THE 20th anniversary edition of Green Man, Wales’ largest music, science and arts festival, came to a close on Sunday night, August 21.
During its 20th birthday weekend at the Glanusk Estate near Crickhowell, the festival saw stellar headline performances from Kraftwerk, Metronomy, Beach House and Michael Kiwanuka, as well as brilliant sets from fan favourites Kae Tempest, Yves Tumor, Alex G, Bicep, Arooj Aftab, Parquet Courts, Jessie Buckley and Bernard Butler and an array of Welsh talent including Gruff Rhys, Cate Le Bon, Melin Melyn, Adwaith and more.
Alongside the brilliant music, there were talks from the likes of Travis Alabanza and Ash Kenazi, plus comedy from the Lolly Adefope, Shaparak Khorsandi, Mark Steel and more.
A collaboration with King’s College London saw the new Weather the Weather climate change installation, while the first pride parade to take place at a Welsh festival also attracted a huge crowd on Saturday afternoon.
Mercury Prize winner Kiwanuka starred as the festival’s final headliner, with his songwriting and soulful vocals holding his audience in the palm of his hand.
Playing tracks from both his 2019 album KIWANUKA and from his now decade-long career, the headline set served as a victory lap for the artist, who first played at Green Man in 2011, from first on the bill to headlining 11 years later.
Legendary Welsh musician and Super Furry Animals frontman Gruff Rhys surprised the Green Man crowd with an early afternoon performance on the Mountain Stage.
Joined by special guests, the Algerian Tuareg desert rock quintet Imarhan, the set drew in a massive and eager crowd.
Brooklyn post-punk band Parquet Courts were on top form over at the Far Out stage. One of the most energetic sets of the night, they played tracks from their decade-long collection of albums.
One of the most trailblazing artists in jungle at the moment, Nia Archives, was a stellar edition to the festival’s after dark programming. Her experimental blend of old-school jungle, neo-soul vocals,and skittering breakbeats kept spirits high following the Green Man burn just outside the Far Out tent.
Earlier on at the Mountain Stage, Ezra Furman put on an especially moving performance, in which she played tracks from her highly-anticipated new album All Of Us Flames.
Experimental art-pop pioneer Jenny Hval graced the slot before Furman with an eerie and beautiful showing.
North Carolinian grunge-pop hero Indigo De Souza put on an impressive display at the Walled Garden stage. Uniquely capturing the chaotic, shapeshifting experience of growing up, the musician captured the hearts of festival goers young and old.
Hawaiian musician Eli Smart was an early highlight on the same stage, with his self-proclaimed ‘aloha soul’ warming the audience up for the final day in the Beacons.
The Little Folk children’s area continued to pioneer family-centric fun at UK festivals with a broad programme of entertainment and interactive exhibitions, as well as yesterday’s Little Folk parade.
Families were the first to stream into the site when the site opened on Monday, for 3,000 enthusiastic festival goers who turned their festival experience to a 7-day holiday in Wales.
The settlers warmed up for the festival with a programme of workshops, guided walks, bike riding, canoeing and adventures in the mystical Black Mountains.
Tickets for next year’s festival go on sale on Thursday, September 29.
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