Green Man: the best festival you've never been to
Ask someone on the street to name a UK music festival and the chances are they'll say Glastonbury, the V Festival or the Reading/Leeds Festival. There are, however, a number of lesser known, independent UK festivals that offer fantastic alternatives to the established giants - with The Green Man Festival perhaps being the best of the lot.
Established in 2003, Green Man started out as an intimate one-day event with a capacity of just 300. Held in the grounds of Craig-y-Nos Castle in the upper Swansea Valley, the festival was a success, prompting expansion the following year. By moving to Baskerville Hall Hotel near Hay-on-Wye, the Green Man Festival was able to host 1,000 people over two days in 2004 and 2,000 over three days in 2005.
Now well-established as the hot up-and-coming event on the festival circuit, Green Man moved to Glanusk Park in Crickhowell in 2006 and has gone from strength to strength ever since. This year, 10,000 eager music lovers will pack their tents and sleeping bags and head to Wales to attend the festival that those in the know rate as up there with the very best.
Taking place from August 20-22, this year's Green Man offers an impressively eclectic array of acts, meaning there will truly be something for everyone. One of the real highlights, though, will be Saturday's Main Stage headline set from The Flaming Lips. Formed in 1983, the alternative rock outfit always offer great value -- not only in the form of their excellent music, but also via their spectacular and often surreal stage show. Don't be surprised to see lead singer Wayne Coyne crowd surf in a giant inflatable hamster ball - and that's likely to be one of the least weird things going on!
The appearance of the majestic Joanna Newsom on Sunday will surely also be a moment to remember. Newsom's act is something you truly have to experience to believe; with a magical voice and incredible harp playing skills, she's one of the most talented musicians of modern times. Newsom will be playing a selection of tracks from her recent triple album release, Have One On Me, as well as some of her older favourites.
About the Author
Going camping? Look into a quality tent before you go.
Rating: Not yet rated