mash and drummer Richard Rayner to form an insanely tight quartet delivering lush vocal harmonies with a post-hardcore and alt-metal edge. Despite having only released a single five track EP, Unpeople have been taking the underground by storm performing live dates supporting hardcore supergroup Better Lovers, ArcTanGent favourites Conjurer and even opening for Metallica in Austria. For fans of festival alumni like Arcane Roots, Jamie Lenman and Palm Reader, Unpeople’s set should be considered a must see, if nothing else you’ll get to brag in a few years that you saw them before they were big. – Tom Bruce
When, Where? – Thursday, 12:45, Bixler Stage
Not long after the Noizze Podcast leaves the stage on Friday morning, will you have time to grab a coffee and a breakfast burrito before heading over to the Bixler stage to catch our favourite noisey duo Modern Technology. Off the back of supporting other ArcTanGent adjacent favourites Chat Pile and releasing their gritty second LP Conditions of Worth Chris (Bass/Vocals) and Owen (Drums) are ready to drill down into your soul. Like disgusting stanky bass that you need to peel off your shoe? Love beats that fill your chest with dread? You’ll be in the right place watching these two. – Adam Vallely
When, Where? – Friday, 11:35, Bixler Stage
Hidden Mothers are quickly establishing themselves as one of the premier screamo/post-hardcore bands around and their new track, ‘Defanged’ proves that they’re not slowing down. The track takes aim at the tendency of the masses to direct their anger at the most vulnerable people, instead of those in privileged positions who perpetuate the problems, and it does so in a grinding black metal ridden way that Hidden Mothers have made their calling card. Soaring vocals, atmospheric additional instruments and Alexisonfire-esque riffing combine to produce an emotionally charged, yet fully realised single that leaves you wanting more – good job that long-awaited debut album Erosion / Avulsion is incoming this November. – Rob Bown
Positioning themselves as the UK front runners of the fifth-wave emo scene, and developing a cult-like fanbase in the process, itoldyouiwouldeatyou have spent the the past few years working hard at truly establishing themselves as a band deserving of your attention. Not only is ‘Moscow is Silent’ itoldyouiwouldeatyou’s first single outside of their Oh Dearism album cycle, but is in fact their first release in five years. A love letter to those endlessly seeking socialist alternatives to capitalism, ‘Moscow is Silent’ is an artfully crafted blend of post-hardcore and post-punk. Relentless bass drives the track forwards with a hypnotic, repetitious energy, whilst guitars deftly weave complex, noodling licks in a math-rock styled manner. Elements of progressive ambition seep into the track, particularly towards the subtly grandiose back half of the track, lending the whole affair a delightfully theatrical feel. This truly is a band worth getting excited about. – Ryan Ward
Taken from the band’s upcoming new record Blue Garden – released October 11th via Sofa Boy Records and Wax Bodega – ‘Figure In The Dark’, like it’s name less than subtly implies, harkens towards a record that is stated to be the band’s darkest outing to date. But of course, it’s Delta Sleep; even at their most miserable they still sound more airy than most of their peers. Laden by subtly mathy riffs and propelled by the charismatic vocals of Devin Yüceil, here, regardless of the track’s thematic focus on uncertainty and anxiety, the band approach the shadows with the sunny confidence that’s long defined them. ‘Figure In The Dark’ may see UK math rock’s shining light navigating a slightly more shadowy path, but with their sunny take on the genre still vivid, it’s clear Delta Sleep have far from lost their way. – Dan Hillier
Dropping in conjunction with the announcement of their signing to Big Scary Monsters and just prior to their set at ArcTanGent next week, ‘Writing Out A List Of All The Names Of God’ is a jagged, discordant, tortured and aggressively peculiar barrage of noise that’s actually quite horrible really. But such is both the intention and the reason for it’s brilliance. The latest release from the Leeds noiseniks, the track is the full embodiment of this uniquely peculiar band and an audacious racket that just signifies how Thank have long been the subject of plaudits upon high. As junglist percussion clashes with dissonant leads, strained synths and odd-ball commentary, ‘Writing Out A List of All the Names of God’ is a cracked mirroring of our now absurdist and long fragmented culture that Thank have long portrayed. It’s unsettling and breathless, but a single authentic and most wonderful. – Dan Hillier
After a decade without a new release UK based instrumental math rock trio Brontide have returned with their monumental new single ‘Mineral’. With the band’s last release, 2014’s Artery, being considered required listening for any young fan of experimental rock Brontide have set a high bar for themselves with their long-awaited comeback, one that ‘Mineral’ clears with confidence and grace. Balancing dramatic And So I Watch You From Afar style lead guitar lines and delicate MONO-like atmosphere across a gargantuan 8 and a half minute runtime, Brontide haven’t lost a single step during their extended hiatus. With the release of ‘Mineral’ and an exclusive set at this year’s Arctangent festival math and post-rock fans are truly experiencing Brontide summer. – Tom Bruce
Swedish progressive death metal legends Opeth haven’t had the most well received ride over the last few records of their career. Since dropping the edeath metal element from their sound (notably Mikael Alkerfeldt’s growls straight from the bowels of hell) it could be said that they lost some of their momentum, despite their more progressive records being fantastic in their own right. ‘§1’ (a radio edit, meaning the eventual album version may differ) arrives ahead of their Bloodstock headline date and it’s their first piece of new music in five years. Released ahead of the new concept album The Last Will and Testament due out 11th October, it’s a wonderfully adventurous slab of music. Over a pounding drum tattoo and some luscious atmospheric guitar work, the band take you on a journey like few others can. Of course, the triumphant moment where the death growls come in is a highlight, but Mikael’s cleans should never be understated, as they maintain their beauty here. This is a track that will have fans simply salivating over the prospect of the upcoming record, and even more excited for the band to take the stage at Bloodstock. – Chris Earl
