WORDS MAISIE JANE DANIELS - SPECIAL THANKS LISTEN UP
Following our "Press Play" feature highlighting 10 must-see acts at Green Man Festval 2024, F Word Magazine couldn’t resist heading back to the Welsh valleys in Bannau Brycheiniog to witness these artists - and many more - with our own eyes.
Green Man has long been a fertile ground for nurturing and launching new talent. The festival has played a pivotal role in the early careers of artists like Fontaines D.C., Michael Kiwanuka, Self Esteem, First Aid Kit, and Kae Tempest. This commitment to emerging talent resonates deeply with what we champion at F Word. Take Arlo Parks, for instance - an artist we first interviewed and photographed for her debut feature. Watching her now on the Mountain Stage, performing to thousands of adoring fans as the sun set, was a full-circle moment. Arlo’s performance was both polished and heartfelt, her confidence as an artist shining through while maintaining the humility that made us fall in love with her in the first place.
Arlo Parks on the Mountain Stage by Kirsty McLachlan
The Mountain Stage also saw The Orchestra (For Now) open the festival in style on Friday morning, having earned their spot as this year's Green Man Rising competition winner. Now in its 15th year, the Green Man Rising competition continues to provide a critical platform for new and emerging artists, serving as a launchpad into the live music scene. This year’s competition attracted a record-breaking 3,500 applicants, with 25 finalists selected. All runners-up performed on the Rising Stage throughout the weekend and were given the opportunity to record a professional Green Man Session.
The Orchestra (For Now) on the Mountain Stage by Patrick Gunning
Another emerging band on F Word’s radar, Mermaid Chunky, delivered a surreal performance that felt like stepping into a weirdly wonderful, woodland dream. Band members Freya Tate and Moina Walker captivated the audience with their whimsical lyricism and eclectic blend of recorders and unconventional instruments, creating a perfect escapism through their otherworldly melodies. Not to mention their mind-blowing DJ set on Saturday night had the crowd grooving all night long!
Green Man has a tradition of welcoming artists back as they rise to prominence, and a standout example this year was the Mercury Prize-winning Ezra Collective. They returned to dominate the Mountain Stage with an electrifying jazz-fusion performance full of energy, love, and pure joy, drawing in a mammoth crowd and pulling each person onto their dancing feet. As the penultimate act before Sampha's beautifully soulful and genre-blending closing set, Ezra Collective’s exuberant show felt like a homecoming. The night culminated with the ritual burning of the Green Man effigy, a powerful symbol this year calling for action to clean up the nation’s waterways.
Ezra Collective on the Mountain Stage by Kirsty McLachlan
Looking ahead, we have our eyes on Lime Garden and Royel Otis as potential future headliners. Both acts took to the Far Out stage, each leaving a lasting impression. Lime Garden’s "wonk pop" sound, effortless cool, and commanding presence made their set, well, pretty far out, leaving me eager to be part of their gang. Meanwhile, Royel Otis brought a nostalgic, cinematic vibe that left the audience feeling like they were part of a movie.
This marks F Word's fourth year at what we proudly call our favourite UK festival. It’s been a privilege to witness the journey of artists from emerging talent to established stars, and we can’t wait to see who will take the spotlight next year. Green Man 2024 was a testament to the festival’s enduring legacy of supporting and celebrating new music, and we’re already counting down the days until we return!
Green Man 2025 tickets go on sale on September 28, 2024.
