WORDS MAISE JANE DANIELS - IMAGES COURTESY OF INSIDE/OUT
Green Man, Green Man, Green Man, where do we start? It would have to be with thank you. Thank you for bringing a much-needed dose of elation to what has been a testing time for everyone. The love was felt far and wide from Thursday 19th until Monday 23rd of August, which you created on the beautiful site, located in Wales' Brecon Beacons, that boasted breathtaking rolling hillsides as your backdrop. You provided something for everyone, from all ages, and different walks of life. There was the Science Camp for those who wanted to get educated, a Zen Zone for those in need of some relaxation, and a lineup that had us moving and shaking at every given opportunity. You lived up to your name with your sustainable approach that saw us working hand-in-hand with mother earth from a reusable plastic cup policy to compost loo’s, to having no glitter or bio-glitter available.
IMAGE CREDIT - PARRI THOMAS
Your Far Out stage hosted a variety of genres from retro-pop sensation Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard (think T-Rex meets Queen) to an atmospheric set by Liverpool band King Hannah, to lively instrumental psychedelic girl band, Los Bitchos. We were excited to stumble across Green Man's international guests, Crack Cloud; a Canadian (and new favourite) punk band, which is a collective formed of seven core members where most came together through “various addiction recovery and mental health programmes both as participants and as support workers.”
IMAGE CREDIT - MARIEKE MACKLON
You have an exceptional ear for emerging talent and tucked away in a little pocket of Green Man was the Rising stage where the super fun psych-pop band that doesn't take themselves too seriously, Tiña, performed with front man Josh Loftin who wore his signature hot pink cowboy hat - you wouldn't lose him in the crowd! And a highlight was watching Faux Real, who captivated their audience with their seamless choreography and electric avant-garde pop.
IMAGE CREDIT - KIRSTY MCLACHLAN
Main Mountain Stage highlights saw Caribou, Thundercat, and F Word favourites including Billie Marten, who provided the perfect blend of folk and indie, followed by the melancholic masterpiece Matt Maltese. And you finished off the festival with Irish band Fontaines D.C who provided a dose of perfect post-punk poetry for their first headline show.
IMAGE CREDIT - ERIC AYDIN - BARBERINI
The Walled Garden hosted Deep Throat Choir that came out along with the sun that continued to shine on special guests Squid. Charlotte Church tantalised with her Late Night Pop Dungeon where she and her band came out with banger after banger, including covers of Destiny's Child, Nelly, Justin Timberlake and Alanis Morissette... you know which songs! Bringing us to the end of the night on the Sunday you pulled it out the bag with DJ set by Deptford Northern Soul Club, which had us transported back to the 1960's British mod scene.
IMAGE CREDIT - ERIC AYDIN - BARBERINI
For Sunday's closing ceremony we all came together to witness the burning of the Green Man himself, who, unlike his wooden exterior, was the star of the show. Festival-goers were invited to write dow their thoughts, feeling and hopes inside the Green Man himself which were then set alight and went up in triumphant flames (along with some spectacular fireworks) that made for the perfect end to a perfect four days.
Green Man, you're a festival for everyone, you made us feel alive again, you made up for lost time, and we can’t wait to see what you have in store for your 20th anniversary next year!
IMAGE CREDIT - NICI EBERL
IMAGE CREDIT - ERIC AYDIN - BARBERINI
IMAGE CREDIT - NICI EBERL
IMAGE CREDIT - NICI EBERL