It’s been just over a year since Better Lovers dropped their first track and made the lives of everyone missing ETID and TDEP instantly better. The blend of fierce, punky metalcore riffs and Greg Pucatio’s legendary deranged bark was a match made in heaven. Their debut EP and subsequent high energy live performances cemented them as an incredibly exciting act, and having just announced their debut album for release in October, they show no signs of taking things slow. ‘A White Horse Covered In Blood’, is their first single from their upcoming debut album Highly Irresponsible. Aside from its ridiculously hard title, the song itself is also a certified rager. Greg sounds his usual deranged self, forcing melody into twisted hooks while Jordan Buckley and Will Putney conjure frantic, driving riffs that flow like adrenaline through the bloodstream. The record also features a suitably graphic and slightly baffling piece of artwork that will surely be seen on t shirts around the world come the end of the year. – Chris Earl
British alt emos Boston Manor continue to build excitement and momentum for their upcoming record Sundiver. The third single from the record is a hypnotic, almost dream-pop number titled ‘Horses In A Dream’. Described as a song about deep emotional connection and raw human intimacy, there’s a sultry, almost sexual energy that throbs underneath. It’s a track that conjures fingers fumbling at buttons, hastily bitten lips and breathless murmurs as one of you tried to find the light switch. Surely destined to be an intense, arms in the air moment live, this shows the band at their most invigorating and exciting. – Chris Earl
The long awaited return from Mancunian alt-rockers False Advertising, ‘Don’t Ask Me’, much like all great art forms, comes from one the most inspirational of places – The Simpsons. But regardless of its inception, the track see’s False Advertising analyse the nature of self-autonomy amidst a culture where control cannot be wrangled from our monotonous way of living. It’s a brilliant track, one that sees the band embracing new grooves and beats and one that is animated with its respective self-shot video, where the central theme of control is imprinted on the fate of a store bought lobster. “After watching the episode of The Simpsons where Homer keeps a lobster as a pet, I always wondered what would happen if you actually did that,” states Jen Hingley on the track and video. “Although it’s difficult to know for sure, as obviously we didn’t want to cause any real harm to real lobsters when making the video.” – Dan Hillier
One of, if not the most exciting bands in the current emo scene right now, Origami Angel have joined forces with the legend that is Will Yip for their fourth album. Known for incredibly powerful, heart-wrenching anthems that touch on being pop-punk bangers, Feelings Not Found has some big shoes to fill but judging by this double-drop of singles, Will Yip has managed to keep the momentum going. ‘Dirty Mirror Selfie’ is by far the most immediate of the two, opening with a bouncing, almost hardcore riff before slipping into a summery, sadness tinged banger. Capped off with a wonderful, sing-along chorus, it’s a stirring anthem that tugs at the heartstrings as much as it wants to make you jump and shout. Moving onto ‘Where Blue Light Blooms’ sees vocalist Ryland Heagy conjure up one of the most beautiful hooks of his whole career. A much chiller, laid back affair, it stands as an early high point for the album and marks the release as a late contender for album of the year for those who miss bands like American Football and The Hotelier. – Chris Earl
Legendary post-hardcore band Touché Amoré had been teasing new material for some time amidst their busy worldwide touring schedule, fresh new single ‘Nobody’s’ wastes no time in re-establishing the LA based quintet’s credentials as one of the scene’s most vital voices. Taking their typical sound to polished new levels with contributions from iconic producer Ross Robinson ‘Nobody’s’ firmly places charismatic frontman Jeremy Bolm’s vocal performance front and centre, bolstered by thundering drums and swirling lead guitar lines. With the announcement of their sixth studio album Spiral In A Straight Line, due for release this October, Touché Amoré are preparing to retake their title as post-hardcore’s most important act. – Tom Bruce
Fans of extremely chill math rock rejoice, one of the UK’s finest new trios Real Terms are back with their new single ‘Ornaments’. Stripping down the complex sounds of bands like TTNG and Delta Sleep and folding in retro pop sensibilities inspired by The Police and Phil Collins on last year’s stunning debut album Vantage, Real Terms stick to their strong vision on ‘Ornaments’, blending mathy rhythms with soft, falsetto vocals and subtly impressive musicianship. For those put off by the more self-indulgent side of math rock Real Terms may be the perfect gateway drug, delivering the guitar acrobatics and sonic experimentation that fans of the genre love but wrapped in a plush, accessible package. – Tom Bruce
The second single from Allt‘s upcoming debut album From the New World, ‘Aquila’ shows the young band’s penchant for groove-laden progressive metalcore. Dripping with atmosphere both menacing and melancholic, there’s gritty melodies and roaring breakdowns aplenty with the Swede’s single. The band say of the track, “’Aquila’ is the first track we started working on for From The New World. It’s about fanaticism and blind obedience, giving you a glimpse into the dystopian, post-apocalyptic world we’ve built.” With its haunting electronics and furious guitarwork, it fits the album’s post-nuclear apocalypse world like a glove. Sounds like there’s plenty to be excited about come From the New World‘s October 4 release. – Will Marshall
