Black Arches

Black Arches formed in Hastings, South East England, in 2018 . The story began in a dingy cellar of a wine bar where a gang of local aesthetes and bohemians started a night of experimental performance art, spoken word and music by the name of Weird Shit. Black Arches began initially as a freeform live musical outlet for author and musician Gareth E. Rees’ spoken word extrapolations, later incorporating Matt Frost from his garage rock troupe The Dirty Contacts, and frequent collaborator James Weaver, to form a vehicle for wild experimentation and psychic abandon. In their intense, semi-improvised performances they blend heavy psych with electronics and layers of wild, atmospheric noise. In their early years they supported the likes of The Telescopes and Gnod. In 2022, they began collaborating with Medway Scene poet, artist and musician, Sexton Ming. Their debut album 'Folly' was released by Rocket Recordings in 2025.