Eclectic line-up hits the sunny spot at Green Man
Green Man 2018, Glanusk Estate
ANOTHER year’s Green Man is done and dusted and it’s been another cracker of a weekend spent in the heart of the Brecon Beacons National Park.
I’ll never get over the wondrous venue for this festival. The natural amphitheatre surrounding the Mountain Stage – the main stage at Green Man – means it’s easy to see the stage from every angle, no matter how many people are sitting in front of you.
And there are nooks and crannies around the estate, like the stone courtyard which is turned into a tiny beer and cider festival, and the walled garden, a sun trap filled with wonderful food and up-and-coming artists and late-night parties, that make this place so unique.
Pile on top of this a brilliantly eclectic line-up of musicians from all over the world and it’s a recipe for success.
The beauty of the aforementioned estate is that even though there are several different stages and tents pumping out all sorts of epic tunes – tip of the cap to Cardiff ’s Boy Azooga who finished their set with a banging rendition of Jungle Boogie – because of the aforementioned nooks and crannies, they don’t impact on each other.
Friday and Sunday’s headliners, King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard and The War on Drugs respectively, were huge, rocking performances taking over what seemed like the whole of the valley with their takes on rock and roll. I wasn’t into The War on Drugs before, but I am now.
Saturday’s closer was Fleet Foxes. Many might disagree but they were not a Mountain Stage headliner for me, while perfectly suited to a sunset slot – imagine lying back as the sun goes down to the sound of their hit Mykonos – I headed to the Far Out stage to get into something more upbeat and found Scottish alt-rock/twangy popsters, Teenage Fanclub – who were lush – and then Simian Mobile Disco featuring The Deep Throat Choir – who were brilliantly banging.
Other highlights were John Grant, Anna Calvi, Curtis Harding and Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever. My musical palette has been widened again - I will listen to some again, some I won’t. But that is the beauty of a festival. You’ll try something new and see people you love.
Thanks for another brilliant year, Green Man, see you next year.
■ Kathryn Williams